CONTEMPORARY INDIA AND EDUCATION

COURSE 2 : CONTEMPORARY INDIA AND EDUCATION 

UNIT-1 : UNDERSTANDING THE SOCIAL DIVERSITY 

DATE : 24.02.2021

TIME : 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

HOST : Mrs. Malarkodi

PLATFORM: Google Meet

The unit is about the different levels of social diversity and its causes, how they affect the harmony of a country, the importance of education and it's need to eliminate the negative impact of different diversities. Our nation has many social differences based on religion , caste, language, economic status and states and thus social diversity is its peculiar feature.

Ma'am started the session by giving definition to diversity in particular social diversity.

Social diversity is a feature of society which is determined by caste, class. religion and occupational pattern in a given territory.

Different levels of social diversity are: 

• Individual 
• Regional 
• Linguistic 
• Religion 
• Caste
• Tribal

The above said levels disturb the harmony and peace of a country if they are projected in a wrong direction especially to the younger generation.

Continuation of this unit has been taken on : 08.03.2021 

The only thing to maintain the balance between the diversities is by providing proper education from the school level itself. This makes the students to respect the people, culture, traditions of different societies.

         

Thus education plays a vital role in eliminating regionalism,  linguism, caste based politics in a society and strengthen the social harmony. And also education creates a positive attitude and tolerance among the people.

Thank you ma'am for a wonderful session.

UNIT-2 : EDUCATIONAL DEMANDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND DIVERSE COMMUNITIES

DATE : 15.03.2021

TIME : 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

HOST : Mrs. Malarkodi

PLATFORM: Google Meet

Our Indian society has diverse communities so the educational needs of people will also differ. This unit is about the educational needs of people and the various schemes implemented by our Indian Government in order to ensure that every child should get their basic education at the right age.

Ma'am started the session with an introduction of the unit and then she explained the various educational schemes in our country to meet the educational needs of the individuals.

Schemes implemented by Central and State Governments:

• Universalisation of Primary Education:

      The main features of this scheme includes:

• Compulsory and free education to all children from age 6 to 14.
• Enrolling the children compulsorily in primary schools.
• The primary schools should be within 1Km from the child's house so that they can attend the school regularly.

• Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) :

The meaning of this scheme is "The Education for All". Also  referred as "Each One, Teach One".

The main features of this scheme includes:

• To bridge the gaps between the social, regional and gender gaps in the society.
• Creating additional classroom with well mannered infrastructure and digitalization of classrooms to make the students engaged in the classroom environment.
• Appointing additional teachers
• Scholarships and special training given to economically backward students and also children with special needs.

• Rashtriya Madhyamik Sikhsha Abhiyan (RMSA) :

The scheme has been implemented with the objective that all students should get their secondary education and also to improve the quality of secondary education.

The main features of this scheme includes:

• Making the secondary education economical and easily accessible.
• New curriculum designed and implemented for computer and value education.
• Scholarships provided for girl child, tribal students and economically backward students.
• Establishing residential schools in tribal areas.

• Rashtriya Uchchatar Siksha Abhiyan (RUSA) :

The main aim of this scheme is to develop higher education in India including the 
College studies.

Features of the scheme includes:

• Permitting opening of new universities.
• Upgrading the standard of universities
• Linking colleges in the neighbourhood of a university as its cluster colleges.

Though these schemes were implemented in our country yet there are some challenges and obstacles while achieving them.

Continuation of this unit has been taken on : 17.03.2021 
Ma'am started the session with a small recap of the last session and explained about the Delor's Commission Report.

Four Pillars of Education:

Delor Commission Report states that education is at the heart of both personal and community development to realize each one's inner potential and talents.

 

               

The four pillars of education recommended by Delor are

• Learning to "Know" - know about the inner talents and skills within oneself
• Learning to " DO" - practising the skill learned
• Learning to "Live together" - know the social values and live together to maintain social harmony
• Learning to Be" - shows every individual as unique personality

This unit helps to know about the various educational schemes implemented in our country and state and also about their main features and ideas.

Thank you ma'am for the session.

UNIT-3 : INDIAN CONSTITUTIONAL VALUES AND EDUCATION

DATE : 19.03.2021

TIME : 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

HOST : Mrs. Malarkodi

PLATFORM: Google Meet

This unit is about the values including Liberty, Justice, Equality and Fraternity introduced to our Indian Constitution post independence. The Indian Constitution has a preamble containing 22 schedules, 12 appendices and 395 articles.

Ma'am explained the fundamental rights and duties of Indian Citizens and the articles related to education in this session.

Fundamental Rights of Indian Citizens:

The 7 fundamental rights of Indian citizens are:

• Right to Equality (Articles 14 - 18)
• Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression (Articles 19 - 22)
• Right against Exploitation (Articles 23 - 24)
• Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25 - 28)
  
• Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29 - 30)
• Right to Constitutional Remedies (Articles 32 - 35)
• Right to Life (Articles 20 - 21)

There are 11 fundamental duties enlisted for every Indian Citizen as per the 42nd amendment to the Constitution.

Continuation of this unit has been taken on : 22.03.2021 

The session was started with the Directive Principles of State Policy and Education. Ma'am explained these principles in detail. The 3 directive principles include:

• Socialistic directives
• Gandhian directives
• Liberal, Intellectual directives

The essence of the directive principles were taken from Articles 36 to 51 of the Constitution that mainly give the guidelines to the central and state government to establish the economic and social democracy of the country. These guidelines should be considered by the government while framing the policies and implementing the laws.

Challenges in fulfilling the Constitutional Obligations are:

• Freedom
• Justice
• Equality
• Fraternity

Various constitutional provisions related to education (Articles 45,46) and Provision for safeguarding the educational rights of minorities (Articles 28 - 30) has been explained.

The ways to provide equal opportunity in education and the Recommendations of Kothari Commissions was also explained.

Ma'am concluded the session by explaining the key points on Right to Education Act and the salient features of this act. 

Thus, it is important to give equal opportunities in education irrespective of gender, caste and region by implementing the provisions and principles available in our Constitution with respect to Education.

Thank you ma'am for an informative session.

UNIT - 4 : INEQUALITY, DISCRIMINATION AND MARGINALIZATION IN EDUCATION

DATE : 25.03.2021

TIME : 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

HOST : Mrs. Malarkodi

PLATFORM: Google Meet

This unit is about the 

• Social inequalities and its causes and types
• Inequalities in Education and its causes
• Marginalized group and its characteristics
• Marginalized Children and their characteristics
• Discrimination and factors causing it
• Measures to improve women education in India

Ma'am started the session by giving definitions to inequality, discrimination and marginalization. 

Social inequality is generally man-made thing that tells the differences among the people based on their religion, gender, race and caste.

The 2 attributes that forms the basis of social inequality include:

• Ascribed Social status defined by others at the time of birth
• Achieved Social status acquired as a result of talents and hardwork of an individual.

 Types of social inequality:

• Caste based
• Class based
• Gender basedec
• Economic based
• Region based inequalities.

Inequality in Education refers to a condition in which all students in a society does not get an equal opportunity and quality education. 

Causes for inequalities in education are:

• Social Discrimination
• Marginalization of some social groups

Social Discrimination is due to the result in differences in caste, race and gender. These discrimination nowadays are slowly changing in the society.

Marginalization is the way of pushing out a group of  people low in their economic status from the society. Such people affected as a result of this process are called Marginalized people. They will be deprived of their basic needs and requirements. They seem to be powerless people in the society.

By providing proper and free education to the marginalized people will improve their mindset and eliminate the complexity within them. Thus education plays a key role in eliminating social inequality, discrimination of people in the society and marginalization of specific group of people.

Thank you ma'am for the session.                                                   

UNIT-5 : POLICY FRAMEWORK ON EDUCATION : PRE INDEPENDENT INDIA

DATE : 26.03.2021

TIME : 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

HOST : Mrs. Malarkodi

PLATFORM: Google Meet

This unit is about the education system during the pre-independence period of our country.

Ma'am clearly explained the period of pre independence and their broad classifications, objectives and the pattern of education taught during that period.

The Period of education system before the independent India:

• Ancient and Medival period (Vedic Period) - 

            It was student centered education.Also known as Gurukula Method of Education. There was some freedom given to the students in this system of education not restricting them to learn from confined books.

• Buddhist period - 

            In this period the students were allowed to learn based on the eight fold path given by Buddha. Curriculim was designed with Primary and Secondary Education. No punishment were given to the students learning from the buddhist schools.

• Jainist period - 

            The ultimate aim of Jain education is liberation. This system emphasized the learning of concepts by doing experiments. Practical oriented classes begun during this period. Importance was given to vocational training.

Continuation of this unit has been taken on : 05.04.2021 

• Mughal period -

            The education in this period is based on the religious thoughts and the Medival period starts from this stage. Importance was given to vocational based education. Opportunities for higher education was also made possible.

• British period - 

            This period include various committees and reforms in education:

• Charter Act - The purpose of this act was to recognize the education for Indians

• The Indian Education Commission - The primary motto of this system is to give importance to primary education and to prepare students for vocational training and literary education.

• The Government of India Resolution - It also emphasized the compulsory primary education to all the citizens.

• Hartog Committee - This has many disadvantages and thus failed to achieve the literacy rate among the students.

• Wardha System of Education - This system has been put forward by Gandhiji. The main aim of this is to give compulsory and free education to all children for a period of 7 years. The medium of instruction should be in their mother tongue. The education should support the learner to some extent like giving vocational training.

            Also known as system of basic education. The system focus on giving training on handicrafts, tailoring, painting without gender preference and also learning through mother tongue. The major factors for the failure of this system is lack of funds from the government and also insufficient amount of teachers.

• Abott - Wood Report - The main objective of this is to provide compulsory vocational training to all those who demand for that to improve their quality.

Thus, the major education systems in the pre independent era focused on giving proper education to the students and they all focused on giving vocational training to improve and support the students in their future. But due to non cooperation and lack of funds, and teachers made these systems as a failure ones.

Thank you ma'am for the session.

GENDER SCHOOL AND SOCIETY

COURSE 6 : GENDER, SCHOOL AND SOCIETY

 UNIT-1 : GENDER ROLES IN SOCIETY

DATE : 02.03.2021

TIME : 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

HOST : Mrs. Vijaya

PLATFORM: Google Meet

This unit is about the different roles assigned to male and female by the society and the inequalities created as a result of this discrimination of gender roles.

The term gender refers to the economics,social, political and cultural attributes and opportunities associated with being male and female.

Sex refers to the biological characteristics with which we were born that determine whether we are male or female.

Gender Roles in Society:

A gender role is the behavior expected of a female or a male in a particular culture, the attitudes and activities that a society expects of each sex.

 A sex role is the behavior defined by biological constraints.

Factors causing gender roles in the society:

• Family
• Caste system
• Economic status
• Religion
• Culture
• Social Media
• Popular culture
• Law and state

The above said factors creating gender roles are gradually changing in the society.

Continuation of the unit has been taken on : 13.03.2021

Though the Indian Constitution formulated equal rights to man and woman yet there are Gender inequalities prevailing in the society. The reasons for gender inequalities are:

• Gender Stereotypes
• Poverty
• Illiteracy
• Social customs, Beliefs and Practices

These inequalities in gender is eliminated by spreading awareness through education from the school settings itself.

Thus, the traditional gender roles and the inequalities caused by them should be eliminated from our society so as to make a healthy generations in the future. This can be achieved only with the help of education that should propagate the equality among the gender.

Thank you ma'am for an interactive session.

UNIT-2 : GENDER IDENTITY AND SOCIALIZATION PROCESS

DATE : 18.03.2021

TIME : 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

HOST : Mrs. Vijaya

PLATFORM: Google Meet

This unit is focused on the gender identities, factors influencing it, removal of gender disparity through curriculum, gender discrimination in classroom environment a644'4'[4 [[444444444444444444444477nd eliminating it and analysis of gender role stereotypes.

Gender identity refers to a personal identification with a particular gender and gender role in the society.

Main factors influencing gender identity includes Family and Mass media.

Man and Woman are identified by certain characteristics and these are wrongly taken to form the gender disparity.

Socialization is the process of interaction through which the child learns the customs and beliefs of the society into which the child is growing. Healthy socialization promotes the thought of gender equality in a child.

Gender Socialization is the process through individuals learn the gender roles according to the beliefs and traditions.;

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Continuation of the unit has been taken on : 01.04.2021

The gender role stereotypes are constructed by the society and they are not natural.The traditional concept of these gender stereotypes for male and female should be changed from the minds of the people in the society.

The contents and factors causing Gender disparity and discrimination should be eliminated from the text books and curriculum. It is the role of a teacher to promote equality among the children in a class.Parents also should promote the equality among their kids and treat them equally without any discrimination.

Thus the schools are important agents for socialization of younger generation. Teachers and peers also shape the gender attitudes. They should promote open and healthy discussions about these inequalities and promote equal opportunity to both male and female in the society.

Than you ma'am for such a wonderful interactive session.

UNDERSTANDING DISCIPLINES AND SUBJECTS

COURSE 5 :UNDERSTANDING DISCIPLINES AND SUBJECTS 

UNIT-1 : DISCIPLINES AND SUBJECTS 

DATE : 04.03.2021

TIME : 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

HOST : Mrs. T. Sumathi

PLATFORM: Google Meet

The unit is about the disciplines and subjects, the academic disciplines, the importance of studying school subjects. 

Ma'am started the session by giving definition and meaning of subjects and disciplines, the difference between them. 

Subjects are the sub-branches of a discipline taught in a school. Academic disciplines on the other hand denotes a branch of knowledge aimed for mastery by students. 

Subjects are :

• Aimed to develop the basic knowledge, practical skills and social qualities. 
• Develop the basic skills like reading, writing and arithmetic. 
• Prepares the basics useful for higher education of a student. 

Academic disciplines are:

• Aimed to do research works in a particular field of study.
• Help students to acquire deep knowledge of a subject. 

Curriculim: 

It refers to the subjects and academic disciplines students have to learn and master during a course of study.

Curriculum Content:

It refers to the ways of achieving goals in a course of study involving the completion of project tasks, knowledge acquired and the methods of evaluation to assess the level of proficiency achieved.

CONTINUATION OF THE SESSION WAS TAKEN ON : 10.03.2021

John Dewey's Ideas on Disciplinary Knowledge and Curriculum:

According to him education is continuous throughout the lifespan of an individual.

John insisted 2 aspects of education that are:

• Encourage the child needs and interests
• To improve the child's potentials to serve the society in their future.

He insisted on 'Project Method of Teaching' where a child can able to solve problems by doing the activity based learning rather than reading the concept simply from the book. 

The relationship between school subjects and academic disciplines, the importance of studying school subjects was also explained by ma'am. 

Thus the school subjects forms the basis of education and academic disciplines  comes at the final stage of education. Education given to students will be based on activities so that they can learn eagerly with full interests and will not consider education as a burden.

Thank you ma'am for the session.

UNIT-2 : DISCIPLINES AND SUBJECTS IN SOCIO-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES

DATE : 18.03.2021

TIME : 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

HOST : Mrs. T. Sumathi

PLATFORM: Google Meet

This unit is focused on the emergence and development of knowledge, changes in social, physical and natural science and socio cultural aspects like linguistics,redefinition of school subjects.

Knowledge is to find out unity in the midst of diversity. -Swami Vivekananda 

It  can be explicitly acquired in theoretical forms like principles and implicitly gained by practical experience. 

Emerging problems related to knowledge:

• Several specializations 
• Integration of knowledge 
• Explosion of knowledge 

Changes if made in the curriculum may overcome the above said problems. The changes should be made from schools,society. The change in curriculum includes the changes in subjects like social science,natural science and also linguistics. 

CONTINUATION OF THE SESSION WAS TAKEN ON : 23.03.2021

The various branches of science like physical science, natural science were explained by ma'am in detail. 

Various concepts of knowledge:

• Firm knowledge: It has 3 domains namely 
• Pedagogical knowledge - focus on student's outcome
•  Discipline knowledge - understanding the concepts  and facts within a discipline.
• Pedagogical content knowledge of a specific subject - arrange the subject content sequentially and present them with suitable examples using charts or models.

• Objective Knowledge: It is based on the grasping power of individuals based on their observations and it is not affected by individual's likes and dislikes and could be established by scientific methods.
• Diverse Knowledge : The knowledge acquired from diverse sources like internet, televisions, scientific journals are categorized under this type.
• Dialogical Knowledge: The type of knowledge gained by the students through dialogue conversations to expand their comprehension and advance their learning process is called dialogical knowledge.
• Subjective Knowledge : It depends upon the one who thinks and not by things that are contemplated.

Thus the various knowledge and redefinition of school subject from socio cultural perspectives make the students to grow up as active and responsible members of the society. And also it helps to respect the cultural values of others.

Thank you ma'am for explaining the unit in detail.

UNIT-3 : SELECTION OF CONTENT

DATE : 25.03.2021

TIME : 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

HOST : Mrs. T. Sumathi

PLATFORM: Google Meet

The educational policies are framed to fulfill the needs and demands of the society and reflecting them in various levels of education and the contents of the subjects get shaped.

This unit is about the curriculum content designed in a simple manner so as to enhance the learning of children.

Aims for selecting content:

• Provide students with effective learning strategies
• Encourage students to set their goals

Criteria for selection of curriculum content: 

There are 7 criteria to be considered to develop a curriculum content. The needs of both rural and urban students, their learning abilities and the available resources in the schools should also be considered while designing a curriculum content.

The following guidelines were given by educationalists for including or excluding a subject in the curriculum:

• Importance of the subject
• Knowing the content usage

Thus the contents of a curriculum should be in such a way that the students have to be able to know the importance of the subject and its usage in future. It should also provide valuable education that support the students throughout their life and also to achieve their goals.

Thank you ma'am for the session. 

LEARNING AND TEACHING

COURSE 3: LEARNING AND TEACHING 

UNIT-1 : NATURE OF LEARNING 

DATE : 25.02.2021

TIME : 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

HOST : Mrs. A. Radha

PLATFORM: Google Meet

The unit is about the various types of learning and the principles, techniques involved to make the learning process as an interesting experience. 

Ma'am started the session by giving meaning and definitions of learning. 

Learning is a process of acquiring knowledge. It shapes the behavior of an individual based on his experiences.

Various psychologist have given their definitions to learning.

Elements of learning:

• Positive interdependence 
• Individual responsibility 
• Pupil who are the learners 
• Teacher is the key person 

Basic principles of learning:

• Learning is an organizing experience and growth of an individual 
• It is unenforceable 
• It's a product of the environment. 

Types of learning:

• Rote learning:

It's a memorizing technique without understanding the concept. It is based on repetition. 

• Meaningful learning:

It is a technique that involves deep understanding of the concept. The things that are learnt by this process will be useful throughout the life of an individual. 

Continuation of the unit has been taken on: 12.03.2021

Active learning:

Active learning refers to the learning process that involves practical experience and by doing activities. 

This makes the students to learn with involvement and understand the subjects easily. 

Principles of Active learning:

• Students will learn more when they learn in groups. 
• Good practice maintains healthy student teacher relationship.
• Increase cooperation  among students 
• Makes students engaged fully in learning process. 

Techniques of Active learning:

• Game based learning. 
• Discussion on the topic 
• Role p.aying
• Think pair and share 
• Problem solving capacity 
• Reading Quiz

Self learning:

Self learning is the process in which one learn the things on their own without the help of a teacher.

Benefits:

• Tackle problems on their own. 
• Deep knowledge of the subject 
• Freedom to learn 
• Courage to learn 

Thus, both Active and self learning promotes learning by practical experience and makes students to learn effectively. They make the students to get deep knowledge of a subject and encourage them to do further work on the subject. They also prevent the students from becoming 'book worms'.

Thank you ma'am for such a detailed session.

UNIT-2 : TEACHING AND ITS NATURE 

DATE : 17.03.2021

TIME : 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

HOST : Mrs. A. Radha

PLATFORM: Google Meet

The unit is about the characteristics of good teaching and the tips to follow to become a good teacher, the role and characteristics of a good teacher.

Ma'am started the session  by giving the definition of teaching.

Teaching is a process where the ideas and beliefs are taught by a person

Characteristics of Good teaching:

• Art to give knowledge
• Provide guidance and training
• Encouraging to learn
• Stimulating and interesting
• Share the love of teaching

Various Philosophers and thinkers from both Western countries like Aristotle, Rousseau and from India like Swami Vivekananda and Gandhiji had given their views on teaching.

Characteristics of Reflective Teaching:

• Open mindedness
• Responsible
• Thinking and listening
• Communication, Sincere

Reflective teaching:

• Planning the next session
• Reflective on action

Professional Characteristics of a teacher:

• Committed, dedicated and hard work
• Humorous
• Understanding and supportive

Teaching Skills:

• Clear in presentation and explanation
• Strong communication
• Motivation and encouragement
• Patience and effective classroom management

Favourite Teacher Qualities:

• Sound subject knowledge
• Warm and cheery
• Creative, interactive and imaginative in nature

Thus the goal to become a good teacher can be achieved through the concepts like educate,inspire,learn and change. The learning component of a student can be enhanced only with the help of good teacher and the teaching skills of the teacher. The teacher has to be capable of conveying the concept  to the students and also make them to be involved in the art of learning.

Thank you Ma'am for the detailed session.

UNIT-3 : BEHAVIOURAL THEORIES OF LEARNING

DATE : 19.03.2021

TIME : 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

HOST : Mrs. A. Radha

PLATFORM: Google Meet

The unit is about the theories of learning given by various psychologists based on their views and attempted them by certain experiments. These theories are explained by our ma'am in detail that are used in the process of teaching.

Behaviourism is a theory of animal and human learning that  focus on the behaviors and mental activities. Behaviour theorists define learning as the acquisition of new behavior.

Ma'am explained the following theories of learning in detail.

• Pavlov's Classical Conditional Theory:

Pavlov, Russian psychologist experimented the conditioning process in a dog. He concluded his experiment that conditioning is the simplest type of learning and it forms the basis for complex learning. It is important among human beings especially in their chidhood.

• Thorndike's Law of Effect: The experimental animal is cat. He proposed two laws of learning. They are:

Primary and Secondary laws of learning.

His law is also known as 'Trial and Error' method of learning in which an individual involves in repeated trials to achieve their goals and eliminating the errors from his trial. By this repeated process individuals can learn the things deeply.

Continuation of the unit has been taken on: 22.03.2021

• Skinner's Operant Conditioning and Shaping:

B.F.Skinner proposed this theory of Operant Conditioning. He states that behaviour is the basic thing that shapes the individual.

Positive behavior gives pleasure and helps to remove pain whereas,

Negative behavior removes pleasure and gives pain.

• Bandura's Social Learning Theory:

Albert Bandura states that the decisions made by an individual are based on his environment and the experiences gained from the environment. The human nature is to imitate others and this also changes the behaviour of the person.

Thus, these theories explained how the human mind and character are shaped based on the behaviour and experience from the environment.

Thank you ma'am for the session.

UNIT-4 : COGNITIVE AND HUMANISTIC THEORIES OF LEARNING

DATE : 25.03.2021

TIME : 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

HOST : Mrs. A. Radha

PLATFORM: Google Meet

This unit is about the basic concepts of cognitive learning and the factors revolving around it including the problem solving skills and memory retention.

Ma'am started the session by giving introduction of cognitive learning. It is the function based on how a person process and reasons information.

Cognitive learning theorists believe that the learning is an internal process in which the information is integrated into one's cognitive structure. Learning occurs through the internal processing of information.

The following cognitive theories were discussed in the session:

• Kohler's Insight Learning : the accidental things will give solutions to a problem when it is applied practically.
• Modes of Cognitive Development - Bruner : Cognitive development of a human being is different at various stages of development.
• Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development : At each developmental stage the human mind will organise and adapt to the environment.

Continuation of the unit has been taken on: 07.04.2021

The humanistic theories of learning include:

• Kolb's Learning styles : According to Kolb learning is the process where knowledge is created through the transformation of experience.
• Maslow's Self-Actualization Theory : According to him, people generally will work hard to enhance their knowledge and skills based on their needs and do not want to stagnate at any stage of development. This self - actualization makes a man's life as meaningful thing.
• Carl Roger's theory of Fully Functioning Person : He states that every individual has the potential to fulfill their needs, goals and ambitions.Those who use their potential only will attain their goals and they are known as Ideal Persons.

Thus,the cognitive theory states that human mind will adapt to different environment and the humanistic theory states that the needs and goals are achieved by using the potentials and talents of an individual.

Thank you ma'am for clearly explaining the unit.

ABOUT

     I am L.K.Vedhalakshmi, who completed Master's Degree in Biotechnology. Currently I am a student teacher in Vidhya Sagar Women's College of Education, Chengalpattu. Vidhya Sagar Women's College of Education (VSWCE) offers teacher education course. Students who wanted to take up Teaching as their career are benefited by the program and our college strives to empower us and make us to be independent.
     Due to this pandemic the College is offering us education through online mode. Our online classes began with a bridge course followed by orientation program. Once the programs were completed we are having our academic sessions through online. Thanks to the technology which keeps us connected and use the pandemic time effectively for empowering us.

    In the series of blogs I have updated about my online sessions including the curriculum and extra curricular classes. 

    

    Happy Reading!!!.....

ONLINE EVENTS

LIFE SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

DATE : 29.03.2021

TIME 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

PLATFORM : ZOOM MEETING 

HOST :  Mrs. Ambily Harris, Principal, Vidhya Sagar Happyskool

TOPIC : MINDFULNESS

The session was about how to face our daily life challenges. Ambily Ma'am started the session with simple breathing exercise(inhale and exhale). Then she asked what are the 3 things we are grateful to in life and asked to make a habit of thinking about the things which we are grateful to in life. She also gave some tips to overcome stress and negativity especially due to this pandemic and how to manage things and achieve our goals. Having a ME TIME will greatly increase the positive thoughts of a person. 

Mam taking the session and my attendance

The session was concluded with a colourful imagination where we were totally taken to a fairy world or heaven like environment by forgetting about the daily issues and problems. We finally sent off our sorrows, anger and all negative things in a bunch of colourful balloons. 

Live in the present, forget the past and stop worrying about the future is the mantra to lead a successful life.

ONLINE VIVA PRESENTATION 

DATE : 24.03.2021

TIME : 11.00 AM

PLATFORM : ZOOM MEETING

We attended the online viva presentation of Mr. A. Rajkamal, Research Scholar, SRM School of Teacher Education and Research. His research guide Dr. N. Prema, Head, SRM School of Teacher Education and Research started the online viva exam by inviting the External Examiners and the participants.

External Examiners:

•  Dr. K. Thiyagu, Associate Professor , Central University of Kerala 
•  Dr. M. Govindan, Dean of Faculty,  Professor and Head Educational  Psychology, TNTEU

The research problem is entitled as " Effectiveness of counseling on Emotional Intelligence, Self Confidence and Academic Achievement of Low Achievers from Class VII in Kancheepuram District".

The objective of his study was to find out the problems associated with the low achievers especially, the students of class 7.

Various hypotheses were done by him for his research work. He has done a random sampling method and finally concluded that 26 students among the students of class 7 in a school in Kancheepuram district were identified as low achievers.

Conclusion of his study : These 26 students were low achievers because of 

• Low level of self confidence
• Low income of family
• Slow learners

Delimitation of his study : 

• The samples were taken from only one school
• Class 7 students alone were considered for the study

Future works : To overcome the delimitations he has decided to do further research works on more samples from various schools across the country.

After completing his presentation there was a questionnaire session on his research work. He  successfully completed his viva exam and announced as Dr. A. Rajkamal Ph. D.,.  I am very much grateful to our Principal Ma'am for giving an opportunity to participate in this session.

NATIONAL LEVEL WEBINAR : 

DATE : 20.03.2021

TIME : 03.00 PM

HOST : Dr. M. Brindhamani, Principal, Vidhya Sagar Women's College of Education, Chengalpattu.

TOPIC : BORN A CHAMPION

PLATFORM : CONFERENCE CALL APP

We attended this national level webinar presented by our Principal Ma'am. The things which she presented was very inspirational and motivational. It evoked the inner capacities lying within us. Each and every creature by God has its own quality.

The way which we are seeing the things and taking it decides our life quality. We have to keep in mind certain things to achieve our goals and to prepare us according to those factors. 

Key points to achieve success and to become a champion :

• Patience and attitude defines us.
• We have to keep faith on ourselves rather than on others.
• Always think that I AM THE BEST. We should stop comparing us with others.
• Always tell yourself that I can do this as this thought increase the level of positivity for us.
• We are the responsible for what we are today
• Always be thankful to God for leading the life with basic needs.
• Have a ME TIME to strengthen our inner potential.

After attending the session I felt very positive and motivated.

Thank you ma'am for giving an energetic session.

LANGUAGE ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

 COURSE 4 :  LANGUAGE ACROSS THE CURRICULUM 

UNIT-1 : LANGUAGE AND SOCIETY

DATE : 26.02.2021

TIME : 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

HOST : Dr. Saraswathy

PLATFORM: Google Meet

This unit is about the various languages and its usage in home as well as classroom environment. Language forms the base for communication. In our country, 22 languages are made as official.The language is the result of civilization.

Ma'am started the session by giving the meaning and definitions for language, its characteristics and basic functions.

Language refers to a form of communication developed by humans to express his thoughts and ideas, feelings emotions to others.

Noam Chomsky defines that language as set of finite or infinite sentences each finite in length and constructed out of a finite set of elements called "words".

Some of the features of language include:

• Arbitrary
• Social
• Symbolic
• Systematic
• Productive and creative
• Conventional
• Vocal and having duality

Concept of language: 

The concept of language is classified into many categories based on its purposes.

• Universal language
• standard language
• Official language
• Sister languages
• Vernacular language
• International Auxiliary language
• Constructed language

Functions of language:

The 3 basic functions of language are:

• Informative - language used to provide and exchange information.
• Expressive - language used to express the emotions, attitudes, feelings of a speaker.
• Directive - language used to bring discipline.

Six functions of language - Roman Jacobson

• Referential Function - used to describe a situation.
• Poetic Function - information passed using phrases with alliterations
• Expressive Function - used to evoke emotions and achieve the objectives.
• Cognitive Function - used for teaching purpose.
• Courtesy Function - used while meeting unknown person or stranger
• Meta-linguistic Function - describes the evolution of a language, its grammar part.

Ma'am explained the home language and school language and it's characteristics in detail.

Home Language : 

Also known as the first language, native language or the mother tongue.

It refers to the language that a person acquired in his early childhood since it is spoken by the family members and also it is the language of that particular area or region where the child lives.

The term L1 is used by the linguists to refer the home language.

The first language is acquired by a child from 3 months of his birth and the fluency is achieved at the age of 3.

Characteristics:

• Instinct
• Rapid
• does not require instruction.

Significance of first language:

• Child feels comfortable while speaking this language.
• Helps to learn second language.
• Builds a positive attitude.

Issues in learning first language :

• Physiological problems like stammering.
• Difficult in case of bilingual parents.

Ways to improve Home Language:

• Parents should interact in mother tongue with their kids.
• Keep track of child's speech development.

Second Language:

The language acquired by a person other than his mother tongue is known as the second language. The linguists use the term L2 to refer this language.  Usually it is known as school language since the medium of instruction may be different in schools. A person's second language need not be the foreign language. It may be other regional language of that country.

Importance :

• Helps and acts as a tool of communication.
• Improves self confidence.

Issues in Learning L2:

• When L1 and L2 are different then learning of L2 takes much time.

Ways to improve L2 acquisition:

• Continuous assessment in L2.
• Communicating in L2 with peers.

Continuation of the unit has been taken on 09.03.2021

Ma'am started the session with understanding the language background of learners and the role of teachers in identifying it.

Ma'am also explained how to develop oral and written language in the classroom and the strategies involved in it.

Components of Oral language :

• Phonological - including sounds
• Semantic - formation of new words and also plural forms of words
• Syntactic - includes grammar part
• Morphological - formation of sentences and words
• Pragmatic 

Essential parts of oral language instructions:

• Develop listening and speaking
• Usage of variety of spoken texts
• Creating language learning environment
• Promoting auditory memory
• Teaching and extending Vocabulary Knowledge

The possible classroom activities to be done to develop oral language;

• Reading aloud
• Conversation
• Story telling and action rhymes

Typical genres of Written language:

Fiction and Non-fiction

Letters, Newspaper, Magazines 

Bills, Receipts

Phases of writing:

The writing process should involve the following steps to make the content as an effective one.

• Pre writing
• Preparing the draft
• Revising
• Editing 
• Publishing 

The writing process has to be developed in a classroom according to the stage or level of the class. For example basic writing practice upto primary level and step by step advancing the practice of learning to write. 

Language and Culture:

• The relationship between language and culture is very important in which language helps to transform the culture to next generation and also maintains it for so many years. 
• Language helps to introduce and establish the culture among several countries. 
• Language also helps to understand and respect the cultural values of a society. 

Thus, language makes a human to be civilized well. Both the home language and second language acquisition are important survive in this world. Parents, Schools and teachers play a key role in learning the languages. Also language helps to conserve a culture. 

Thank you ma'am for explaining the unit in detail.

UNIT-2 : LANGUAE DIVERSITY IN CLASSROOM

DATE : 18.03.2021

TIME : 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

HOST : Dr. Saraswathy

PLATFORM: Google Meet

This unit is about the theories given for the acquisition of first and second language, mastery of first and second language and also multilingualism.

Ma' am explained the theories for first and second language acquisition, then the levels involved in learning a second language. The common European framework of reference for languages includes how to get mastered in a second language from the basics.

Continuation of the unit has been taken on 23.03.2021

The relationship between subject mastery and language mastery and the determinants involved in transferring them was also explained. 

The concept of multilingualism and its attributes,  advantages were explained in detail by our ma'am.

Thus mastering a language generally follows some techniques and patterns to learn it efficiently. Multilingualism promotes self confidence and it should be handled efficiently to avoid the disputes and problems in a society. 

Thank you ma'am for explaining the unit in detail.