Anxious students jam CBSE helpline

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February 25, 2009

With Board exams round the corner, the helplines of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) have been flooded with phone calls from anxious students and parents, said officials. As many as 43 principals, trained counselors from CBSE affiliated schools, psychologists and social scientists are operating helplines individually from India and overseas since February 1, reports IANS. The board exams will start on March 2. 'We have received an overwhelming response from students and their parents. Some of the students are really depressed and anxious about board exams and I talk to them for as long as three to five hours till they are satisfied,' said CBSE counselor Geetanjali Kumar.

The queries of students vary from using a particular type of pen to time management and from subjective problems to behavioural changes. 'Since the helpline started, my phone has not stopped ringing and with just a week left for board exams, I am answering as many as 100 calls a day. Some of the students are routine callers and they call me daily and discuss their problem,' said Kumar, a professional counselor with several schools in Delhi. The CBSE has also downloaded a short film 'Smile Through Stress' and a document 'Smile Your Way Through Exams' on its website. Deepa Saini, a psychiatrist who answers queries on the CBSE helpline, said, 'In the initial conversation I just try to get an idea about the students' confidence level and counsel them accordingly. Some of the students seem very confident and ask how they can increase their marks while some ask what they should do as they have not studied throughout the year.' There are 39 helpline centres in India and four abroad – Kuwait, Dubai, Doha and Sharjah – that are catering round the clock to the queries of students appearing for board exams. For the first time, CBSE has included special educators to take care of the differently-abled children from centres located at Mumbai and Delhi.

First IIT session at Mandi starts this year

Higher Education

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digitalLEARNING Network

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February 25, 2009

The first session of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), which will be set up in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district, will start this year, said Minister of State for External Affairs and Information and Broadcasting Anand Sharma on Tuesday. 'From this session, the IIT would start holding classes. It's a historic moment for all of us,' Sharma said while laying the foundation stone of the IIT at Kamand village, 11 km from Mandi, on the banks of a tributary of the Beas river. 'The central government last year decided to increase the number of IITs in the country to 15 from the existing seven. Six (IITs) started functioning last year and this (IIT-Mandi) and IIT-Indore would start admission process from this year,' he said. 'The central government had allocated INR1,000 crore for this (Mandi) IIT,' he said, thanking the state government for providing 530 acres for establishing the institute. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, who was present at the function along with cabinet ministers and legislators, thanked the central government for setting up the prestigious technical institute in the state.

'The government will provide all facilities to start an IIT at a temporary location in Mandi town till necessary infrastructure has been created here,' he said. The IIT would admit students in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science and engineering streams. The central government has sanctioned 40 seats in each stream. Initially, IIT-Roorkee director S.C. Saxena has been given the additional charge of IIT-Mandi. The decision to establish an IIT in Himachal was announced by then finance minister P. Chidambaram while addressing a rally in Shimla Oct 2, 2007. He also announced the opening of a central university in the hill state.

5,000 schools ready for e-learning in Andhra

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digitalLEARNING Network

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February 25, 2009

Over 1.8 million students in 5,000 schools in Andhra Pradesh can now have access to desktop computers. Thanks to the implementation of massive computerisation project by NComputing in government schools in just four months. The ambitious project, funded jointly by the central and state government under the ICT@Schools programme, is aimed at bringing computer training and e-learning to students in these schools. Under the project, these schools have each been equipped with an up-to-date computer lab with the latest computer hardware, Microsoft software, trained instructors and reliable power-supply solutions. 'The government's goal is to accelerate computing access to the millions of students in its system, but to do it in an economical, eco-friendly way. NComputing plays an important role in achieving that goal,' said Andhra Pradesh IT Secretary Suresh Chanda.

NComputing along with education service providers (ESPs) have implemented the whole process, including system integration, site preparation, facilities creation, faculty, teaching to students as part of syllabus, courseware support and facilities management. 'We believe that NComputing's low cost and energy efficiency makes it the ideal computing platform for the public and private sector, especially in these difficult economic times,' said NComputing Chief Marketing Officer Raj Shah. The computing labs are being used to teach computer skills, office productivity (such as spreadsheets and word processing), as well as subjects like reading and math. The systems run on the Microsoft Windows Server operating system and its Office Suite.

Free e IT Training and Certification by ALISON

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digitalLEARNING Network

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February 25, 2009

ALISON.com, the free online learning website announces completely free online training, certification and learning management for IT Skills Training. ALISON announced today they have now made learner group management free for groups of learners wishing to undertake their Web-based IT-skills course ALISON ABC IT. The ALISON ABC IT is fast becoming one of the most popular global IT skills training certifications. It includes comprehensive training on the Internet, key desktop applications like Word and Excel as well as the full range of practical IT skills, including touch typing and the efficient use of Web-based e-mail. It is also prefaced by a beginner's guide to a personal computer, and so is ideal for learners who have no IT experience. This offer from ALISON opens lifelong learning opportunities and finally, free e-learning for the masses.

ALISON allows training managers, small businesses and teachers, the facility to monitor and manage a group of ALISON ABC IT learners online. ALISON Manager is a doorway to managing learners, roles, courses, and to generate reports, providing assessments, testing and feedback. In many cases access to this type of software can cost thousands of euro, therefore this new service from ALISON is a highly valuable free resource. Commenting on the launch of free ALISON Manager for ALISON ABC IT groups, ALISON CEO Mike Feerick said, 'Learner groups on ALISON are quick and easy to set up and are very simple to use. Any teacher or trainer can now review how far learners have progressed, what they have got right, where they have gone wrong, how much time they've spent learning, and whether they have progressed far enough to be awarded their Certificates of Completion.' Already providing free training for over 250,000 registered users worldwide, ALISON is dedicated to bringing free life and business skills to learners everywhere. The company intends to extend this free learning management functionality to all of its online courses, including ALISON-owned content and other high-quality learning produced by third-parties such as schools, governments and private businesses.

Rural school education in India

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digitalLEARNING Network

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February 23, 2009

Children in rural areas continue to be deprived of quality education owing to factors like lack of competent and committed teachers, lack of textbooks or teaching-learning materials, and so on. In view of such concerns, the recently constituted Rural Education Cell, department of educational surveys and data processing, NCERT, organised a national seminar on 'school education in rural India' at its Delhi headquarters. The seminar provided a platform to policy analysts, administrators, researchers and practitioners to analyse the current scenario in rural education, identify problems and come up with recommendations to improve the situation.

Talking about the philosophy and success of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBVs)

NCERT books to be used in Delhi govt schools

Higher Education

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digitalLEARNING Network

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February 23, 2009

Citing 'better quality,' the state government has decided to use NCERT books from the coming session. The objective behind the move is to incorporate the recommendations made in the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005, which have not been followed by the SCERT. The NCERT books are also considered to be of better quality since they incorporate activity-based learning, and are more attractive, said sources. Students of Classes IX to XII are already using NCERT textbooks. The books will, however, be revised over the next three years to include state-specific information. A committee of experts from the SCERT, NCERT, academicians and officials will begin reviewing the books from May onwards.

Topics such as 'My Delhi,' which talks about the city's history, monuments and civic issues, will be added to the social science and language books by the review committee. 'Since states have to add state-specific chapters in the books according to the NCF, we have decided to use NCERT textbooks and add the topics accordingly,' said Education Secretary Rina Ray. The YUVA school life skills programme, which involves hygiene, health and civic welfare activities, will also be incorporated in the books, probably in a story format, added Ray. The use of NCERT textbooks in the lower classes will also help senior students since the chapters will be better linked with the NCERT books used in Classes IX to XII, sources said. 'Training sessions and workshops will be held in April to familiarise teachers with the new books and activity-based methods of teaching,' said B N Bajpai, Director of SCERT. Students of Delhi government, MCD and NDMC schools will be provided the books free of cost. The government has also drafted a copyright agreement with the NCERT and will be printing the books. This is being done to ensure timely delivery of books, said sources.

How to create effective primary classrooms

K-12

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digitalLEARNING Network

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February 23, 2009

Learning Matters Foundation and Rajiv Gandhi Foundation are collaborating to pioneer a teacher-training programme called 'Creating Effective Primary Classrooms.' The training encompasses the Bank Street College methodology of active learning. The programme will focus on primary-level teaching and will provide learning experiences that will help trainees participate in student-centered lessons that they can take back to their classrooms.

Each participant will have to attend all the sessions, which amounts to nearly 72-hours. Each of the subject areas

Awards for teachers

K-12

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digitalLEARNING Network

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February 23, 2009

The Shikshak Samman Award, launched by Tech Mahindra and Times Foundations, within the ambit of the Teach India campaign, seeks to encourage teachers. Under this scheme, outstanding teachers and principals of schools run by Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have been identified and awarded. Out of nearly 1,800 schools that MCD runs, about 400 schools operating in difficult circumstances were selected. Five principals and 20 teachers from these schools were chosen after a rigorous selection process, led by experienced and independent educationists. The MCD education department educates almost a million children, and charges no tuition fees and provides children free text-books, uniforms, mid-day meals and periodic health check-ups. The Times Group acknowledges the contribution of teachers and principals who play an important role in shaping the future of our communities.

The Shikshak Samman Awards (2008-2009) included not only a cash component but also coupons for purchasing teaching-learning materials and a professional development programme. The award ceremony was held on February 21 at Jacaranda Hall, India Habitat Centre. The chief guest and key note speaker was K S Mehra, municipal commissioner. Vineet Nayyar, vice-chairman, managing director and CEO of Tech Mahindra, and also one of the directors of the Tech Mahindra Foundation, gave away the awards.

Helping children to cope up with insecurity

K-12

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digitalLEARNING Network

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February 23, 2009

Most educationists and counsellors thus agree that our education system must play a critical role in helping them cope with situations of terror attacks. 'Effective coping needs to be preceded with an understanding of the problem. Our education system has to facilitate an objective understanding of why acts of terror and violence occur in the first place,' says Dilip Simeon, historian and specialist on labour studies. Simeon says that the flip side of exposing children to mass media is that they tend to classify things or people and events as good and bad. 'Such an approach is dangerous. Young children have to understand that the fundamental principle of harmonious co-existence in society is to acknowledge that there can be alternate views to a specific issue. Our education system has a big role to play in fostering this understanding,' he adds. Simeon is of the view that children should be made to understand that the perpetrators of crime are not invincible entities but are people who have resorted to crime as an act of cowardice. 'This will help children cope better,' explains Simeon.

According to Shantum Seth, Zen teacher, there should be scope for children to engage in internal dialogue within our formal education structure. 'Young children should be encouraged to introspect and address their innermost conflicts and feelings. This is a critical first step towards resolution of anxieties and fears,' explains Seth. Alluding to a book written by Zen exponent Thich Nhat Hanh, Calming the Fearful Mind- A Zen Response to Terrorism that was recently released by Ahimsa Trust and Amber Books, Seth states, “This book is a reiteration of the importance of love, compassion and tolerance in our education system. Children have to understand the futility of countering violence with violence.' 'Today, in most schools, value education programmes are lacking,' admits Abha Adams, an educator. 'Most schools try to incorporate value education within specific subjects. But, the need of the hour is to have subjects pertaining purely to moral values,' states Adams.

Parents protest fee hike

K-12

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digitalLEARNING Network

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February 23, 2009

New Delhi parents of students at the Salwan Public School, Rajinder Nagar, and G D Salwan School are up in arms against school authorities for allegedly 'threatening' students of Classes X and XII that their admit cards would be withheld if they do not clear their arrears on time. Parents have now decided to ask school authorities to disclose their accounts records before they agree to a fee hike. In a meeting attended by parents of students of both schools, including the afternoon shift of Salwan Public School, it was alleged that school authorities have threatened to withhold the admit cards of the students of Classes X and XII till the arrears are cleared.

'My son came back from his farewell ceremony traumatised because he thought that he wouldn't get his admit card,' said the mother of a Class XII student at the school. Parents have also raised objections to a demand of Rs 5,500 put forward by the school, which, they say, is 'in addition to the quarterly fees that has already been paid.' They also alleged that authorities of all three schools have also threatened students of the junior classes as well. 'They told children that they would be thrown out of school if their parents raised objections against the fee hike or didn't pay in time,' alleged a parent, who did not wish to be named. Parents have now decided to gather at the school gates on Tuesday morning and demand a meeting with the principal for an explanation. 'We will all gather at the school gates on Tuesday and ask to meet the principal. We will also submit a letter with the authorities citing our demand to see the school accounts records before we pay any fees,' said a parent of a student of GD Salwan School. Salwan Public School principal Vandana Puri, however, denied these claims. The confusion over admit cards, she added, is because of an announcement by the school that no students would be issued admit cards till they clear their outstanding dues in the library and the fees for the past quarter.

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