British Council in collaboration with Hyderabad-based English and Foreign Language University (EFL-U) will conduct the fourth edition of an international teacher educator conference from Feb 21 to Feb 23.
Assistant Director of English Partnership British Council, Michael Connolly informed that the focus of the conference is on ‘Innovation in English Language Teacher Education’. He added that it will cover technology, social media and networking for continuing professional development among others.
Connolly also said that British Council has worked with 11 state governments since 2007 to improve the standards of English language teacher training. It has also worked with public and private partners.
The delegates for the conference would be from various countries.
In order to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds claim Right to Education (RTE), students of Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad have set up an RTE Resource Centre (RRC) to implement the RTE Act successfully.
The purpose of the centre is to help parents of the needy students to overcome the problems faced in completing and submitting applications.
RRC is a student initiative at IIM-A and is run in collaboration with students from National Institute of Design, Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad and Gujarat National Law University.
The IIM-A students are looking for an active participation from the general public to help in the RTE campaign in Ahmedabad this year.
IIM-A issued a statement saying the objective of centre is to generate awareness about the RTE Act and facilitate better information sharing among different stakeholders–government, schools and parents–to resolve issues faced in the implementation of Section 12 of the RTE.
Section 12 of the RTE Act gives the provision for reservation of 25 per cent of seats in private schools starting from class 1 for children from the disadvantaged and economically weaker sections.
J Ajeeth Prasath Jain, Principal Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai Kendra
Sports and academics are the two sides of the same coin
Pedagogy – Keeping the teachers abreast with the latest knowledge sharing platforms and ensuring free flow of knowledge in the class gives us a cutting edge in being toppers in a competitive world.
Infrastructure – Infrastructure forms the core for any institute to implement all its growth plans. Increase in strength led to construction of 40 new classrooms and state of the art science laboratories. Four new computer labs and English lab have been built. We have a Wi-Fi campus with 8 Mbps leased line, we provide tablets to teachers. We have also installed two squash courts of international standards.
Teachers’ Training – A well planned approach is adopted which kick starts with orientation programmes at the start of academic session followed by focused modules on each subject taught by specific teacher to soft skills development for improves personal interactions. There are add-on programmes which are thoughtfully included throughout the year when initiated by CBSE or well acclaimed forums.
Technology – Teachers use Tablets to teach and this indeed keep them well informed connected and updated with the latest in education. Interactive website throws open the school to parents. Online admissions, voice circulars for parents, online testing centres, online leave application for students, calendars custom made for each class and attendance intimation to parents is done with the help of internet.
Sports – At primary level all students are allowed to play the game and based on their individual interest and strength take it further to the next level.
Ravneet Kaur, Principal Guru Teg Bahadur International School, Gurdaspur
Teacher is a dispeller of darkness
Pedagogy –We have done away with the old pedagogical methods. We have introduced ICT in our school to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Through language lab, communication skills of the students are improved. In order to make our teaching transparent and effective, the question papers are not set by the concerned subject teacher. Infrastructure – Excellent green boards and interactive boards have been installed replacing the old ones. Latest technology has been incorporated in the education system. The school library has a vast collection of books and we subscribe to a number of magazines and newspapers.
Teachers’ Training – We often organise lectures for teachers on different subjects by experts in various fields. Teaching workshops and seminars are also organised. Teachers are also sent to attend the workshops organized by ICSE.
Technology – Our school took the initiative to introduce ICT based education in schools in our area. Smart classes, computer lab with internet facility, Wi-fi campus and English language lab have also been introduced in our school.
Sports – We lay special stress on sports development. We regularly conduct sports competition in our school. Our students have won many awards in different competitions at district, zonal and state levels conducted by ICSE.
Yajuvendra Jadeja, Principal Sodha Schools, Jamnagar
The biggest challenge of our school and most of the other schools is teachers training. It is very easy to train someone to perform a skill but it takes real efforts to inculcate your vision and belief in someone
Pedagogy –The pedagogy enables students to search, understand and critically appraise a topic and boil it down to knowledge. This pedagogy found its roots in ‘Hole in the wall’ developed by TED prize winner Prof Sugata Mitra.
Infrastructure – It’s very important for us to give students an infrastructure which provides them with an environment which can foster learning. We have built digital classrooms for students to enable them with the power of technology; one of the unique features which our school has is iPad Lab for students of pre-primary and primary which increases the level of interest of students and makes learning fun. Sports and extra-curricular activities are given equal importance.
Teachers’ Training –We have designed a three week induction training module for those teachers who join us. This module starts with the basic use of technology, use of developed pedagogy and extends to advanced levels of students assessment. The aim of this training is to train our teachers on how to improve the learning abilities and outcomes of student. Apart from the induction training there are two discussion forums every month where teachers would share their views on improving the teaching techniques using technology.
Technology –The most important thing that technology has blessed our students with is the power of verification. Students can always grasp what the teachers teach and verify, analyse and learn later at their own convenience. This helps student to have a deeper understanding of the subjects taught. Student have the freedom to learn what they want and when they want, they can play – pause – rewind – replay.
Rashmi Singh, Principal Vibgyor High International, Lucknow
Evolving and adapting is something that India has always been practicing and the day is really not far when our Education system will be the most refined one
Pedagogy –The deliverance of the curriculum is always monitored to make the learning process effective and interesting.
Infrastructure – We have science labs, math lab, computer lab, toy room, library, ball pool room for little children to be kept entertained when they come for admission, discovery room to provide detailed information of our school and our curriculum.
Teachers’ Training – Teacher training is carried out across the year about 5 to 6 times to update them on the latest developments.
Technology – As we are connected online through usage of various software, a level of transparency is maintained.
Sports – We have laid out sports room, skating ring, basketball court, swimming pool and a gymnastic floor.
Krit Serai, Principal Satluj Public School, Panchkula
Poise and dignity of a principal, with strong moral values play a major role in shaping the lives of children
Pedagogy – We added our own technological innovations to this basket of new technological trends. Every student at Satluj undergoes a vigorous technical training period alongside academics as academics with technological aptitude leads to a child becoming a true leader these days.
Infrastructure – Infrastructure development is my passion. We have a 12-acre campus equipped with latest technological infrastructure, two multi-purpose halls and one auditorium. Our stadia has a seating capacity of more than 5000 people. Every year, new buildings and blocks are added, designed aesthetically, keeping in view greenery which coincidentally is our school colour as well.
Teachers’ Training – We conduct regular in-house CBSE teacher training seminars. Renowned educationists from CBSE mentor our teachers. We have an annual appraisal as well. Usuall, every third Saturday is kept for staff training on technology, academic developments, global trends, counseling techniques, CBSE, CCE and others.
Technology – Smart classes enabled by top education companies, such as Educomp and Extramarks have revolutionized education. Satluj is one of the pioneers of the region in this way we are the pioneers in smart classes and 3-D labs, when no one had even heard of them. Satlujians treat technology as a normal part of the academic programme. We have our own educational ERP where data on each child is recorded and shared with parents and guardians, ranging from class behavior to grades.
Sports – Satluj has the best sporting facilities of the region with a cricket pitch and practice nets, two swimming pools, a gymnasium equipped with latest facilities, horse riding, roller skating, golf and aeromodelling. We are developing an international level tennis arena in the school ground.
Harish Sanduja, Principal Sai International School, Bhubaneswar
I believe in an open door policy and hence I brought more transparency and approachability for students, They could come and share with me all that they want
Pedagogy – We changed our report card system and made it more comprehensive and customized to the students. We followed the Howard Gardner’s Multi Sensory approach at primary level and made our teaching learning process activity based. We made an online question paper making web based software for our teachers and now we are developing comprehensive lesson plans that are IT enabled.
Technology – Technology has taken the standard and quality of teaching to the next level, it has brought more ownership and transparency in our working styles, it has given time to teachers for more planning and above all it has made teachers to reach out to the students when they actually need them. We have brought transparency between the parent and the school regarding teaching learning process and the syllabus coverage.
Dr Sarvesh Naidu, School Executive Director Pathways World School, Gurgaon
We need to train the students in proper use of Information Technology and also sensitise them about the ill effects of the same
Pedagogy –Pathways has been pioneer in integrating IT into education. In the larger scheme of things, we approach IT as a tool rather than just as a subject. We believe in using IT for better learning experience.
Infrastructure – Pathways is the first school to have a campus wide Wi-Fi connectivity, way back in 2003. We constantly keep a watch about new advancements in IT and keep on introducing them in the school. We have a generous policy on technological advancements and regularly keep upgrading our IT infrastructure.
Teachers’ Training – We regularly conduct teacher training programs which are spread across the academic year. We conduct these programs not only with our in house resources but also invite trainers from outside.
Technology – We have an integrated school management solution covering all aspect of school administration, we introduced iPads in early childhood education and use digital databases and Encyclopaedias. We integrate effective use of IT in lesson delivery in the classrooms. So be it lesson planning, planning the daily schedule, communication amongst teachers and students, collaborations, research, experimental simulations, analysis and presentations, IT plays a very important role in everyday classroom routine.
Mamta Wadhwa, Principal Manav Rachna International School, Faridabad
The biggest challenge that one can face in bringing about developmental changes is when we try to shift the emphasis from accumulating knowledge to creating knowledge
Pedagogy – Our focus has been on developing a school culture, one that fosters respect and humanity in school which the students carry to home, to the society and to the country at large. We have been aiming at physical and emotional safety and individual success of teachers and students. We have tried to shift focus from content to process and enhance collaborative learning and interdisciplinary learning.
Infrastructure – For a student to excel in life we need to lead in a manner which trickles down to each student. Our policy of inclusive education has worked wonders with children. We have tried to empower children by giving them responsibilities where they learn decision making and problem solving. This has been achieved through student council members wherein they host and organise events, handle sensitive disciplinary issues and manage day to day routines.
Technology –Our school has partnered with iCarnegie, USA Pittsburg which is an educational subsidiary of Carnegie Mellon University, USA. Students are provided with Robotics as a platform to learn Computer Science, Technology, Engineering and Math at junior, middle and high school level. The learning management system enhances the learning aspects both at school and home effectively. Teachers and students have access to latest technology with interactive smart boards along with projectors and laptops.
