The Montessori method Now-a-days, the Montessori method is a familiar name to parents, educators, and the public alike. The Montessori method has gained widespread application all over the world, including India. I have been reading the book, The Secret of Childhood by Maria Montessori, over the last few weeks. The…
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What is my method? I have been a teacher for 2 decades now, I have not consciously reflected on my teaching method often. Lately, I have been watching the early seasons of the TV series Grey’s Anatomy. In one episode, a character (a senior surgeon) asks a new resident in…
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Current Education System Over the last few years, I have been pondering over the prevalent education system and the philosophy of education. I am convinced that each new system will eventually get old. Also, the new system will have flavours of or retain the influence of the older system it…
View More A case for Alternative Learning
Background I was part of a panel discussion on Education and E-learning yesterday. This was part of the Reboot Karnataka Virtual Conclave organised by Times of India. As part of my preparation for the conclave, I focused on education through a system of core values. This thinking was reinforced by…
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“I never use the concepts I learned in school” I hear this statement often. In conversations with students, parents, friends, colleagues, public, even in memes. Generally, this statement is accompanied by a critique of the education system. How our education system is teaching us ‘useless concepts’ while it should be…
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‘Quoted’ conversation A few days ago, I had a discussion with my wife about where quotes come from. An innocuous enough topic turned into a profound analysis of what is education. My wife subscribes to a weekly online newsletter of an author; quotes was a topic in one of the…
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“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Isaac Newton Keeping curiosity alive This famous quote by Newton has been an inspiration to many students of Science, I am one among them. Two years ago, in July 2018, I had started to learn something…
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The ubiquitous ‘e’ Most of us in the English-speaking world know that ‘e’ is the most used letter of the English language. If you do not believe me, try writing a sentence without the letter ‘e’ in it. You will succeed, but the difficulty you will face will prove my…
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The need of the hour This story is from a few years ago. I was looking through some of my old writings and found this one. It makes a lot of sense now because teaching and learning are transitioning into new modes, unfamiliar to both teachers and students. Engaging students…
View More Learning the meaning of facilitation
Tickling the brain: I recently read this book – What if the Earth stopped spinning and 24 other mysteries by Roopa Pai. I am currently reading Imperial Earth by Arthur C Clarke. Both these books have evoked a fresh sense of intrigue in me. My curiosity is heightened beyond its…
View More Nurturing curiosity through questions