New dimensions of normalcy The global pandemic has driven the whole world to a new normal in all aspects of life. The phrase ‘new normal’ has become the buzz word, and well on the road to becoming a cliché. However, that is not the topic of discussion in this article.…
View More The new normal
The joy of un-learning and re-learning Phonetically, the letter ‘e’ in the word CHOICE is silent. I was amazed to learn this interesting fact only last week. During my early childhood days, I learned that the English alphabet had 26 letters, A to Z. I also learned that each letter…
View More The silent ‘e’
Based on my own teaching experience and observation of child psychology, I describe below what I consider are 3 major distractions in the process of bringing up children in the 21st century. In the current global pandemic situation and altered nature of our lives, I find these more relevant than…
View More Distractions in the 21st century
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
Reflection As we continue to be in a suspended state of existence with small windows of social activity, I continue my contemplation on the state of education. I found something I had written a few years ago, which I thought is worth pondering. The term “student-centric education” is the most…
View More Student-Centric Education – is it just a myth?
“What’s in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet Introduction Despite the wide popularity of the Shakespeare quote regarding names, we associate specificity to names. Have you ever pondered on the stories behind names? Names of…
View More What’s in a name?
Sizing down As part of our ongoing ‘optimisation of operations’ initiative at NumberNagar®, we decided to downsize the real estate at our headquarters this year. Over the last couple of years, we had systematically optimised team size and organisation of roles. Now, it was high time to extend the same…
View More Am I a minimalist?
“ಸೋರುತಿಹುದು ಮನೆಯ ಮಾಳಿಗಿ, ಅಜ್ಞಾನದಿಂದ… ಸೋರುತಿಹುದು ಮನೆಯ ಮಾಳಿಗಿ!” ಸಂತ ಶಿಶುನಾಳ ಶರೀಫ This is a Kannada folk song written by Santa Shishunala Sharifa in the mid 19th century when India experienced an epidemic of Bubonic plague. In the song, he advises people to be sensible about the disease. He shares insights on…
View More Throwing Scientific Temper out of the window
Learning by being present: It was during June of 1999 that I was approached by a parent to tutor her son for grade 10 Maths. This was purely thanks to the marketing efforts of my beloved mother about my score of 99/100 in my 10th exams. My ever-zealous mother used…
View More How Arithmetic Progression shaped my journey as a teacher
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