Teaching and Learning process

 I am reading this brilliant book by David brooks. Lot of take aways for parenting,teachers and living a full life ,in general.

Some nuggets of wisdom from the book.

1.Teaching doesn't have to be brilliant right away .The first phase of learning seemed to get the learner involved ,captivated ,hooked and to get the learner to need and want more information and expertise.

Teachers job is to make efforts to give a brilliant opening for any topic ..to make the learners hooked on to the topic and bring them on board. This ofcourse is a major task,but worth it.

2. Richard ogle in "smart world " says - start with core knowledge in a field,then venture out learning new.Then come back and reintegrate the new morsel with what you already know.Then venture out,return...back and forth.

Bill Gates Bookshelf

See the impressive collection here

Suffering brings clarity

Wise men in every tradition tell us that suffering brings clarity, illumination; for the Buddha, suffering is the first rule of life, and insofar as some of it arises from our own wrongheadedness — our cherishing of self — we have the cure for it within.

Go read here to know the value of suffering 

err in the direction of kindness...

"Each of us is born with a series of built-in confusions that are probably somehow Darwinian.  These are: (1) we’re central to the universe (that is, our personal story is the main and most interesting story, the only story, really); (2) we’re separate from the universe (there’s US and then, out there, all that other junk – dogs and swing-sets, and the State of Nebraska and low-hanging clouds and, you know, other people), and (3) we’re permanent (death is real, o.k., sure – for you, but not for me)."

Do all the other things, the ambitious things – travel, get rich, get famous, innovate, lead, fall in love, make and lose fortunes, swim naked in wild jungle rivers (after first having it tested for monkey poop) – but as you do, to the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness.  Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial

Go read this excellent convocation speech by George Saunders  at NYT

Old is Gold

Awesome photographs of Tanjore temple and Srirangam temple sculptures here.

More old goodies here

Life- Signs and Mystery

What we need to learn is always there before us,we just have to look around us with respect and attention in order to discover where God is leading us and which step we should  take next.

Einstein said , God does not play dice with the universe; everything is interconnected and has a meaning.

                               ----- From  " The Zahir" by Paul Coelho

Teaching tips

A treasure trove for a -teacher-to-be

Lord or Destiny ?

Ramamurthi isn't conflicted about being a man of science who is also a man of fervent faith. “Yes, I am a religious person,” he says, and adds that you can use any word — “Lord” or “destiny” — but you cannot deny that there are things that happen over which we have no control. “What you ascribe it to is another matter. Why should I be born in a family that gave me a comforting cocoon and a good education and why should the kid on the street be born in that family? You have to say that you owe something. I don't care what logic you use beyond that. I use the Lord; it's simple for me. But I'm perfectly comfortable with any explanation

 
- Bhaskar Ramamurthi  , the new IIT director on THE HINDU

What makes an exemplary teacher?

Here in THE HINDU

What makes an exemplary teacher?

In a study on creativity, psychologist Csikszentmihalyi finds that while a “school itself rarely gets mentioned as a source of inspiration, individual teachers often awaken, sustain, or direct a child's interest”. Teachers who kindle a spark in their students, first and foremost, notice them as individuals, believe in their abilities and genuinely care about their charges. Further, these teachers challenge students without making lessons too boring or frustrating. Another study by Marica Gentry and colleagues indicates that a teacher's enthusiasm, ability to give concrete feedback and knowledge of a subject are essential for motivating students. Most importantly, an exemplary teacher coaxes the high-performers to straddle great heights while also encouraging those who struggle to maximise their potential. Finally, an outstanding teacher leads by example. As the American psychiatrist Karl Menninger says, “What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches.”

A good teacher

What students like /hate in a teacher :  Here at kiruba

WHAT WE HATE IN A TEACHER
————————————————

• Talking only theoretically about a subject.
• Showing partiality to select students
• Thinking students are Morons and does not respect their intelligence.
• The ‘I am the boss here’ kind of attitude
• Not presenting oneself interestingly to the students.
• Being arrogant
• One who demotivates back-benchers
• Not having real work experience and practical experience in the field
• Being bookish
• One who is judgmental about students based on their academic scores
• Too much focus on notes and attendance
• Spits when they talk
• Not dressing smartly
• Can’t take criticism
• Not providing examples or case-studies
• Not having command or presence in the class
• Without passion for teaching
• Teachers who preach rather than teach
• Teachers who harass emotionally

WHAT WE LIKE IN A TEACHER
————————————————-

• One who shares all his knowledge without holding anything back
• Who is practically interactive
• Having an ‘I’m going to rock this class’ attitude.
• Showing equal importance to all students
• Uses easy methods of teaching
• Sharing their own experiences
• One who prepares well for the classes
• Practical knowledge sharing – Treating class as a forum for discussion
• Flexibility in terms of generational change
• High involvement with the students
• Good presentation skills
• Being Punctual
• A good relationship beyond teaching