Puzzles replace maths lessons as schools try new ways of teaching

Trainers say today’s technologically aware students don’t want to listen to lectures

We design activities that encourage students to learn from each other, where the teacher becomes a facilitator for learning rather than a lecturer talking at them. 

SIMON LIND, trainer at the workshop conducted by Cambridge University Press TEACHERS HAVE TO ADOPT THESE TEACHING STYLES TO KEEP UP WITH THE STUDENTS

Students will not have to sit through boring lectures anymore as city schools are turning to innovative teaching techniques to increase students’ interest in subjects such as Maths, Science and English. 

For instance, English classes at Hiranandani Foundation School, Powai, do not anymore involve teachers merely reading out of the textbooks. Students are now asked to step into the shoes of a literary character and make audio recordings on mobile phones. 

“Students usually find it easier to voice their feelings about a literary character than writing it down. So we came up with this activity called selfie recordings,” said supervisor Chitkala Kalan. 

This technique, known as active and experiential learning, helps students learn better. 

Many international schools are trading the traditional lengthy lectures for a more hands-on approach to learning. 

On November 17, the Cambridge University Press, the publishing house of the Cambridge University, organised a workshop for teachers of more than 20 schools on the latest teaching techniques. 

Teachers were taught innovative ways of teaching Maths, Science and English to primary students. A maths lesson can be taught using colouring books, rolling dice and logic puzzles, said Simon Lind, trainer. 

“We design activities that encourage students to learn from each other, where the teacher becomes a facilitator for learning rather than a lecturer talking at them,” said Lind. 

Descriptive writing in English, for instance, can be taught by asking the students to walk like dinosaurs. “The teachers can show a video in class on dinosaurs walking and then quiz students on how dinosaurs put their feet down,” said Lind. “Students will then be able to write down about the walk in greater detail as they have actually experienced it.” 

Teachers said they have to adopt these teaching styles to keep up with the students. “In the 21st century classroom, it is a challenge to teach technologically aware students,” said Shruti Kotian, coordinator of Chatrabhuj Narsee School, Kandivli (East). 

Kalan said the methods help in retaining the interest of the students. “Students don’t want to sit and listen to lectures anymore. Today’s students want to voice their opinion,” said Kalan. 

However, state board schools said that they find such teaching methods difficult to adopt owing to time constraints. 

“Unlike, international boards, state-board schools are under pressure to finish the curriculum on time,” said Meenakshi Walke, principal, Indian Education Society School, Bhandup. “The teachers’ focus is to complete the lessons fast.” 

Some principals also said schools having huge number of students in a class, could not implement such practices. “We have around 60-80 students and one teacher per class,” said Father Jude Fernandes, principal, St Mary’s School, Mazgaon. “It is not possible for teachers to conduct too many activities in class.”

Source | Hindustan Times | 25 November 2015

Regards

Pralhad Jadhav

Khaitan & Co