Friday, December 6, 2013

Proposal for collaboration with Academic Institutions 12-06

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 We are a research organization based in Hyderabad presently extending our services to an organization running a group of schools located at various places in Andhra Pradesh. In March 2014, we will complete our contract with them.

We are looking forward to associate ourselves from April 2014 with any organization already running schools in Andhra Pradesh or with organizations intending to open schools in Andhra Pradesh.

Our expertise lies in the following areas of Academics.

Planning and designing of curriculum as per the requirements of State Government including the implementation of CCE norms.

Training, orientation and continuous updation of knowledge of the teachers of preprimary, primary, secondary, and high school.

Continuous research on the new methods and methodology in imparting and development of knowledge based teaching methods.

Designing of tools and aids to facilitate the elevation of comprehension levels of students to make learning a enjoyable experience.

Working and leveraging methods to relate learning to guidelines suggested in NCF.
Planning & setting up of new schools, development of infrastructure, and recruitment of administrative and teaching staff. Planning and budgeting the revenue, expenditure and other financial and administrative aspects.

The members of the R&D are senior professionals having experience of between 2 to 4 decades as teachers, principals, coordinators, Kendriya Vidhyalayas, CBSE, and State Government affiliated schools.

Most of them hold post graduate qualifications in both education and their subjects.

We invite response from likeminded people and organization. We will welcome proposals from organizations that have dared to come out of the exam oriented system and transited successfully to knowledge enhancement system.

Please send your responses with details of the background of the organization, people associated with it, the important stake holders, size of organization and its geographic location. Please send your responses addressed to The Director, to the following email id. cbdsee@gmail.com 

Saturday, September 7, 2013

If God were to propose and the Human beings were to dispose, would human beings dispose of all the gods at the first instant??? 09-07




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Note added by Shyam on 9th October 2015

(On 28th September 2015. One Mohammad Akhlaq  was lynched by a mob of Hindu Fanatics on the suspicion that he had consumed beef . He was also suspected of  slaughtering a cow).


The present scenario in my country (India) where recently a man was killed because of his eating habits has disturbed me as much as it has disturbed the victim's family and the Intelligentsia in India and other countries.  Now, who is responsible and which party or the government is to be blamed is not as important as the fact that people have come to believe that they are the law, or theirs is the law & hence they are above law.The most unfortunate thing is the incitement came from a place of worship. People of different  faith have done this quite often in the past too.


Now the forensic report has revealed different facts.


"A forensic test has proven that the meat that the Dadri lynch mob found in Mohammed Akhlaq's fridge last week, which they claimed was the proof they needed to lynch him, was mutton, not beef. Mohammad Akhlaq's family had insisted all along that there was no beef in the house. "


Even if he had really consumed Beef, 

Is the killing justified?

The most unfortunate aspect has been the fact that the murder took place on the basis of suspicion and not evidence.


The Prime Minister who has a habit of remaining calm and speaking at wrong times has finally appealed for calm after almost ten days. That the people of India didn't like this one bit reflected in the results of the elections held in Bihar after the incident. 




If God were to propose and the Human beings were to dispose, would human beings dispose of all the gods at the first instant???

Not a very human thought, I know

But, would that mean a peaceful world for all of us???

It could perhaps, if we look at recent history, we will find that most of the wars have been fought in the name gods faiths, religion, and beliefs. Inter and Intra religious differences have resulted in both civil & military wars, in turn resulting in huge loss of innocent human lives.

Every neighborhood in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Palestine, Israel, United States, Japan, and many other countries has a saga to narrate of dear ones killed in the battle. Battles have been fought in the name of god, in the name of peace. Syria is on the brink. President Obama wants to annihilate the lucky ones who escaped the chemical attack. The American Presidents (without exception) are competing with Al Qaeda and other terrorist organization in wiping out the human race from this planet,at least from the Asian continent.

We know that there is serene peace & tranquility in death, but given a choice, we would like to have peace based on principles of mutual understanding and coexistence.

I could have easily quoted country wise figures of the precious lives lost since the world wars, but that is not the focus of this article.

Well, there is a very valid argument that, fear of god, and tenets of the religion often keep people disciplined and help promote harmony within the sects and among the sects. I am also prepared to buy the argument that it is a very small minority that is indulging in misinterpretation of the religion to promote terror activities.

Very small minority, yes correct, but the impact, intensity, and the geographic spread of their activities are totally disproportionate to their numbers. Add to this, the over reaction of the various governments, and their extraordinary generosity in spending funds, military hardware, and the deployment of the troops. These are the important factors for destruction all around.

Innocent lives are being lost daily due to both terrorist activities and the action by Government troops. A missile or a bomb fired from an aircraft or ground artillery doesn’t distinguish between an innocent, or a guilty individual, doesn’t know as yet to avoid innocent children & women.

The severe impact of excessive allocation of funds for defence, on the global economy is too well known for enunciation. Fledgling economies of West Asia have been driven to pauper status by these needless wars.

The wars are not between the believers and the non believers. They are between the different groups of believers who call the god by different names and have different ways of worshipping the almighty.

There is nothing wrong with the holy books or the scriptures. They all preach love and brotherhood. Intolerance is in the heart and the minds of the individuals or groups and not in the faiths or religions.

Now coming back to the basic question……

If there were no gods or religions, would there still be wars and destruction???

Well, it may not bring end to all wars and loss of human life, but, yes it would remove a very big reason for it. And even one reason less for war is a less war and more peace.

And that would mean less investment for defence and more for building economies. It would mean more investments for education, agriculture, technology, and infrastructure. That would mean more jobs, more affluence. When everyone is busy building economy and affluence, thought of a war would be the last thing on their mind.

With all these glorious possibilities, the question is …

If the human being has the power to dispose, will he…

Well it may seem an insane thought, but a thought that could lead to a saner world.

People may think I am dreaming,sleep writing, in deep slumber.

May be yes… 

In that case, don’t wake me up; the other side is too harsh to bear.


Shyam

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Daughters are special 07-10

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I STOLE THIS STORY, BECAUSE i FELT IT WAS WORTH IT, IF I HADN'T STOLEN IT,I WOULD HAVE ROBBED YOU (of an opportunity to read some really great content)






!!! Daughters Are Special !!!

On the first day of their marriage, wife and husband decided and agreed not to open the door for anyone..!!!

On that day first, husband’s parents came to see them, they were behind the door. Husband and the wife looked at each other, husband wanted to open the door, but since they had an agreement he did not open the door, so his parents left.

After a while the same day , wife’s parents came , wife and the husband looked at each other and even though they had an agreement , wife with tears on her eyes whispered , I can’t do this to my parents , and she opened the door.

Husband did not say anything, years passed and they had 4 boys and the fifth child was a girl. The father, planned a very big party for the new born baby girl, and he invited everyone over.

Later that night his wife asked him what was the reason for such a big celebration for this baby while we did not do it for the others!

The Husband simply replied, because she is the one who will open the door for me..!!!

::: Moral :::

Always Love and Respect the Girl Child, They Are Also Special..!!

Sunday, May 5, 2013

In India, Cow is treated as holy, and worshiped as mother. And mother & women are considered highly dispensable. 05-05

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In India, Cow is treated as holy, and worshiped as mother. And mother & women are considered highly dispensable.

People like to exhibit their religious fervour and it happens with people of all religions and faiths. People belonging to Hindu religion are no exception.

It feels good when people follow the customs and sincerely follow the rituals prescribed in a religion.Whatever religion or faith it may be. Hindus worship the cow as gomata (mother). When a hindu introduces himself (pravara), it begins with  

चतुस्सागरः पर्यन्त गो ब्राह्मणेभ्य शुभं भवतु (ChatussAgara paryantam gobrAhmaNebhyaH shubhaM bhavatu)

Meaning : Prelogue: May all the cows and Brahmanas across the four seas be blessed.
Here the word Brahman here means  people with higher level of thinking and  good deeds.It does not specify a sect, a community or people of a particular religion.

According to Buddha a 6th century monk and founder of Buddhism,

Not by matted hair, by lineage, nor by birth (caste) does one become a Brahman. But the one in whom there abide truth and righteousness, he is pure; he is a Brahman.

When Vedas were written sometime around 1500 BCE, the word religion or faith did not exist. Human Beings were just a specie of the animal kingdom. A highly evolved one, a socially conscious one. But  not evolved enough to discriminate their fellow human beings on the basis of what they do, what they eat, or what they think.

 Cow was equated with mother for her attribute of forbearance. Hindu dharma did not have a caste system. All human beings were considered equal. Addressing cow as mother denotes the symbiosis between the different species of Animal Kingdom.  While the existence of human beings can be traced to a period 150,000 years BCE somewhere in Africa, the beginning of hindu religion can be traced to around 5,000 BCE.

Division of human beings on the basis of varna was done around third century BCE by Manu and Brigu Rishi.That is how manusmriti came into existence, and so also probably the caste system. The exact objective and purpose of Manusmriti is not known. There are contrasting opinions in the commentaries written by various experts from the 3rd century BCE onwards on Manusmriti. It is not clear whether he classified the varna by Karma (deeds) or by Janma (birth).  In the absence of clear understanding, it is not correct to either praise or deride Manu. 

How and when the process of creating a caste by virtue of birth started, is not very clear.  Because even in the eight century Adi Sankara debunked the myths about untouchability  caste distinction and discrimination  by accepting a boy of lower lineage named Giri and invoking in him the essentials of higher learning, he exhibited his sense of equality for all human beings, Giri wrote Totaka Ashtakam and was known as Totakacharya. He was later on made the head of  the Jyothir Math at Badri as the Shankaracharya by Adi Sankara. Totakacharya in his work  Srutisarasamuddharanam has beautifully  explained the identity between the Jiva and Brahmin in propounding the Adviata Vedanta. Here he clearly describes  how a jiva can transform itself into a Brahman  by acquiring certain virtues and attributes. According to him, Brahmanism is not something that comes by inheritance or birth, it has to be acquired by a process of intellectual and spiritual evolution.  He is also believed have written this sloka in Bhaja Govindam, which was added after the siddi of Adi Sankara.

The sloka reads likethis...

जटिलो मुण्डी लुञ्छितकेशः, काषायाम्बरबहुकृतवेषः।
पश्यन्नपि च न पश्यति मूढः,
उदरनिमित्तं बहुकृतवेषः 


What this Shloka means :

Hindi

बड़ी जटाएं, केश रहित सिर, बिखरे बाल , काषाय (भगवा) वस्त्र और भांति भांति के वेश ये सब अपना पेट भरने के लिए ही धारण किये जाते हैं, अरे मोहित मनुष्य तुम इसको देख कर भी क्यों नहीं देख पाते हो ॥१४॥

English


Matted and untidy hair, shaven heads, orange or variously colored cloths are all a way to earn livelihood . O deluded man why don't you understand it even after seeing.॥14॥  


Another theory that has found some acceptance is that the Varnas or castes were formed out of various parts of Lord Brahma with Brahmins coming from the head Kshatriyas from the Hands, Vaishya's from the thighs and the Shudras  from the feet. However there is not much evidence to support this theory.

However, it is evident that the Brahmins used their intellect to still fear of god in the minds of people belonging to other Varnas and offered ways to get relief  from these, by way of offering Daan and Dakshina to Brahmins by way of gold and food grains. They also made them to perform elaborate religious rituals to invoke the blessings of the gods, for victories in war, and for better harvests. Apart from this, they also collected huge wealth from these people, promising to perform religious rituals for their upliftment to higher castes in their births, just as the Christian clergy sold tickets to heaven to the gullible people before the renaissance.  


The caste system seems to have drawn its inspiritation from  the pre renaissance Christianity, where three estates were formed which included the Clergy, the Royals and the Nobles consisting of rich and the business community.  The rest were treated as slaves and exploited. Similarly the Hindus also created imaginary three estates consisting of Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas and connived to treat others as untouchables. While renaissance changed the way people were treated in Christianity. it has still not happened in the Hindu religion. There is  very little hope of this happening with the current political system. The dalits are the cash cows for all the political parties without exception. Abolition of caste system will not be in any way facilitated by the political parties and politicians, because it does help them or their cause.

We need a selfless reformer A Baba Saheb Ambedkar or a Jyothirba Phuley to be reborn to create a society of equlity and respect for all without discrimination.

Let us hope and pray that this happens soon.  

News and reports of atrocities on women are considered as the only high value news worthy inputs by  both electronic & print media (& social media too). They even beat high value inputs like IPL & cinema. And of course they are contributing heavily in making the otherwise worthless politicians eloquent & speech worthy.


And thanks to the wrong mongers, (or these the animals in mangers), there is surfeit of these high value inputs (high value for the media).

It is a common sight to see the sinners in the garb of sages (politicians) indulge in endless discussions. The pointing of fingers at other political parties,the holier than thou attitudes are nauseating, but there is no escape.

I am not happy calling these programs high value inputs. But I am speaking the truth.  The prime time,non prime time & other slots are occupied by these high value inputs.

Is there a news channel, that can come forward & boldly state that, yes we will not exploit some one's pain & misfortune of our financial bottom lines.

None I think at least in India.

Do these seemingly endless debates & discussions yield any outcome ???

Does this activity take the country near any solution???

Does it contribute to a more secure environment for the women???

What happens after these interactions???

ANOTHER ASSAULT ON WOMEN

And.......

The cycle repeats.

Shyam

Now the article,

The article is written by a woman, The language may be shocking by Indian Standards, just matter of fact by american standards, but very realistic by every standard.

Please read the article HERE



Sunday, March 17, 2013

Understanding the Vocabulary of Silence 03-17

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जुबाँ न भी बोले तो, मुश्किल नहीं...!! . 

फिक्र तब होती है जब, . 


खामोशी भी बोलना छोड़ दे....!!!




Contrary to what the age old idiom that says “The squeaky wheel gets the grease”,

It is “The Silence” That creates the maximum understanding and impact.

One who doesn't understand any language (that you speak) perfectly understands the vocabulary of silence. 

The syllables of Silence  reverberate more effectively than the Decibel of noise.


Those who have a gift of words,, preserve & sparingly use them as a prized possession. Silence in itself is a complete vocabulary, & communication medium that conveys everything that needs to conveyed in an impact creating manner.

The most important message your silence conveys is your special identity and status. People recognise that “You are somebody, not anybody or nobody”. Thereafter every spoken word assumes extra importance. Every word you speak delivers extra value. The yearning always is more for what is less available & this applies to every spoken word coming from you. A silent man when he speaks, every word carries extra weight. People stop their activity listen very attentively, savour every word and implement seriously the advice or instructions.

The compelling unwelcome habit of giving advice mostly generic, mostly unsolicited often causes more harm than any benefit to the person in problems. The most important help you can render to anyone is to listen patiently to his problem. Once you listen to him, the other person feels light and relieved. The fog of self-doubt slowly disappears. The person starts working for a solution with a renewed energy & vigor  & more often than not, finds a solution for his problems. The solution to the problem often is lurking very near, but the disturbed mind set often comes in the way of recognizing it.

In this condition, an ounce of help is more beneficial than a pound of advice. An audience in silence is more comforting than the spoken word.

Your telling him, “Come on, you can do it”, looks farcical & artificial & may even irritate the person. Whereas your act of silent audience gives him a feeling that you have understood the gravity of the problem, & also makes him understand that he is in the best position to solve it. You have thus not only increased his self-confidence, you have re- ignited his thinking process. No wonder you will find him/her coming back to you again & again for solution.

Silence as a tool for business!!!

Silence can also be used to close the Business deals positively. After scientifically & rationally pitching for the product and stating the price, a calculated pause, a few moments of silence often adds value to your business call.

Your silence allows the customer to evaluate your pitch peacefully & rationally without distraction, A rational evaluation often helps in increasing the customer’s interest in your pitch and the product. 

Try it, if you haven’t & if you have & succeeded, please share your experience in the comments section.

But Why, Why, Why this discussion on silence?    
  
 Silence is the most valuable asset the almighty has created for us. Modern humans have lost touch with their inner "true self". Silence and stillness are a means to recovering happiness and contentment. 

In the modern world silence has practically ceased to exist. The human race has stamped its authority over the planet Earth not just by covering its surface with concrete and destroying its plant and animal life, but also by burying the natural sounds of the Earth beneath a cacophony of man-made noise. We live our lives against the background of this cacophony, with the jagged mechanical sounds of urban-industrial society continually assaulting our ears.

Is Silence then our greatest friend??

Yes indeed In reality silence is one of our greatest friends, and can—if it's allowed to reveal itself to us—have a powerfully beneficial effect on us. Inner silence & peace often allow us to converse with our true inner self. The inner self the metaphysical self often guides the physical self into a rational & meaningful thought process creating mindfulness. This leads to actions that contagiously create a sense of wellbeing everywhere.

However this simple but high-end conversation is a rare occurrence these days, given the compulsions of time, stress, professional commitments. These are the internal noises that constantly disturb the mind & the thinking process. Add to this the external man made noises emanating from the vehicles, the electronic gadgets & other accessories that human being has become addicted to. 

With all this noise & disturbances, is it possible to have the ambiance that is required for this conversation?

But yes whenever this happens it creates a massive therapeutic effect for the human being. It brings a sense of being firmly rooted in ourselves, of being truly who we are. We also have a sense of being truly where we are, realising that before we were only half-present, and everything we see around us seems intensely real and alive, as if our perceptions have become much more acute.

But above all, we experience a profound sense of inner peace and natural happiness. The nature of consciousness-in-itself (which means the consciousness inside us and the consciousness which pervades the whole universe) is bliss. Getting into contact with the pure consciousness inside us enables us, therefore, to experience this bliss. Indeed, it could be said that it's only when we do this that we can experience true happiness.
The importance of silence in our lives can never be explained enough or satisfactorily. While words communicate & convey, silence communicates & impacts.

In the Symphony of silence, is the extravagance of austerity.

And Finally,

Is it possible to remain silent, when the discussion is on Silence?

Please come out with your valuable inputs insights.

I am eagerly waiting for them.

Best Wishes,

Shyam.

An Insight from Maryann Piazza

Now reading this post it has occured to me that the most effective responses I have recieved is when a situation occurred and time had lapsed without a immediate response from me. Never really thought about the impact until now. People were more concerned about what my take away was because my silence for a brief time after was just that...silence. It weighed more heavily on them until I did respond. I have been living and applying this technique not realizing the effectness of it.

Friday, February 8, 2013

IN CONVERSATION WITH SELF... 02-08

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In conversation with self…


The inner self, in dialogue with the mortal self 


Good and noble thoughts normally and naturally come from pious people and they spread it too. A normal human being finds this interesting, likes & 
appreciates it.

However, when it comes to implementing it in real life, people often think that, those who preach these are at a higher pedestal of enlightenment hence can implement it. They feel that it is not possible for normal individual to lead such a life.

Hence we have the classic example of preachers preaching for generations together & still not being able to bring transformation in the lives of normal people.

We continue to have two classes of people, and a process of degeneration of values in both the classes is prominently visible.

Life is a churning process (Atma Manthan), which produces both Amrit (Nectar) & Halahalam (Poison).





Those who  consume only Amrit can talk about good deeds and how it gets you satisfaction & salvation. But to think that only these people can spread noble thoughts and influence people to better & enlightened life is not correct.
Those who have consumed Halahalam (evil side of life),overcome it successfully, and transformed themselves from evil to good, are in a better position to convince people to give up the evil & take to noble ways of life. They give the confidence that, it is possible for a very normal individual to lift his life a few notches up with some serious efforts.

The conviction to give up bad for good (forever), thread the noble path comes from the experience and inspiration from this people.

So do we need more people who have lead a sinful life & then transformed themselves to nobler ways????

Yes we do…

This is in no way promotion or encouragement for evil or sinners, but a suggestion that those give up evil deeds can help bring transformation in others, or even prevent others from taking a path of sin.

People who have been through this transformation carry more conviction in their words when they speak than the ones who haven’t seen the other side of life.

What is Happiness???




Happiness is not something that can be sought & got. Happiness or unhappiness are by-products of your deeds. There cannot be any specific tasks or deeds that you can do, to get happiness.

More often than not, it is the pursuit of happiness that is the cause of unhappiness.
WHAT IS HAPPINESS???
Happiness is a feeling you get when the inner self speaks or exults. And there is no mechanism to make this happen.

Often a physical debit in terms of time, energy, or money for an individual results in a substantial credit for the soul. As with human beings, soul is also looking at the credit side & exults when it happens. AND THAT IS HAPPINESS.

When someone looks only at the credit side, he is termed selfish. In the same context,

Can soul also be termed selfish???

The credit that the inner-self gets is at the expense of huge debit to the mortal self.

Is it reasonable, & justifiable??

Is the inner self selling the product “Happiness” for a price???

Well one argument could be

 When the soul is working or making you to work for its own self-gratification it may not be correct, however since the end result is good deeds or good attitude, it can be excused for being selfish.

I know the purists will dismiss me & my argument, rationalist will debate & dissent affirmative nodding of heads in between. I welcome all shades of views and opinions, because I know, everything will result in great knowledge dissemination & that what I am looking to.


Shyam







Thursday, February 7, 2013

How to Put Metacognition in Process for Teachers 02-07

wikiHow gets a mention in the latest movie Identity Theft released on 8th Feb, 2013 View details

How to Put Metacognition in Process for Teachers


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit  






Image credit: Shyam's Imagination Library


Teaching someone a skill is not the same as helping motivate them to understand and use it.

Metacognition is a process of varying approaches thinking about and using different learning styles to enable the teacher to teach better. It is for the teachers who are already in the profession and teaching.

The process involves honing the teaching skills to go far beyond lecture. This process is to increase the depth in your imparting, so that absorption, assimilation, analysis, recall, and creative applications, production, synthesis, are improved at the students level.

The programme is conceived, designed, monitored, delivered and evaluated with different depth, and intensity; so, it should have specific customization, categorization and focus. The stress should be on applying the five senses to expand into about ten unique intelligences not just three traditional categories (written language, mathematics and non-verbal/visual IQ) but more...

Steps

Recognize the key points of Metacognition: 


Think "multiple representations" for critical thinking -- not just words, but learning experiences through a set of activities that help students think about their learning:[1] Metacognitive experiences are student's experiences that involve one's current, on-going cognitive endeavor -- using the process of thinking in learning situations. Metacognitive skills include planning the approach to a learning task, checking on comprehension, evaluating progress on a task and maintaining motivation to see a task to completion to become aware of distracting stimuli -- both internal and external -- and so to sustain effort over time.

Metacognition -- student will use prior knowledge to plan a strategy for successful learning, in steps to problem solve, using necessary tools, reflecting on, monitoring and evaluating your results, and modifying your approach as needed.

Seek "linguistic intelligence" (word smart): 

Deal with improving the language for imparting knowledge, accurate word use, selection of phrases, and pauses (such as wait time for student reaction and to answer questions) in oral and written forms, where strategies like thinking aloud while performing a task include self-questioning, such as:

Planning - 

What do I already know about this topic?

 How have I solved problems like this before?

What should I do first?

Monitoring - 

What should I look for in this reading?

 How should I proceed?

What information is important to remember? Evaluating -

 What did I learn? Did I get the results I expected?

What could I have done differently?

Can I apply this way of thinking to other problems or situations?

Is there anything I don’t understand—any gaps in my knowledge?

Do I need to go back through the task to fill in any gaps in understanding?

Evaluate "logical intelligence" (reasoning smart):

Answer a question using a plan and steps -- show comprehension by explaining the concept, applying it, example:

Plan an essay: brainstorm, listing related bits pro and con; 

Make concept maps, flow charts, semantic webs, use bubbles containing your words and connect bubbles with "kite-strings" to other relevant words in their bubbles. Make connections of your thoughts and knowledge, possibly by using a simple frame of thinking, such as:

1.Read the essay question; 

2.Identify the theme or topic of the essay;

 (3)brainstorm and choose your best ideas; 

(4) use five paragraphs;

 (5) the first paragraph states your theme and introduction;

(6) develop the body using three paragraphs of evidence and discussion: examples, comparison, contrast, etc. and 

(7) state a conclusion in a final paragraph. 

(8) Also, if this involves research, state your sources in the format used by your teacher, school or a standard writing manual/handbook.

Apply "mathematical intelligence" (number/geometric/abstract smart): use analytical logic, using many and varied graphical and verbal representations to:

Describe, draw, use graphs, setup Cartesian coordinates, apply geometry, use color, measure, diagram, use mapping;

Collect data, organize, find patterns and report using: logic, arithmetic, number systems, mathematical operations, algebraic relations, creating a function, sets, statistics, central tendencies (mean, median, mode), chance and probability;

Evaluate mathematical information: solve the word/story problem using a plan, steps -- explain, apply the plan to solve the problem.

Project "spatial intelligence" (visually smart): instruct students to use their abilities to create two- and three-dimensional pictures (in the mind) for the concrete or abstract subject to apply and transfer it using:

Multiple views/viewpoints to assemble 2-dimensional views: front, back, top, footprint, sides/faces;

Graphical variations, visualizing (realizing), simultaneous information (visual plane and space);

Perspective in 3-dimensional space: visualize depth, think of a focal point, realize there is convergence (a disappearing point), rather than mechanical parallel representations, in the distance/background toward the horizon;
Order, flow, steps, sequencing, presenting sequential information.

Use Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart"): physical action and interaction, physical stimulus and robust body activities are the best pathways to help them learn. Acting out learning as much as possible, activities to walk around when they are learning.

Role play as planets, moon, sun, etc., as atoms: electrons, nucleus, neutrons, protons and more by drawing and taping an atom, the nucleus and its orbits on the floor. Let your child move around on it to learn the role of all of the particles. Place objects within their sight and reach.

Use hand gestures, body action, miming of information, etc.,

Display and use the world globe, math shapes such as cube, pyramid, cone, etc. Use manipulative objects: construction sets, Legos, modeling clay, science experiments, props to use in dramatizations, outdoors gear (work shoes, bags to collect rocks, leaves, feathers, plants, flowers, etc.), storage for keeping the specimens they collect, sports equipment, puzzles, dance music,...
Model mathematic skills, addition and subtraction -- give young learners boxes and a set of plastic cubes, have them move them around in the boxes, to illustrate it.

Dimensions (length, width, area, volumes), teach them hand gestures that signify what they are. For example an area of a triangle (1/2 breadth x height) has 3 hand gestures - for 1/2 use one hand sideways to cut the other hand's palm in half, for breadth put your palms together and move them apart horizontally, for height put your hands together one on top of the other and move them apart vertically.

Science -- role play a butterfly's lifecycle from caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly

Experiments, use materials and projects to learn science, mathematics, manipulatives (using objects), etc. -- Conduct science experiments - home chemistry, simple physics etc.

Geography -- Teach your child some dance moves from other countries. Have your child make up hand gestures for various geological formations that they have to learn about

History -- Help your child make a drama about the Indian independence movement and play all the characters

Play silent charades to learn about various historical occurrences
Practice musical intelligence ("music smart"). Use songs, percussion, clapping, singing geometry, rapping math facts, play music during art and other quiet activities.

Communicate using "interpersonal intelligence" (people smart): deal with the skills of classroom management, just a few rules, with many procedures and establishing a rapport and mutual trust with the students for hassle free interaction.

Know your "intra-personal intelligence" (be self smart): get on useful terms with oneself (self-motivate, plan, start/take initiative, be industrious/follow-through, finish, report out).

Help "naturalist intelligence" (nature smart): motivate through the ability to work and apply geo-science, the natural environment, to teach using nature, nature trails, field trips, plants in the windows, a school garden, planting trees, etc.

Do a formative assessment: decide and plan lessons with the needed complexes of understanding and transmission skills to reach the trainees before structuring the quality and quantity of the training. This will position the trainer and the trainee on the same wave length.
Understanding can be facilitated, when participants are engaged and applying the learning in real world problems, relevant situations, and labs, experiments, and involved with "Eureka!" experiences. The impact is necessarily different from the intellectual experience created when originally delivering the concept.

Tips

Training can be through videos, role plays, case study experiments, training exercises, which is processed with ‘understanding’ in mind, which is not a simple analysis of what happened in the experiment or video or exercise, which is what participants tend to explain, but it also deals with how this learning can be applied in their own classroom and teaching processes.
This training should enable you to have a clear focus and facilitate your handling of multiple portfolios with equal efficiency. It should help students to overcome inhibition, indecision, procrastination. This training should improve the students overall productivity and delivery levels.

The faculty members after learning and applying such training should be confident to face two challenges and manage the student and whole class behavior: 

(1) The challenge of initiative and 

(2) The challenge of restraint.

Warnings

There cannot be a uniform training for all grades and cadres of teachers.
The depth and intensity of the training should vary based on the five intelligences levels of the teachers.
The training will not bear fruit if it is not backed by sustenance programme, robust monitoring and evaluation systems for the progress achieved.
Don't settle for doing a job, but motivate yourself far beyond work and pay calculations.

Things You'll Need

Plan: actualize your inclination to improve, working toward using methods of the best teachers.
Mission: clarity in purpose and confidence in yourself, your abilities & patience to transform your methods in a natural way.
Optimal standards: goals for quality of education to understand comprehensively, reproduce learners, achieve results/transfer knowledge and concepts without dilution.

Video

Teaching matters Metacognition


Please also read Shyam's latest article


How to lead the student from the wrong answer to the correct one?


Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Put Metacognition in Process for Teachers. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
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Monday, January 7, 2013

Do Street smarts outsmart the Book smarts??? 0-07

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Do Street smarts outsmart the Book smarts???



This is more an attempt to ignite & incite a discussion than an article.

To present an age old argument, by street smarts of course

“Street smarts are paid to gain practical experience, while book smarts pay to gain bookish experience.”

Book smarts retort,

All the strategies that the street smarts implement and gain valuable experience and money are formulated by the book smarts from the knowledge attained from the books, classrooms, & guest lectures delivered by the peers. A better formulated strategy gets better outputs and optimization with the same degree of implementation compared to a poorly formulated strategy. And all this adds to better bottom lines which again results in better earnings for everyone.

So who is anchoring whom??



The perfect answer to this question has eluded the mankind since eternity and will continue to do so for eternity.

If you ask for my opinion on this, I would say, Yes, No, May be, Perhaps. If you have as definitive an opinion as I have (or even otherwise) please share your opinion on this.

Back to the Topic, let us a take detailed look.

Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Bill Gates, are great examples of people who didn’t have colleges degrees, but the enterprises they created are counted among the top organizations in the corporate world in terms of turnover, technology and Innovation.

The irony is the technology developed by these people is part of the curriculum, the book smarts study to earn their degrees.

Bill Gates didn’t need a degree to create Microsoft. He doesn’t need one to eradicate malaria from India & many African countries.

On the other side, there are many entrepreneurs who have built great business empires on the basis of their education. Warren Buffet immediately comes to mind. In the software field Vinod Khosla,  Guy Kawasaki,  Vivek Wadhwa & many more have leveraged their education to build their brands.

Picture changed dramatically after the 90s. Google, Facebook and many other less known organizations started as university projects and were successfully transitioned into great & successful organizations. There are large numbers of start-ups in USA doing extraordinarily well which will soon transition into great organizations. These are some of the great contributions from the booksmarts.

In India too, many of the early organization were started as family businesses by people with very basic or no education. For the Birlas, I think Aditya Birla Grandson of G D Birla was the first among the family to have specialised education. Same is the case with Shri.Rams, Bajaj, Kirloskars, & many others. Dhiru Bhai Ambani is an excellent example of street smart who has worked his way up with his business acumen. However all these organization are now managed by people who have specialised education. Specially the junior Ambanis   Anil & Mukesh are Wharton & Stanford Alumna

Today’s scenario is totally different. You need to be a book smart to start a business or even get a job at the entry level. Having said that,

It has to be acknowledged that, it is not easy for the parents, to bear the cost of education for their children. Recession ridden economies in USA & Europe have left the parents with not enough to spare for the education. Student loans are still available, but the depressing job market doesn’t give much confidence. This has resulted in the huge increase in school & college dropout rates. These students are taking up any available job for meagre remuneration. And these huge dropouts are  inadvertently add to the number of street smarts. This seriously affects the resource available for research and innovation.

For close to two centuries United States has been leading the world in Technology & Innovation. Its more than 300 Nobel Prizes are a testimony to it. However the present situation doesn’t bode a bright future for the country. You can also view the video interaction of Bill Gates with Thomas Freidman who co-authored the book “That used to be us” for more information on American School dropouts. View Video

However not all blame can be put on the educational institutions. With the grants from the Government drying up, the institutions are putting the costs on the parents. One of the Universities had to close their computer  science department to meet the situation arising out of the sudden cut in grants from the Governor.

Parents and students are not savvy enough to calculate these before admitting their children in B/Grad schools. We have done humble, (though inadequate) efforts to present data about the colleges, their ranks, their job potential and ROI on our Knowledge-Korridor  blog. Parents and students can visit the website and view the necessary information, & analyse the institutions before admitting their wards.
Please also read
For Newly Minted M.B.A.s, a Smaller Paycheck Awaits

The Shakespearean situation of “To be or Not to be” in education needs an immediate action from the Government. Though President Obama is concerned about this and promised funds for education, not much is expected to flow in the immediate future.

As someone wisely said,

The education crossword puzzle has a missing piece.

Who will provide it is a Billion Dollar Question.

Best wishes,

Shyam