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Ms. Neelima Patwardhan of Baroda High School, Alkapuri worked
towards an interdisciplinary project. It included subjects like
language arts ,social studies, value education and home science
.She selected an English chapter called ‘ A Fair Play’ by the
author ‘Premchand’ - one of the greatest literary figures of
modern Hindi and Urdu literature.
Ms. Neelima narrated the story of an old lady going to the
Panchyat, a village court with her complaint of ill-treatment at
the domestic front. The students followed the story and were
motivated to know more about the model of Panchayati Raj prevalent
in Indian villages. They used research methodology with help of
internet to- seek information on organizations ameliorating the
life of senior citizens; know more about rulers famous for their
fair sense of justice; compare judicial systems of countries and
evaluate the judicial system prevalent in villages.
The students implemented their learning by forming a ‘Navratna
House’ based on Ashtapradhan Mandal- the administrative system of
Chhatrapati Shivaji & Navratnas of Emperor Akbar’s court. The
students learnt to resolve petty problems of their peer group like
breaking of tiffin boxes and water bottles, destroying of plants
in the garden, fights between student groups etc.
A paper bell was put on the board and students pinned their
grievances on it. The teacher affirms that the students reached
the highest level of learning as evaluation and decision making
was a part of dispensing justice for peers. “I wanted my children
to understand and realize that small problems can be sorted out
with the help of wise and experienced people of the society and
while resolving such problems one must be impartial and just.”
Through the project one issue of the modern society ‘grandparents
being considered as a burden’ was dealt with. The fact that the
old lady in the story goes to court reflects the level of apathy
towards care of senior citizens .Dealing with judiciary is often
insurmountable for senior citizens and used as last resort by
them. “I wanted them to understand that the elders feel physically
as well as psychologically insecure and look forward for the
helping hands of the youngsters” says the teacher. Senior citizens
often have medical as well as psychiatric problems.
Questionnaires inquiring about the family background of students
were designed with help of computers and students were asked to
fill them. A specially designed ‘Grandparent Scrapbook’ was given
to the entire class to collect information about grandparents and
compare it within the class. “The students took keen interest in
completing the same.” It was a trying time as children who had
lost their grandparents expressed their sense of grief and others
were moved by their sentiments. This made everyone value their
grandparents more. The first hand interaction with the guest
speakers and the experience after field trips was presented in the
newsletter and the website. Children used their creative instinct
by scripting a play based on the lesson and presented it in the
school assembly.
Students worked independently as well as in groups and developed
skills like creative and critical thinking, problem solving,
collaboration etc. They became more confident and excelled in
reporting, publishing and listening. They developed communicative
skills and their handwriting improved. The
teacher says “I used technology for the comparative evaluation,
questionnaires, etc. Without technology it would have been
difficult to showcase children’s work and to reach the masses.”
The teacher got all the facilities within her school -Baroda High
School. It is a school of great repute run by Baroda Lions Club
Education Trust. It serves more than 2000 students and offers well
equipped lab with 24 computers and a good collection of
educational c.d.s. The office, staff room, library and art room
are equipped with computers. Each class, from standard three
onwards, has a computer and a wide screen T.V. All the computers
are LAN connected plus there are scanners, web cameras and a
broadband connection. The school is proud of Ms.
Neelima’s efforts. She reminisces “I joined Baroda High School way
back in 1981 as assistant teacher in charge and was promoted to
the post of Supervisor in 1995.Though I do variety of activities
to make my lessons more effective, interesting and innovative,
Intel® provided me the right kind of platform,
where I could prove myself thanks to ‘Intel® Teach
Program
Contest’, Intel® programs have not only made me
computer literate but also computer savvy and boosted my self
confidence. I wish that each and every student of mine should get
maximum benefit from technology aided learning.”
Ms. Neelima imbibes a versatile personality .Her articles are
printed in leading newspapers and magazines .She is a regular
guest on talk shows of All India Radio. In her leisure time, she
enjoys cooking, knitting and meeting relatives and friends. She is
dynamic, hopes to rub shoulders with grandchildren and be a net
savvy nanny.
Neelima Patwardhan is the winner of Intel® Awards
Contest-2005.The details of her project can be seen at
http://www.educationinindia.net/html/ia2005_tshowcase.htm |
