Tooling with Technology – Sizing-up the ‘Microchips of Life’

Ms. Vijaylakshmi Nair, a teacher in Military School, Bangalore took it upon herself to arouse curiosity in students and to initiate them into activities, which would enhance their interest and knowledge. The outcome led the young and keen microbiologists of standard IX to gain mastery over all aspects of the ‘Cell’, which are the structural and functional units of life.

1	Cadets and Dr. GV Giri (Oncologist)	The usage of Technology was made for research and for communicating their findings. Vijaylakshmi prepared the master plan. The list of people involved was long; it had officials, experts, parents and staff of the school. The support was vital and the teacher gave credits to all for their help. Especially to Dr. Giri, Oncologist for his immense patience and simplicity. The support extended by the Principal of the school was paramount. His permission was sought to interview leading experts related to the field and also to access resources on the Internet.The microbiologists and cancer specialists took pains to impart key instructions and latest information .The Administrative Officer and Headmasters coordinated with Vijaylaksmi to ensure all transport arrangements.

	Also, there was the Biology Lab Assistant helping in the ‘*Study of Cell Types’ from temporary and permanent slides. The Demo Room In-charge* was also around to facilitate all project related activities. The computer lab came alive with the Internet, under supervision of net nanny (lab nanny), the computer teacher. Websites referred to were: http://www.cellsalive.com/howbig.htm http://www.avert.org/pictures.htm(Aids) http://www.infocompu..com/adolfo_arthyr/ingles/carcinoma_espino.htm http://www.enchantedlearning.com The parents played their usual part of doing all that they could, to see the success of their ward and his/her project.

	Students had their role slot earmarked from the beginning to end. It had in its fold, use of ‘Technology as a Toolfor better understanding’ and not as a gizmo to copy-paste and take pride in its perfect image. The artistic fingers of the students drew diagrams on their own and proudly displayed them on the walls of the most impressive art gallery of Bangalore - their Classroom! A scanner was used to take these diagrams to the MS Office Word document followed by a write-up titled ‘Cell Evolution’. Tooling technology to size was effectively done again as observations noted from slides on permanent and temporary cells shown by the Lab Assistant were typed in another MS Office Word document for record. Internet, Encarta and other CDs were used for gathering information.

	The Microbiologist and the students	To verify volume and size of cells, the format of Excel came in handy. Publishing of a newsletter called ‘Macros of the Microchips of Life’ enhanced creativity and teamwork. Interviews of experts and scrapbook collections from newspapers saw their branding on the MS Office Word under the banner ‘Visit to Microbiology Lab Part-I, Part-II’ and ‘Visit to Kidwai.’ The enthusiasm for Euro 2004 could compete with that of the students for the project -- much was less. Students looked towards global reach with the help of web-pages named ‘Parading through Corridors of Life.’ The teacher’s path was strewn with preparation of scaffold for all stages of the project, which was elaborate in the beginning
	and suggestive by the end, as knowledge and confidence of her students accelerated. She engineered a ‘Unit Plan’, which was self explanatory and focused on science and technology as per the NCERT syllabus.

	Realistic ‘Implementation Plan’ and transparent ‘Evaluation Tool’ were the jewels in the crown of success of the project. Vijaylakshmi quizzed her students on PowerPoint and her slides on cell took them from knowledge to comprehension stage. Higher thinking skills and up to the stage of evaluation came about, when students started their group activities and realized the immense role of ‘*Cells*’ in living organisms.

		The growing knowledge about the building blocks of life -- the ‘Cell’, made students emerge as responsible individuals, readily preparing a new line up for a larger pie with double flavor, i.e. one of consciousness about the systems of living bodies and two of the thought process on the role of cells in all living beings. This had its consequence on the teacher too; “TAL changed me from a dictator to a democrat,” as observed by Vijaylaksmi Nair. The Military school, Bangalore, besides being in one of the most IT –savvy towns, which is called the Silicon Valley of India, has a lot to offer to students in their two labs, each having about 15 computers.
	Internet facility, demo room, printer, scanner are available to assist keen learners. The school is residential, though it has some day scholars too. It accommodates a heterogeneous community of students, most of them belonging to military background and some from civilian background too.

	This project enabled each student to shine, as the teams during their group-work were able to list their weakness and strengths. Vijaylakshmi says, “Working together developed team spirit, tolerance and respect for others. What about respect for our human body and the complex mechanisms in it? If doing projects, teaches all this, don’t we, as adults need to go back to school?”