A lesson learnt and taught through project based learning

Each school is incorporating project based learning in a unique way. Mr. Mitesh Jethva,a Science and Maths teacher, motivated the young minds of Holy Child School to investigate, evaluate and provide a solution to the problem of addiction in Gujarat through a project. He along with the teachers of Holy Child School pointed out to the students, the habit of addiction to cigarette, gutkha and tobacco in men, women and children.

The state of Gujarat is running toward the position of being No: 1 in ‘addiction in people’ and approx 3% to 4% people face death due to different forms of addiction. This has brought misery in the lives of many households. The outcome of addictions is clearly displayed by the Gujarat Government website. Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) through their website presents facts about usage of tobacco in school and youth in Ahemdabad (http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/global/gyts/factsheets/2003/India_Ahmedabad_factsheet.htm) and other cities and countries.

The teachers, having full faith in technology and its use by students under their guidance, were sure of bringing some sort of a logical conclusion to the problem. After a brainstorming session, Mr. Mitesh Jethva, the Master teacher and the teachers of Holy Child School trained by him on Intel Teach to the Future program divided student into small groups of ten students each. They were allotted different tasks. One group gathered information by research from Digital Encyclopedia and Internet while second group collected the data by surveys and direct contacts with local people. The information collected was an eye opener and learning for students and teachers.

At the same time third group visited the Cancer Department at Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad which is one of the biggest hospitals in Asia where they met the patients suffering from cancer and learnt about tobacco related diseases both cancerous and non-cancerous. The trip was arranged by one of the teachers of Holy child school through a relative working in the hospital. The school is approximately 25 Kms. far from Ahmedabad .The students recognized the seriousness of addiction and its end. 

Another group visited the center at Akshardham Temple. The Temple authorities endorse activities aimed to reform the society lead by academicians and students. The project got support and posters were provided developed by Temple Authorities to create sensibility in people. 

The revelation on high rate of addiction was shocking news and more shocking were the various aftermaths of the addiction. After the immense research on it the following observations were noted down.

• An average amount spent per person on addiction amounted to the sum sufficient for good education of at least one child
• Most of the cigarette, gutkha and tobacco making companies are advertising with target to cover women and school students. 
• The people from high society and educated class were also not free from this addiction. 

Students strived to showcase the findings and solutions possible to rest of school students, teachers, parents, trustee, villagers, Saint of Akshardham Temple and local people. The facility of LCD Projector enabled an electronic presentation in the Multimedia Hall. 

The newly acquired confidence in the students and endowed with latest and authentic means of acquiring information ,the students widened the area of research on internet .Soon a number of websites like www.actindia.org which told about the activities of the Action Council against Tobacco- India, www.indiainfoline.com/nevi/ency.html explained about various therapies for quitting tobacco addiction, http://www1.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1122540.cms highlighted the article on the outlawed Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), the separatists in Manipur imposing a ban on the sale and consumption of chewing tobacco products in the northeastern state saying anyone violating its diktat would face serious action and that too without a warning were quoted by the students as part of the tirade against addiction.

The addiction may take some more time to be controlled but the impact was outstanding.

This is the faster bounce than Sensex in the Education was the remark of the amazed Principal of the Holy Child school.

The principal administers this school which serves the needs of five hundred students with assistance of academic staff of twenty-four teachers. Some of the parents who are addicted are trying to refrain themselves and acknowledging the efforts of students and teachers by saying, “This is the real Education.” The guide Mitesh Jethwa is happy too. “I was just a teacher, Intel made me perfect facilitator to serve my students in an effective way.”

The students widened their horizons by reading about more problems which may be the cause of addictions like illiteracy, poverty, malnourishment, inequality, bias and prejudices, besides, quitting addiction, is easier said than done but it has caught the attention of the young impressionable minds. They can shield themselves against it and caution others. They have been able to free their school environs from the clutches of sale of addictive items. It is a hope with students and teachers that this project will warn people and in return affect the society. 

The students and teachers accepted that the successful completion of the project showed them the power of knowledge and has left them eager to use technology in future projects.