Although women make up approximately 50% of the general work force in the U.S., they only represent 9% of workers in the science and engineering community. With such a low percentage of female interest, the government is expecting increased worker shortages through the first decade of the 21st century for the information technology (IT) industry.

The core worker in the IT industry are computer engineers, systems analysts, programmers and computer scientists, which includes database administrators, computer support personnel and all other computer scientists. These are all careers that relate directly back to high school math and science, in addition to computer science studies.

Growth projections by The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ indicate that the current graduation rate of those in undergraduate computer, information sciences and technology programs aren’t high enough to sustain the industry’s growth. In addition, they acknowledged that the even greater decrease of women into the computer science pipeline will have a profound effect on the industry.

These researchers believe that the low representation of women in computer science at the undergraduate level is inherited from the secondary school level, where girls do not participate in computer science courses and related activities as much as boys. Although girls are often well represented in earlier computing courses, they shy away from advanced courses. One possible reason for this is because of the increased focus on the technical and math course requirements.

This leads us back to math and science studies in elementary and high school, and yet another growing concern within the scientific community.

We currently believe that our nation’s future economic prosperity and global competition depends on both scientific progress and our adaptability in the fields of science, technology and engineering. As our society shifts from a resource-intensive society to a knowledge-intensive economy, it is critical for all of us to develop the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to this new community.

With this in mind, knowledge of math and science has now become essential for those pursuing a high-status and well-paid job in our new technologically advanced workforce.

Again, the science community is concerned that industry growth in the early 21st century will far out pace that of graduates. Once again, research has suggested that the root of this problem can be traced back to elementary and high school classrooms.

In going back to the classroom, a study by the National Assessment of Education Progress discovered that girls score below the national mean on all science achievement items and express negatives attitudes towards science. The study acknowledged that societal, education and personal factors all contribute to this funding, but stressed that differences within the science classroom may be one of the biggest contributing factors.

So what factors are discouraging girls from excelling in math, science and computer science studies in high school? Research has shown a number of different issues that need to be addressed. They believe that girls are not presented with adequate information about science-related career opportunities and their prerequisites, and that high school counselors often do not encourage further courses in math and science. In addition, texts, the media and many adults often project sex-stereotyped views of science and scientists.

A lack of development of spatial ability skills may also be an issue, which could be fostered in shop and mechanical drawing classes. Girls also have fewer experiences with science activities and equipment, which are often stereotyped as being masculine.

In order to encourage girls in the pursuit of math and science, teachers are encouraged to maintain well-equipped, organized and perceptually stimulating classrooms, use non-sexist language and examples, include information on women scientists and stress creatively and basic skills and provide career information.

In addition, math and science teachers should use laboratories, discussions and weekly quizzes as their primary modes of instruction or teaching strategies and supplement those activities with field trips and guest speakers. If possible, teachers should also encourage parental involvement.

Studies have also shown that teachers, both male and female, who were successful in motivating girls to continue to study science, practiced what is called “directed intervention”. They asked girls to assist with demonstrations, which required these students to perform and not merely record, in the laboratories, and in science-related fieldtrips.

When it comes to computer science studies, a similar approach can be taken. Although these studies do involved math, programming and technical issues, computer science educators need to be aware that working with computers involves much more than that. It also requires fully developed verbal and interpersonal skills – an area in which girls tend to excel at.

In order to attract more girls to the study, teachers should concentrate on applications and not just on math or programming. That’s because girls generally don’t get as excited about computers for their gadget value, as boys do. Instead, girls become more interested and engaged when technology is discussed in terms of it’s usefulness for problem solving.

Computer science educators should also impart to girls the important need for women in the industry and outline more career options. For example, jobs are not just limited to programming; individuals are needed to help solve business problems with technology solutions. The industry itself is focused on solving problems, and developing solutions to help business continue to grow.

Conclusion:

By introducing science, math and computer science in a positive manner to girls in all levels of education, we may be able to turn the tide and see more and more women choose careers in these important fields. If we truly believe children are our future, now is the time to ensure that they have a place in the future we have created.

Valerie Giles owns and operates Cyber-Prof: Teacher Resource Site an educational web site that specializes in resources for school and teacher supplies . Free stuff for teachers, teaching strategies, K-8, educational toys and games, back to school, classroom technology and home school curriculum. http://www.cyber-prof.com

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And with good reason.

The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) tested one-half million students from 41 countries. On the science portion, American fourth graders came in third, but slipped to 17th place in grade 8 and sixth from the bottom in grade 12. In advanced science, our kids came in last.

In math, our fourth graders placed 12th, our 8th graders placed 17th, and our 12th graders scored sixth from the bottom.

It is for such reasons that the Obama administration has launched its “Educate to Innovate” campaign, focusing on improving America’s performance in these STEM subjects and gaining the support of major corporations, foundations and non-profits–even Discovery Communications and Sesame Street.

Their aim: every child. Yes, even your preschooler. It’s coming, of that you can be sure. Reassuringly, though, Temple University’s Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pacek says, “Efforts to expand preschool science teaching need not necessarily conflict with young children’s need for playtime. Science can be taught in the context of play.”

And you can support those efforts at home by doing simple experiments right there in your kitchen, starting with your toddlers and then continuing as they get older. Such activities serve to pique curiosity and engage youngsters in seeking answers, as they learn more and more about how the world works. And that’s crucial.

As President Obama has said, “Reaffirming and strengthening America’s role as the world’s engine of scientific discovery and technological innovation is essential to meeting the challenges of this century.”

As you know, science has been included in the No Child Left Behind testing mandate since the 2007-08 school year. And now with “Educate to Innovate,” there’s an even stronger push to engage all of our students in thinking deeply and critically in STEM subjects, boosting our international standing and informing our kids about careers in related fields–opening up possibilities for girls, as well as boys.

According to the National Science Foundation, while women make up 46% of the American workforce, they hold only 25% of the jobs in engineering, technology, and science.

Helping to change those numbers is the stated purpose of the non-profit organization Expanding Your Horizons, which says it is “encouraging young women to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers.” To that end, EYH coordinates 85 hands-on math and science conferences annually-and one is sure to come your way.

For instancee, open to middle school girls, an Expanding Your Horizons conference will be held on March 20th at Swarthmore College. “All workshops are led by female role models who not only have a deep knowledge of the topics they teach, but also serve as positive examples of successful women in technical fields… Our conference is perfect for girls who have already discovered a passion for math or science, but it is also a great opportunity to reach those who may be beginning to lose interest in these typically male-dominated fields. We hope you or the special young women in your life will consider spending a day learning and discovering with us.” Average cost to participants: only $10.65.

Meanwhile, Wilkes University has received a $2.9 million Pennsylvania Department of Education grant to train middle-level teachers from five counties in math and science, including those in Montgomery County’s Springford, Upper Perkiomen, and Perkiomen Valley school districts. This specialized program integrates content with teaching skills, thus enhancing our students’ classroom experience in these core subjects–and the timing couldn’t be better.

Says John Holdren, Obama’s science advisor and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, “America needs a world-class STEM workforce to address the grand challenges of the 21st century, such as developing clean sources of energy that reduce our dependence on foreign oil and discovering a cure for cancer.”

Carol is a learning specialist who worked with middle school children and their parents at the Methacton School District in Pennsylvania for more than 25 years and now supervises student teachers at Gwynedd-Mercy College. Along with the booklet, 149 Parenting School-Wise Tips: Intermediate Grades & Up, and numerous articles in such publications as Teaching Pre-K-8 and Curious Parents, she has authored three successful learning guidebooks: Getting School-Wise: A Student Guidebook, Other-Wise and School-Wise: A Parent Guidebook, and ESL Activities for Every Month of the School Year. Carol also writes for examiner.com; find her articles at http://www.examiner.com/x-6261-Montgomery-County-Wise-Parenting-Examiner For more information, go to http://www.schoolwisebooks.com or contact Carol at carol@schoolwisebooks.com.

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Inquiry Based Teaching and Learning

If you are looking for K-12 science lesson plans, web resources, and references to support inquiry based teaching and learning, you have probably found this search difficult. Like other web resources it takes time to surf the web and find them. What is needed is a directory of science inquiry based resources categorized into topics that support K-12 science teaching and learning. What is needed is for someone to do this for you.

Directory resources that are most valuable to K-12 science educators include lesson plans, assessment guides, curriculum guides, standards guidelines, search engines for science, and more. Also there is a need for online resources that support all science content areas.

Teaching Science using Technology

There are many types of technology strategies for teaching K-12 science. These include the use of web resources, online simulators, WebQuests, real-time data bases, online interactive websites, and many more options. A website that provides a directory of a wide variety of web based resources is very helpful to K-12 educators.

This type of website would be used to support their teaching strategies. Actively engaging students in learning, instead of being passive learners. You can take students on virtual field trips to places all over the world: zoos, volcanos in other countries, and more.

Additional Resources

Other K-12 online science education resources needed by teachers and parents include access to journals, current science news topics, and online science teaching research books. One particular resource that is needed is a guide for recommended reading books to support science at all grade levels. Reading is stressed even more today to meet state and national education requirements and an online resource would help educators save time trying to find books that meet content standards.

Because of the emphasis on standards and testing today, teachers do want to go to a website that waste their time. All resources need to be pre-screened to ensure that they meet national science standards’ guidelines for teaching science using inquiry based practices. Also, that the technology based resources on the website meets national technology and science standards.

A directory that has updated links is especially important to provide resources. Teachers and parents are tired of going to science directories that are full of dead links. It wastes their time and frustration sets in, because more valuable time has been wasted.

What is needed is an online science education resource website that is specifically designed for K-12 science educators and home schooling parents.

Science Inquiry and Technology website: http://www.science-inquiry.org

Technology and Writing Blog: http://drwetzel.wordpress.com

David R. Wetzel, Ph.D. – Currently a FreeLance Writer, Retired Science Education University Professor and Public School Science Teacher.

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Let’s look at some of the reasons why girls come to the STEM classroom with less of the core skills needed for success in this subject area. Overall, girls and boys play with different kinds of games in early childhood that provide different types of learning experiences. Most girls play games that emphasize relationships (i.e., playing house, playing with dolls) or creativity (i.e., drawing, painting). In contrast, boys play computer and video games or games that emphasize building (i.e., LEGO®), both of which develop problem-solving, spatial-relationship and hands-on skills.

A study of gender differences in spatial relations skills of engineering students in the U.S. and Brazil found that there was a large disparity between the skills of female and male students. These studies attributed female student’s lesser skills set to two statistically significant factors: 1) less experience playing with building toys and 2) having taken less drafting courses prior to the engineering program. Spatial relations skills are critical to engineering. A gender study of computer science majors at Carnegie-Mellon University (one of the preeminent computer science programs in the country) found that, overall, male students come equipped with much better computer skills than female students. This equips male students with a considerable advantage in the classroom and could impact the confidence of female students.

Are these gender differences nature or nurture? There is considerable evidence that they are nurture. Studies show that most leading computer and video games appeal to male interests and have predominantly male characters and themes, thus it is not surprising that girls are much less interested in playing them. A study of computer games by Children Now found that 17% of the games have female characters and of these, 50% are either props, they tend to faint, have high-pitched voices, and are highly sexualized.

There are a number of studies that suggest that when girls and women are provided with the building blocks they need to succeed in STEM they will do as well if not better than their male counterparts. An Introductory Engineering Robotics class found that while males did somewhat better on the pre-test than females, females did as well as the males on the post-test following the class’s completion.

Another critical area of gender difference that teachers of STEM should keep in mind has less to do with actual skills and experience and more to do with perceptions and confidence. For females, confidence is a predictor of success in the STEM classroom. They are much less likely to retain interest if they feel they are incapable of mastering the material. Unfortunately, two factors work against female confidence level: 1) most girls will actually have less experience with STEM course content than their male counterparts and 2) males tend to overplay their accomplishments while females minimize their own. A study done of Carnegie Mellon Computer Science PhD students found that even when male and female students were doing equally well grade wise, female students reported feeling less comfortable. Fifty-three percent of males rated themselves as “highly prepared” in contrast to 0% of females.

It is important to note that many of the learning style differences described above are not strictly gender-based. They are instead based on differences of students with a background in STEM, problem-solving, and hands-on skills learned from childhood play and life experience and those who haven’t had the same type of exposure. A review of the literature on minority students and STEM finds that students of color are less likely to have the STEM background experiences and thus are missing many of the same STEM building blocks as girls and have the same lack of confidence. Many of the STEM curriculum and pedagogy solutions that work for female students will also work for students of color for this reason.

Bridge Classes/Modules to Ensure Core Skills

Teachers will likely see a gap in the core STEM skills of female and minority students for the reasons described above. Below are some solutions applied elsewhere to ensure that girls and women (and students of color) will get the building block STEM skills that many will be missing.

Teachers in the Cisco Academy Gender Initiative study assessed the skill levels of each of their students and then provided them with individualized lesson plans to ensure their success that ran parallel to the class assignments. Other teachers taught key skills not included in the curriculum at the beginning of the course, such as calculating math integers and tool identification and use. Students were provided with additional lab time, staffed by a female teaching assistant, knowing that the female students would disproportionately benefit from additional hands-on experience.

Carnegie-Mellon University came to view their curriculum as a continuum, with students entering at different points based on their background and experience. Carnegie-Mellon’s new frame of a “continuum” is purposefully different than the traditional negative model in which classes start with a high bar that necessitates “remedial” tutoring for students with less experience, stigmatizing them and undermining their confidence. Below is a list of ideas and suggestions that will help ALL students to succeed in the STEM classroom.

1. Building Confidence

How do teachers build confidence in female students who often have less experience than their male counterparts and perceive they are behind even when they are not?

1) Practice-based experience and research has shown that ensuring female students have the opportunity to gain experience with STEM, in a supportive environment, will increase their confidence level.

2) Bringing in female role models that have been successful in the STEM field is another important parallel strategy that should be used to assist your female students in seeing themselves as capable of mastering STEM classes: if she could do it, then I can too!

3) Consistent positive reinforcement by STEM teachers of their female students, with a positive expectation of outcome, will assist them in hanging in there during those difficult beginning weeks when they have not yet developed a technology schema or hands-on proficiency and everything they undertake seems like a huge challenge.

2. Appealing to Female Interests

Many of the typical STEM activities for the classroom appeal to male interests and turn off girls. For example, curriculum in robots often involves monsters that explode or cars that go fast. “Roboeducators” observed that robots involved in performance art or are characterized as animals are more appealing to girls. Engineering activities can be about how a hair dryer works or designing a playground for those with disabilities as well as about building bridges. Teachers should consider using all types of examples when they are teaching and incorporating activities in efforts to appeal female and male interests. Teachers can also direct students to come up with their own projects as a way of ensuring girls can work in an area of significance to them.

Research also shows that there are Mars/Venus differences between the genders and how each engages in technology. Overall, girls and women are excited by how the technology will be used – its application and context. Men will discuss how big the hard drive or engine is, how fast the processor runs, and debate the merits of one motherboard or engine versus another. These are topics that are, overall, of less interest to most females.

The Carnegie-Mellon Study took into account the differences of what engages female students and modified the Computer Science programs’ curriculum so that the context for the program was taught much earlier on in the semester and moved some of the more technical aspects of the curriculum (such as coding) to later in the semester. Authors observed that the female students were much more positive about getting through the tedious coding classes when they understood the purpose of it. Teachers should ensure that the context for the technology they are teaching is addressed early on in the semester by using real world stories and case studies to capture the interest of all of their students.

3. Group Dynamics in the Classroom

Research studies by American Association of University Women and Children Now have found that most females prefer collaboration and not competition in the classroom. Conversely, most males greatly enjoy competition as a method of learning and play. Many hands-on activities in technology classes are set up as competitions. Robotics for example, regularly uses competitiveness as a methodology of teaching. Teachers should
be cognizant of the preference of many girls for collaborative work and should add-in these types of exercises to their classes. Some ways to do this are by having students work in assigned pairs or teams and having a team grade as well as an individual grade. (See Reading 2 on Cooperative Learning.)

Another Mars/Venus dynamic that STEM teachers should be aware of occurs in the lab there male students will usually dominate the equipment and females will take notes or simply watch. Overall, male students have more experience and thus confidence with hands-on lab equipment than their female counterparts. Teachers should create situations to ensure that their female students are spending an equal amount of time in hands-on activities. Some approaches have been: 1) to pair the female students only with each other during labs in the beginning of the class semester so that they get the hands-on time and their confidence increases, putting them in a better position to work effectively with the male students later on, 2) allot a specific time for each student in pair to use the lab equipment and announce when it’s time to switch and monitor this, and 3) provide feedback to male students who are taking over by letting them know that their partner needs to do the activity as well.

4. Moving Female Students from Passive Learners to Proactive Problem Solvers

The main skill in STEM is problem solving in hands-on lab situations. For reasons already discussed regarding a lack of experience, most girls don’t come to STEM classes with these problem-solving skills. Instead, girls often want to be shown how to do things, repeatedly, rather than experimenting in a lab setting to get to the answer. Adding to this issue, many girls fear that they will break the equipment. In contrast, male students will often jump in and manipulate the equipment before being given any instructions by their teacher. Teachers can address this by such activities as: 1) having them take apart old equipment and put it together again, 2) creating “scavenger hunt” exercises that force them to navigate through menus, and 3) emphasizing that they are learning the problem solving process and that this is equally important to learning the content of the lesson and insisting that they figure out hands-on exercises on their own.

Research has also shown that females tend to engage in STEM activities in a rote, smaller picture way while males use higher order thinking skills to understand the bigger picture and the relationship between the parts. Again, moving female students (and the non-techsavvy student in general) to become problem solvers (versus just understanding the content piece of the STEM puzzle) will move them to use higher order thinking skills in STEM.

Finally, many teachers have reported that many female students will often want to understand how everything relates to each other before they move into action in the lab or move through a lesson plan to complete a specific activity. The female students try to avoid making mistakes along the way and will not only want to read the documentation needed for the lesson, they will often want to read the entire manual before taking any action. In contrast, the male student often needs to be convinced to look at the documentation at all. Boys are not as concerned with making a mistake a long the way as long as what they do ultimately works. The disadvantage for female students is that they often are so worried about understanding the whole picture that they don’t move onto the hands-on activity or they don’t do it in a timely fashion, so that they are consistently the last ones in the class to finish. Teachers can assist female (and non-tech-savvy) students to move through class material more quickly by providing instruction on how to quickly scan for only the necessary information needed to complete an assignment.

5. Role Models

Since the numbers of women in STEM are still small, girls have very few opportunities to see female role models solving science, technology, engineering or math problems. Teachers should bring female role models into the classroom as guest speakers or teachers, or visit them on industry tours, to send the message to girls that they can succeed in the STEM classroom and careers.

Bibliography

Medina, Afonso, Celso, Helena B.P. Gerson, and Sheryl A. Sorby. “Identifying Gender Differences in the 3-D Visualization Skills of Engineering Students in Brazil and in the United States”. International Network for Engineering Eucation and Research page. 2 August 2004: [http://www.ineer.org/Events/ICEE/papers/193.pdf].

Milto, Elissa, Chris Rogers, and Merredith Portsmore. “Gender Differences in Confidence Levels, Group Interactions, and Feelings about Competition in an Introductory Robotics Course”. American Society for Engineering Education page. 8 July 2004: [http://fie.engrng.pitt.edu/fie2002/papers/1597.pdf].

“Fair Play: Violence, Gender and Race in Video Games 2001”. Children Now page. 19 August 2004: [http://www.childrennow.org/media/video-games/2001/].

“Girls and Gaming: Gender and Video Game Marketing, 2000”. Children Now page. 17 June 2004: [http://www.childrennow.org/media/medianow/mnwinter2001.html].

Tech-Savvy: Educating Girls in the New Computer Age. District of Columbia: American Association of University Women Educational Foundation, 2000.

Margolis, Jane and Allan Fisher. Unlocking the Computer Clubhouse: Women in Computer. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2003.

Taglia, Dan and Kenneth Berry. “Girls in Robotics”. Online Posting. 16 September 2004: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/roboeducators/.

“Cisco Gender Initiative”. Cisco Learning Institute. 30 July 2004: http://gender.ciscolearning.org/Strategies/Strategies_by_Type/Index.html.

Donna Milgram is founder and Executive Director of the National Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science (IWITTS). She is currently the Principal Investigator of the CalWomenTech Project, a $2 million National Science Foundation grant awarded in April 2006. She was also the Principal Investigator of the WomenTech Project, funded by the National Science Foundation, which had a goal of increasing the number of women enrolled and retained in technology education in three national community college demonstration sites. She led IWITTS’s partnership with the Cisco Learning Institute (CLI)/Cisco Gender Initiative. Ms. Milgram produced the interactive teacher training video “School-to-Work: Preparing Young Women for High Skill, High Wage Careers.”

Additional Resources:

http://www.iwitts.com/

http://www.womentechworld.org/

http://www.womentechstore.com/

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INTRODUCTION

“If human values take root in the educational system, the emerging individuals will have the following attributes:

They will want peace & justice in a world that acknowledges the rule of law and in which no nation or individual need live in fear;

Freedom and self reliance to be available to all;

The dignity & work of every person to be recognized & safeguarded;

All people to be given an opportunity to achieve their best in life; and

They will seek equality before the law and the equality of opportunity for all”.

Sathya Sai

Now we are living in the Modern, Scientific and Technological world. Science and Technology have brought enormous changes in the society. The attitudes of the people are also changes in the day to day life of human beings.

Man is a unique creation in this universe that under certain parameters is free to make his own destiny. Now, if man has to make his destiny, the question of values in life comes up. He has to think naturally as to what should be the guiding norms of life process. It is therefore clear that the guiding factors for man, which provide the prime motivating force behind his thought, emotion and action, have to be moral and spiritual. The socio-cultural and spiritual life of man has to bring peace, progress and welfare for both the individual and the society. This is precisely the reason why the modern society is worried about the deterioration of values.

Having diagnosed the present problem, we have to find the remedy for this situation before there is further deterioration of values in the wider interest of the mankind. With the help of Science (Exhibitions) and Technology (Print & Electronic Media and Mass Media) including social awareness programmes we can inculcate the values in the people.

IMPORTANCE OF VALUES

In today’s multi-cultural and multi-racial society, with its changing social norms and expectations, it can be difficult for a young person to know what is right. To enable young people to appreciate themselves and others, and to take greater responsibility for their actions and for the world around them. Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji of Puthige Math has said that it is necessary to give importance to human values in the present era of globalization.

CLASSIFICATION OF VALUES

In generally, values may be classified as;

Ø      Personal Values

Ø      Social Values

Ø      Moral Values

Ø      Spiritual Values and

Ø      Behavioural values.

All these values are necessary for all types of persons in the society.

INCULCATION OF VALUES THROUGH EDUCATION

Thinking with love is truth
Feeling with love is peace
Acting with love is right conduct
Understanding with love is non-violence
-Sathya Sai

According the Sathya Sai Baba the following five values are necessary for students.

v     Right Conduct

v     Peace

v     Truth

v     Love

v     Non-Violence

These values are specific because they are in line with a human being’s make up. They are also heavily interrelated (e.g. right conduct is action with love and according to conscience).These five values are inter-related and inherent in human beings, raising them above the level of the animal kingdom.

Right Conduct

Information is received through the five senses i.e. smell, taste sight, touch and hearing. When this information is referred to the conscience, the resulting action will be beneficial. Every action is preceded by thought. If the thought is consciously seen and noted, aims to help and is unselfish, the action will be good for oneself and others. If our mind is busy, or we are daydreaming, the action may be useless, clumsy or harmful to ourselves or others.

Right conduct is also concerned with how we look after and use our bodies. The body needs to careful maintenance to be strong, healthy and well co-coordinated to serve us in performing the tasks of life. Students need to understand the importance of exercise, such as gymnastics, yoga and sports combined with good rest. Good thoughts and good company (which includes everything imbibed by the five senses) are essential for healthy and well balanced development. Right conduct is taught through: Silent Sitting, Story telling and Group Activities.

Values Relate to Right Conduct

Self-help Skills

·        Care of Possessions

·        Diet

·        Hygiene

·        Modesty

·        Posture

·        Self-reliance

·        Tidy appearance

Social Skills

·        Good behaviour

·        Good manners

·        Good relationships

·        Helpfulness

·        Not wasting

Ethical Skills

·        Code of conduct

·        Courage

·        Dependability

·        Duty

·        Efficiency

·        Ingenuity

·        Initiative

·        Perseverance

·        Punctuality

·        Resourcefulness

·        Respect for all

·        Responsibility

Peace
We smile when we are happy and contented. Contentment is gained when we cease to want for us all the apparent ‘good’ things conveyed to us through our five senses. When our willpower is sufficiently strong to enable us to discern the difference between real needs and superfluous desires, we cease to be driven by the urge to own more and more things.

Inner agitation stops and we are left feeling peaceful. When there is peace in the individual, there will be peace in the family. When there is peace in the family, there will be peace in the community. In order to learn, self-esteem, calmness and freedom from anxiety are necessary.

These qualities are fostered by two of the Programmes components, namely silent sitting and the self-reflective exercises in some of the group activity sessions.

Values Related to Peace

Ø      Attention

Ø      Calm

Ø      Concentration

Ø      Contentment

Ø      Dignity

Ø      Discipline

Ø      Equality

Ø      Equanimity

Ø      Faithfulness

Ø      Focus

Ø      Gratitude

Ø      Happiness

Ø      Harmony

Ø      Humility

Ø      Inner silence

Ø      Optimism

Ø      Reflection

Ø      Satisfaction

Ø      self-acceptance

Ø      Self-confidence

Ø      Self-control

Ø      Self-discipline

Ø      Self-esteem

Ø      Self-respect

Ø      Sense control

Ø      Surrender

Ø      Understanding

Ø      Virtue

Truth

The desire to know truth has prompted mankind to ask some of the great questions such as: Who am I? What is the purpose of life? How can I know my inner self/ God/ the Creator of the universe? How can I live fully in the present moment?

Learning to speak the truth is a first and vital step in the formation of a strong character. Voicing an untruth is an anti-social act and causes confusion in the mind of both the speaker and listener and leads to anti-social behaviour. Telling lies hurts us as well as others in a subtle, but very real way.

One great distinction between humankind and the rest of the animal kingdom is the ability to choose how to behave, rather than just to follow the lower instincts (the law of the jungle). A human being is also able to recognize past, present and future and to take note of changes occurring over time.

A quotation used in the lesson to stimulate thought and questions may later come to mind to provide guidance and choice in a life situation. Short Term Pain for Long Term Gain: Choosing to refer to this higher level of awareness and to consciously exercise moderation in our behaviour leads to better health and greater contentment. The value of truth can also be taught through story telling which promotes curiosity, optimism, fairness to all and noble ideals. It also aids the understanding of the value of honest speech and self-analysis.

Values Related to Truth

o       Accuracy

o       Curiosity

o       Discernment

o       Fairness

o       Fearlessness

o       Honesty

o       Integrity

o       Intuition

o       Justice

o       Optimism

o       Purity

o       Quest for knowledge

o       Reason

o       Self Analysis

o       Self Awareness

o       Sincerity

o       Spirit of enquiry

o       Synthesis

o       Trust

o       Truthfulness

o       Determination

o       Unity of thought

o       Word and deed

Love

Love is not an emotion, affected by the sub-conscious mind, but is a spontaneous, pure reaction from the heart.

It is the power of love which causes one person to wish happiness for another and take pleasure in their well-being. A beneficial energy (love) is directed towards the other person. As this energy flows through our own body first, it also enhances our own health.

It is the power of love which causes one person to wish happiness for another and take pleasure in their well-being. A beneficial energy (love) is directed towards the other person. As this energy flows through our own body first, it also enhances our own health. Love is unconditional, positive regard for the good of another. It is giving and unselfish. Love is essential if children are to grow up healthy in mind and body. Love is the unseen undercurrent binding all the four values.

When the mind is turned away from selfishness, the ‘heart’ opens, and love flows. Love is energy, not an emotion, and is inherent in every breath. It is the motive force of the physical body and is enhanced through breathing exercises. The component of group singing in the Programme promotes harmony, co-operation and joyfulness. In singing a child may experience the sweetness of love. Love may also be fostered through story telling and activities which provide young people with the opportunity to care for other people, animals, plants and objects.

Values Related to Love

§         Acceptance

§         Affection

§         Care

§         Compassions

§         Consideration

§         Dedication

§         Devotion

§         Empathy

§         Forgiveness

§         Friendship

§         Generosity

§         Gentleness

§         Humanness

§         Interdependence

§         Kindness

§         Patience

§         Patriotism

§         Reverence

§         Sacrifice

§         Selflessness

§         Service sharing

§         Sympathy

§         Thoughtfulness

§         Tolerance

§         Trust

Non-Violence

For the non-violent person, the whole world is his family When the former four values are practiced (i.e. the conscious mind is keenly aware, love is flowing, there is peace and actions are right) life is lived without harming or violating anything else. It is the highest achievement of human living encompassing respect for all life -living in harmony with nature, not hurting by thought, word or deed.

Non-violence can be described as universal love. When truth is glimpsed through intuition, love is activated. Love is giving, rather than grasping and in allowing our stream of desires to subside, inner peace develops and right conduct is practiced. This results in nonviolence i.e. the non-violation of the natural laws which create harmony with the environment.

Non-violence is taught through quotations, story telling and group activities. True knowledge is that which establishes harmony and synthesis between science on the one hand and spirituality and ethics on the other.

Values Related to Non-Violence

Psychological:

v     Benevolence

v     Compassion

v     Concern for others

v     Consideration

v     Forbearance

v     Forgiveness

v     Good Manners

v     Happiness

v     Loyalty

v     Morality

v     Universal Love

Social:

v     Appreciation of other cultures & religions

v     Bother/Sisterhood

v     Care of Environment

v     Citizenship

v     Equality

v     Harmlessness

v     National Awareness

v     Perseverance

v     Respect for Property

v     Social Justice

Spiritual knowledge is also very importance for students and people in the society. Living in a way which causes as little harm as possible to oneself, other people, animals, plants and the planet, is a sign of a well-integrated, well-balanced personality. Such a person is well tuned to the spiritual aspect of humanity and is in touch with an inner happiness which is permanent and part of one’s real nature.

It is through our universal or spiritual aspect that we may experience:

Ø      A feeling of awe and wonder for the universe

Ø      A feeling of the unity of all

Ø      The desire to improve the quality of life for everyone

Ø      A sense of being part of a larger whole

Ø      A feeling of oneness of the planet and love for everything on it

Ø      An awareness of an underlying order to Creation

Ø      Love and respect for the diversity of the human family

Learning takes place through lesson plans based on practical, meaningful and fun activities using the five components of:

* Stories – about life, identity & relationships;

* Quotations, poems and prayers;

* Songs and music;

* Silent sitting – exercises leading to inner calm and peace;

* Activities e.g. drama, discussion, games, role play, community service, etc.

In working through the lessons that comprise these components, the importance of the triple partnership (Student, Teacher and Parents) for education becomes apparent:

·         Teachers will inspire children in their schools, if they are value conscious adults

·         Parents’ example affects the conduct of their children, and

·         Children when reaching a certain age need self-discipline to balance their generally natural exuberance.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our Indian tradition and culture teacher is the third God. He has a pivotal role in the process of teaching and learning. He is a guide, philosopher, mother, father, god, architecture and model. Education is the solution for all types of problems. With the help of education we can solve any types of problems in the society. Through education it is easy to inculcate values in the students and in the people. Without human values we can’t survive in the world in the peaceful manner and we can’t enjoy life. So give importance for human values.

Reference:

1.      Value Education, Dr. Venkataiah, Editor, APH Publishing Corporation, 5, Ansari Road, Daryaganji, New Delhi – 110 002, First Edition, 1998.

2.      Value Education in India, Usha Rai Negi, Editor, Published by association of Indian Universities, AIU House, 16 Kotla Mark, New Delhi – 110 002, 2000.

3.      National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2000). The National Reading Panel: Reports of the Subgroups.

4.      www.sathyasaiehv.org.uk/

About the Author

Naraginti Amareswar reddy Father Name: N.M.Reddy Sex: Male Date of Birth: 10th Fed 1981 Ed Qua: M.Sc., M.Ed., research scholar in the dept. of education, sri venkateswara university, tirupati, india. e-mail ID: amareswaran@gmail.com

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<h1>The Concept of Science Fair and Its Importance on Science Education</h1><strong>Author: <a title=”Kh. Atiar Rahman” href=”http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/kh.-atiar-rahman/24714.htm”>Kh. Atiar Rahman</a></strong><br /><p>The concept of science fair has been come down to us from European education pattern and their growth of culture. They firstly thought ” Science fair must be based on creativity by cultivating knowledge and intelligence of the learners”. Indeed, science fair needs to be introduced in different educational institutions by considering its pedagogical phenomena based on practical knowledge and skills. Hence, there is no alternate of practical knowledge to gain proper education in the field of Science and Technology and hence the steps for science fair is needed as a taken of creativity and awareness for acquiring knowledge among the students. Hence, the steps for science fair in the educational institute are ideally envisaged and contemporary.<br /><br />In our country, every year science fair is held in different educational institute annually to create motivation of research work and enthusiasm. The teachers first collect the names and list them that they will create a project based on science and technology. The students who are found interested to introduce a new science work take a challenge and become capable of showing a different creative work. He selects a project and thinks over the work and the nature of technology behind it. Actually, he becomes responsible of inventing something like a scientist. So, it is found off and on that the students are being able to show a nice presentation in science fair. He sometimes shows something different from modern age. They can project from ancient and mediaeval age. <br /><br />The authority of different schools and colleges arrange science fair in order to show the eagerness of actual knowledge and skills among the students. At this, a congenial atmosphere is developed in the institution because, they are concerning their heads about new inventions and discovery and they become conscious of awakening their ideas and thoughts. In the context of Bangladesh, every year different schools and colleges arrange science fair. They first invite names from the interested students who are willing to make the project work and to focus it in the science fair. They, like the scientists carry on research work like making law, hypothesis and theory. They seek respective ideas from different books and the achievement of scientists of the world. At last they present their creativity and thus a systematic project is reflected.<br /><br />Arranging science fair is a significant step of different educational institutions through which an intensified effort is led to flourish and enrich the knowledge and skills on application of science for the students. It is hoped in future that the steps to arrange science fair is a predominating criteria to strengthen the cultivation of knowledge in applying the definitive sense of technical know- how of science. A science fair is quite different from other fairs existing in our country like a village fair and an industrial fair and so on. These fairs serve the purpose of the business where the commodities of qualitative nature are sold and displayed for making profit in question. Here, the commodities are served in the market in such a manner, where the companies good will and the nature and quality of product are vividly disclosed so that the people are much attracted to purchase it to a great extent. Besides this, in organizing science fair, the business importance is not treated as the prime factor; rather the pedagogical manifestation to gear up the intensity and potentiality of the students is given priority. Actually, the eagerness for knowing the unknown world is reflected and a better environment is flourished among the students in any educational institute where science and technology are studied extensively. Even though, there has been provided a wide range to the students in European countries for creating a broad based project as a part of their education. The students who are found attracted for learning technological skills and knowledge generally shines in life by contributing a lot in the field of education. For science fair, the following things are important:<br /><br />• Environment: Like western country, appropriate environment is needed where necessary equipment will play a vital role. In many cases, only theoretical teachings are offered beside practical knowledge and skills. It is a matter of great regret that the students are deprived of gaining actual knowledge in the relevant field. Besides this, technological instruments need to be placed in different institutions so that the utilization of those equipment are properly made in a systematic manner.<br /><br />• Knowledge and skills relating to science fair: The teacher should select a number of topics before allocating on the project work to the students and they should give knowledge on the steps of spreading and analyzing the topics in question. He should engage himself in creating awareness and necessary skills in the field of the application of mathematical model of science based on constructive exploration of modern appliances. The teacher should set problems on real life situation like building a model of the relevant topics. The problems must be based on practically oriented which set forth the topics covering science and its technological aspects of nature. Assuming in a teaching classroom, on Modern and electronic physics is going on. The students are feeling boring because the teacher was not well dressed and well rested. Rather he has arrived late and he has not greeted them. Some students do not understand his lecture. He is running fast. He is not identifying and helping the less able students. In this case, despite his sound knowledge in the relevant field of modern physics, he may not be treated as a good teacher. Henry Fayol defines a teacher as an active student of the students who can play very much attractive and fascinate role upon overall performances in the class. An ideal teacher needs to play a vital role in active advisor among the students. He needs to be careful about the criteria on Control, Guide, Consult and Facilitate. He should have meaningful learning experience with which he can produce constructive and mathematical presentation for creating awareness for teaching in a significant manner.<br /><br />Being a science teacher, his attitude may vary according to the nature of the students’ subject area and to substantiate the actual skills. He needs to be very careful in using his voice for effective teaching. In our country, in many cases, the parents regarding performance of the teacher lodge complaints. A good teacher need not be excited and agitated towards the students. He should give chance to ask question to the students so that transfer of behaviour is made possible in a significant manner. According to Franchise Bacon, there are two types of learning: One is Pedagogy- children’s learning and the other is Andragoggy- Adult learning. In case of adult learning, we cannot teach anybody, we only help him or her to learn. So in the case of using our voice we need to be responsible and tactful. <br />That is to say, a teacher’s behaviour will be in such, which must attract the students for effective and efficient delivery of the relevant topics.<br /><br />In delivering lecture on the topics of science, there are limitations, which may create hindrance to learning on the part of the students. Sometimes the lecture may be monotonous and boring due to continuous saying and without emphasising practical orientation and presentation on the applicability of science and technology. If there exists dryness amongst the students, the teacher should change the policy of his lecture. He should ask open-ended questions. Open ended questions help get the students involved. Assuming to know a particular thing, one may get interested if he is intended to know those particular items. In many cases, it is found that the teachers are not well experienced and they have no meaningful learning experience to show the actual answer of the problem and the topics. Even, without sufficient skills and knowledge, they are appointed as teacher which is totally insignificant. Some of the limitations of delivering a lecture are as follows:<br /><br /> To ask question for ‘Yes’/ No answer.<br /> Not to ask open ended question to get people involved.<br /> Not to use agitated words<br /> Not to say repeatedly while delivering lecture<br /> Not to ask meaningful questions<br /> To ask several question at a time<br /> Not to give feedback on answers yourself, or involve others<br /> Not to give people a chance to absorb the question and answer it.<br /> Not to welcome answers<br /> To be critical in answering and asking questions.<br /><br />An ideal science teacher needs to be well conversant about using the language. It is indispensable to create awareness and congenial atmosphere on the part of a teacher. The following are the different ways to improve lecture.<br /><br /> To manage intersperse lecture with opportunities to challenge and discuss what is being delivered. In case of critical problem, he needs to synchronise and simplify it so that the actual topics become easy and understandable.<br /> To break the students into groups for exercises which develop lecture themes and need to be reported back and analysed. Specifically, in presenting nuclear and magnetic topics, he needs to show it with necessary apparatus and relevant calculations.<br /> To use case studies, which challenge students to apply the teaching, they are being given. Normally, chapter wise topics are needed to diversify to present the topics on practical themes and critics.<br /> To use Video record teaching sessions and analyse progress and results.<br /> To use role-plays to demonstrate examples of what is said in lectures.<br /> To split into teams which analyse the days lecture theme and give a resume of it on same / next day.<br /> To be prepared to facilitate and contribute to discussions and help groups prepare feedback.<br /> To develop feedback techniques on what a teacher observes groups doing.<br /> Self will agent<br /><br />Regarding the teaching method, the following are important to apply in teaching the students virtually.<br /> Telling is not teaching<br /> Age is not a bar to learn<br /> Meaningful learning experience<br /> Voice, image and body use<br /> Practically oriented way of teaching<br /> Repeat, Recap and Review<br /> Mnemonics<br /> Visual Hearing and Feeling and F-ULLER<br /><br />In view of the above, a good teacher selects any method to teach the students but according to Franchise Bacon, most of the good teachers select the sixth Rule of teaching that is ‘ Repeat, Recap, Review ‘ which is the most important one to make the teaching vitally effective, meaningful, fruitful and up to the mark <br /><br />The reasons in support of the argument are stated as follows. <br /><br />Repeat: According to Franchise Bacon, ‘when you tell something in the class to a group of students, it is only a saying but when you recapitulate it, repeat it and ask the question on the progress, it will be interacted and if you further emphasize the concept, they will be conversant with the relevant knowledge’. Indeed, incase of delivering an important message, if it is stated once-only 10% will be memorized but if it is stated 6 times then 90% are memorized after one year. So, reiteration/repetition is the most important tools for the teaching to make the topics rememberable. If the message is not remembered and understandable then the whole thing will be treated as useless.<br /><br />Recap: It is generally meant by recap to go over again the vital point of the relevant contents. Using FULLE-R and VHF for better memorization can do the recap. As the first events are best memorized so to start with big message. Thereafter unusual event like cartoon, exercise etc. be used. Thirdly, linked event, here mnemonics or analogy can be used and lastly to end with big messages of fascination towards the topics. In this context, summing up the ideas to arrive the conclusion that is the gist in question to be communicated to the students as a good communicator of the teaching course. We should remember one thing that ‘ Telling is not teaching; we need to make teaching active and interesting; get students involved; see it from the student’s view; we should use VHF and FULL-R. According to Commoneus, a famous educationist, for an effective teaching, ‘only lecture is immaterial but in order to ornament it for better memorization, ideal approach, demonstration, visual display and varieties of attractions of the students are needed’<br /><br />Review: A proverb always goes like ‘ To err is human’. It is human nature to forget the things/message, which is not reviewed that are we losing what we don’t review. To review we are to regularly sum up where we have reached and invited questions.<br />At the end of every topics if the teacher repeats, recap and review, ask questions and help them to answer properly, the trainees will be more motivated and conversant with the subjects and grasp it properly so that teaching will be effective and fruitful.<br /><br />In view of the above, it is obvious that the role of teachers for science education cannot be ignored. The expansion of science fair is inevitable in the domain of practical oriented type of teachings where a student will achieve proper knowledge in creating constructive project work that will be ultimately helpful for the country. If the educational institutions emphasise technological aspects on science, the integrity to work in the field of science and its application of science fair will be enhanced intensively. As a result the country will be much benefited in due sense of technology.</p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br /><p>Kh. Atiar Rahman’s articles are based on real life situation. he has worked hard to present his theme on the relevant topics with utmost efforts.He has many publications in national and International Media.<br /> He was born in the former Kushtia district in 1955</p><p>Article Source: <a href=”http://www.articlesbase.com/”>ArticlesBase.com</a> – <a href=”http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/the-concept-of-science-fair-and-its-importance-on-science-education-200444.html” title=”The Concept of Science Fair and Its Importance on Science Education”>The Concept of Science Fair and Its Importance on Science Education</a></p>

The concept of science fair has been come down to us from European education pattern and their growth of culture. They firstly thought ” Science fair must be based on creativity by cultivating knowledge and intelligence of the learners”. Indeed, science fair needs to be introduced in different educational institutions by considering its pedagogical phenomena based on practical knowledge and skills. Hence, there is no alternate of practical knowledge to gain proper education in the field of Science and Technology and hence the steps for science fair is needed as a taken of creativity and awareness for acquiring knowledge among the students. Hence, the steps for science fair in the educational institute are ideally envisaged and contemporary.

In our country, every year science fair is held in different educational institute annually to create motivation of research work and enthusiasm. The teachers first collect the names and list them that they will create a project based on science and technology. The students who are found interested to introduce a new science work take a challenge and become capable of showing a different creative work. He selects a project and thinks over the work and the nature of technology behind it. Actually, he becomes responsible of inventing something like a scientist. So, it is found off and on that the students are being able to show a nice presentation in science fair. He sometimes shows something different from modern age. They can project from ancient and mediaeval age.

The authority of different schools and colleges arrange science fair in order to show the eagerness of actual knowledge and skills among the students. At this, a congenial atmosphere is developed in the institution because, they are concerning their heads about new inventions and discovery and they become conscious of awakening their ideas and thoughts. In the context of Bangladesh, every year different schools and colleges arrange science fair. They first invite names from the interested students who are willing to make the project work and to focus it in the science fair. They, like the scientists carry on research work like making law, hypothesis and theory. They seek respective ideas from different books and the achievement of scientists of the world. At last they present their creativity and thus a systematic project is reflected.

Arranging science fair is a significant step of different educational institutions through which an intensified effort is led to flourish and enrich the knowledge and skills on application of science for the students. It is hoped in future that the steps to arrange science fair is a predominating criteria to strengthen the cultivation of knowledge in applying the definitive sense of technical know- how of science. A science fair is quite different from other fairs existing in our country like a village fair and an industrial fair and so on. These fairs serve the purpose of the business where the commodities of qualitative nature are sold and displayed for making profit in question. Here, the commodities are served in the market in such a manner, where the companies good will and the nature and quality of product are vividly disclosed so that the people are much attracted to purchase it to a great extent. Besides this, in organizing science fair, the business importance is not treated as the prime factor; rather the pedagogical manifestation to gear up the intensity and potentiality of the students is given priority. Actually, the eagerness for knowing the unknown world is reflected and a better environment is flourished among the students in any educational institute where science and technology are studied extensively. Even though, there has been provided a wide range to the students in European countries for creating a broad based project as a part of their education. The students who are found attracted for learning technological skills and knowledge generally shines in life by contributing a lot in the field of education. For science fair, the following things are important:

• Environment: Like western country, appropriate environment is needed where necessary equipment will play a vital role. In many cases, only theoretical teachings are offered beside practical knowledge and skills. It is a matter of great regret that the students are deprived of gaining actual knowledge in the relevant field. Besides this, technological instruments need to be placed in different institutions so that the utilization of those equipment are properly made in a systematic manner.

• Knowledge and skills relating to science fair: The teacher should select a number of topics before allocating on the project work to the students and they should give knowledge on the steps of spreading and analyzing the topics in question. He should engage himself in creating awareness and necessary skills in the field of the application of mathematical model of science based on constructive exploration of modern appliances. The teacher should set problems on real life situation like building a model of the relevant topics. The problems must be based on practically oriented which set forth the topics covering science and its technological aspects of nature. Assuming in a teaching classroom, on Modern and electronic physics is going on. The students are feeling boring because the teacher was not well dressed and well rested. Rather he has arrived late and he has not greeted them. Some students do not understand his lecture. He is running fast. He is not identifying and helping the less able students. In this case, despite his sound knowledge in the relevant field of modern physics, he may not be treated as a good teacher. Henry Fayol defines a teacher as an active student of the students who can play very much attractive and fascinate role upon overall performances in the class. An ideal teacher needs to play a vital role in active advisor among the students. He needs to be careful about the criteria on Control, Guide, Consult and Facilitate. He should have meaningful learning experience with which he can produce constructive and mathematical presentation for creating awareness for teaching in a significant manner.

Being a science teacher, his attitude may vary according to the nature of the students’ subject area and to substantiate the actual skills. He needs to be very careful in using his voice for effective teaching. In our country, in many cases, the parents regarding performance of the teacher lodge complaints. A good teacher need not be excited and agitated towards the students. He should give chance to ask question to the students so that transfer of behaviour is made possible in a significant manner. According to Franchise Bacon, there are two types of learning: One is Pedagogy- children’s learning and the other is Andragoggy- Adult learning. In case of adult learning, we cannot teach anybody, we only help him or her to learn. So in the case of using our voice we need to be responsible and tactful.
That is to say, a teacher’s behaviour will be in such, which must attract the students for effective and efficient delivery of the relevant topics.

In delivering lecture on the topics of science, there are limitations, which may create hindrance to learning on the part of the students. Sometimes the lecture may be monotonous and boring due to continuous saying and without emphasising practical orientation and presentation on the applicability of science and technology. If there exists dryness amongst the students, the teacher should change the policy of his lecture. He should ask open-ended questions. Open ended questions help get the students involved. Assuming to know a particular thing, one may get interested if he is intended to know those particular items. In many cases, it is found that the teachers are not well experienced and they have no meaningful learning experience to show the actual answer of the problem and the topics. Even, without sufficient skills and knowledge, they are appointed as teacher which is totally insignificant. Some of the limitations of delivering a lecture are as follows:

 To ask question for ‘Yes’/ No answer.
 Not to ask open ended question to get people involved.
 Not to use agitated words
 Not to say repeatedly while delivering lecture
 Not to ask meaningful questions
 To ask several question at a time
 Not to give feedback on answers yourself, or involve others
 Not to give people a chance to absorb the question and answer it.
 Not to welcome answers
 To be critical in answering and asking questions.

An ideal science teacher needs to be well conversant about using the language. It is indispensable to create awareness and congenial atmosphere on the part of a teacher. The following are the different ways to improve lecture.

 To manage intersperse lecture with opportunities to challenge and discuss what is being delivered. In case of critical problem, he needs to synchronise and simplify it so that the actual topics become easy and understandable.
 To break the students into groups for exercises which develop lecture themes and need to be reported back and analysed. Specifically, in presenting nuclear and magnetic topics, he needs to show it with necessary apparatus and relevant calculations.
 To use case studies, which challenge students to apply the teaching, they are being given. Normally, chapter wise topics are needed to diversify to present the topics on practical themes and critics.
 To use Video record teaching sessions and analyse progress and results.
 To use role-plays to demonstrate examples of what is said in lectures.
 To split into teams which analyse the days lecture theme and give a resume of it on same / next day.
 To be prepared to facilitate and contribute to discussions and help groups prepare feedback.
 To develop feedback techniques on what a teacher observes groups doing.
 Self will agent

Regarding the teaching method, the following are important to apply in teaching the students virtually.
 Telling is not teaching
 Age is not a bar to learn
 Meaningful learning experience
 Voice, image and body use
 Practically oriented way of teaching
 Repeat, Recap and Review
 Mnemonics
 Visual Hearing and Feeling and F-ULLER

In view of the above, a good teacher selects any method to teach the students but according to Franchise Bacon, most of the good teachers select the sixth Rule of teaching that is ‘ Repeat, Recap, Review ‘ which is the most important one to make the teaching vitally effective, meaningful, fruitful and up to the mark

The reasons in support of the argument are stated as follows.

Repeat: According to Franchise Bacon, ‘when you tell something in the class to a group of students, it is only a saying but when you recapitulate it, repeat it and ask the question on the progress, it will be interacted and if you further emphasize the concept, they will be conversant with the relevant knowledge’. Indeed, incase of delivering an important message, if it is stated once-only 10% will be memorized but if it is stated 6 times then 90% are memorized after one year. So, reiteration/repetition is the most important tools for the teaching to make the topics rememberable. If the message is not remembered and understandable then the whole thing will be treated as useless.

Recap: It is generally meant by recap to go over again the vital point of the relevant contents. Using FULLE-R and VHF for better memorization can do the recap. As the first events are best memorized so to start with big message. Thereafter unusual event like cartoon, exercise etc. be used. Thirdly, linked event, here mnemonics or analogy can be used and lastly to end with big messages of fascination towards the topics. In this context, summing up the ideas to arrive the conclusion that is the gist in question to be communicated to the students as a good communicator of the teaching course. We should remember one thing that ‘ Telling is not teaching; we need to make teaching active and interesting; get students involved; see it from the student’s view; we should use VHF and FULL-R. According to Commoneus, a famous educationist, for an effective teaching, ‘only lecture is immaterial but in order to ornament it for better memorization, ideal approach, demonstration, visual display and varieties of attractions of the students are needed’

Review: A proverb always goes like ‘ To err is human’. It is human nature to forget the things/message, which is not reviewed that are we losing what we don’t review. To review we are to regularly sum up where we have reached and invited questions.
At the end of every topics if the teacher repeats, recap and review, ask questions and help them to answer properly, the trainees will be more motivated and conversant with the subjects and grasp it properly so that teaching will be effective and fruitful.

In view of the above, it is obvious that the role of teachers for science education cannot be ignored. The expansion of science fair is inevitable in the domain of practical oriented type of teachings where a student will achieve proper knowledge in creating constructive project work that will be ultimately helpful for the country. If the educational institutions emphasise technological aspects on science, the integrity to work in the field of science and its application of science fair will be enhanced intensively. As a result the country will be much benefited in due sense of technology.

About the Author

Kh. Atiar Rahman’s articles are based on real life situation. he has worked hard to present his theme on the relevant topics with utmost efforts.He has many publications in national and International Media.
He was born in the former Kushtia district in 1955

I don’t think that education for sustainable development is just another buzzword forgotten in a few years. From a global perspective as well as a local perspective we have to direct education toward what will be truly useful for each child and for each society in the future.

To have a fulfilling life should be within reach for all children whereever they are born. In too many parts of society and of the world children grow up in hazardous environments with very poor conditions for basic requirements and bleak prospects for their future.

Education for Sustainable Development is derived from the Brundtland report’s focus on Sustainable Development (SD). The Brundtland report requires fundamental changes in the society and its institutions, in politics and in our individual family life styles. Economic development cannot be separated from social development and a concern for the environment.

ESD for child development Educational research can tell us a lot of how to make use of education for sustainable development for child development.

The most important fact might be that ESD is an excellent frame for the empowerment of children. When we respect each individual child for its ideas and opinion, and at the same time bring the child into challenging learning situations we facilitate empowerment of the child.

Developing self esteem and empowerment goes hand in hand in education for sustainable development. A proper self esteem is such an important part of successful child development.

Another important fact is that ESD is a productive frame for meaningful learning. Opposite to rote learning and the acquisition of facts without much understanding meaningful learning situations help the child to engage fully in the teaching. By working with real problems the child can develop much better understanding of concepts and skills from the schools core curriculum in a meaningful context. The key to that is the opportunity to use and reflect on these ‘traditional’ ingredients of classic schooling in the meaningful contexts derived from the focus on sustainable development.

Education for sustainable development and schools Some schools have focused on the beautification of their school environment. This might help the school’s prestige in the local society but it isn’t helpful for education for sustainable development unless it happens as the students’ project.

Similarly some schools have put a lot of emphasis in making the school buildings more ‘green’ with solar power panels, recycling systems, water conservation measures and tree planting around the school. Again, such initiatives are only valuable for the learning of the students if they are planned as student projects. You cannot evaluate the quality of a school’s work with education for sustainable development from a picture of the school.

Concerning a better approach to ESD, headmaster and teachers should ask questions like: – How can we challenge students’ thinking on the future and how to make use of parts of the core curriculum in a meaningful way in combination? – How can we teachers cooperate to create stimulating activities and plan the teaching in such a way that the self-esteem of the students will benefit from it? – How can we help students to investigate local people’s concern for the future and how to make sense of such results? – How can we help students to try to make a difference according to their wishes and visions?

Education for sustainable development will gain increasing publicity as the picture of environmental degradation, energy shortage, climate change, increasing poverty mixed with increasing wealth and the overall picture of globalization becomes more evident.

We cannot blame our children for these issues but it is our duty to educate them to be able to cope with such complex and controversial issues and to live a decent life with a belief that it is possible for everybody to make a difference to the better.

Soren Breiting is an educational researcher that has traveled worldwide and experienced the challenges of sustainable development combined with the beauty of the world. You find his pictures from many countries at A-Z Fotos http://www.azFotos.com and basic information and resources about Education for Sustainable Development at http://www.EducationForSustainableDevelopment.com

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Reinforcing the concept of seasons is often found in the autumn months of early childhood classrooms.

Using a drawing program such as KidPix, children can show their understanding of seasons while improving their concentration, dexterity with the mouse and knowledge of drawing tools.

We begin with the line tool to cut the screen into quadrants. Then with the alphabet stamper we put one season name into each quarter. With the “wacky paintbrush” bare branch trees can be added to each section. Finally, using the spray can in the “wacky paintbrush” tools we can add the proper leaves to each section. Lots of colors for the autumn trees. No leaves for winter. Bright green leaves for the new emerging leaves of spring along with some pink for all the flowering trees, and then full green for the summer.

I encourage writing the names of the seasons in a location where children can see them from their computer work stations.

With first graders, each season can be elaborated upon with the background, by adding some seasonal stamps and some common weather.

While this project can be difficult for kindergarten students at the very beginning of the year I often begin the week prior by just making a collection of fall trees all over the screen and spray painting them with the proper fall leaf colors. This helps the students be able to easily create the trees when having to segment them for each season.

After printing in color, I staple each paper to construction paper to emphasize how important our work on the computer has been. Regularly I hear from parents who hang the matted work on the refrigerator and around the house. As this becomes the practice, I see children putting in extra effort in order to have a work of art to proudly take home with them.

Visit http://kindergartentechnologyideas.com/ for examples of this project and many more.

Kathy Cothran is an elementary media specialist committed to helping teachers turn toys into learning tools. Her vast teaching experience ranges from preschool through Master’s level education classes.

For years Kathy has been a “Gadget Girl.” She loves technology! Tie that to her extensive teaching background and she has been able to interest, invigorate, and inspire children and teachers to use technology in a rich, exciting manner.

Interested in other ways that toys can become learning tools? Visit http://turningtoysintotools.com

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