Posted July 29th, 2008
by admin
xThree Powerful Reasons why children benefit from music education as part of their Curriculum, especially at a young age. There has been plenty of research done about the benefits of music education for young children.
1. Playing music improves concentration, memory and self-expression
One two-year study in Switzerland run with 1200 children in more than 50 classes scientifically showed how playing music improved children’s reading and verbal skills through improving concentration, memory and self-expression.(1) Younger children who had three more music classes per week and three fewer main curriculums made rapid developments in speech and learned to read with greater ease.
Other effects revealed by the study showed that children learned to like each other more, enjoyed school more (as did their teachers) and were less stressed during the various tests, indicating they were better able to handle performance pressure.
2. Playing music improves the ability to think
Ongoing research at the University of California-Irvine and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (2) demonstrate that learning and playing music builds or modifies Neural pathways related to spatial reasoning tasks, which are crucial for higher brain functions like complex maths, chess and science.
The first studies showed that listening to a Mozart sonata temporarily improved a child’s spatial abilities. Further studies compared children who had computer lessons, children who had singing lessons, children who learned music using a Keyboard and children who did nothing additional. The children who had had the Music classes scored significantly higher - up to 35% higher - than the children did Who had computer classes or did nothing additional.(3)
3. Learning music helps under-performing students to improve
Researchers at Brown University in the US (4) discovered that children aged 5-7 years who had been lagging behind in their school performance had caught up with their peers in reading and were ahead of them in math’s after seven months of music lessons. The children’s classroom attitudes and behavior ratings had also Significantly improved, and after a year of music classes were rated as better than the children who had had no additional classes.
1. E W Weber, M Spychiger and J-L Patry, Musik macht Schule. Biografie und Ergebnisse eines Schulversuchs mit erweitertemMusikuntericcht. Padagogik in der Blauen Eule, Bd17. 1993.
2. Various studies by Dr. Gordon Shaw (University of California-Irvine) and Dr. Fran Rauscher (University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh), with others.Including those published in Nature 365:611 and Neuroscience Letters 185:44-47
3. E L Wright, W R Dennis & R L Newcomb. Neurological Res.19:2-8. 1997
4. M F Gardiner, A Fox, F Knowles & D Jeffrey. Learning improved by arts training. Nature 381:284. 1996.
Posted in Music Education
Posted July 29th, 2008
by admin
In a developing nation like India with over a billion populations, it is important to have facility which provides free education to poor children. Even the economy is growing fast, though sometimes the markets get into bullish mode, but overall it’s every where declared that India is the future global leader, a thing that makes every Indian feel proud. But if some one cares to look around, then one grows a little skeptic about the development one gets to hear of. You can notice lots of poor people around who are not getting those basic facilities that we usually take for granted. The condition that strikes terror in anyone’s heart are the poor children of these poor people whose future as well as the present is so dark.
With no financial support or a proper place to live, without the guarantee of three time food, they have to start working at a very early age, when they should have been in some school. Those who are not working or begging for living are left for the day by their parents in the street to fend for themselves. Their parents too don’t have an option other than these. Sending to school to receive the primary education is adopted by few parents, but most of them ignore this and put their kids to work some where. Life has not allowed these children to have a choice to choose the way of education. But does that mean those of us who have given the opportunity to help someone turn a blind eye on this problem saying that it’s not our headache to provide for others who are less fortunate than us. It’s the work of the state administration. After all we dream of making this world a better place to live. So, start lending help in achieving that target.
To start with, it would be better if we start concentrating towards providing free education to those who cannot afford it. Setting up education societies would be a very good idea where poor children will be provided with free education and other facilities like medical facilities, sports kits, stationery and clothing kits for free which lead to an all round development of the children.
Whether you are living in India or abroad, your contribution in some good and dedicated charitable organization working for providing free education would bring cheers in the life of lots of little children who would be living a miserable life other wise. Guru Nanak Garib Niwaj Education Society is founded by Baba Amar Singh Ji is working towards this goal.
Posted in Free Education
Posted July 29th, 2008
by admin
I write this at the ripe age of 25 years. I hated going to school, and then was persuaded to do college. My aversion to education was that I was a poor grade student, weak in math and in sciences, especially with those long symbols for chemicals and the math that was involved in working out the chemistry equation, and how chemical reactions took place. My parents organized a tutor for me. Half the time he would not appear, and half the time I would disappear because there was a rugby match on, and I wanted to be seen as “hey, Buddy” look who’s here. The second half was more the reason for the failing of my tuition classes.
It was one of those days that I got a tongue lashing – you see I am too old for being beaten up! Morosely, I went through the motions of dinner and my father went through the motions of giving me a lecture on how important was education. It did not enter his head that I could not understand, and while I had a burning desire to learn, the match between the tutor and me was a no-go.
So on it went day after day, week by week, and years rolled by. I too realized that it was important for me to learn the fundamentals of all subjects, so that I could be the jack of all trades, and master of none. While surfing on the internet I joined a group of people on chat, which was discussing how math was a bore, and how some of the boys just like me had found it made interesting, and easy to learn, and how some had gone from D grade to A grade. That’s interesting I thought. I asked them about where they found such a tutor and they gave me a site www.transwebtutors.com.
When I went to the site, it offered a chance to try it for free once. On that site I could not believe it that I could submit some questions on theorems or calculus which I did not understand, and found that this teacher, whom I shall call Sharma, an Indian, in an online classroom, took me step by step through the process of unraveling the mysteries of math and calculus. It appeared that this Mr. Sharma was a teacher at transwebtutors.com, and he was using his time off and of course the night in giving tuitions on the internet at particular times.
I then tried a similar tutor for Chemistry there, for though I was not good at the subject, I liked the subject. This time, too, within a few days, a lot of nonsense was beginning to make sense. Indeed the site was such that you could practically find every subject covered in the syllabus had a tutor who specialized in it!
Of course it was not free. You had to pay up, and it sounded pretty cheap to me, because for these two subjects I was spending only $ 20 or so per hour (per subject), to catch up. My tutor at home was charging $ 50 for an hour!
I used my pocket money for the tuitions, and one day the school results were out. I looked at the math and the Chemistry grades, and I let out a whoop! I had made to the top of the grade. When I showed to my parents, they could not believe it. They thought I had fudged it. It was then I broke the secret that I was holding close to my chest. I told them about the online tuition I had been taking, and how I was paying for it from my pocket money.
I was not believed, frankly. I then made them sit with me in my study, and I went online. My father, who thinks, and is, a cat in Math, posed some questions to the tutor at the other end. Pat! Came the reply; you are not what you claim to be: you are a much higher studied student of Math, and not the Patrick I knew who was poor in math! Boy, my father was taken aback. Still the tutor gave him the full resolution, step by step, of the problem, and how the answer could be arrived at!
From that day onwards, my parents never once berated me or treated me like a necessary leper of the household. What made all this possible were my enthusiastic teachers at transwebtutors.com. Using the reach of the internet, and the PC to PC communication, they taught long distance their own specialized subjects. This was done via using even an electronic blackboard, and if someone had doubts, all doubts could be posted on the board, and an online tutor would explain the basics to the final solution to the problem.
Since there is a time difference between India and the rest of Europe (4.30 hours), and US (about 10.30 to 1200 hours), you could also post your problem on the website, and by the time you got up, the tutor had already looked at the board, and given out the answers. Some thought, okay, my homework is done; yes, it was. But for people like me, the tutors help came in helping to understand and then solve the problems.
Posted in Tutoring
Posted July 24th, 2008
by admin
Online education has become the latest trend and the best choice among the alternative education choices. Whether it is MBA degree or a Graduate degree, online education classes have made it easier for people from all over the globe to complete their education without making much effort.
Nowadays most of the premiere Universities and colleges have the facility of online classes. They generally outsource their Internet education facilities to a company which specialize in hosting Internet Education. These are the companies which basically perform the tasks of running the online classes, providing facilities and technology for interaction between the teachers and the students, helping in getting assignments, conducting exams and all. What a student requires is just a computer with a good speed Internet connection.
But getting the help of online education classes has its merits as well as demerits. So before you really embark on this short, easy and convenient way to complete education, we should have a look at both sides of the coin.
Regarding the pros of online classes, these are very influential and also the reason for the immense success of online education. The first advantage is that people get enough time not only to study but also to spend time with other activities. For people who have suddenly stopped their studies for some personal or other reasons but still have that urge to complete their education but are too engaged in their present work, this is the best way to manage the time. People through this method can learn at their own pace. This method of education thus gives enormous amount of flexibility to the students.
Secondly, when you opt for the traditional form of education your choice for schools, colleges or universities are very limited. You restrict at best to your locality and the state. Not all people can venture out of their state or country to another one simply because of their education. But with online education you get enough flexibility of studying in any college or university you like irrespective of where you stay, provided that university or college has the facility of online education.
Regarding the downsides of online classes there are some. The most prominent among the drawback is the absence of deep interaction between the student and the teacher as well as among the students. There are many things that teachers usually teach a student apart from the syllabus, but people who go for online classes miss those precious lessons. Thus the socializing element is missing in online classes.
Secondly the cost of online classes sometimes becomes greater than traditional classes. Online education requires a number of costly items like a computer and an Internet connection. Also the energy bills go up tremendously for people opting for this mode of education. So you need to look at both the pros and the cons of online education classes before opting for the mode of education best suited to you.
Posted in Online Education
Posted July 24th, 2008
by admin
Study abroad programs become the first choice when it comes to pursuing higher education. The advancement of technology and increasing liberalization have also elevated education abroad as a viable option for many. However, what has made these programs popular among the students of developing countries and other hitherto marginalized sections of the population is the availability of numerous study abroad scholarships and International fellowships.
Over the years, USA seems to have captured the imagination of the youth who wish to pursue higher education abroad. Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, New Zealand and Singapore are some other places that have witnessed tremendous flow of International students. India and China are two other countries that are attracting a growing number of foreign students at present.
However, taking the decision to go abroad for studies is not an easy one as it involves considerable expenses. But with numerous education loans and scholarships around, it has become much easier today. Most of the countries that seek to attract students from other countries offer scholarships on a wide variety of study abroad programs that may include courses in medicine, engineering, arts and humanities, science, management, law, fashion design & technologies, and various other courses. For example, if you are willing to study in USA, you can think of applying for Fulbright Scholarships, Marshall Scholarships, AFLSE Scholarships, Miss America Scholarships and so on. In order to qualify for certain scholarships you may have to fulfill certain criteria like merit, need, ethnicity etc.
For specific information on a country’s study abroad programs, it is always helpful to visit the local office of the country’s embassy or the office of the High Commission. Moreover, certain countries has also opened office specifically to cater to the needs of the International students. Certain good educational websites also provide information about the study abroad programs that are available in a country and other related information. Another option to take the right decision is to go for professional help and visit an experienced education consultant.
Posted in Study Abroad
Posted July 24th, 2008
by admin
If you work in education there are a lot of reasons that you should consider getting a Master of Education degree online. Getting a Master of Education degree can really help your career and you might even be required to get one at some point in your career. Right now in the US there are twenty states that require full time teachers at any grade level to have a Master of Education degree so if you want to teach any grade in those states you need to have a Master of Education degree and getting a Master of Education degree online can make getting your Masters degree a lot easier. Even in the states where a teacher isn’t required to have a Master of Education degree in order to teach there is a very big difference in the salary that a teacher who has a Master of Education is paid. In most states a teacher without an advanced degree makes about $31,000 per year. In most states a teacher that has a Master of Education degree makes $45,000 per year. That is a very large difference in salary. So if you are a teacher that doesn’t have a Master of Education degree and you want to make more money then taking the time and spending the money to get a Master of Education degree is a good investment because you can immediately start earning more money once you get your Master of Education degree.
Getting a Master of Education degree online can also be a more convenient way to get a degree if you are teaching and can’t take time off from your full time job to focus on getting a Master of Education degree. Online masters programs are built around the needs of a working student. Courses are usually available at any hour of the day online and meetings are schedule on the phone or through instant message and chat. Professors are almost always accessible by email and each course usually has a message board where students can post questions, respond to other student’s questions, and share ideas. Work is graded and ideas are discussed mostly through email. So if you are comfortable working on a computer then getting a Master of Education degree online can be a much easier and less stressful way to get a Masters degree than trying to get to a local campus for classes three or four nights a week. Online degree programs are often less expensive than traditional Masters programs as well because you don’t have to pay all the school fees that you would have to pay if you were attending classes at a local campus. There is also less competition for admission to an online Master of Education program than you might find at a local college so have a better chance of getting into the Master of Education program online. Graduate schools can be very competitive so if you don’t want to wait a year or two until there is room for you in the Masters program at a local college get an online Master of Education degree and get your career moving forward faster.
Posted in Master of Education Degree
Posted July 23rd, 2008
by admin
The world of today, by and large, is comparatively a rapidly changing one and the changes have been in a variety of directions. Not long ago society was through of as a reality sub-generis far beyond the control of individuals to change it –and education as a process of inducting new entrants into society. The idea that societies can be changed and, that too, education can be vital instrument of social transformation is increasingly felt. Geared to the preservation and perpetuation of tradition in the past, education is now being used to bring about social transformation in a large scale. This represents a kind of dilemma in respect of the social role of education in traditional societies.
Ignoring this dilemma, many social scientists today re inclined to believe that education is a powerful instrument of social transformation. The prevailing opinion in circles of social science is that education is an agency of modernization. It is argued that education promotes modernity in many ways but chiefly in two: (i) by sharpening the “critical awareness” of the people about the social structure in which they are placed, and (ii) by changing the consciousness of the people in a direction congruent with the dominant value of our age-rationality-which is also the mainspring of modernity. Following this reasoning, there has come up an impressive body of literature in recent years of documenting the impact of schooling on individual modernity in developing societies. The profound social changes that India has witnessed in the last few decades or so have affected its entire population, yet in some sections of its society their impact has been much more marked than in others.
Education is the key to development of any community. It can broaden the world view of the people, equipping them to meet the present day challenges. Education can be an input to their development. It can also build up inner strength of the people. Almost all studies have emphasized the importance of education in the development of the people. Ignorance is the biggest reason for weakness and knowledge is power. In the development effort, education has a pride of place in the priorities of the people. This is particularly so when the two systems of unequal strength come in contact. Education brings knowledge to he community and keeps in acquiring a new strength to enable it to face the new challenges which naturally come by when the process of change unfold unforeseen forces.
The role of education as an investment in human resources has been increasingly recognized all over the underdeveloped and developed countries. Education has special significance for the weaker sections of society, which are facing a new situation in the development process to adjust themselves properly to the changing circumstances. For them, education is an input not only for their economic development, but also for promoting in them self-confidence and inner strength to face the new challenges.
This position SC/ST education critically examines the contemporary reality of schooling of children belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities who have been historically excluded from formal education – the former due to their oppression under caste feudal society and the latter due to their spatial isolation and cultural difference and subsequent marginalization by dominant society. There are thus sharp differences between these two categories of population in terms of socio-economic location and the nature of disabilities. However, there is also growing common ground today in terms of conditions of economic exploitation and social discrimination that arise out of the impact of iniquitous development process. Concomitantly, the categories themselves are far from homogenous in terms of class, region, religion and gender and what we face today is an intricately complex reality. Bearing this in mind this paper attempts to provide a contextualized understanding of the field situation of the education of SC/ST children and issues and problems that directly or indirectly have a bearing on their future educational prospects.
The educational effort so far as the SC and ST communities are concerned has to be somewhat different than for the general areas. In case of advanced groups and areas, demand for education is already there. Establishment of an educational institution itself is sufficient to attract the children from the advanced communities because their parents are interested in their education. This is not the case with the poorer section of the community. The message has as yet not reached the more backward rural and tribal areas where the citizen is still not very much aware about the practical utility of education. Thus, a number of socio-economic factors are coming in the way of members of SC and STs in sending their children to schools. In many cases, it is sheer economic hardship. Therefore, the universal educational programmes at the elementary stage in the case of these communities have to be much more than mere opening up of educational institutions. The students belonging to these communities may have to be provided with free textbooks, mid-day meals, and in the case of girls, even a pair of uniform. As the children grow, they become economic assets to the family. It may be necessary, therefore, that they are provided suitable scholarships and stipends in higher classes. It has to be ensured that if we cannot compensate the family, at least education should not be a burden on a poor family. In the case of tribal areas, it may be necessary that at middle school and high school levels adequate hostel facilities are also provided, as an institutional network itself will not be of much help. It is commonly observed that in some tribal areas much of the institutional capacity remains under-utilized.
Special state institutions were set up for the advancement of SC/ST and various legislations, social policies and programmes were drafted which were geared to their economic and political development and achievement of equal social status. It has been difficult however, to identify these categories in terms of criteria laid down by the state. The ‘problem’ of the scheduled tribes has been a vexed one, given the various levels of social and cultural distance and varying degrees of voluntary or forced assimilation exploitation and/or displacement. In fact, it has been pointed out by Galanter that just where the line between Scheduled Tribes and non-Scheduled Tribes is to be drawn has not been clear. There are problems of overlap with caste and controversy whether a specific group is more appropriately classified as a ST or SC. Policy however treats the SC and ST groups homogenously. Moreover it rests largely on the assumption that mainstreaming is progress, while paying lip service to preserve distinctive cultures, especially of tribals who are coerced into assimilation.
Education was perceived as crucial to processes of planned change. It was seen as the key instrument for bringing about a social order based on value of equality and social justice. Expansion and democratization of the education system was sought, the two primary egalitarian goals of which were the universalisation of elementary education and the educational “upliftment” of disadvantaged groups. The State’s special promotional efforts have undoubtedly resulted in educational progress for the SC/ST especially in regions where policy implementation combined with the dynamism of reform, and most crucially with anticaste, dalit, tribal and religious conversion movements.
The last two decades have spelt the decline of the Welfare State under the powerful impact of global economic forces and neo-liberal economic policies. The egalitarian ethic underlying planned change and development is being rapidly decimated. The ideology of the Indian State’s New Economic Policy emphasizes the pre-eminence of markets and profits. In the context of an elite directed consensus on the inevitability of liberalization and structural adjustment, the predominant problems and debates of education have undergone major shifts. Structural adjustment have provided the legitimacy and impetus for a number of educational reforms that pose a direct threat to the mission of universalizing elementary education and equalizing educational opportunity for SC/ST, especially those left behind. The state is withdrawing from social sectors of education and health and delegating its social commitments and responsibilities to private agencies and non-governmental organizations. There is already enough indication that basic educational needs of the SC and ST are getting seriously undermined under the new dispensation adversely affecting life chances of vast sections of those who have yet to make the shift to first generation learning.
Urban migration, education, occupational change and religious conversion have been pursued by the scheduled castes as key strategies of socio-economic emancipation, status change and acquisition of a new social identity. They have achieved varying degrees of success. Anti caste and dalit movements have provided the bases for political consciousness and assertions of new self-consciousness and new self-respecting collective identities grounded in both moderate-reformist and radical ideologies. Contemporarily, the rigours of pollution, social practices of untouchability and social relations of servility vary greatly in different parts of the country. The widespread upsurge of atrocity signifies continued caste based oppression. Caste and occupation were closely interlinked in the traditional socio-economic order, and the lowest manual and menial occupations were reserved for the SC. The link has gradually been broken but not completely. There have been shifts to caste free occupations. Changes took place with the arrival of new opportunities in rural employment and petty business as well as through education based occupational and social mobility in rural and urban contexts. However, economic exploitation and economic disadvantage and continued concentration in menial occupations continue to sustain and reinforce the degraded social position of the majority of the SC. Rural SC are predominantly landless and impoverished agricultural labour. Women are multiply subordinated.
By modernization is meant a process of long range social and cultural change, often regarded as leading to the progressive development of society. It is a multifaceted development specifically leading to the industrialization of economy, and increase in the geographic and social mobility and, the secularization of ideas, which give rise to secular, scientific and technical education. It also means a change from ascribed to achieved status and a higher standard of living. Thus, modernization is a question of changes in the social structure, norms and value orientations, and as such it demands certain norms and value orientations, and as such it demands certain adoptive devices. As a consequent of this modernization SC and STs are egger to adopt the new trends of modern culture which is possible only by the modern education.
State Provision for Education of SC and ST and Recent Trends in Their Educational Progress
State commitment to the education of SC/ST children is contained in Articles 15(4), 45 and 46 of the Indian Constitution. Article 15(4) underscores the state’s basic commitment to positive discrimination in favour of the socially and educationally backward classes and/or the SC and ST. Article 45 declares the state’s endeavour to provide free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of 14 years. Article 46 expresses the specific aim to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of SC/ST.
In its effort to offset educational and socio-historical disadvantage, the Indian state conceived a range of enabling provisions that would facilitate access to and ensure retention of SC and ST children in school. In the initial Five Year Plans, the focus was on making available basic educational facilities such as schools especially in remote areas and providing scholarships and books. Both Central and State governments took up the responsibility of special educational provision. The scope of enabling interventions expanded considerably after the Fourth Five Year Plan.
Special schemes pertaining to school education of SC/ST children currently include: i) free supply of textbooks and stationery at all stages of school education ii) free uniforms to children in govt. approved hostels and Ashrams schools, and in some states also for children in regular schools; iii) free education at all levels; iv) pre-matric stipends and scholarships to students at middle and/or high school stage; v) special scheme of pre-matric scholarships for children of castes and families engaged in unclean occupations like scavenging, tanning and flaying of animal skin; vi) girls and boys hostels for SC/ST students and lodging facilities in hostels of backward classes including SC/ST; vii) ashram schools for tribal children started with the intention of overcoming the difficulties of provision in remote regions and also rather patronizingly to provide an environment “educationally more conducive” than the tribal habitat. In addition, several states have instituted schemes such as scholarships to SC students studying in private schools, merit scholarships, attendance scholarships for girls, special school attendance prizes, remedial coaching classes, reimbursement of excursion expenses and provision of mid-day meals. The last has been recommended as an integral element in schooling by the Working group on Development and Welfare of the Scheduled Castes.
Conclusion:
Education has always been considered an instrument of social change. In present day society education has been considered a sound economic investment and that is the reason why in all the developed and developing societies greater attention is being paid to education. The role of education is to transform a static society into one vibrant with a commitment to development and change.
In out national perception, education is essential for all. This is fundamental to our all round development such as material, psychological, spiritual and so on. Obviously, it implies that education of the Scheduled Tribes is fundamental to the development of the people of this area, and hence, it is essential for them also. Education is a potent agent not only for the social and psychological changes but it may influence productivity and economic development also, and, that is the reason why, for the last few years in the literature on development there has been much talk about the relationship between education and economic development and about education as investment. Educational will also help in the socialization of a child, and the development of the human personality, social mobility, occupational change, and the rise of professions. Education is not only a means of adjustment into the society and all round development, but it is also an end in itself. Education affords protection of life. In addition to its relation with moral values, it is closely associated with socio-economic development. Education is, therefore, very significant for the development of a country and in spite of having many severe problems, the developing countries provide high priority to education. India is, undoubtedly, one among them.
References:
1. Das, A.K. and R.N. Saha, (1989): West Bengal Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes: Facts and Information, Bulletin of the Cultural Research Institute, No.32, Govt. of W.B., SC & TW Department, Calcutta
2. Nayar, P.K. , (1975) : “The Scheduled Castes and Tribes High School Students in Kerala, Dept of Sociology, Kerala University
3. Pratap, D.R. et al, (1971): Study of Ashram Schools in tribal Areas of Andhra Pradesh, Tribal Cultural Research and Training Institute, Hyderabad.
4. Mani, Gomathi, (1991) Education in the International Context, Sterling Publishers (P) Ltd., New Delhi, pp118-132.
5. Thomas, Joseph A. (2001): Dynamics of Educational Development: A Case Study of Selected `Backward’ Villages in Kerala, in Vaidyanathan, A. & Nair, Gopinathan, P.R. (eds.) Elementary Education in Rural India: A Grassroots View, New Delhi: Sage Publications, pp. 166-216.
6. Sujatha, K. (1994): “Educational Development among Tribes: A Study of Sub-Plan Areas in Andhra Pradesh, New Delhi: South Asian Publishers.
7. Muralidharan, V. (1997): “Educational Priorities and Dalit Society”, Kanishka Publishers, New Delhi.
Posted in Educational Realization
Posted July 23rd, 2008
by admin
“ Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it”, Martin Wright Edelman.
WHAT IS EDUCATION AND SOCIETY:
Education provides the man with information, imagination, knowledge, ideas, values, ethics, reasoning and over all makes the man complete man. Education brings refinement, adds to intelligence, and makes independent and confident man. It is only the human beings who can get armed and equipped with education, which is missing in animals. Education does not mean only reading and writing but also thinking, learning, reasoning, practical experiences and so on. Education is a learning process from cradle to grave. It is education that has brought out many changes in this world and transformed the entire civilization since time immemorial. Ariel and Will Durant quoted, “Education is the transmission of civilization”.
The growth of society solely depends on the type of educational system adopted. Education makes tremendous impact on the society. The quality of the society depends on the quality of educational system implemented. Some one correctly said, “Better institutions are essential if we are to lead better lives”. Right education makes the people build character, values, ethics, and prepares the society and country as a whole to catch up with the rest of the world. Right education is the legacy or the gift, which we pass on to our next generations. George Peabody said, “Education: a debt due from present to future generations”.
EFFECTS OF EDUCATION ON SOCIETY:
Kerala is the first state in India, which attained cent per cent literacy. It encouraged other states to contribute their best so as to attain total literacy. Rather Kerala has become a model state and ideal state to be emulated by the rest of the country in providing importance to education.
No nation can develop without proper education. And India too developed as a society and as a nation for the last 60 years. India has now vast human resources and it has the thirst highest technical manpower in the world. Although the effects of education in the society are tremendous, yet there are grey areas, which needs to be addressed. India as a nation has developed politically, culturally, economically and socially but yet much needs to be focussed in a right direction.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, said Nelson Mandela. It is very obvious that no weapon is superior to education. Apart from education, the influence of technology has brought out significant changes in the society. If technology is used in the right direction and if it is coupled with education, we can expect miracles in the society as a whole.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
“Education is when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get if you don’t”, said Pete Seeger. All human beings make many mistakes resulting in bitter and, of course, experience. If an individual is educated, he knows the things because he reads the fine print. He tends to make a few mistakes in his life. Where as if an individual is not educated he tends to make more mistakes because he does not know the fine print. An uneducated individual believes in trial or error method. If he succeeds in his trial, he pursues or else he drops. The uneducated man mostly believes in observation and practical knowledge. The success rate is far higher in educated man rather in an uneducated man. Education brings down the complexities in one’s life thereby making life easier, simpler and comfortable. John Dewey rightly said, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself”.
PROBLEMS IN PRESENT EDUCATION:
India is the second largest populated country in the world and unfortunately it is nowhere near in number qualitatively. It may be again due to huge population and the type of administrative and political system we have. There is stress on cramming, memory and mugging up. One who mugs up and puts in examination paper is treated as a meritorious candidate. It does not encourage imagination, creativity and originality. There is no effective emphasis on practical aspects of life. It is mostly beset with theoretical aspects and concepts, which any one can read even without going to institutions.
School children are loaded with many books and they find it highly stressful. Education, in fact, should be filled with entertainment and fun so that student can discover the joy of learning, which is missing now. Children find it horrible to go to schools because of too much of study. Even at home children engage themselves so much on school homework. Such things do not promote the relations between parent and child at home. Inadequate infrastructure and inexperienced teaching staff are another bane. Unfortunately, in India, both the primary and secondary level education is still struggling to survive qualitatively. The views and opinions of the students are not being respected. Students are always imposed whatever is there in the textbooks resulting in lack of imagination and innovation. R W Emerson rightly said, “The secret in education lies in respecting the student”. Only when students are respected and valued, they will try to think creatively, innovatively and out of the box. Students should be provided with more freedom of thought.
It is very unfortunate that the teachers are not paid handsomely. Best brains are pursuing other careers for monetary benefits and for better prospectus. It is a pity that those who stick to teaching profession either due to their aptitude and taste and temperament towards teaching or because there is no other alternative (TINA factor) career.
Pandit Nehru’s policies and Kothari commission have brought some significant changes in the education but still there is no healthy and constructive impact. There is commercialization of education, and a few fly by night operators entered into this sacred field and spoiled the standards.
TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES TO OVERCOME:
Teaching faculty must undergo regular training to update and upgrade their skills and abilities. Encouraging regular workshops or seminars or courses related to teaching methodologies can enhance and sharpen their skills. Such seminars will encourage the teaching faculty to exchange and gather more information.
“He who opens a school door, closes a prison”, Victor Hugo. Children from the age of 6 to 14 are to be admitted in schools to provide education, as this is the best age to tune them for creating interest in education. Child labor has been abolished but unfortunately it is not enforced effectively. Children should be encouraged by various innovative ways and means to get into educational institutions.
Content and curriculum in the educational system needs to be addressed. Streamlining the educational system on national basis from Kashmir to Kanyakumari will raise the educational standards. There are disparities in the educational system in various states and efforts must be made to fill those gaps.
Govt. levies 2 per cent educational cess and authorities must ensure that the funds go in a right direction to create strong educational infrastructure. Nobody is against the levy of 2 per cent cess but the right application and mobilization of the resources will bring right results rapidly.
Focussing more on vocational education is the need of the hour. Presently there is a vast gap between industry and academics. Infosys has come out with ‘Campus Connect’ initiative to bridge the gap between the industry and academics and it is a step in right direction. The corporate leaders have a vital role in funding the educational system. They make money for themselves, pay handsome salaries to their employees and paying dividends to their shareholders and all the people who are involved in the business are earning one way or the other. But what are they contributing for the education and society? It is a well admitted fact that the helping hands are far better than praying lips. Corporate, whether big or small, can wholeheartedly come forward to contribute their best for bringing Indian educational system on par with global standards.
It is essential to bring reforms in education from time to time as the tools and techniques involved in teaching are changing rapidly due to the influence of technology.
For professional qualifications like engineering, management, medicine, computers etc., the students should be engaged in the practical education and project works from the first year itself. Such activities will build more confidence in the minds of the students as they grasp the needs of the industry and thereby fine-tuning as per the industry expectations. Fee structure needs to be rationalized and the deserving students should be provided with scholarships.
Providing interest free educational loans will help the deserving and poor students. Also, it is desirable to encourage non-professional degree holders to get vocationalized. “Education is not filling a pail, but the lighting of a fire”, said William Butler Yeats. Education must ignite the minds of the students and it must move the students from comfort zone to effective zone. The students in the comfort zone will not achieve as much as that of in effective zone.
CONCLUSION:
There is a strong need to streamline the present educational system. The problems in the educational system need to be addressed immediately. Education should focus on ethical, social, vocational and academic aspects. Education builds man and man in turn builds nation. A strong nation can be built only when there is a strong character education. Abraham Lincoln aptly said, “Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing”. Hence the essence of any education is the strong character. The evolutionary approaches and revolutionary changes in the present educational system are the need of the hour. We must build a nation where youngsters have a vision to think beyond their geographical boundaries. There should be scope for the students to expand intellect, reinforce mind and make them to stand on their own feet.
MESSAGE:
Education and character are two sides of the same coin and one without the other is meaningless. Money may come and go but it is the character that counts from beginning to the end of life. Any individual when equipped with character education can excel in any part of the world. To put it in the words of Martin Luther King Jr. “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically . . . . . intelligence plus character . . .. That is the goal of true education”.
Posted in Educational System
Posted July 23rd, 2008
by admin
About SAT
The SAT is an aptitude test. Like all aptitude tests, it must choose a medium in which to measure intellectual ability. The SAT has chosen Math and English. Most of the aspirants for undergraduate studies to US need to take it. NEW SAT takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes. It contains Critical Reading, Math and Writing Section. The NEW SAT is about 2400 marks, English section is for 1600 marks while Math section is 800 marks. The writing section is measured on a scale of (0 to 6 points). SAT is offered 6 times a year in India you can register for the exam online on www.collegeboard.com. The present fees for SAT is around $ 85 USD, You will select a test day, pay with an international credit card and complete the transaction entirely online. SAT scores are valid for a period of 5 years.
About SAT SUBJECT TEST
SAT subject test where formerly known as SAT II, subject tests are given to access your skills in specific areas subjects include Math, History, Physical Science, Literature and SAT Subject Tests are given to assess your skills in specific areas. Subjects include math, history, physical sciences, literature, and foreign languages. SAT Subject Tests are an hour long and consist entirely of multiple-choice questions.
The score is from 800 marks. It is taken as per direction of universities for the choice of programs mentioned.
About Graduate Record Exam
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is taken by students interested in pursuing their Masters program in US but renowned universities across the globe accept GRE scores. GRE is essentially a computer adaptive test which is about 2 hours and 30 minutes. It consists of Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing. The scoring pattern of GRE is on Verbal (800), Math (800) and Analytical Writing section is graded on a scale of (0 to 6 points). GRE is offered all year around you can register for GRE on www.gre.org. You need to pay $160 USD for registration. GRE scores are valid for a period of 5 years.
About GRE subject test:
The GRE Subject Tests are intended to measure your knowledge of specific subject matter. Subject Tests are available in eight disciplines: Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology; Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Literature in English; Mathematics; Physics; and Psychology. These tests are given in paper-and-pencil format. These tests are given separately from the GRE General Test and require additional fees. Check with the universities to which you are applying to determine whether any of these extra tests are required.
About GMAT:
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is taken by students interested in pursuing MBA program in the US. It is also accepted by major business schools world wide. It consists of 3 sections (Quantitative, Verbal, and Writing). It is a 4 hour computer-adaptive test (CAT). Scoring pattern is on a scale of 800. GMAT is offered all year around you can register for GMAT on www.mba.org . You need to pay $250 USD for registration. GMAT scores are valid for a period of 5 years.
Importance of SAT, GRE, GMAT:
As the admission process gets tougher every year. It is mandatory for
the students to prepare sincerely for the above exams. The preparation
time for these exams extends from three months to six months. On a
broad spectrum the ETS board the governing body for the exam evaluates
students on their knowledge in Math and English from grade eight to
degree level, but individual stress is given on basic writing skills
as far as Analytical writing is concerned.
Do’s and Don’t for Exam preparation.
The do’s
1. Be realistic in your expectations.
2. Do take the writing Analytical section seriously.
3. Take practice test with the sole aim of improving your endurance and timing.
4. Take mock test as far as possible it acts as a dress rehearsal.
5. Practice alone makes you perfect.
The Don’t
1. Don’t be too confident about your test taking abilities.
2. Don’t focus only on particular testing areas at the cost of other sections.
3. Don’t be obsessed about scores during practice.
4. Don’t burn the mid night oil without a proper back up plan.
Posted in Global Education
Posted July 17th, 2008
by admin
This is the time of year that some kids really begin to slack off. You know, they feel like because the applications are done, the colleges won’t care how their grades are or what classes they are taking.
This is wrong, wrong, WRONG
First off, let me make you feel better. It’s not just your kid, it’s EVERYBODY’S kid. Ok, well almost everybody’s kid…
Anyway, it’s so bad that Charles Reed, the chancellor for the Cal State system called 12th grade ‘the biggest wasteland in America’. And right now, even as I write this, 9 state governors are seeking to completely overhaul the senior year, saying that it’s currently a “waste of the student’s time and taxpayer’s money”.
Crazy, huh?
So, don’t beat your kids too bad if they’ve got it.
BUT, and this is the big but, that does NOT give them an excuse to totally slack off and just basically coast until summer.
Here’s why: (seniors, are you paying attention?)
First off, the slacking is SO bad that 1/2 of the colleges nationwide have to offer remediation (think: remedial). And I’m not talking about community colleges at all. I’m talking 4 year schools ONLY. Half of them
What that means in plain English is that if you slack off and don’t pay attention this year, no problem, you’ll just have to re-take those classes once you get to college. Which means, it’s longer until you graduate. Which, of course, costs your parents more money and delays you getting out into the real world and making serious money of your own.
Oh yeah, and that’s IF you get in in the first place.
Here’s what I mean:
If you are applying to any sort of competitive school, meaning pretty much anything other than a community college, they WILL be looking at what classes you are taking your senior year.
And they WILL notice if you went from challenging yourself by taking, say, 6 academic classes your junior year, and now you’re only taking 4 classes and they are all electives. And that WILL affect their decision.
Right here, this can be the difference between getting into your 1st choice…and your last.
..Or not getting in at all.
Now, on the same subject, once and for all, YES! YOUR SENIOR YEAR GRADES DO COUNT.
A LOT
Got it?
Here’s what happens: If you are borderline for getting in to a college, they will call your high school to request the latest copy of your grades. Which, by the way, you gave them the right to do when you filled out your application. And if they notice that you are slipping, they probably will not admit you.
Or, they can withdraw your admission even after they’ve offered it.
I know, it’s not ‘fair’, but I’ve warned you.
Story: We had a student last year who was offered admittance to SDSU….on one condition: she had to get a ‘C’ or better in chemistry her senior year.
Yep, you got it: she got a ‘D +’.
So, her admission was revoked, and NOTHING we could do would get them to reinstate her. Not offering to retake the class over summer, not getting the teacher to re-do her grade.
Nothing.
Because, basically, they said that she had shown them that she didn’t have the discipline to succeed in college. Goodbye SDSU, hello Cal State San Bernardino.
She already had her room and everything. She had even started hanging out with her future roommate.
Do NOT let this happen to you.
Now, I know you’re burnt out and everything, but here’s what you can do to finish strong:
1. Realize that senior does count…both the classes you take AND the grades you get in them. So, like I said above, finish strong. You’re almost there, don’t let up know.
2. Evaluate your schedule. Don’t get so busy with work or friends or your boyfriend/girlfriend or whatever that you’re using up all the time you used to spend studying. Stay focused on your academics.
3. All right, this is going to sound lame, but challenge yourself. Yeah, yeah, I know. You’ve been hearing this forever. Here’s what I mean: Look for ways to push yourself. Form a study group if you have to, or try to find something for extra credit that’s interesting (key word: interesting).
4. Get your dang internship already. I’ve beat this one to death, but it’s vitally important which is why I keep sounding like a broken record on this. Remember, it will help you both in determining whether you’re even going to school for the right thing or not, AND it will get your foot in the door for the future.
5. Lastly, you’re so ‘done’ with high school? Cool. Go take a class or two at a community college. Make sure it’s academic, but this will give you a chance to get your feet wet and see what college is like, as well as being able to walk the halls with adults, and not a bunch of 14 year old freshman.
I don’t know if these will help you or not. Like I said, probably the MOST important thing is to realize that ‘almost done’ and ‘done’ are NOT the same thing.
In fact, that’s a pretty good quote. You should probably write that one down.
Hang in there. You’ll be in college soon enough.
Posted in High School