Practice on “Best Practice in Teaching, Learning and Evaluation”

Practice implemented by
Ms. Jaya Cherian and Dr. Reni Francis
Course VIII – Sociological Foundations of Education.

1. Title of the practice: SWA-DESH: Bridging Education and Society.
   Swa : Your role towards.
   D : Democracy
   E : Effective Citizenship
   S : Secularism.
   H : Human Rights
2. The context that required the initiation of the practice: The B.Ed course grooms the student teacher to be effective citizens of their country. Every citizen has rights and duties, hence it becomes important for teachers to take responsibility in acquainting our young children on Democracy, Effective Citizenship, Human Rights and Secularism. Bridging Education and Society assists in enabling people to make their own decisions and to take responsibility for their own lives and their communities.
3. Objectives of the practice:
   The objectives of this practice was to train our student teachers to be:
   • aware of their rights and responsibilities as citizens;
   • informed about the social and political world;
   • concerned about the welfare of others;
   • articulate in their opinions and arguments;
   • capable of having an influence on the world;
   • active in their communities;
   • responsible in how they act as citizens
   • respectful towards all religions

   The practice:

   Swa: Every individual has certain rights and duties. Swa here indicates: Your role towards effective citizenship, democracy, secularism, human rights.

   D: Democracy is the government by people. Democracy need citizens to be active, informed and responsible citizens who are willing to take responsibility for themselves and their community. This was done through Group Discussion

   E: Citizenship education is as important today as at any other time in our history. Citizens in the twenty-first century must be prepared to deal with rapid change, complex, local, national and global issues, cultural and religious conflicts and the increasing interdependence of nations in a global economy. This was done by a Survey, the statements of the Survey was elicited by the student teachers and later the survey on the same was taken from a different group of students.

   S: Secularism based on principles of material and cultural improvement of human beings, respect and research of all truth whatever be the source, independent rational morality which does not base itself on any religion. This was done through Dramatization highlighting the key issues of Secularism that has engulfed our society today.

   H: Human rights refer to basic rights and freedom to which all humans are entitled. Human rights and progress of society go hand in hand. Human rights are soul of democracy. This was done by showing a movie “SHAHID” and discussion on the same was encouraged.

4. Obstacles faced if any and strategies adopted to overcome them:

   The obstacle faced during the practice teaching programme was time. To arrange the venue and plan for all the student teachers to participate together at a fixed time was difficult, however efforts were taken to undertake these activities during internship and Block Schedule timetable was planned.

5. Impact of the study:

   This helped to remain abreast with the latest technology in teaching learning strategies. It was a great opportunity for our student teachers in getting acquainted with the use of innovative, creative methods of teaching in class. The positive feedback boosted the morale of our student teachers towards SWA-DESH.

6. Resources required:

   Teacher educators effective planning as a resource. Movie CD, Survey sheets, props for dramatization.

7. Feedback mechanism and future plans:

   A comprehensive feedback was taken by the teacher educators, with respect to the movie chosen for the topic on Human Rights, Survey method, Dramatization and overall feedback.