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Friday, September 19, 2008

Friday, June 13, 2008

Classroom Management (managing group work)


  • The task to be performed in the group should be clearly told before the group work.
    if the activity is an experiment provide the required learning materials and handouts with instructions and questions to assist them consolidate the experiment results.
    if the activity is an observation give the necessary hints as "what to observe" what and to note down the mnecessary points.
    if the activity is a discussion give clear cut directions, points for discussion and necessary support materials to facilitate discussions.
    if the activity is a classification provide paper slips to do so or classify and consolidate with the help of a chart
    if the activity is solving numerical problem necessary steps and required data should be given in paper slips. The consoldation may be done on balack board.
    if the activity is brain storming teacher may encourage group members to come out with wild ideas and to list them in a paper slip.
    if the activity is book reference sufficient books along with necessary hints should be supplied.
  • For any activity to be successful, the teacher should give hints, provide support materials, do scaffolding during the activity, and lead the essential part of "consolidation of group activity".
    Teacher should ensure participation of of all members of the group for the group activity.
  • Teacher should fix the time for completion of the activity. The activity should not prolong as the spirit looses within the group as time elapses. For this (1)make the task simple (2) the instructions about doing the task should be clear (3) scaffold properly so as to make the groups on right path towards completion.
  • Teacher should constantly evaluate the group as well as individual performances.
    Teacher may ensure that each group is a mix of slow learners as well as fast learners.
    Teacher may try to foster healthy competition among groups to complete the task perfectly.

Monday, May 12, 2008

tom - the small kid

"Tom is just three years old. As a preschoolar he has a preconception of how a school is. He will wear a uniform- a pink shirt,black shoes and colourful shorts. On the first day at school he hopes to have smiling faces, new friends, dolls and toys. This is his preconception. If this matches his experience, well, he is lucky and if other wise . . . . . . . . "

A misconception happens when a person believes in a concept that is objectively false.