Books
The Reflective Teacher: Case Studies of Action Research
By Neeraja Raghavan
Contributing Editor: Vineeta Sood
This book describes the action research undertaken by some of the teachers at the Azim Premji School in Dineshpur, Uttarakhand, guided by facilitators from the Azim Premji Foundation. Teachers with varying lengths of experience took a fresh look at their teaching practices, examined and identified specific problems that they faced – and succeeded in addressing many of these problems.
Consisting of teachers’ documentation of their action research, classroom observations and facilitators’ notes, the book also carries analyses of the case studies against the backdrop of the research of pioneers such as John Dewey and Donald Schon. It can enable the emergence of the reflective practitioner from other teachers and empower them to channelize this reflection into action – by continuously re-examining their own teaching practices.
Teaching Tales, Learning Trails
By Neeraja Raghavan, Vineeta Sood, Kamala Anilkumar
How do the dynamics of a school spill over into the seemingly unconnected events at home, in the community, the nation, the world? Do they? How often do we, as parents or teachers, act like our own parents/teachers? How often do we as students, experience a disconnect between what we are taught to do and what is implicitly expected of us? How much of those influences do we carry with us, as we start families and choose careers? Surely the ambitious CEO as well as the lackadaisical vagabond both went to some school that shaped them — in no small way? What were the teachers of today like — as school goers? What made them turn into teachers? How do parents experience the schools that they send their children to? What can happen if there is an attempt to create a dialogue between teachers and other teachers, teachers and parents, students and teachers?
Are such things even possible? This is a set of ten stories based largely on events that actually unfolded but do not serve to depict entirely accurate portrayals of what transpired — ‘fictionalised fact’. The intent is not so much to produce memoirs as it is to set the reader off on an exploratory journey. The stories are followed by rich discussions between groups of principals, parents, students, teachers, teacher educators and pre-service teachers, as they reflect on the questions raised by these stories.
The Book Reviews for ‘Teaching Tales, Learning Trails’:
https://thinkingteacher.in/first-review-of-the-book-from-a-reader-who-is-a-school-principal/
https://bhoomistudentsnetwork.blogspot.com/2018/10/book-review-teaching-tales-learning.html
http://thenewleam.com/2018/10/teaching-tales-learning-trails
http://www.teacherplus.org/category/bookfilm-review/
Articles
McDonaldization vs. Humanization
Wait! What are we talking about? Please help me understand. Are we talking about applying McDonald’s restaurants marketing strategy to education?
Schooling the Thought Process!
The purpose of education has to be to prepare the individual at three levels: one is to be in touch with oneself, so that one is aware of ones strengths and weaknesses and is able to create ones own path. The second is to develop sensitivity towards ones family and community in the form of extended family and consider their needs to work towards solving the social problems keeping in view the strengths and weaknesses of the community. The third is to be in harmony with nature and our environment so that whatever steps are taken to meet the needs of the individual and society, the nature is always the topmost consideration. It is of utmost importance to create a balance between the individual, social needs and the nature. And this forms the basic premise for whatever information is to be collected or used.
Interviews
“She Brought Out The Worst In Me And I Was Afraid Of Being Stuck Till I Found A Way Out”