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Showing posts from May, 2017

In the age of the internet, what to memorize and what not?

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There is a heated discussion about why remember facts when all information is at fingertips (through the internet)?. So first look at dictionary what a fact is? The first definition that comes up is this: A thing that is known or proved to be true. Ok, but most things we study in our education are facts. Earth revolves around the sun is a fact. New Delhi is the capital of India is a fact. Hitler born on dated 20 April 1889 is a fact. Independence day of India is 15th August is a fact. Out of these, first two and last one, I needn't have to search the internet,  because these facts are very important to me as I live in India, and I am from Earth (Lol). I searched the internet to find out when Hilter was born because his date of birth was irrelevant for me till now. Maybe I will forget his date of birth after one day because it will not come to any use to me later. So, some facts are very important to memorize while others are not.  Then what to memorize and what not? I

Suggestions for changes in lessons of NCERT Chemistry book

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Chemistry Book: NCERT Chemistry book requires a complete reinvention, with eliminating most units that are unrequired at the higher secondary level and making it more systematic with the flow of information and building new connections by using prior information. e.g. How quantum mechanical model is linked with explaining the properties of elements and molecules? And before explaining the quantum mechanical model, it's needed to explain what are model and theories. From Britannica: Scientific modeling, the generation of a physical, conceptual, or mathematical representation of a real phenomenon that is difficult to observe directly. Scientific models are  used to explain and predict the behavior of real objects  or systems and are used in a variety of scientific disciplines. The Higher secondary level is meant to know the basics first with the foundational understanding of the mechanism of concepts in detail. It should be relevant to students day to day life to know their su

Experimental manipulation after tests using eSALT feedback from students

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Personalized pre and post test need to be conducted in the following manner with experimental manipulation: While giving questions, each student needs to be asked for how easy or difficult the questions are. Student Feedback for Questions Ease ( eSALT ): 1) Easy (E) 2) Safe (S) 3) Average (A) 4) Low (L) 5) Trouble (T) Also, some specific feedback that students want to comment on the question while answering. (e.g. Mistakes in questions, concept not taught in the class, or not understood, unable to recall or don't know the answers or specific part of answers like formula or for example atomic number of element, unable to understand the question) Teachers curation 1) Students making mistakes with Questions tagged Easy, Safe, Average comes under misconceptions which need to be dealt with. It can also be due to silly mistakes, if the mistakes are repetitive, it must be addressed. 2) Concepts of questions that are tagged with Low and Trouble (it doesn't matter whet

NCERT books nothing more than short notes with giving too shallow knowledge

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Comparative analysis of Openstax chemistry book and our NCERT chemistry book read by largest populated country Review of chapter Atoms, Molecules and Ions of Openstax and Structure of Atom in NCERT Openstax starts the chapter with a picture mass spectral analysis. Mass spectrometry is a very important technique to study atomic properties. To make you more curious it talks about the diagnosis of diseases through analysis of molecules in an exhaled breath. But ncert book image is this: NO IMAGE Let's come down to the introduction: NCERT Chemistry: The existence of atoms has been proposed since the time of early Indian and Greek philosophers (400 B.C.) who were of the view that atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter. According to them, the continued subdivisions of matter would ultimately yield atoms which would not be further divisible. The word ‘atom’ has been derived from the Greek word ‘a-tomio’ which means ‘uncut-able’ or ‘non-divisible’. Th