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Teachers as Role Models

I totally agree with the views of Mr.Ashok Kumar, that we should emphasize on the 'holistic way of education' rather than holistic education. It is true that children imbibe more from what they perceive rather than what they are taught. The teachers should be role models for children rather than just messengers of education..The education should be more than just books and assignments and grades. It should be a way of life. I want more people to rope in to give their views.

Vedic Mathematics: What is it?

My exploration of alternative but effective methods of overall development of children is driving me to understand all these Eastern modes of thinking. As, we have tried many of the Western ways of thinking and I believe they have both pros and cons.

I had heard a lot about Vedic Mathematics and was always enticed to it. Really got a chance to understand it over last few months. Was talking to an IIT professor who takes classes in Vedic Mathematics couple of weeks back and was bowled by the observation that he had. According to him, there are no calculators to do equational computations (for example no calculator to divide 5x square - 3x + 1 from x + 3). According to him that Vedic mathematics can be used to do a computation like that -- some of the sutras that he demonstrated earlier made me believe that it's possible.

BTW, below is a overview about Vedic mathematics that I picked from this site:

What is Vedic Mathematics?
Vedic Mathematics is the name given to the ancient system of Mathematics which was rediscovered from the Vedas between 1911 and 1918 by Sri Bharati Krsna Tirthaji (1884-1960).

According to his research all of mathematics is based on sixteen Sutras or word-formulae. For example, 'Vertically and Crosswise` is one of these Sutras. These formulae describe the way the mind naturally works and are therefore a great help in directing the student to the appropriate method of solution.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the Vedic system is its coherence. Instead of a hotch-potch of unrelated techniques the whole system is beautifully interrelated and unified: the general multiplication method, for example, is easily reversed to allow one-line divisions and the simple squaring method can be reversed to give one-line square roots. And these are all easily understood.

This unifying quality is very satisfying, it makes mathematics easy and enjoyable and encourages innovation. In the Vedic system 'difficult' problems or huge sums can often be solved immediately by the Vedic method. These striking and beautiful methods are just a part of a complete system of mathematics which is far more systematic than the modern 'system'.

Vedic Mathematics manifests the coherent and unified structure of mathematics and the methods are complementary, direct and easy. The simplicity of Vedic Mathematics means that calculations can be carried out mentally (though the methods can also be written down). There are many advantages in using a flexible, mental system.

Pupils can invent their own methods, they are not limited to the one 'correct' method. This leads to more creative, interested and intelligent pupils. Interest in the Vedic system is growing in education where mathematics teachers are looking for something better and finding the Vedic system is the answer. Research is being carried out in many areas including the effects of learning Vedic Maths on children; developing new, powerful but easy applications of the Vedic Sutras in geometry, calculus, computing etc. But the real beauty and effectiveness of Vedic Mathematics cannot be fully appreciated without actually practising the system. One can then see that it is perhaps the most refined and efficient mathematical system possible.

Eklavya Foundation

The more research that I have been doing on the primary education system in India, the better my experience is becoming. There are several issues with the primary education system in India, however, like any other thing in India, there are several good initiatives that are taking place in the field of education.

Eklavya institute is one such initiative. This institutions goals are very similar to the goals of buildingBlocksTM probably with only difference in the speed of implementation.

Eklavya's philosophy:
Eklavya believes that education is an infrastructure, atleast, as important as nation's roads, electricity and telecom. It plays a fundamental role in determining the prosperity and well-being of its citizens. Progressive nations have strategically invested heavily in education on a long term basis.

I guess the Non profit status of this organization may have resulted in the gradual implementation of the programs.

Preschools

Well, it's not been reported in the business media, however, one of the fastest growing segment in the education sector is that of preschools i.e. teaching pre nursery school kids. Personally, I think this concept of pre schooling is ridiculous. One may come up with several arguments that these kids can learn a lot because they are really young. However, I firmly believe with some resounding evidence from other independent sources that these preschools are bringing a lot of stress on these kids.

The parents end up spending less time playing with their kids, and more time training/coaching them how to respond to certain type of questions. The situation has worsened to such depths that parents end up yelling at the 3 year olds because they were not able to clear the preschool entrance examination. The actions of the High Courts have definitely brought relief to some of parents, who ended up sending their kids to these pre schools because of the interview pressure.

However, the jury is still out on that segment that is extremely ambitious for their kids and wants kids to win races when they can hardly walk.

What is teaching?

Sri Aurobindo once said that the first principle of teaching is "that nothing can be taught". J.S.Rajput comments on this profound statement:

This statement of Sri Aurobindo condenses a whole lot of theories of education and a new form of pedagogy closer to integral approach to education. It puts learning above teaching. It makes learning a self starting, self propelling process. It redefines the role of teacher as a possessor of information to a facilitator and guide for the learner.

This statement definitely has profound meaning and extreme relevance in today's times.