Srinagar: Detailing the serious consequences of the technological advancements like Tabs, and high-tech cell phones on school going children, Chairman, Scientific Review Committee, Michigan State University (MSU), USA, Dr. Syed Qazi Siraj Azhar, emphasized that teachers and parents should restrict the use of such equipments to the students in their early years of life.
“These advancements will hamper the creative potential of the students,” Dr. Azhar said while delivering an extension lecture on “Pedagogy of Science at School Level,” to the faculty and scholars of the Central University of Kashmir (CUK) last week.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir, presided over the lecture, which was organised by the School of Education, at Nowgam-I academic block of the university.
Dr. Azhar justified that in the present competitive world, learning should be activity centered so that students are in a position to solve the academic issues themselves through various activities. He emphasized that learning at school level should be project based so that the students may think and act scientifically in their academic journey. He described how teaching could be made more effective by emphasizing the activity-based methodologies instead of rote method, which is prevalent in our country for centuries. With the help of diagrams, charts and photographs, Dr. Azhar explained as to how information is stored and retrieved in the brain and how a systematic and well-planned revision could improve retention of information learnt.
Rejecting the spoon-feeding approach of the teacher, Dr. Azhar expressed that a teacher should provide a space for the learners to think and act critically. The lecture was followed by an interactive session which was attended by faculty, research scholars and students of the School of Education.
In his special remarks, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir appreciated and acknowledged the viewpoint of the speaker. Agreeing with the views of Dr. Azhar, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir expressed that child is born as a natural scientist so the teachers have the responsibility to unravel the innate curiosity and nourish the creativity of the learner. He emphasized that all teaching should be student focussed instead of teacher centered.
Earlier, Dean School of Education, Prof. N. A Nadeem said that Dr. Qazi Azhar despite being engaged in research in Neuroscience, is working for improving the art of teaching. Dr. Qazi Azhar has been visiting educational institutions in India and interacting with teachers and administrators to bring about improvements in teaching in Indian schools, Prof. Nadeem said. He also made a detailed presentation about the overall structure and functioning of the CUK.
Coordinator Teacher Education, Prof. Nighat Basu, spoke the objectives, values and overall functioning of the School of Education. She highlighted the role of the Department in improving the pedagogical skills among the students through various activities and practical programmes.
Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Geelani, Associate Professor highlighted the community services organised by the Department in the holy month of Ramadhan.
Assistant Professor, School of Education, proposed the vote of thanks.
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