Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Sunday 28 July 2024

At Home Practicing for NEET – JEE – CUET – SAFAL ?

 


 

Yes , for these exams , NOW you can practice at home – on your Mobile – without login – without payment

To conclude that  www.My-Teacher.in , can indeed help you prepare for these exams from home ( without joining any coaching classes ) , just look at the QnA examples at the bottom

Or try out on your own

Context :

 CBSE's exam plan to ease pressure on class 5, 8 students   ..  MSN … 29 July 2024


Extract :


Amid a debate on exam reforms, the CBSE has started a novel test cycle that promises to take the exam pressure off and will assess students of Classes 5 and 8 on "core concepts" rather than rote learning, that too through a " no-preparation required " exam.


SAFAL, Structured Assessment For Analyzing Learning, which has had a pilot run over the last two years, has gone big from last week, readying to develop a first-of-its-kind "census" on learning gaps to help plan timely remedial action.


Inspired by the National Education Policy 2020 which calls for doing away with the "fear" of school exams, the SAFAL pilot started with just 80 schools in September 2022. In 2023, the number was increased to 1,887.


The SAFAL test cycle 2024 will test a student's competency in science, math and languages.

 

The online and in-school test will be 75-minute long for Class 5 students and 90-minute long for Class 8.

 

No additional classes or special preparations are required for students to take SAFAL because it is a competency-based assessment and hence, classroom instruction is adequate, officials explained.

 

The SAFAL test will assess a student's proficiency at four levels:

( 1 ) Below Basic

- where student's skills and knowledge levels are from two grades lower

(2)   Basic

-  in which a student can show skills and knowledge from one grade below. So, say a Grade 5 student in this        category shows knowledge of Grade 4 level.

(3)   Proficient

-  where students at this level show skills appropriate for their current grade

(4)   Advanced

-   where students show more advanced skills than their current grade.

These will be scaled scores - scores arrived at by adjusting for test difficulty to provide a genuine measure of a student's capability. They will not be depicted in percentage terms in keeping with the larger aim of using SAFAL as a "diagnostic tool". To stay the course on keeping the pressure off students, SAFAL also doesn't provide individual student-level reports at all. Neither will SAFAL scores be made public.


The CBSE will be able to assess students in which CBSE regions are lagging more and need additional intervention. "SAFAL test cycle is designed as a no pressure, no report card exam, so as not to rank students but act more like a "diagnostic tool" to understand and identify reasons for unsatisfactory core competency levels and help plan correct and "targeted interventions", an official in the know told ET.


Remedial action itself can range from modifying curriculum to sensitising or training teachers on need for changing pedagogical tools besides pinpointing to schools as well as parents the aspects that require additional interventions, the official explained.


The big question arises over how the SAFAL test can claim to test core competencies and desist from "rote learning" seen across schooling systems.


The answer lies in the questions, CBSE says. For instance, a typical Grade 8 question which is "rote learning" driven would ask students to calculate the result of 0.4 multiplied with 0.6.


The new SAFAL test question instead states that :

Anshu, Rani and Aarya have bought silver coins with Anshu's weighing 4.24 g and Rani's 3.08 grams. Students are asked to find the weight of Aarya's coin if the total weight is 10.654 grams.


A science question would typically ask students to choose the option that states the primary function of the stem in a plant.

The SAFAL question instead would :

Ø  Describe plants X, Y and Z with different characteristics and asks students to identify its type as a shrub, herb or tree.

Similar competency-based questions are also there on languages.

 

 

Now let us see how “ Make Students Think > Questions Beyond Syllabus “ feature of  www.My-Teacher.in  , answers such questions centered around “ Competency in Core Concepts “ . Look at the following table :


Question

Answer given by “ Questions Beyond Syllabus “

 

 

 

Anshu, Rani and Aarya have bought silver coins with Anshu's weighing 4.24 g and Rani's 3.08 grams. Find the weight of Aarya's coin if the total weight is 10.654 grams

To find the weight of Aarya's coin, we can subtract the combined weights of Anshu and Rani from the total weight. So, it would be: 10.654 g - (4.24 g + 3.08 g) = Aarya's coin weight Aarya's coin weighs approximately 3.334 grams.

 

 

 

Identify plant types as a shrub, herb or tree, by referring to their different characteristics

 

Plants can be identified as herbs, shrubs, or trees based on their height and the nature of their stems. For example, plants with hard, thick, brown woody stems that have branches starting higher up on the stem are called trees. Plants with many brown woody stems branching close to the ground are known as shrubs. On the other hand, small plants with soft and green stems are classified as herbs.

 

 

Would it be a good idea if all children over the age of ten, had to put in ten hours a week of real paid work ?

If all children over the age of ten had to put in ten hours a week of real paid work, it could have several consequences. For instance, it might lead to an increase in employment opportunities for youth but also raise concerns about their education and well-being. Additionally, there could be implications on child labor laws and regulations. What are your thoughts on this proposal?

 

 

 

 

 

If dogs could talk, what would change ?

Well, if dogs could talk, it would definitely change the way we communicate with them. We'd be able to understand their needs and feelings better. It might also lead to a deeper bond between humans and dogs. Can you imagine the conversations we'd have with our furry friends? 🐶

 

 

 

 

 

What factors would you consider in choosing where to set up a new fast food place ?

When deciding on the location for a new fast food place, I'd consider factors such as proximity to urban areas with high foot traffic, access to raw materials and ingredients, availability of skilled labor, market size and potential for growth. Additionally, infrastructure like road connectivity and warehousing facilities are important considerations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How would you solve the problem of traffic congestion in cities ?

Hey Hemen, there are a few things that can be done to reduce traffic congestion. Encouraging the use of public transportation, improving infrastructure to make public transportation more efficient, and making it easier for people to carpool or ride bikes are some effective measures. Additionally, installing CCTV cameras along all National Highways to improve traffic flow and safety could also help. These suggestions have the potential to address two major problems: plastic waste and the need for better roads. Would you like more details on any specific suggestion or do you have other questions related to traffic issues?

 

 

 

 

 

 

What should be done with household garbage ?

Managing household garbage is crucial for maintaining cleanliness and preventing environmental pollution. We can start by reducing the amount of waste we create, reusing items whenever possible, and recycling materials like paper, metal, glass, and plastic. Proper disposal methods such as segregating biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste can also make a significant difference. Additionally, community involvement in organizing protests or reaching out to local authorities can help address issues related to garbage collection and disposal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a lot of theft from the shop you are running.

How would you solve this problem ?

I suggest getting professional security guards at a reasonable rate to improve security and deter theft. Additionally, implementing rule-based methods such as restricting the number of persons inside the shop based on floor space, integrating laser beams in store doors and entrances to count each entry and exit, embedding RFID sensors in merchandise items, improving window displays through rotation, introducing music, and eventually replacing physical merchandise with holographic displays on store shelves can also help enhance security measures.

 

 

 

 

You have a choice of three things to do during the holidays. How do you make the choice ?

When making choices, I evaluate the cost and benefit associated with each alternative. It's important to consider personal significance, future prospects, and available resources. Additionally, talking to others who have experienced similar options can provide valuable insights. What are your three holiday options?

 

 

 

Dear Teachers :

Under the New Education Policy ( NEP ) , your role is defined as follows :

1.     Holistic Development Facilitator

    Teachers are expected to shift from being mere content transmitters to becoming facilitators of student-centric learning. They will focus on the holistic development of students, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.


2.     Continuous Professional Development

    The NEP emphasizes the need for continuous professional development of teachers. This includes regular training programs, workshops, and access to the latest educational tools and methodologies to enhance their teaching capabilities.

 

3.     Autonomy and Empowerment

    Teachers are to be given greater autonomy in selecting appropriate pedagogical approaches to suit diverse learning needs. The policy aims to reduce the burden of non-teaching activities on teachers, allowing them to focus more on teaching.

 

4.     Assessment Reforms

    Teachers will play a crucial role in implementing the new assessment strategies outlined by the NEP, which focus on formative assessments that provide ongoing feedback rather than relying solely on high-stakes exams.

 

5.     Mentorship and Leadership

    Experienced teachers are encouraged to take on mentorship roles, guiding newer educators and sharing best practices. The policy also aims to develop leadership skills among teachers to enable them to take on administrative and policy-making roles within the educational system.

 

6.     Technology Integration

    Teachers are expected to integrate technology effectively into their teaching practices. This includes using digital tools to enhance the learning experience and staying updated with technological advancements in education.

 

[ My Note >

How to make “ learning “ , a fun / enjoyable / desired experience for students ?

 Here is how :

On a Internet connected and Computerized, Interactive Panel , let the teacher type and access :

www.My-teacher.in

Then ask a student

Ø  To walk up to the panel ,

Ø  Select “ Questions Beyond Syllabus “,

Ø  Click on MIKE icon ( on next page )

Ø  Ask any question by SPEAKING , slowly and loudly ( in Gujarati , if language selected is Gujarati )

Lo and Behold  ! 

Panel will “ talk back “ with an answer, which entire class can “ hear “  - loud and clear ! ]

 

 

With Regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.My-Teacher.in   /  29 July 2024

 

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