Education TBC

Greenberg (1998) defines contemporary distance learning as a planned teaching/learning experience that uses a wide spectrum of technologies to reach learners at a distance and is designed to encourage learner interaction and certification of learning.
Distance Learning offered new possibilities in the field of education. Though modern distant education system is in infant stage it has revolutionized the education scenario in India.

Why is Distance Learning Education?

Major reason for adopting distance learning is the inability of people to attend the formal education. The interest to pursue higher education when people are engaged in other areas of life is the major motivation behind Distance Learning. It helps to achieve their goals or dreams of their life.
Advantages of Distance Learning Education

Cost Effectiveness: Cost effectiveness is one of the major attractions of distance learning. Most of the Distance Learning Education Institutes have low course fee structure that enables weaker section of people to pursue higher or continuous education. It also helps them save money on transportation, food and housing

Self paced study: Distance Learning Institutes provide students with flexibility to complete the study at their own pace. Students may not attend class for long continuous hours. They can pace their study quickly or slowly at their own convenience.
Teamwork: Teamwork is another potential benefit of distance learning. Students have the opportunity to correspond with others from different backgrounds and to hear from a variety of speakers from around the world.

Class at your convenience: In most Distance Learning programs, students can opt for classroom training according to their convenience. This enables students to get engaged in other jobs while continuing their studies.

Live anywhere: Distance learning offers opportunities of higher education to people in remote areas
Technology used in Distance learning Education

Print technology: Print materials are the primary means of instruction used by Distance Learning Institutes. Text book, study guide and work book are the basic materials provided by the distance learning institutes.

Audio Aids: Audio files and CDs are used to deliver lectures, panel discussions, or instructions for the distant learner.
Video technology: Videotapes and DVDs are popular technologies used in instructional materials. Satellite Videoconferencing is another technology used by distance learning institutes.

Computer technology: This is the most powerful technology used by most distance learning institutes in the modern world. Emails, Online chatting, Web based education, Internet video conferencing are some of the advantages of computer-based learning.
Disadvantages of Distance learning Education

Feed back: Lack of immediate feed back is one of the major problems of distance learning. In ordinary class room students have easy access to the instructor directly.

Self motivation: Distance learning requires a tremendous amount of self discipline and motivation.
Technological Support: Modern Distance Learning Institutes use advanced technology for education. Access to that technology in remote areas is very difficult.

Communication skills: Communication skills, especially oral communication skills of students, are not developed through Distance Learning method.

In this new millennium people are engaged in different facets of life. Though Distance Learning has some disadvantages, it provides a great opportunity for education and self empowerment. Students have to choose best Distance Learning Institute in Delhi to achieve best results.

Many people presume they have the talent to learn to play guitar but, they don’t always realize how much effort and practice goes into playing a musical instrument – no matter the genre. Do you have what it takes? Here are some things to think about before you dart out and take music or guitar tutoring.

The benefit

Strumming or picking the guitar is a great way to express yourself through music. If you feel a strong urge to learn to play the guitar, here’s a quick self-test to determine if you’re ready to take this giant step.

Allocate practice periods

Before signing on for guitar lessons, test your mind and body. Your mind should be clear to learn. Learning to play the guitar is like learning any other skill. You must have some free time to dedicate solely to learning – even if it’s only 15 minutes per day. This should be a time of total concentration when you can block out the cares of work and life to work on your lessons and practice.

A guitarist should be in good physical condition

Your body’s physical health is also important. Playing the guitar requires holding a guitar in an upright position, either resting on your legs or held upright by a shoulder strap. Consider the strength of your back, shoulders, arms and legs.

A person who suffers from grave lower back pain may find it problematic to hold a guitar for any length of time. If you know someone who owns a guitar, you can practice holding theirs to test your strengths and weaknesses.

Also, allow for the physical condition of your hands, fingers and wrists. Some circumstances that could hinder your playing ability include arthritis, carpal tunnel or frequent swelling of the wrists or fingers.

Learning guitar with physical conditions

Even if you have a condition that makes it difficult to play a guitar, this doesn’t mean you will never play. You can research online or talk with a well-qualified trainer to find out if there are ways to work around your disability or physical weakness.

For example, if you have back pain, you might find a lightweight guitar that’s easy to hold. Or, if you have injury or pain in the hands, there may be exercises to help relieve the tension. Don’t give up until you’ve done the research.

Talent is not the solitary guitar playing aspect

If you have natural musical talent, that’s super-duper. However, if you don’t feel that you are naturally talented, don’t worry. You only need the desire to learn and the ability to listen, read and practice. You learn to play the guitar by taking one step at a time – or one note at a time. Without musical talent, you might have to apply just a little harder at the inception, but soon you’ll find it to be akin to learning any skill.

What to quiz yourself about learning guitar

A) Do you have a strong desire to play the guitar?

B) Why do you want to learn to play the guitar?

C) Do you want to study and become able to read music or play by ear?

D) Do you have the period of time needed to learn how to play?

7) Is purchasing a guitar going to empty your money?

There are others obviously but your answers to these questions should help you determine if you’re equipped to learn how to play the guitar.

Taking action with your guitar

If you now feel ready to break the ice, find a guitarist family member or friend to help you select a starter instrument and start your adventure. Your waiting is over – it’s time to learn how to play guitar and enjoy music in a way you never dreamed possible!!

Teacher plays a very pivotal role in shaping up the children personality and behavior, which ultimately form the future of the society .Parents are always concerned to provide their children with best education.Good schooling means a good teaching that is we mean to say an efficient teacher.Students are taught all the basic manners and behavior which helps them to carry on the life in the best possible manner.Teacher education helps in preparing good, efficient and well trained teaching faculty. Any good school is comprised learned teachers which in turn benefits the school and students.

Features of the concept of Teacher education
– To provide and update teachers with the best and enhanced teaching techniques
– To match up with the latest trend and methods
– Practical implication of the teaching methods
– Various organization have come to impart the essential training to teachers
– Teachers from various schools get a common platform to exchange their thoughts
– New policies to enhance and utilize the potential of the teachers
– Giving a professional touch which can match up with the corporate level
– Globalization of teaching methods
– New perspective in jobs in the teaching field

Re – defining the teaching profession
As mentioned above teacher education has come a long way with absolutely new and professional methods of teaching. There is a complete procedure of educating and training the teacher which involves various steps like that of
– Explaining the basics of new teaching methods
– Development of teaching skills
– Specific training of content area
– Practical implementation through field experience that is taking up classes
– Analyzing the development of teachers on regular basis
– Quality of the teaching methods is re -assured
– Regular feedbacks are taken regarding practical applicability of the new teaching methods

Teacher education is a complete and well planned teaching module to make the teachers match the teaching level around the world. This particular teaching method has resulted in enhancing the level of education as a whole. Teachers have also responded well in adapting this new version in the field of teaching. The demo classes provided to them has rendered quite good help in understanding and executing it in practicality.

The new definition given to teaching profession has changed the outlook of people regarding teachers. Nowadays it has become the most sought out profession. The impact of the latest methods and techniques can be clearly understood by seeing an overall change in the levels and ways of teaching. Without the proper implication it would not have been possible to serve the purpose of good and enhanced teaching methods. The practical aspect of this module is taken care of as all the concerned teachers are provided with active learning techniques. With extension to this they are also provided with internship to actually understand the education policy.

Author Re-launches Website to Serve Youth Educators Award Winning Author Yasmin Shiraz’s new site boasts teaching tools for teachers

Washington, DC – October 17, 2013 – After years of working with teachers, librarians, community leaders and youth, Yasmin Shiraz is pleased to announce the re-launch of her site YasminShiraz.com which features new tools to help educators who are looking for innovative ways to reach youth ages 12 – 18.

The new site offers organized, timely articles, tips, and resources that deal with specific issues such as Youth Violence, Self-Esteem, Drug Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Suicide, LGBT Discrimination, HIV/AIDS, Incarceration, Bullying, Girl Fighting, Teen Dating, and Domestic Violence. “I realized that everyone who works in education is often looking for ways to connect with youth in an innovative way. I decided to create a site that has video, articles, and information that will make their work easier,” said Shiraz. The most popular topics are highlighted on the right hand of the site.

One key area on YasminShiraz.com is the Say It Aint So section which is a collection of articles that deal with various real life issues that occur throughout the US and the world. This section helps give educators ideas on how to engage youth on various topics. This section was recently updated with the article, “Explaining the DC Naval Shooter to Youth,” as well as the article “Former Disney Star Commits Suicide.” In addition to being solution oriented, this section keeps educators abreast on hot topics among youth.

Another key area on the site is the Better Habits section which is a collection of articles that provide personal testimonies, solutions and ideas for creating better ways to live, study, communicate, problem solve, etc. This section focuses on personal experiences that can bring about successful and positive change.

The redesign of YasminShiraz.com was based on Shiraz’s books and workshops, feedback from readers and engagement with educators throughout the world. The site will continue to be expanded to aid educators in their quest to reach this generation of young people.

About Yasmin Shiraz She is a best selling and award winning author of seven books, including Retaliation: A Novel which was a Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers by the American Library Association as well as the critically acclaimed, The Blueprint for My Girls. As an empowerment speaker and youth activist, she has spoken at over 100 colleges and universities as well as organizations such as Planned Parenthood, The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Girls Inc. to name a few. She is a trained sociologist having received her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from Hampton University and her Masters of Arts in Sociology from Morehead State University.

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By education I mean an all-round drawing out of the best in child and man – body, mind and spirit. Literacy is not the end of education nor even the beginning. It is only one of the means whereby man and woman can be educated. Literacy in itself is no education. I would therefore begin the child’s education by teaching it a useful handicraft and enabling it to produce from the moment it begins its training.

I hold that the highest development of the mind and the soul is possible under such a system of education. Only every handicraft has to be taught not merely mechanically as is done today but scientifically, i.e., the child should know the why and the wherefore of every process. I am not writing this without some confidence, because it has the backing of experience. This method is being adopted more or less completely wherever spinning is being taught to workers.

I have myself taught sandal-making and even spinning on these lines with good results. This method does not exclude a knowledge of history and geography. But I find that this is best taught by transmitting such general information by word of mouth. One imparts ten times as much in this manner as by reading and writing. The signs of the alphabet may be taught later when the pupil has learnt to distinguish wheat from chaff and when he has somewhat developed his or her tastes.

This is a revolutionary proposal, but it saves immense labour and enables a student to acquire in one year what he may take much longer to learn. This means all round economy. Of course, the pupil learns mathematics whilst he is learning his handicraft.

Given the right kind of teachers, our children will be taught the dignity of labour and learn to regard it as an integral part and means of their intellectual growth, and to realize that it is patriotic to pay for their training through their labour. The core of my suggestion is that handicrafts are to be taught, not merely for productive work, but for developing the intellect of the pupils.

Surely, if the State takes charge of the children between seven and fourteen, and trains their bodies and minds through productive labour, the public schools must be frauds and teachers idiots, if they cannot become self-supporting.

We have up to now concentrated on stuffing childrens minds with all kinds of information, without ever thinking of stimulating and developing them. Let us now cry a halt and concentrate on educating the child properly through manual work, not as a side activity, but as the prime means of intellectual training…

You have to train the boys in one occupation or another. Around this special occupation you will train up his mind, his body, his handwriting, his artistic sense, and so on. He will be a master of the craft he learns.

Literary training by itself adds not an inch to one’s moral height and that character building is independent of literary training. Let the students realize that learning without courage is like a waxen statuebeautiful to look at but bound to melt at the least touch of a hot substance.

Music should form part of the syllabus of primary education. I heartily endorse this proposition. The modulation of voice is as necessary as the training of the hand. Physical drill, handicrafts, drawing and music should go hand in hand in order to draw the best out of the boys and girls and create in them real interest in their tuition.

A wise parent allows the children to make mistakes. It is good for them once in a while to burn their fingers.

Gandhi had great clarity on education, as he had on several other areas. Are his ideas still relevant? Should we fundamentally rethink education and make it more appropriate to the context rural or urban? Do share your thoughts in this regard.