Dr. Pankaj Jain. A true polymath, Dr. Jain has traversed
the realms of molecular biophysics, neuroscience, and education. With a PhD from the prestigious Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and postdoctoral research in neuroscience, he has also made significant contributions to curriculum development and education policy.
As a member of the National Focus Group on Holistic, Joyful, and Engaging Curriculum and Pedagogy, Dr. Jain has helped shape the future of education in India. He has also co-authored the recently released grade 6 textbook and mentors gifted children through the PRODIGY program. But that's not all! Dr. Jain has taken his passion for education to the next level by co?founding Seed2Sapling Education, a start up dedicated to nurturing the innate potential of children through inquiry-driven learning.
1) Content of the Workshop / Objectives :
The primary objective of the "Seed to Sapling" math workshop was to discover and explore various mathematical concepts and teaching strategies that can be applied across different grade levels, from elementary to high school. The workshop aimed to enhance teachers' understanding of math and provide them with innovative tools and techniques to foster a love for mathematics among students.
2) Learning outcomes (Knowledge and Information) from the workshop / Seminar ? - Exposure to innovative methods for making Mathematics interesting and easy for the students so that they can learn it in a play way manner.
- Sharing interesting experiences and stories from day to day life to make the topic relevant and interesting.
- Setting up of clear goals for expected learning outcomes.
- Pedagogical process should be, age appropriate inclusive and time bound.
- Introduction to Mathematical Thinking: Understanding the importance of mathematical thinking.
- Encouraging students to develop problem-solving skills.
- Innovative Teaching Strategies: Incorporating technology in the classroom.
- Using manipulatives and visual aids to explain abstract concepts.
- Collaborative learning techniques.
- Integrating real-world applications into the curriculum.
- To discover math using play way method.
- Supporting students with different learning styles and needs.
3) Which topics or aspects of the workshop / Seminar were found to be most interesting or useful and can be applied to the classroom teaching ? - The whole workshop was enriching and interesting. Open discussion amongst the Mathematics teachers from various branches of the school was very fruitful and resulted in discussion about the day to day problems faced by the teachers in classrooms.
- Activities of Number system were interesting which can be inculcated in classroom teaching.
- Activities and Exercises :
Hands-on Activities : Participants engaged in various hands-on activities designed to demonstrate effective teaching methods. Group Discussions : Teachers shared their experiences and discussed challenges and solutions in teaching math. Interactive Sessions : Use of interactive tools and software to enhance math teaching and learning. 4) Implementation strategy :-
- By incorporating learning strategies into content coursework.
- Challenging students in a positive way
- Practice practical classroom strategies and explore classroom issues that impede student success and learn how to deal with them. 5) Comments and suggestions ( How do you think the workshop / Seminar could have been made more effective ?
The workshop provided clarity about learning / teaching / assessment. Participants provided positive feedback about the workshop, highlighting the following:
- Increased confidence in teaching math.
- Valuable insights into innovative teaching methods.
- Practical strategies that can be implemented in their classrooms.
Personal Reflections and Key Takeaways:
The "Seed to Sapling" workshop was a highly enriching experience, providing math teachers with the opportunity to expand their knowledge and improve their teaching practices.
Key takeaways included the importance of making math relatable and engaging for students, the value of continuous professional development, and the benefits of sharing ideas and collaborating with fellow educators.