MY
REFLECTIONS
Eleven students and I were assigned St.
Thomas HS, Karthikapally, for the Initiatory School Experience (ISE) from January
20th to 23rd 2014. ISE is a modified version of the School
Visit Program of previous curriculum and it aims to provide student teachers an
opportunity to have primary experiences with the functioning of the school.
Though general instructions are given in the curriculum document, essential
planning and customization at the college level is to be done. This aspect was
not properly addressed by the college. Teacher educators provided a few practicum
activities in addition to the one given in the curriculum document. At the
college level, there was no attempt to integrate various activities provided by
teacher educators. Therefore much planning was conducted at the school after the
team arrived at the school.
The program went
smooth as planned by the group. The group could undertake all the stipulated
activities. The school authorities cooperated excellently with the team and
extended all the help to complete various activities. Teachers gracefully
permitted student teachers observe their classes. The headmistress arranged
required number of classes for each student teacher to engage lessons. Student teachers
collected data regarding learning facilities and physical facilities available
in the school.
The group couldn't effectively undertake
activities related to the study of the social and familial background of school
students. I think there are two reasons for this lapse. One is the absence of
proper planning and the other is the general negligence of role familial and
social background of students in their learning. A focused attention of this
aspect during the planning session will help mitigate this lapse.
A few suggestions for better implementation
of ISE are given below
1. Fixing
the school and finalizing the students’ list much in advance will help student teachers
prepare for the ISE in a planned manner.
2. A
thorough planning at the teacher educators’ level and customization and
integration of activities must be undertaken.
3. Distribute
an instruction sheet to each student teacher containing various activities
proposed by teacher educators. Core subject teachers may provide practicum
works and help plan other general activities and optional teachers may help
student teachers plan class observation and class engagement.
4. A
half day visit to the assigned school and meeting the Head teacher and the
subject teachers a week ahead of the program will help student teachers plan
the activity better.
5. Distribution
of attendance sheet to teacher educators help note down absentees and report
the same to the college office.( There are stray cases of absenteeism during ISE)
6. How
to prepare observation notes and class engagement notes must be discussed with
student teachers. A few models may be introduced.
7. Out
of school hours or Saturdays may also be included for the effective study of
familial and social environment of school students.
8. A
workshop mode embedding constructivist approach will enhance the effectiveness of
the program.
Your
comments are earnestly solicited. 23/01/2014
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