A New Me With #DefinitelyPTE...

‘When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable.’ 

Clifton Fadiman hit the nail on the head with this quote of his, and I am not sure whether he the same perspective in mind that I do but this statement fits like a puzzle piece in the jigsaw of the higher education or professional pursuance scenario.

Come to think of it, settlement in foreign lands is certainly not a piece of cake, more so in the nascent stage, even if one sets foot on non-native land by virtue of learning or career.

Migration is not an alien concept to mankind, given the fact that our lifestyle today stems from a nomadic beginning that delved gradually into long-term settlement ever since the stone age.

The scenario hasn't changed much, even today, since the reasons for such an exodus are largely attributed to individual want for an enhanced standard of living coupled with the unsaid yet prominent manifestation of an enriched culture.

 ~~~ 

While overseas education is very much the 'in-thing', it is the 'behind-the-scenes' action that an individual's peers often overlook as spectators. The move is often viewed as an element of pride to be boasted about in circles more often than not, by one's immediate relatives. However, it is the preparation for the switch that is sapping on more fronts than one for a person who firmly decides to 'just do it'.

A similar fate unfolds for an individual who attempts to sap foreign lands for liquid gains on the professional front, be it a short-term or long-term avenue.

It is a commendable decision nonetheless, to let go of the homeland, even if for a few years at a stretch for the aforesaid forks in the road.

 ~~~ 

More often than not, it is a steadfast positive attitude that makes the journey smooth-sailing. Being capable of adjusting to peculiar situations not only provides strength to the character but also enhances the world-view perspective. 

After all, life begins where the comfort zone ends and exploration of the self begins when one is subjected to unfamiliar terrains, is it not? 

Given the fact that self-reliance leads to self-realization in such a scenario, it comes as no surprise that distance makes the heart grow fonder. 

 ~~~ 

While zeroing in on the subject of specialization and the institute of interest is itself an insurmountable task, accustoming oneself to the variation in student culture (and otherwise also)

is also no child's play. 

On the other hand, most of the application processes are also intellectually taxing in terms of drafting a Statement of Purpose and ensuring that all relevant documents are in place for the most part. 

To add to these is the woe of ascertaining a dependable source to finance one's scholarly sojourn. 

As if these weren't hurdles aplenty, the elephant in the room - passport validities and associated visa applications - are yet to arrive. 

To top it all, deducing the nitty-gritty of student accommodation in a foreign land is no mean feat if that were to be a consolation at all! After all, you can't call it a day within the four walls of a classroom, can you? 

 ~~~ 

Unless you've devised your way of coping with the absence of home-field advantage (read homesickness), keeping a diary entry provides a seasoned way to preserve memoirs of that half-a-decade adventure, as well as facilitating a means to cope with sudden emotional outbursts. 

On the other hand, the culture shock can be coped with to a certain extent, thanks to the thriving presence of social media, is it not? After all, being prepared is key. 

While we feel that we are going to find a pot of gold at the end of each rainbow, the reality presents a stark contrast as patience would be of utmost importance to balance most, if not all aspects. 

After all, devising a fresh routine in accordance with a brand new time zone can take a few practice sessions. :)

 ~~~ 

However, the most effective means to bridge the gap on all fronts in life is, you guessed it, communication. As much as we may resent it, English is a foreign language for us, Indians. As a result, it is the most critical avenue to master before stepping out in the sun. For, if you're not careful enough, you'll be burnt to a crisp for sure. 

While TOEFL and IELTS take precedence as the most prevalent and popular English Language Tests across the globe, the folks at Pearson India have attempted to ease the hassle to a certain extent by professing #DefinitelyPTE - a smart alternative for students and professionals alike - to manifest their proficiency in the English language on a global platform.

In accordance with the norm for competitive exams in the nation, PTE Academic (short for Pearson Test of English Academic) is a single, three-hour, computer-based test that assesses candidates on the four pillars of the language - namely -  Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening - in three parts with twenty question types, coupled with an optional scheduled break of ten minutes. 

Backed by data forensics of the likes of palm vein scanning, coupled zero bias towards the background of test takers, and an accurate and consistent test score curve, it is #DefinitelyPTE all the way as PTE Academic emerges as an English Language Test of choice for aspirants. 

With a wide recognition sphere across the globe as far acceptance for study applications by institutions worldwide is concerned, Pearson India scores on this front as an increasingly viable option. Be it Asia, Europe, America, or Australia, #DefinitelyPTE is gaining greater acceptance by the minute. 

In order to aid familiarization towards the test pattern, Pearson India has also made available a means for the best immediate study material for the same. With a variety of preparation packages at their disposal, students have one less reason to fret over. :)

While the scored practice tests are a direct indication of an aspirant's readiness for the test, thus enabling them to decide when to take the giant leap towards their dream course or job, the means to registering for the test is also as seamless as the experience of the test itself, with registration rendered open for up to 24 hours in advance either over phone or the world wide web. Moreover, tests are held for over 360 days a year, up to five days a week, with multiple time slots daily. 

Assessed on a granular scale of 10-90, providing a detailed breakdown of performance based on skills, the scorecard presents an accurate assessment of a test taker’s proficiency. What's more, results would be made available typically within five business days via the score report module. Students can further submit their scores (valid for a period of two years) to an unlimited number of varsities. 

While there is no dearth whatsoever of test centers over the globe with over fifty countries in the offing, a few prominent and prestigious institutes that accept scores awarded by PTE Academic are Stanford University, Imperial College London, University of Canberra Australia, University of Illinois Chicago, Tokyo International University Japan, and Harvard University. 

 ~~~ 

On the whole, it is of the essence to remember and constantly remind oneself that the power of the purpose must be greater than the pain we experience along the journey. For it is a mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions. :)

P.S. All embedded visuals have been credited to Pearson PTE. 

Learning Avenues With MarkSharks...

I recently came across MarkSharks, an App that is bringing about a complete transformation in learning and teaching. According to me, it brings a complete paradigm shift in the phenomenon, as Marksharks believes that learning will never be the same again. 

MarkSharks is creating a complete system that aims to teach secondary school students. To start with, it is focusing on Maths and Science. The innovative approach is to combine phenomenal pedagogy with the power of mobility. Students can learn on-the-go thus preventing waste of time. In addition, it creates a meaningful engagement and enables ‘learning by doing’. 

Although there have been many significant innovative advancements in Education Technology (EdTech), there is no remarkable change in the process of teaching worldwide. In fact, it is the same for decades. The main drawback of our existing education system is that it is mostly unidirectional. Whatever mode a teacher adopts, it is usually passive learning. 

The various modes are chalkboard, whiteboard, smart board, audio-visual broadcast on internet or offline. But it lacks interaction and seems to be ‘watch’ and ‘listen’. That is why I call it Passive Learning. It is like watching TV which is a purely one-sided affair. 

MarkSharks is a result of disruptive technology to end this unidirectional mode of teaching and learning. In fact, the younger generation belongs to the digital age. Thus they need to learn in a

different manner. 

Now there is a learning app evolving fast to help them. Students can use mobile devices to create there own knowledge mechanism. MarkSharks helps them in learning classroom concepts in a real immersive, multi-sensory, interactive, and meaningful way. And all this happens in a very interesting manner. So it is more learning with fun. They have games, simulations, interactive exercises, and virtual experiments. In fact, it is visually more enriching and is an interactive experience. And that too in a student's own style, as per their own convenience. That is what I call as Active Learning. 

If we look at the current learning and teaching mechanism, it is quite raw and mechanical in nature. Students easily get bored and dissatisfied. There is no fun. 

Students are of the general opinion - “I have to memorize everything that makes studying painful.” On the other hand the statement of a parent is, “How can I get my child to WANT to learn? I spend so much of my time and energy forcing her to study because I know that education is the only way to secure a bright future.” 

And, in general, an educator has an altogether different predicament to share - “Marks are important and my time in class is limited. So I just cannot devote the time and energy I need to individual students’ learning requirements. I KNOW there are students who are getting left behind”. 

MarkSharks, on the other hand, imparts a unique experience of learning that enhances a student's interest and speed. It provides a one-on-one experience thus introducing a personalized environment. This happens because a learner is using their own mobile device with a freedom of anywhere, anytime. It provides 100% hands-on and learner-driven self-paced learning experience that is quite enriching. There is CBSE Maths & Science curriculum for classes 6 to 12. The app is easy to install and modules are available for Class 8 and 9 on Google Play Store. I was able to download and install it quite easily. It was a hassle-free experience. 

There are features like voice-over and text in English which helps to grasp the concept intuitively. Since the content is modular, it enables easy adaption into various languages and curricula. Learn, Analyze, and Connect is the lifeline of MarkSharks. Learning is a fun because there are interactive games and interactive exercises. In addition, a learner can easily analyze performance in real-time. In fact, parents and teachers also have access to the same information. Connecting with friends in a constructive manner is another remarkable feature of this app. There is a feature - ‘Social Learning Network’ - where a learner can share notes with friends, request help from online tutors, and network with others on MarkSharks. 

You can download MarkSharks Class 8 & 9 Science CBSE content for Android devices on the Google Play store here. Also, you can watch videos of MarkSharks content being used here. 

I tried a few of their modules, those were available on Play Store. All the modules begin with this screen: 

Also, one can read the MarSharks story via the module by tapping on 'Our Story': 

Sliding Friction 

Phases of Moon 

Seismograph 

Lateral Inversion 

Air Pollution

All of them ran smoothly and an intermediate pace, neither too rushed, nor too slow. However, in the Lateral Inversion module, it got stuck at the following screen, for some reason. 

Other than that, it was a nice experience exploring MarkSharks, both as a learner and an educator. :)

Of Self-Confidence And Such...

I am sure if I had not been blessed to have her as my mother, probably I would never have learned the real meanings of words like self-respect, self-esteem, self-reliance, and self-pride. The real meaning of each of the words mentioned above was very important to understand. She helped me by explaining their importance in life. I also learned from her how each of these characteristics is to be built within, sustained, groomed and utilized at appropriate times.

I remember the first instance when she felt the need of these qualities to be imbibed in me when I was in fourth grade at school. It was a minor argument that I had had with my teacher, Mrs. Talpade, in the school, which the teacher took to her heart and decided to torture me against this altercation. Few days back she had given some 'Colour The Following Objects' sheets to be done as an assignment, which I could not do as I was not feeling well that day as soon as I reached home. I told Mrs. Talpade the reality and asked her permission to do it in the class so that I could also submit it to her. Mrs. Talpade never acknowledged my reason for being unwell and kept arguing that I was not telling her the truth. She felt that I did not do the coloring at home the previous day as I had decided intentionally, not to do it. I kept telling Mrs. Talpade that the argument she was giving was wrong and the only reason for not doing it was the illness. For not acknowledging her opinion, she got angry and made me stand outside the classroom for the rest of the period.

My heart was not able to accept this punishment for no fault of mine. I seriously thought that an action like punishment should take an independent party’s opinion before its execution. For example,
in this case, the argument should have been judged by the Principal of my school to ascertain whether the punishment given by my teacher was right or wrong. That day, upon reaching home, I narrated to my mother the whole incidence. She felt very happy to know my opinion on the concept of punishment. She praised me a lot for the clarity in my thoughts and ideas. She gave me a task. I was to convey the same message to my Principal. There were two ways of doing it. Either she could have accompanied me, the next day to school to meet my Principal, told her the complete story and requested her to counsel Mrs. Talpade so that the same incident did not happen again with any other child or she could have encouraged me to go to the Principal and narrate the entire incident.

She opted for the latter, and the lack of courage in me was reduced to a big fat zero, by her relevant encouraging stories. It really helped me a lot - in going to my Principal in a confident manner and taking her opinion on the same incident. I asked her permission to meet, in the morning for an appropriate time, met her at that time, and told her the complete story very clearly. Mrs. Talpade was immediately called to the Principal's room, warned not to repeat such acts in the school and after she left, I got praised by my Principal.

~~~

This post has been written as a part of Indi Happy Hours' #MyFamilyMyPride in association with HDFC Life and IndiBlogger.

PADE --- Tools --- Day 12

      TOOLS --- Everyone's necessity --- Even the prehistoric men needed them and hence invented them. 

       This is one of the first ever used tools by Prehistoric Men. This is from a unique, valuable collection of mine --- gifted to me by my professor during my M.Sc in Anthropology.

"When your only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail."

The Tools used by my husband during small breakdown emergencies at home --- be it electrical gadgets or plumbing etc.

"A wise man without a book is like a workman with no tools."

These are the Tools my daughter uses just like all students --- stationery items --- her favorite Parker pen signed by Big B himself, multicolored long pencils from Korea, crayons, fevicol, scissors, stapler, notepad and what not...

"The tool makes the hand proud."

Mine and Every Lady's Kitchen Tools

Her gas stove, lighter, rolling stone and pin, toaster, food processor, veg cutter, microwave oven and all cutlery, strainers, knives, peelers etc.

"A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools."

Tools used by our life - savers i.e. physicians and surgeons...

So, you see my point is proved

Everyone needs their specific Tools

Tool Oh Tool!

You are so cool!

Without A Tool

A Wise Man Is No Better Than A Fool!

~~~

This post is my entry for PADE - Day 12 - Tools by Sfurti JuztaMom and Ritu KT's ToRaveAbout.

All entries for PADE Day 12 can be found here and here.

Making CCE A Successful Venture

Evaluation in CCE pattern of education can be successful if teachers, students and board work hand in hand. Students should take interest in developing the material with their creativity and not just for the sake of completing the work to get the grades. Teachers should guide the students properly to fulfill their ambition. Board must give due weightage to the efforts of both the teachers and the students.

The Board is washing its hands by saying that they are observing the material from the schools but that is senseless too. Trust should be on the teacher that he/ she knows better to develop various skills of the child which differs from child to child. Prescribed co-scholastic indicators are too theoretic to be true for all the children from all the sections of the society. How can we judge all the children with the same perspective? Teacher is bound to mechanically provide them grades arbitrarily even if the traits are not fair enough for his/ her group of children.

In today's scenario actually children have started idling their time and teacher has to do the work like a clerk that is keep on collecting files and keep the record of the data all the time which takes a lot of time at his/ her teaching part. If the practical learning is the motive, then Gurukul system is to be followed to the extent that the teacher doesn't need boundary specific parameters to be followed for his/ her children.

Similarly the new changes proposes at the university level seems to be a bit raw. There is a lot of gap in thinking of students, lecturers and administration. I just hope that the governing body has done a lot of home work and study on all the reforms they want to bring so that it does not mar the future of the younger generation.