Pretty Exciting

By the end of this week, I have seen lots of ongoing academic discussion and debate among my scholarly classmates, and they are really resourceful. I wish I could carry all the task and activities with the similar critical and creative acumen. Sonia, Pam, sitaram, J. Carlos are always good at their academic temperament; Vinay always excels technologically and what more everybody seems agile to answer every task on time. Reading task, project work, Blogs and preparations for my regular classes from various levels ; my sister before looking her medical prescription this week complained that I was going on a very hectic schedule, albeit my inner conscience says I am enjoying and learning many noble and innovative ideas whether it be new project or new technologies. 

This week has been really a fruitful one; the concept of Project based Learning (PBL), webquest and creating rubrics are feasible enough to apply in my classes. The concept of project based learning is a liberating one; on the one hand it seems to motivate students, on the other it will ignite the participatory skills of students. If carried well, students will develop the ideas on problem- solution skill, carry out group activities in an effective way and will be habitual to settle real- world problems. Similarly, WebQuest will assist to meet the objectives of PBL. It not only contains the resource and the task to be completed but also categorically mentions the assessment standard in terms of rubrics.

Project task, for me, has been an interesting question, in the sense, that we have already started some changes in our classes. I have already started giving assignments through email; and though it has some problems, it has been much effective. Next, this week I am planning about starting blogs. I had already discussed about the pros and cons of the blogs to the students. One potential problem all students shared and I too think it as a challenge is 12 hours power cut off in my country. Still, students had assured me that they will cooperate and try to carry on the task honestly. In next phase I will be sharing and encouraging students to commence a discussion board like nicenet or blackboard.  I guess, the classes will be pretty exciting and interesting in the days to come.