Training of KRPs in Activity Based Teaching in Science and Technology at Elementary Level for Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir States

Abstract

Science teaching should generate thinking. This becomes meaningful when learners get an opportunity to observe some activities being performed by their teachers before their own eyes in their classrooms. Science teaching has been different from teaching of other disciplines since activities/demonstrations are the essentials of science teaching. It becomes more pertinent when one talks of the organic linkage between Science and Technology. This has been reflected in the textbooks of science and technology developed by NCERT where we come across a large number of activities in each chapter. Besides teaching learning process can be made effective by involving students in formulating and verifying hypothesis and solving problems rather than allowing them to sit passively in the class rooms and listening to explanations. The passive mode of interactions has to be replaced by methods involving active learning in order to achieve the desired goals of education. The National Policy of education (1986) and NCF (2000) have also laid considerable emphasis on participation of students in the teaching-learning process. It is an accepted fact that activity based learning, literally meaning learning by doing, enables students gain firsthand knowledge and better comprehension of the subject. The states governments of Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir expressed desire for training of KRPs of their states. Hence, this programme entitled “Training of KRPs in activity based Teaching in Science & Technology at elementary level for Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir States” was taken up with the objectives of training of KRPs of DIETs in activity based teaching in Science & Technology at elementary level. The resource material developed by faculty members of DESM of the Institute associated with the programme on ten topics of Science & Technology textbooks from class VI-VIII, besides topics like activity based teaching of environmental education and applications of multimedia & computers in teaching Science & Technology has been used during this training programme. An effort has been made by the faculty members to develop some material in the light of their needs.