VS: The carrot-and-stick approach is the least effective. It works for a very short span of time.
Punishing and rewarding may lead to an escalation of the importance the child places on possessions, in general, a defining characteristic of materialism.
What works in engaging students are attention, communication, encouragement, and creating an atmosphere of comfort and fun.
WEL: Give us methods that you use to transform monotonous lessons into dynamic and fun-filled discussions.
VS: For primary students, it is always good to break the learning into 10-15 minutes of core teaching and then 1-2 minutes of some physical activity to release their energy. Once that is done, teachers can go back to the lesson.
Having contests and quizzes in groups, connecting learning to outdoors or learning to home and family, telling stories, having activity corners in class where a child can quietly move to after they finish their work are all great ways to liven up a class.
For senior students, any one-minute activity – whether physical or involving critical thinking — will help. Also, asking creative and provoking questions in tandem with the lesson is a good idea. They can be related to current affairs, even totally abstract.
WEL: How does a student’s engagement with a school change as they get older?
VS: The engagement does not decrease, instead, the needs and demands of the student increase. As they get older, their needs move from majorly academic and activity-related to more emotional and mental needs. The children, as they grow, start seeing the adult not just as the teacher they had been idolizing and loving all along but as an adult who is in a position to be an example, to lead the way. They see them as their emotional and social counselor. The teachers are trained professionally to be able to take care of all these growth-related issues.
Schools need to take care of these aspects while training and preparing teachers for present-day students and teaching–learning.
Teaching has always been above and beyond the call of duty!
WEL: Tell us about your other passions that keep you going as an educator?
VS: The hugs and smiles that I get every day from all my students keep me going! I reach my school before the students arrive and every day, I welcome them at the main entrance. It really connects me with all staff and students as well as brightens my day.
