Teacher Creates Learning Revolution

Teacher Creates Learning Revolution

Students find social science no longer a boring subject

B. Rapiya, a Standard VIII student, remained within the four walls of her home after school hours, courtesy her parents` discouragement. Today, however, she enjoys the freedom to go out. And, having gone out, she remarks: “The world is as good as a book”. At her classmate G. Thenmozhi`s house, the elders were unaware of taxes they had to pay. After Thenmozhi learnt about taxes, she encouraged her parents to pay tax, and they now pay.

V. Thiyaneswaran`s parents did not buy a newspaper. Today a Tamil newspaper graces his doorstep, thanks to his interest in news. Likewise, V. Satishkumar is well informed about the man-made islands off Dubai’s shores and so is his classmate R. Laitha about Indian Parliament.

These students did not gather the information from their textbooks, though; they went beyond it – something they never did. These are examples of transformation 45 students of the class underwent. And the person behind this is A. Vasugi, a teacher of Bhavani Panchayat Union Middle School, Salangapalayam.

All that Ms. Vasugi did was asking the students to collate information and pictures related to topics in their social studies textbook. “Months after I began teaching social science I noticed that the students evinced little interest; they found it boring and drab and hardly paid any attention. I wanted to change that and thought the best way to kindle their interest would be by asking them to collect information.” She would give a topic and a week’s time for students to work on. The deeper the information, the students’ mark would be higher. The teacher of 17 years says this had a ‘tremendous impact’ on them.

“Students who did not read newspapers read. And, in search of information they went to libraries, hair dressing units, tea shops and almost every where within their reach”. And, this had a telling effect.

Rapiya has not only stepped out of her home but also out of shyness. “Now I communicate better”, she says. Her classmate P. Bagavathiyammal has earned friends, thanks to her newspaper search.

In recognition of her effort, Ms. Vasugi recently won the Innovative Teacher Award, set up by Sri Ratan Tata Trust at the IIM-A. She has also received the Kamarajar Nallinakka Virudhu.

Teacher Creates Learning Revolution