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Showing posts from August, 2012

Authentic Assessment

Last few years have seen new methods of assessment and evaluation being introduced by Central Board of Secondary Education as per the objective of National Curriculum Framework 2005. This includes the implementation of CCE and now open book system in class X examination (summative II). Over the last two to three years the focus has shifted from teaching learning process to examination and evaluation process. When we try to analyze the reason behind the apparent sudden anxiety of the authorities towards the examination pattern which has been followed by the country in the last fifty -sixty years, we realize that is not something which has come all of a sudden but there have been talks and discussions in seminar and conferences that the country needs better ways of assessment and evaluation of the learning of the children.   The educationists were concerned about the changes to be brought in our education system so that schooling particularly does not remain a stressful exercise for

Developing high order thinking skils

The last few years have seen the growing interests of Indian psychologists and educationists to understand the learning process and the level of the Indian students in schools. About six years back a study conducted by one research organization found that most of the students did not have the age appropriate knowledge and that they were not able to answer questions which were put to them differently.   The schools selected were considered to be the top schools of the country. The children who were selected for this study were also the ones who had got good grades in their school examinations. Then what is the reason that they were not able to respond to the questions put by an external agency in a different way. Was it the fault of examination or the learning process of the children? This is what I have been stating in all my previous write ups, on the topic of reforms in school education, which are too much inclined towards examination. The most important thing which is to be chan

On open book examination

It is to start on a happy note that one of the premier educational bodies, Central Board of Secondary Education is planning to bring another revolutionary change in the education system of the country. The news regarding implementation of open book system in class X and class XII board examination seems to be very exciting to all of us. This system is followed in some of the western countries and also individual school boards and universities in some countries. This gives an access to the books when the students are writing their examination.    But what CBSE proposes to do is to let students know the topics and the pattern of the question papers well in advance so that they can thoroughly learn the topics.    The difference in the question paper is proposed to be in terms of the quality of the questions. CBSE thinks and many of us agree, that today’s question papers and the examination system promote rote learning and not the real creative learning by the children. This seems to be