The new scenario in education system in last two years due to Corona distancing requirements and stress on online training has forced us to rethink, how we should not only transfer knowledge but create knowledge by innovation and self motivated research.
The present education system relies on knowledge transfer. Exercises, projects, tests and examinations are used for evaluating the learning. Students in schools and colleges spend considerable time in solving problems,searching, writing reports. Generally, the teachers and professors are reluctant to develop new problems and project ideas as they have to exert themselves for model solutions.
As a result, it is observed that in majority of cases same problems from text books with minor changes in numerical values or similar projects with slight change in scope are used to assess students. As the success in examination is considered as the only criteria for grading students, education has become examination oriented. High predictability of problems have narrowed the scope of knowledge and has given rise to development of guides and ready reconers which defeat the very purpose of education where student is expected to exert, search and struggle to solve the problem or apply the knowledge for developing project.
Can't we frame the curriculum and evaluation procedures which will ensure necessity of individual efforts of students in developing new problems, exploring new ideas, searching and data compilation of already solved problems so that they are excluded from tests. In USA, I found that in even in primary schools each student is asked to collect information independently on different topic and come up with presentation. As the topic for each student is different, copying is prohibited and variety of information database is created during regular learning process.
In India, there are millions of students, thousands of teachers who can develop a large knowledge database, can do various jobs like writing, translation, experiments, projects if planned properly and stipulated in curriculam and text books.
Though it is difficult to impliment it on large scale or eliminate central written examination system unless effective alternative can be devised, some ideas can be tried to improve the situation. This will help harnessing huge human resource potential of students in building knowledge base.
1. Exercises can be given not to solve the examples but to build new examples by one group and their solution by other group, changing the roles in next phase. The syllabus scope should include new references, extensions and this should be split and distributed to all students in class with task of creating comprehensive and well structured content. Presentation, discussions, modifications with group discussion should follow. Compilation with suggestions for test points should be the outcome of each course. This should be the basis for next course. Thus the syllabus would automatically be upgraded regularly after each execution.
2. Translation or rewriting of books and manuals can be easily accomplished by assigning small assignments ( one page or subtopic) to students / student groups. The teachers can act as guide and moderator and such works can be published by educational institutes. This will increase status of institutes and help in building good reference materials and enhancement of library resources. In some cases, even commercial publications of essays, stories, technology, know-how manuals can be produced by educational institutes.
3. Students can be involved in teaching process and building teaching resources with financial returns. This method is used post graduate studies, but I do not find any difficulty in extending it downwards even to school level. Students should be encouraged to take part in public awareness and adult education programs.
4. Taking advantage of internet revolution, educational institutes can enter virtual education field in a big way. This will open up new opportunities for outside students and aspirant non-students to get quality education and avenue of financial support for educational institutes.
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