You are using an outdated browser. For a faster, safer browsing experience, upgrade for free today.

Dr. Rajan Welukar, is an eminent academician, former vice-chancellor of the University of Mumbai, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University and G H Raisoni University. He Compiled and edited, Gandhi@150 which explores the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas in today’s world and the impact of his philosophy across a wide spectrum of areas such as religion, economics, science, education, the arts and health and development.

Rajan Welukar
Topic

Teachers - Pedagogy for 21st century India

Day1

I’m odd man out as I’m not a literary man. I’m more interested in statistics. I can explain all this occasion in terms of numbers. I think the literature is imitation of human action. We can restructure human lives with literature while conveying certain messages. Here, we have provided an open dais for reflection of literature. The objective of this literature fest is to celebrate written words, promote Nagpur as a cultural center. We will get chance to meet literary giants.

We follow policy of inclusion to integrate and educate about the literature of world. Here on dais we have Babasaheb Purandare who embellished Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s character, unparalleled. Nitish Bhardvaj’s portrayal of Krishna won heart of millions of Indian. Senior journalist Prabhu Chavla ji also graced this occasion. I, though, haven’t wrote books but I have complied 3 books of which one “Gandhi @ 150” will be inaugurated here by dignitaries.

Day2

Today, education is witnessing unprecedented scrutiny from all segments of society. Education in India has witnessed a paradigm shift in recent times. There was once a time when the guru, his knowledge and experience were considered infallible and total. Today, education is witnessing unprecedented scrutiny from all segments of society. The world is changing at a previously inconceivable pace. We must now understand that we are preparing our children for the unknown, unseen and unpredictable. This is not easy to digest. Therefore, 21st century school education needs to be capable of teaching students how to deal with unpredictability and change.The goal of modern education is to focus on ensuring that children would be problem solvers, decision makers, and enablers. Students need to leave school with life skills that help them navigate challenges even if they don't know the solutions to them. Most importantly they need to be comfortable to work with people around them who have different backgrounds and life experiences collaboratively.

Education, broadly speaking, is not just teaching the prescribed syllabus but opening the mind to multiple possibilities, imbibing life skills and preparation for being entrepreneurial, in every walk of life. Entrepreneurship in the classical sense has been focused on venture creation, but venture management and scaling is also a part of the definition, per say, now.The future is individual learning, customized consumption and smaller learning spaces where students can learn in a fluid environment and can learn from each other - peer learning. The teacher-student relationship will face a dynamic change, when flipped classrooms become a norm rather than an exception in schools. The ideas will be beyond the textbook and more aligned to the application of knowledge rather than assessment of retention. Flexible learning paths focus on imparting life skills, student centric learning methods and use of technology are bringing in the concept of "Education 4.0". Modern teaching methodology is focused on thinking and analytical skills. The transferable abstract thinking skills and reflective observation in students helps in developing future careers. The process involves the use of project making, field trips, and facing challenges in a controlled environment. It is the bedrock of future success as it bridges the gap between learning and doing. The discrepancy between theory and practice is overcome. The learning curve is enhanced, and the methodology is instrumental in producing demonstrable mindset and behavioral changes. The ability to adapt to uncertainty, new job roles and responsibilities, schedules and material will form the core of modern education. A smart and dynamic curriculum is the best investment a school can make to prepare students for tomorrow's knowledge economy.