NPSC workshop on Creating a Question Bank of Value-based Questions for Classroom Teaching.

Ms. Tania Joshi, Vice Principal, faculty members, Dr. Anu Singh and Ms. Pooja Bahl attended the NPSC workshop on Creating a Question Bank for Classroom Teaching of Value Based Questions for classes 11 and 12 on 1 October, 2012 at Springdales School, Pusa Road. The workshop was eagerly awaited since the CBSE announced a 5% weightage to value- based questions w.e.f. academic session 2012-13.

The key speakers on the occasion were Mr. Vineet Joshi, Chairman CBSE, Ms. Ameeta Wattal,, Principal Springdales and Vice- Chairperson NPSC and Mr L V Sehgal, Principal, Bal Bharti School, Chairman NPSC. Values are an inherent part of any learning process and lie at the core of any curriculum was the consensus and so, essential to communicate not only contextual content but also the values inherent in the course content.The speakers emphasised the appropriate framing of questions so as, to highlight the positive values and not in any way propagate bias, prejudice, or animosity towards any community, class or section of society. The value-based questions may, either be interwoven with the contextual question or asked separately as independent questions was the direction given. A brief outline of specific educational values pertaining to different stages were also presented to the participants. An illustration is provided below: TOPIC BRIEF OUTLINE EXPLICIT VALUE FOCUS  

Stage: Nursery- Class II

Being polite

Good manners and conduct

Respect for others Stage: Class III- Class V

You, Me and Us

My world Friendship Festivals

Celebrating diversity

Celebrating the nation Stage: Class VI-VIII

Building friendships

Gender inclusion Team work skills Collaboration Conflict resolution Stage: IX-XII From Me to We Study a recent social challenge and offer constructive solutions Self-discipline Society: law and order The latter part of the workshop was spent on brainstorming by the august academics present. The teachers sat departmentwise and prepared value-based questions from the various chapters of their respective subjects. The teachers worked on their laptops to quickly develop case- studies for the same. A CD of the question bank so developed by the various departments would be soon circulated amongmember schools. One such illustration of a case study discussed for Business Studies for Class 12 at the workshop is as below. Swati Ltd., a well known real estate company has managed to carve a niche for itself in the industry. Recently it was revealed that directors have used price rigging and have utilized price sensitive information for their own personal interest. Adequate public disclosures have also not been made SEBI is considering an action against these directors. Contextual question Ques State any two regulatory functions of SEBI. (2 marks) Value- based question Ques Identify the values overlooked by the company here. ( 2 marks) Ans. (to the value based question) Values overlooked in the above case are as follows:- (1/2x4=2) 1. Transparency 2. Trust 3. Equity/fair trade practices 4. Adherence to laws/statutory regulations As reported by Ms. Pooja Bahl, senior Commerce teacher.