Proposed changes for Project Work in Business Studies, class 12 alongwith Value- Based Questions were the key agenda at a one-day workshop conducted by Dr. S. K. Bhatia at Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj on March 22, 2013. Senior teacher of Commerce, Ms. Pooja Bahl attended the workshop from our School.
Dr S.K. Bhatia, mentor of hundreds of educators at Central Institute of Education, Delhi University is also an academic advisor for many schools and teacher training institutes. He has authored several books for learners ranging from class XI XII to M.Ed.
Excerpts from the workshop.Dr Bhatia emphasised on the need for in- depth project work as a methodology of teaching before undertaking any project- related activity.
John Dewey ( 1859-1952) also known as father of Pragmatism School of Educational Thought, we were informed, introduced the concept of Learning by Doing in his lifetime. William Heard Kilpatrick (1871-1965) was a pupil, colleague and the successor of Dewey. He coined the term Project Method for the first time. According to him, " Project Work is a wholehearted, purposeful activity proceeding in a social environment
Experiential learning involves learning- by- doing and can be understood we were told. However, the teachers role as a facilitator and guide cannot be undermined. The teacher must present statements of projects to the students and give them the freedom to choose the topic of project themselves. The teachers assistance may be sought by students while developing project tools such as questionnaires, checklists, rating scales, interview schedules, etc. The presentation of project reports is as important as the field work done by the students and must be undertaken meticulously and systematically.
A power point presentation was shown for value- based questions and a few questions modelled on the various chapters of the Business Studies' syllabus were discussed. It was reiterated that students must give a statement in support of the value identified/observed by them in their answers.
The workshop was a valuable learning experience for the teaching fraternity present and gave them an opportunity to interact and gain new insights into the subject.
Filed by Ms. Pooja Bahl.
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