But isn't that only a small part of what it takes to make a great teacher? If a teacher's role is to encourage a child to think and develop her curiosity, shouldn't her own mind be broadened by wide exposure of different types?
- Exposure like Case Studies that prepare a teacher for the challenges she will face from day 1 in school?
- Exposure like Excursions which help her grow not only as a professional, but as a person?
- Exposure like Project-Work, Group Discussions, Computers and Meetings which provide hands-on and experiential learning?
A judicious mix of traditional methods and unconventional techniques can develop a balanced Teacher of Tomorrow - a teacher who teaches English, History or Science, but first teaches children. Who loves her pupils, loves teaching, knows her subject and has the .
Eklavya's Teachers of Tomorrow programme aims to develop a cadre of such teachers.
In a regular 1 year B.Ed. programme, students teach for about 30 days in a year. At Eklavya, they spend three hours almost every day observing and teaching in a partner school for two years.
Practical training is supported by classes which include a variety of instructional methods like case studies, excursions, projects, seminars and meetings with practicing education professionals. The curriculum is a modern one designed on internationally accepted lines after studying leading teacher education programmes in India and abroad.
Students are exposed to computers and the Internet from day one. Apart from this, one hour everyday is set aside for activities like Personality Development, Yoga, Art, Craft and Music/Dance.
Finally, attitudinal training
is a key component of the programme. After all, enthusiasm can move mountains,
and more can be achieved by a group of positive-minded, enthusiastic teachers
than merely capable ones.
