TRENDS
Addressing the mental health crisis among young professionals requires a multi-faceted approach involving the government, society, and employers. The government should implement policies that promote mental health awareness and provide adequate resources for mental health care. This includes funding for mental health services, training for healthcare professionals, and public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma. Society, too, plays a crucial role in changing attitudes towards mental health. Open conversations about mental health, sharing personal experiences, and offering support to those in need can help create a more accepting and understanding environment.
INNOVATION
Academic Choice is a teaching-learning strategy that helps enhance both concepts and skills in students. Choice in a classroom refers to guided choices to motivate students to research topics deeper and become lifelong learners. It mimics life, helping students make informed choices, and developing skills in academic and other areas. Choice creates autonomy and confidence in kids, incentivising curiosity and requiring them to become self-directed learners.
It is important to note that the choice is guided: ‘do you want to read or watch?’ and NOT ‘do you want to complete the assignment?’ That a child needs to complete an assignment is the expectation and choice is given in how they engage with it.
LEADERSHIP
Growing leaders in an organization is integral to the growth profile and its dynamics. It is indeed a responsibility of the leadership of the organization to put in place both a pathway and a strategy for the growth of its human resources, failing which it seals the prosperity and the future of the organization.
The leader of the organization should not fear devolution of power with the feeling that their importance will get marginalized with the growth of others. Lao-Tzu point out “A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves."
CURIOSITY
The model also called the ‘flipped classroom’ or hybrid learning refers to the approach that mixes a traditional teacher-led classroom with online content, such as in-demand videos. It can also combine other elements such as digitised reading materials, practice exercises, pre-learning and post-learning assessments.
In a ‘flipped’ classroom, a student may use their independent study time to watch a lecture or subject-related content. They then can engage in discussions, exercises and gain in-depth knowledge in the physical class time.
Adopting a blended learning model can help enhance student’s knowledge retention and makes it easier for teachers to personalise learning. It also can help address the digital divide and boost engagement for all students. The innovative model can increase student motivation and foster continuous learning.
LEARNING
“Education is for life, not for living” So goes the saying. Educating students in the 21st century is definitely an ardous task but not a mission impossible. Schools and institutions of higher learning must work towards a holistic development of a child. Holisitic development here means the overall personality development. A development that includes moral, spiritual, physical , emotional and mental development.
As a teacher I believe that a paradigm shift in our thinking from education and educating to educare (sharing + caring) is the need of the hour. This will help the children to grow into morally, mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally responsible citizens and netizens of tomorrow.
MOTIVATION
We are very fortunate that in this ‘janma’ we have been ‘asked’ to don the mantle of a mentor! We must take advantage of this unique role given and ensure that we deliver nothing but our best. Our transactions and interactions with the next gen will certainly go a very long way in embedding positive and noble thoughts in our students who ultimately need to take this great nation forward! We are the chosen few. Let us take pride in belonging to that unique ‘niche’ which is the exclusive domain of the chosen few.