The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Research benefits must reach classrooms
Kulwinder Sandhu

THERE has been a lot of discussion on reaching and utilising research findings at the field level. Useful work has been done in this direction, particularly in agricultural and medical sciences.

But the chasm between researchers and practitioners still remain in education. Nothing seems to percolate to the classroom level in spite of the plethora of researches going on at the university level and those done by research and training organisations.

While researcher in the sphere of education research is busy collecting degrees and copies of published papers with the sole aim of moving up in the professional ladder, the teacher is busy “covering” the syllabi and improving results during the end of the term in the school or the board examinations.

Following the National Policy on education a lot of importance has been given to research at the national and state level, both organisational and individual.

Financial outlays for educational research have been substantially enhanced and frequent conduct of research seminars have become the order of the day.

Unfortunately, all these efforts have hardly changed the classroom processes, teaching styles or the learning habits. The big question posed at almost every seminar is how to trigger the process of change at the classroom level based on research evidences.

This obviously makes one ponder over the reasons for such an apathetic field situation. Reasons are varied poor quality of research, doubtful research designs, use or unreliable tools foreign to indigenous realities, seeking immediate personal objectives and unfamiliarity of teachers with the jargons used by an average educational researcher are only a few likely reasons in this context. The million-dollar question is how to infuse a research culture among the teachers and educational administrators at the school level.

In other words how do we initiate a fruitful dialogue between the researcher and the practitioner enabling a two-way process of interaction?

Views on the subject are many and varied. According to one point of view, a researcher is a professional who is concerned with his quest for knowledge, irrespective of the fact whether the field workers take cognisance of he finding or not.

This view maintains that it is the duty of the practitioner to scan through the journal or abstracts to benefit from the findings. However, this viewpoint is not shared by the practitioners who feel that they have not time or intention to visit research libraries unless they have to collect a degree.

Researchers speak and write in a language which is incomprehensible to the teachers. Both researcher and teacher feel secure within their own parameters and any intrusion is seen as the threat by both.

Midway between the two, the educational administrator resists any change in the status quo as in his opinion the research findings are largely impractical, unrelated to classroom realities and therefore, any attempt to change realities and therefore, any attempt to change the classroom practices is seen by them as an interference in their routine.

Their responsibility ends with ensuring regular classroom instruction with any eye on the year end examinations. Learning by practical work, discovery method, investigatory project work, child centered education and the like are seen by them as topics of discussion only within the training colleges.

Faced with these realities within the school system there cannot be any single solution to break the impasse. A number of options may have to be kept open with a sense of urgency and perseverance.

On such possibility may be that a researcher alternates between his position of a researcher and a practitioner so that he is able to see his research findings in operation in classroom settings and also gather more ideas for further research from his teaching experience.

The other possibility may be to empower the practitioner to conduct research, particularly action research, simultaneously as per the specific needs felt in his day to day settings.

This would mean that every teacher becomes a researcher to the extent that he or she perceives the problem, designs an action research project, experiments to test the hypothesis and finally comes out with the solution, to improve teaching and thereby enhance learning on the part of learners.

Yet another possibility is that the researcher takes up only those questions which are considered vital at the field level for deeper probing and makes his research findings widely available.

The teacher training colleges and other development and training institutions document these research findings and quickly disseminate these through research publications, research journals, newspaper supplements, training and in-service orientation programmes.

A better strategy in this context may be that the training colleges and research organisations in addition to apprising the trainees and seminar participants about the latest research findings adopt some neighbourhood schools and practically demonstrate in real settings how the new theories, better methods or novel strategies work, leading to perceptible improvement over the traditional techniques and practices.

Examples are better than percepts. Once the practitioners see that research findings can in fact be introduced and integrated in day to day curriculum of the school, bringing in changes in the desired directions, they would be ready to try further innovative ideas on research evidence thereby making research based interventions at every level, a reality.

CAREER QUERIES HOTLINE
Pervin Malhotra, Tribune’s career expert answers all your career queries.

Q I passed Class XII in 1992 with 65% marks. Is there any institution /university that offers graduation through a one-sitting programme?

Rajiv Jain

A I’m afraid not. According to the recommendations of the University Grants Commission (UGC), all one-sitting Bachelor’s degree programmes have been discontinued. Hence, such courses (if at all they are still being offered by any advertiser), and the degrees they claim to confer stand invalid.

Q I have completed MLT. What are the job prospects in this field?

Uday Auliwalia

A You have a fairly wide range of options open to you: Besides teaching at the school or college level, you could take up the job of a Research Assistant in a university, government body, health authority or industry or that of an Analyst in food & beverage and pharmaceutical industries to maintain quality and consistency of the products.

You could even work as a Medical or Laboratory Technician in hospitals and scientific institutions involved in conducting research and training

Another area you could look at is marketing of pharmaceutical and healthcare products to medical and veterinary practitioners, retail pharmacists, hospitals and clinics.

Wildlife and forest conservation is yet another area you should be looking at. This could involve conducting biological surveys and making recommendations on the management and safeguarding of rare and endangered plants, animals and their habitats.

If you are adventurous, the Indian Forest Service could offer a rewarding career in the reserved forests and wildlife parks outdoors. You could of course sit for the Civil Services exam if you are so inclined.

With some further training you could even go on to specialise in the related fields of sericulture (rearing of silk worms), pissiculture (fish breeding), social forestry, animal husbandry or biotechnology after doing an additional course in these subjects. Wildlife management is another upcoming field.

After further studies you could work as a scientist in research-centered institutions like the Zoological Survey of India, the Indian Council for Forestry Research & Education, or the Wildlife Institute, Dehradun

Q I am a final year student of BSc (Computer Science). I wish to do MFC (Masters of Finance and Control). Please give me information on the universities offering this course and the eligibility criteria for admission.

Renu Dhingra

A After completing MFC you would more or less be on a par with a MBA, (with a finance specialization). Job opportunities are vast. You could be employed as a corporate finance manager, an equity research analyst, a merchant banker, a venture capitalist, a portfolio manager, an investment consultant, a forex consultant, a forex dealer, etc. The duration of the course is 2 years and the admission is on the basis of an entance test followed by a GD, and an interview. The following Universities offer MFC:

Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, Uttar Pradesh. E-mail: hasi@amu.nic.in Eligibility:

Bachelors’ Degree with 55% marks or BE/BTech with 65% marks.

B N Mandal University, Madhepura 852113, Bihar.

University of Delhi, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007.

E-mail: vcdu@del3.vsnl.net.in Eligibility: Bachelors’/Postgraduate degree in any discipline with 50% marks.

Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla 171005, H P. E-mail: hpu@x400.nicgw.nic.in Eligibility: Bachelors’ degree in any discipline with 50% marks.

Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra 136119, Haryana. E-mail: kuk@doe.ernet.in Eligibility:

Bachelors’ degree in any discipline with 50% marks.

University of Lucknow, Badshah Bagh, Lucknow 226007, UP. Eligibility: Bachelors’ degree in any discipline with 50% marks.

Madurai Kamaraj University, Palkalai Nagar, Madurai 625021, Tamil Nadu. E-mail: vcmku%bic.mku@dbt.ernet.in Eligibility: Bachelors’ degree in any discipline with 50% marks.

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer 305001, Rajasthan. Eligibility: Bachelors’ degree in any discipline with 50% marks.

Punjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh 160014.

E-mail: mmp%vc@puniv.chd.nic.in Offers MFC (Correspondence). Eligibility: Graduate in Commerce or Business Admn with 45% marks.

Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, Punjab. E-mail: regpup@pb.ernet.in Eligibility: Bachelors’ degree in any discipline with 50% marks.

Utkal University, P O Vani Vihar, Bhubaneshwar 751004, Orissa. Eligibility: Bachelors’ degree.

Q After completing Class XII, I am keen on pursuing a course in journalism. Could you please suggest some recognised courses?

Tanu and Mandeep Kaur

A At the undergraduate-level, after Class XII, journalism is offered as a subject in BA courses while some universities offer full-fledged 3-year Bachelor’s courses in this subject (BJ). Also, 1-year Bachelor’s courses in journalism can be pursued after completing graduation in any discipline. You can opt for the following courses:

BA (Journalism)

Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi, Bangalore 560056.

University of Calcutta, Senate House, 87/1, College Street, Kolkata 700073.

Lalit Narayan Mithila University, Kameshwaranagar, Darbhanga 846008, Bihar.

Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal 795003.

University of Mysore, Crawford Hall, Mysore 570005.

Shivaji University, Vidyanagar, Kolhapur 416004, Maharashtra.

South Gujarat University, Post Box No. 49, Udhna Magdalla Road, Surat 395007 (Guj).

The University of Delhi offers 3-year Bachelor’s in Journalism (H) in five of its colleges.

Eligibility is Class XII (55% agg). Selection is through an entrance test and interview. The university also conducts 3-year BA (Hons) course in Hindi Journalism & Mass Communication { BA (H) J & MC} .

DU’s Indraprastha College for Women, 31 Sham Nath Marg, New Delhi 110054, offers

Bachelor’s in Mass Media & Mass Communication (3 yrs).

BA (Mass Communication)

Goa University, Sub PO Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, Goa 403203.

Karnatak University, Pavate Nagar, Dharwad 580003.

Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi, 31 Sham Nath Marg, New Delhi 110054

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi.

Course: Bachelor of Mass Communication (3 yrs). Eligibility: Graduation 50% (agg). (Amity

School of Journalism & Communication, Saket, New Delhi.)

BA (Mass Communication & Journalism)

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad 431004.

Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Gautami Nagar, Vishnupuri, Nanded

431603.

1-year BJ (after graduation)

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad 431004.

University of Pune, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007.

Bangalore University offers BS (Communication). Eligibility is graduation with Second Class.

1-year BJ & MC/BJCS/BCJ (after graduation)

Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla 171005. Eligibility: Graduation with 45%

agg. Selection Procedure: Entrance Test.

Shivaji University, Vidyanagar, Kolhapur 416004, Maharashtra.

Osmania University, Administrative Building, Hyderabad 500007. Selection Procedure:

Entrance test.

The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Opp. Drug Laboratory, Shastri Bridge Road,

Fatehganj, Vadodara 390002. Eligibility: Graduation with 50% agg.

Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Lalithakala Kshetram, Saroobagh Public Gardens,

Nampally, Hyderabad 500004. Eligibility: BA/Bcom/BSc.

The Harmony Business School (affiliated to Barkatullah University), Vasant Plaza, R2-153/C,

Aruna Asaf Ali Road, (JNU Rd.), New Delhi 110070, offers Bachelor’s in Journalism & Mass Communication.

Q I have always wanted to be a teacher. Can you please tell me where I can do composite B.Ed, preferably in Delhi?

Asha Sharma

A You can do Bachelor’s in Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.), a 4-year integrated course offered by Delhi University at Lady Sri Ram College, Gargi College, Vivekananda College, Jesus & Mary College, Aditi Mahila Mahavidyalaya, and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College.

Admission to this course is on the basis of a Centralised Entrance Test followed by an interview. The application forms and prospectus can be obtained from the above-mentioned colleges and the Central Institute of Education (CIE), DU.

B El Ed is an integrated study of subject knowledge, human development, pedagogic theory and communication skills. This course prepares students for a wide range of professional and academic options in elementary education: teaching in schools, with special orientation for government schools, heading elementary schools in various capacities such as headmistress and education officer including teaching and research in elementary education in the voluntary/non-governmental sector.

The course has a special orientation towards child development. Students have the option of choosing a specialised course in Computer Education or Special Education instead of the pedagogy course.

With the implementation of revised pay scales as recommended by the Fifth Pay Commission, you have a well-paying career ahead of you.

Admission deadline

Agriculture

Jun 08 Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004

Tel: (0161) 401960-79 Extn. 286.

(i) Diploma in Agriculture (2 yrs)

(ii) Bachelors in Vet Sc & Animal Husbandry (5-yr)

(iii) BSc (H) Agriculture & Home Sc (only for girls) (4-yr)

(iv) Master’s in Agriculture, Agri Engg, Vet Sc, Home Sc, Basic Sc & Humanities

Test: 26 June for BVSc, AH & BSc (Agri).

Appln F: Send Rs. 350/- by DD favouring "Additional Director of Extension Education" (Communication Centre), Punjab Agricultural Univ, Ludhiana, payable at any scheduled bank at Ludhiana. At counter: Rs. 300/- (cash).

Armed Forces

Jun 13 The Indian Navy, Directorate of Manpower Planning & Recruitment (R & R), Naval

HQ, Room No. 204, ‘C’ Wing, Sena Bhawan, New Delhi 110011.

Website: ww.go.to/navyrecruitment

Short Service Commissioned Officers (Exec Branch)

Elig: Bachelor’s degree with Phy & Math (1st Div) BE in Elect & Electron. Age: Below

25 yrs.

Appln F: See Employment News.

Jun 13 Indian Army, ADG of Recruiting, West Block-III, R.K. Puram, New Delhi 110066.

University Entry Scheme (11-UES) for Permanent Commission in the Army July 2002-03

Elig: Unmarried male Engg degree students studying in final yr or pre-final yr (Engg course in

Civil/Electric/Mech/ Telecom/ Electron/Comp Sc/Engg Tech).

Age: Below 25 yrs.

Selctn: Tests conducted by the Services Selctn Board (SSB) followed by medical examination.

Appln F: See Employment News 12-18 May.

Distance Education

Annamalai University, D/o Distance Education, Annamalainagar 608002.

Website: www.aunet.org

Dual Degree System

Jul 16 Open Univ System

Jul 30 Distance Education

Certificate/Foundation/UG/PG Courses

Diplomas & PG Diplomas in various disciplines of Sc, Com & Arts

Appln F: See website.

Engineering

May 28 Guru Jambheshwar University, Hisar 125001 (Har).

Common Engineering Entrance Test (CEET)

Test: 16 June.

Appln F: Send Rs. 650/- by DD favouring "Registrar, Guru Jambheshwar University, Hisar" payable at Hisar. At counter: Rs. 600/- (cash).

Handicapped

Jun 18 The Instt for the Physically Handicapped (IPH) (Univ of Delhi) (M/o Welfare, GoI), 4,

Vishnu Digamber Marg, New Delhi 110002.

BSc (H) (41/2 yrs):

Physical/Occupational Therapy

Elig: 10+2 (50% agg) with PCB & Engl.

Age: 17 yrs as on 1 Oct., 2K.

Appln F: Send Rs. 325/- by DD favouring "The Director, IPH" payable at New Delhi.

At counter: Rs. 300/- (by DD).

Medicine

Jun 30 Banaras Hindu University, School of Nursing, Sir Sunderlal Hospital, Varanasi.

Website: www.bhu.ac.in

Diploma in General Nursing (3 yrs)

Elig: Intermediate/10+2 (45%) with PCB, Eng. Hindi in Class X. Females

Unmarried/Divorcee/Widows without encumbrance. Age: 17-20 yrs.

Test: Jul 31.

Appln F: Send Rs. 250/- by DD favouring "Medical Superintendent, SSH, BHU" payable at SBI BHU Branch (Code 0211) along with stamped (Rs. 25/-) self-addressed, envelope (11" x 5") to Medical Supdt., at above address.