EFF returns with another fresh tour

Indeed it was yet another amazing experience travelling so early at dawn towards Gandweed where our rural ZPH School locates, for the evaluating visit. The climate was extremely pleasant and enjoyable. Perhaps winter has just ended and with summer yet to begin, we were in the spring, the last weekend of the month of February and heading towards the close of yet another academic year. Fields were golden in color and the dry leaves covered the ground besides the tress on either sides of the road. Due to the friction of the air caused by the speeding vehicles, the leaves blew up in the air giving us a sort of excitement. Although pretty soon there will be greenery all around the country side.
With this thought, volunteers from different professions and I reached the school around 10 in the morning. Although there is constant interaction with the students through virtual classes, they were very excited and awaited for us in their classrooms to be evaluated of their skills in almost all categories such as reading, writing, speaking and addressing speech, grammar, sports, painting and last but not the least attitude and behaviors.

Here are a few experiences of the volunteers who have helped us make the whole day event a very successful one.

It was the first time for me to visit the school. Initially when my friend had told me about the visit, I wasn't very excited or convinced about having a good time there. Yet I thought that I could go for it just like any other jolly trip. But as I started to interact with the students, I was encouraged to conduct more activities. I was given classes 8th and 9th Telugu medium students.  In both the classes most of the students were active although all the students communicated well when they are being encouraged. what I realized after that they have the knowledge but were unable to express their thoughts. As they were from Telugu medium their English speaking skills weren't as good as the counterparts but given some encouragement they can perform well in the future.   

Personally for me, it was a great opportunity to be a part of such an event and I would like to be part of EFF as a volunteer whenever required - Rama Krishna

Teaching is fun and exciting when the curriculum is well matched with the student's interests and abilities, when you teach the right things at the right way motivation takes care by itself, A few students were enthusiastic about learning but most of them require the grading system, every day motivational will definitely bring a lot of improvement among the students. Most of the pupils have to overcome the fear of standing in front of the class to speak, If one is boosted the rest of the students follow. XI class EM is well mannered. - Vinai David.

I t was my third visit to the school.It was a great experience to interact with the students. They all recognized me and I was welcomed with a heart-felt smile. I took classes for 7th as well as 9th class Telugu medium students. They were more enthusiastic as compared to my earlier visits and showed active participation in all the activities conducted.I could tell through my observation that though these students are highly potential as per academics is concerned but few of them are weak at expressing it in English language. They can enhance their skills provided they are guided supported in the right way. Ultimately that filled me with great satisfaction, memories and motivation to participate in the future programs. - Venkey

This was my second visit to this school cause I love being with children. I was surprised to see Telugu medium students speaking English so well. The students were very active and energetic during the class. I felt a sense of pride to be part of EFF who are reaching out the poor and needy children in the school - Ravi

EFF is doing a great work for the students who are not so fortunate. I observed  lot of difference in the students with their speaking, writing and listening abilities since my last two visits, this being the third. Class VI Em students are very smart and active, they make mistakes in speaking but still come forward and speak without any hesitation. They have the desire to learn and speak in English. Expect a few students, most of them are good at speaking English. - Naga Raju

At the outset, I want to convey my gratitude to the EFF for giving me this opportunity to interact with the school children.This is my first ever event of this kind and I enjoyed every bit of it. The students were very keen on listening to what was taught to them and responded generously to the questions. They were very active and enthusiastic to know new things. Especially in drawing, they are far beyond my expectations. I am very glad to attend this event. - Chaitanya

I could see a lot of improvement and progress among the students, especially the VII Telugu medium students as shown in the picture above - Sudha

Students are conveying their gratefulness about  EFF

Appreciating the students and teachers for their corporation with EFF

Distributing  prizes for all-round performance in the classroom events.

At the end of the day's activities, Mr. Venkat one of the volunteer gave a wonderful illustration by comparing farmers, fields and crops to parents, children and studies and books respectively. It was a very inspiring one and I believe it inspired many of them as the kids were seen applauding for a very long time after the speech.

To everyone's surprise the day's effort by the EFF team, their involvement into different schools, their positive attitude in reaching out with a new theory and quality education, motivating pupils  by gifting them with various important inspirational educational subject books that would help them in their future was published by one of the well noted daily news paper SAKSHI and couple of other news media covering every step of EFF. To conclude the media in a nut shell Published that EFF is doing wonders. 

A day in the school with techies

Early morning three hours ride to the country side rejuvenate our senses isn't it? March first week, spring season dressed in its green gown. The beautiful climate welcomed us all the way to the school.
Academic year is coming to conclude in less than a month, it's time  to visit our rural school, ZPHS Gandeed to evaluate their learning through virtual classroom. We made it on 7th March '15 along with a new set of volunteers working in different professions.

We were excited to see the pupils after five months; though we daily interact them in virtual classroom. Inspite of Holi festival prior day, more than 80% pupils turned up to school on Saturday. That makes our teaching unique.

Volunteers were thrilled to meet the pupils, they spent the whole day in their assigned class. Experience in their own words...

"When I talked to these pupils I was really amazed and wondered that they are really good in English. They have learned a lot from virtual class teaching. EFF has given them good opportunity from what they're learning from their regular syllabus. Moreover, they said an interesting line on me - 'this is the first time we're talking to a Punjabi guy, you are literally awesome'. These words made my day." - Supreet Singh, Design Manager at PurpleTalk

"I got the opportunity to teach the 7^th class students through EFF. Before going there my thoughts were like, ‘You are going to a govt school and do not expect much from their side’.

But they proved me wrong and I am very happy for that.

They are poor in English but very enthusiastic, not afraid to express what they know and made my life hard with missiles like questions flying from all around. They have appetite for learning. 

Thank you EFF for making them wonder kids. I can feel all the efforts you have put in when I stood between them.

All the best.

And thank you for giving me the opportunity to teach as well as learn. " - Manohar Krishna, Director & CEO, Creative Bite Digital studio  

"It was an extraordinary experience for me to teach small kids. I was amazed to meet those kids and see how enthusiastic they were to learn the new things through online education system introduced by EFF. After meeting the students, I couldn't judge if they were the students of some govt. school in some village. This kind of initiatives can give a new shape to our Indian education system. Keep it up EFF"- Harsimran Kaur, Freelance designer, sewer & home maker

"Some of the students looked passive, but when I asked questions they answered with full explanation, it was beyond my expectations. I taught them how to give presentation using the resources available-like piece of chalk and black board. I was amazed to see a boy how well he implemented my words. Pupils need this kind of platform to inspire, they'll automatically become good citizen. There is something lacking in this 8th Std, but they're putting good efforts in English-speaking skills.This is the first time I am in between kids, it's wonderful experience; I really learned a lot from them, looking forward to teach and learn from these innocent and smart champs." - Shiva Dasoju, SSE-QA, PurpleTalk

"I dealt with 7th Telugu Medium students. Praveeen, Ravi, Mahesh, Mahendra, Yadaiah have been the best performers." - Nagaraju, SE-Dev at PurpleTalk'

Volunteers are the key resource for a non-profit organisation. On behalf of EFF, we express our gratefulnes to all these techies for making our evaluation easier. A part from it, hanging out with you guys was great fun for the pupils :)

Seasoned in teaching, new to blogging

I’m new to this site as a writer. Hope you will like my posts! This post is all about my journey with EFF. I've been associated with EFF since 2008 and successfully completed four years on August 21^st. It all started when I came to volunteer with EFF. I was a call center executive in a well known BPO at that time. The day I was introduced to EFF is a memorable one in my life. On a heavily drenched rainy day, I with an umbrella, enjoying the monsoon, was searching for the address of EFF research center. After searching for an hour amidst heavy rain, I found it at last with a phone call. That was the first time ever I came up to volunteer for something. I was amazed to see Amongla, Sridhar and Nilesh, working for such a great cause. I was excited as I expressed my passion for teaching and shared my past teaching experiences. After a week I got a call from Amongla, I literally jumped with joy to receive her call; she asked me to come again. I was interviewed, had to give a demonstration class-Trigonometry was the topic chosen for the demo class- and I got through :) Appointed as full time teacher with EFF!.

Virtual classroom is an inspiring software. So user friendly that newbies to technology can easily learn all about it and get started. I got used to the software within no time. While teaching through virtual classroom, you listen your voice back [echo]. Initially it confused me but day by day I got used to it and now I cannot teach without echo :P.

My way of teaching:

Basically I’m a Mathematics teacher. I completed my professional degree ‘Bachelors of Education’ in methodologies Math & English, but I can teach General science and Social studies as well. Here I would like to thank Sridhar for encouraging me. Sometimes we’ve to go beyond our expertise. I follow Socratic way of teaching. Start a topic with a barrage of questions. I feel probing is an effective tool to introduce a lesson. And I believe in giving ample examples for a topic for all aspects of the subject. Provide opportunity for speaking – a classroom should be child-centered, a teacher has to give freedom for them to speak and express their ideas and doubts without hesitation or shyness. Praise your students, it’s a catalyzing factor. In and out of the class a teacher should clear all doubts, irrespective of them being intellectual or absolutely silly. 

 I listen to the radio; it’s my favorite leisure activity. ‘RJ’ Prathika in Red FM is my favorite. I often copy her (copy cat :P) presentation style in my virtual teaching. I’ll take care to talk about only informative topics laced with a touch of humor at times . We’ve got to be pleasant and put a big smile on the kids’ faces while teaching virtually. This reflects a positive approach to pupils. People appreciate me for being energetic and enthusiastic while teaching [beating my own drums] :D 

Research:

EFF teachers have to do a lot of research for any lesson – go through sample ppt’s, sites related, videos, images etc. I feel lucky. Researching gives you lot of information, data, and unknown facts and in depth perspectives on the topic. Sometimes, it takes days and weeks to prepare one presentation effectively. I gained so much preparing lesson plans for virtual teaching.

Explorrrrriiigggg!!

Hayathnagar, Thorur, Koheda, Suraram, Shapurnagar, Ibrahim patnam, Thandoor, Choutuppal, Gandeed, Doma, Chaderghat, Chanchalguda, Yakatpura and the list goes on and on. These are the places I visited to survey schools; totally in three districts of Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Nalgonda.

Talking with Math teachers of ZPHS in Suraram Village

With English teacher Mrs.Meeraj of Govt Girls High School, Yakatpura

Discussing with KGBV Principal, at Choutuppal

Visiting schools in different places gives us a lot of information – small classrooms, no toilets or play grounds, insufficient space, good and bad faculty, passionate teachers, infrastructure, students, discipline etc.

RTI, has been implemented as a law in India since 2005. But I hardly observe people using it. I did take the help of RTI to get the information about govt. schools in AP from DSE [Director of School Education] office. Felt proud to receive the data, from the additional director of DSE.

I’ve paid plenty of visits to Doorsanchar Bhavan, BSNL Bhavan, Collectorate bhavan and DSE office; with regards to seek permission for virtual classes in government schools. I can’t forget how I struggled to get it done. Truly, government offices in India are the same everywhere; we need immense patience to get our work done. I prefer non-corrupt officials and dislike recommendation; so far I never bribed anyone.

Achievements:

Personally I didn’t receive any awards; but students recognize me as synonymous to virtual teaching, that’s a big achievement.

Real achievement is that virtual classroom reached rural India, and I played a pivotal role in it. 

To my girls at Red Cross Government High School

This writing is inspired by my students. Their blank stares and blank answer sheets. This is a message, an appeal to my students on what education can do for them.

Dear Girls,

It is important to be educated because Education makes you aware of your rights in a society. It also gives you the courage and the means to fight for them. In fact, in most cases, you don’t even have to fight. You get what you deserve and what is yours. Education teaches you to treat every human with respect. Respecting people for what they are, and not because they belong to a particular religion, caste or status. It gives you the confidence to live life on your own terms, at the same time by respecting the emotions and opinions of those that are close to you.

It also teaches little things like civic sense, preserving the environment, taking care of your health by exercising and eating healthy food. It gives you the ability to make your own decisions, be it choosing a field of study, deciding on a career, or choosing a person to marry. The freedom to do any of these comes only with 'education’.

It gives you the confidence to present yourself. Become independent. And in many ways people become dependent on you. You understand the things happening around you, and are able to participate in social, economic, and political debates of your interest.

Education gives the ability to make informed decisions and form well thought out, independent opinions. Ability to contribute more to society since you better understand how it works and what it lacks. –A more active role in building and maintaining the society and civilization.

When you are educated, people respect you.

When you are educated, you have a voice, a voice for others too.

Your teacher.

Teaching is fun

As I work for EFF, I get to interact with people from different fields: teachers, policy makers, social workers, educators and many others. Recently we had a meeting with Sheel Parekh of Spark-India. She writes, among other things, story books for children with the intention of making them interesting. Now, EFF is also working with the same intention, to make education interesting. We want children to get up each morning eager to go to school. But I had never yet understood how one actually does that.

I asked Sheel, “how do you know what you write will be interesting for children? Do child psychology books help?” In her soft, yet assertive voice, she said “you have to touch to feel the pulse”. That morning I decided to become a teacher.

It’s been a week now since I started teaching English to the 7^th graders of the Red Cross Girls High School. It is an English medium school, with classes from I to X

Teaching children is indeed a challenging task. I’m burdened with a sense of responsibility. Every night just before I go to bed, I prepare my teaching plan. I visualize the girls, just so eager to learn. To make things a little different and interesting for them, I have divided the girls into three different groups. (They had to name their group on their own). So in my class, they sit group wise. For every lesson I teach, we have a quiz just to make sure, they remember what they have learnt.

I keep a “teacher’s journal” and I make a note of my observations and feelings in it. Here are a few things I have noted in my journal so far:

• Most girls can hardly read their textbooks.
  
  
• They do not understand most of the English words.
  
  
• Most of them do not have their English textbook. I found out that the government has not sanctioned textbooks yet. The rest uses old textbooks handed down from their seniors.
  
  
• Students who do not understand English and like to refrain participating in the classroom interaction sit on the last benches.
  
  
• But, they all want to learn. They even wanted me to sing a song and tell them a story about my country. I had to remind them that I belong to this country and was one of them.

I want them to learn to read, write and understand, and speak English, in that order. I was talking to my colleague Sridhar, the other day on how I could encourage and motivate them to read. He suggested that I do something unconventional, like buying them a copy of tinkle each or any other comic that might interest them. My take was, even if they read, they won’t understand. He said, “There are illustrations along with words, which would make it easier for them to understand. And since the illustrations look interesting they will make an effort to read and understand.”

I decided that this was worth a try. After all, as a child it was my favorite comic too. So in my next class, I asked if anyone read tinkle comics. One of the girls had 4 copies right there!

When I asked the rest of the class if anyone else was interested in reading the comics, all 40 of them raised their hands, including the owner.

Over the weekend, I plan to buy them some comics and the English reader textbook for the students.

I've started liking Monday mornings :)