Happenings - 2008 - 2009:

Happenings at RIESI, Bengaluru

• A 3 day All India Seminar was held in the month of February, 2009. More than 50 presentations were there on the theme of the Seminar “Curricular Intervention and Classroom Implications – towards enhanced learner-proficiency in English”. The Seminar was inaugurated by Dr. U. R. Anantha Murthy, Jnanapeeta award winner and the Keynote Address was given by Dr. N. S. Prabhu, Consultant in ELT, formerly English Studies Officer, British Council, Chennai, Professor, National University of Singapore, Singapore. Prof. Paul Gunashekar, Head, Department of Materials, EFL-U, Hyderabad presided over the Inauguration. The Valedictory address of the seminar was delivered by Dr. Victor Paul, Director, Education Development Centre, Bengaluru. The Valedictory function was also graced by the presence of Ms. Alison Barrett, English Studies Officer, British Council, Chennai who gave the concluding remarks. The well attended seminar had presentations by Dr. K. N. Anandan, Consultant, SSA, Kerala, Dr. Bhaskaran Nair, Central University, Pondicherry, Prof. A. Joseph Dorairaj, Gandhigram Rural University, Tamil Nadu, Prof. Rajeevan, Chief Publishing Manager, Cambridge University Press, Hyderabad, Dr. T. Samson, Coordinator, ELTI Scheme, EFL-U, Hyderabad, Dr. Reena Francis, DCE, Thrissur, Kerala, Dr. Uma Sivaraman, Education Officer, CBSE, New Delhi, Dr. Cherian Alexander, St. Joseph’s College, Bengaluru, Mr. Shivaji Kushwaha, ELTI, Chattisgarh and Mr. Raghu Ram, DEE, Mehaboobnagar, Andhra Pradesh besides practising teachers and other ELT experts.

• A 60-day Teacher Development Programme for the teachers at primary level concluded on the 11th February, 2009.

• A 5-day orientation programme for teachers of English from Alappuzha District, Kerala was organised in collaboration with SSA, Kerala with Dr. K. N. Anandan as the Resource Person and Mr. P. K. Jayaraj, Lecturer, RIESI, Bengaluru as the local Coordinator. The focus of the programme has been to orient the teachers to the curricular initiatives and pedagogical reforms tried out in the state of Kerala. The fourth of its kind is now on (22.09.2009 to 26.09.2009). The Five day residential programme aims at empowering teachers and trainers both in English language and constructivist pedagogy. RIESI extends its academic support for the successful launching of the programme. SSA Kerala has entrusted RIESI to give training to 150 Master Trainers in 5 spells at the Institute.

• The RIESI in collaboration with SSA, Kerala conducted an Impact Study on the achievement of learners in English in Class III and VII in Kerala. The report of the study was released on 06.09.2009 when the Digital Multimedia Language Laboratory was inaugurated at RIESI by Shri. M. A. Baby, Hon’ble Minister of Education and Culture, Government of Kerala and Shri. D. B. Chandre Gowda, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Bengaluru North, presiding. Mr. A. P. M. Mohammed Hanish IAS, Director of Public Instruction, Kerala and Dr. Anvar Sadath, Director, IT @ School, Kerala were present on the occasion. Click here for the summary of the Report.

• Features of the Digital Multimedia Language Laboratory inaugurated on 06.09.2009

Main Features:

The Multimedia Language Laboratory is a computer-based system that uses various types of content such as text, audio, video, animation, graphics and interactivity. Technologies used in the language laboratory to create a new learning experience are:

Teacher console with functions to control students nodes (a computer used as a server) Student’s nodes (computers used by students) Digital multimedia language laboratory software for connecting the nodes with the teacher console Headphone sets and microphones Multimedia Software packages include sky pronunciation active reading study skills success business writing interactive platform Internet access

The integration of both visual and auditory channels helps students sharpen the listening skills. The interest of students is sustained as they listen to comprehension exercises with the aid of the sophisticated multimedia technology.
The new language laboratory will be very effective to help teachers improve their English language in the following areas:

• Spoken English including accent training
• Listening skills
• Reading skills
• Writing Skills
• Business English

Besides the above, the language laboratory also has the provision for incorporating content generated by participants and resource persons. Thus, it is a versatile resource for interactive as well as self-paced learning. All the member states are evincing keen interest in using this resource for improving the English language proficiency of their teachers.

Those who are interested in utilising and visiting this laboratory and also for other details may kindly write to the Director, RIESI, Bengaluru.

• 90-day CELT Programme for the in-service teachers of English at the secondary level began on 15th June, 2009 and concluded on 11th September, 2009. The CELT programme tried out the new syllabus which included the following components

• English for Effective Communication
• Language Studies (Grammar and Linguistics)
• Teacher Development
• Teaching English as Second Language
• Literature and Writing

Nearly 100 participants from the member states participated in the programme. The results of the examination conducted at the end of the programme are being finalised. 

• A 5 day programme for teachers of English at the primary and secondary level was organised in Puducherry from 3rd August, 2009 to 7th August, 2009 and from 17th August, 2009 to 21st August, 2009. The following faculty members were the resource persons for the programmes. Ms. Mamatha Rao, Mr. Hitesh C. Bhakat, Ms. Deepthi. S, Ms. Mitra Aich and Ms. Pooja Giri. Both the programmes were highly need based and they focused on the development of communication skills of the teachers.

•  Training through AIR – A series of English teaching through AIR titled “Joyful English Teaching” (JET) is being broadcast by AIR, Bengaluru. It is broadcast once a fortnight on Thursdays between 11.30 a.m. and 12.00 noon for the benefit of the teachers of English language at the primary and secondary level in Karnataka. These programmes focus on improving language abilities in teachers and implications for classroom transaction. First of these series in bilingual mode was aired between July and September, 2009 and an interactive session which was also a part of this programme was aired on 28th August, 2009. The second series of JET which is content based will be aired from 24th September, 2009. For other details contact, Programme Coordinator (English), All India Radio, Bengaluru.

• SSA, Kerala has initiated a special package for the development of proficiency in English of the teachers of Alappuzha District for the year 2009 – 2010 in collaboration with RIESI, Bengaluru. The Five day residential programme aims at empowering teachers and trainers both in English language and constructivist pedagogy. RIESI extends its academic support for the successful launching of the programme. SSA Kerala has entrusted RIESI to give training to 150 Master Trainers in 5 spells at the Institute.

The training of 60 Master Trainers (2 batches) has already been completed. The highlights of the special teacher training programme conducted at the RIESI are furnished below:

• To develop the language competence of the participants so that they can use English with, accuracy and fluency
• Teacher empowerment both in terms of proficiency and pedagogy
• To develop the professional competence of teachers to enable them to transact classes with confidence in the constructivist paradigm
• To develop the ability in the teachers to use the language creatively
• To familiarise the teachers with different strategies for constructing various discourses relevant to day-to-day life and to process them in the class
• To develop the ability among the participants to comprehend different dialects of English and analyse them
• To give the teachers opportunities to try out and internalise new strategies of language evaluation
• To help the participants gain the competence to identify the pieces of different literary genres and to utilize them in the classroom
• To help the teachers to identify the distinctive styles of different writers and to develop their own individual style
• To build up a team of competent resource persons to disseminate the new pedagogy among our teacher community
• To identify and make use of the strength of the critical pedagogy
• To enable them to intervene in social issues constructively
• To plan and perform drama based on a social issue without writing down the script
• To gain confidence in processing the scripts of drama and choreography
• To undertake editing of the written work
• To gain experience in putting the pedagogy of reading into practice
• To develop competence in reading the text critically from multiple perspectives
• To gain experience in developing literature for learners at the primary level
• To read newspapers and journals critically and identify the voice and perspective of the writer / publisher
• To gain experience in writing journal articles reflecting their voice and point of view
• To experience in layout, organization, editing and publishing of a journal / news letter
• To gain hands-on experience in the language lab, computer lab and the library.

Future Course of Action:

• Training of remaining 3 batches will be conducted at RIESI
• 3rd batch                   :               25.8.2009 to 28.8.2009
• 4th batch                   :               14.9.2009 to 18.9.2009
• 5th (Final) batch         :               22.9.2009 to 26.9.2009
• Activities suggested in collaboration with SSA
• Monitoring cascade mode of training in Alappuzha District by a team consisting of Director, RIESI, Benglauru, Programme Coordinator, and SSA functionaries. It is also suggested to convene a Press Conference in Alappuzha District as a part of the dissemination of RIESI – SSA collaborative initiatives

• Creative Workshop for a team consisting of 25 students, 5 parents and 5 local self government members at RIESI, Bengaluru

• Impact Study on the achievement of learners in English in Classes III and VII in Kerala on the implementation of the revised curriculum, syllabi and textbooks under KCF 2007

Regional Institute of English, South India is a premier institute at the national and international level helping states shape their policies and practices in English language to facilitate a continuous process of quality enhancement through research and development in curriculum, materials and training.

RIESI has carved a niche for itself in the field of teacher development with a happy integration of face –to –face and distance modes of delivery of knowledge and skills. In recent years the institute has successfully harnessed satellite resources for extending the reach of its programmes to hitherto unreached segments of teachers. Apart from these initiatives, the institute has also been proactive in the areas of materials production, designing of need based courses through distance mode to help practicing teachers and teacher –aspirants continue their professional development and enrichment and providing consultancy services to different client groups.

In the areas of research, the Institute has undertaken many projects and surveys, the findings of which are disseminated to member states and other organizations. The baseline study conducted during 2001-2004 in all the four southern states provided deep insights into student – readiness, motivation and achievement in English language. It also threw light on certain critical areas such as suitability of the Teaching –Learning materials, effectiveness of classroom pedagogy and teacher –attitudes.
 
The National Curriculum Framework 2005 has evoked new thoughts in the field of education throughout the nation with Kerala pioneering the movement with the introduction of KCF 07 in tune with the principles of NCF. Based on KCF-2007, new text books were introduced in classes I, III, VI and VII from the academic year 2008-09 in Kerala. RIESI proposes a study to investigate the English language achievement of learners in the classes III and VII.

Title of the Study:  Impact Study on the achievement of learners in English in Classes III and VII in Kerala on the implementation of the revised curriculum, syllabi and textbooks under KCF 2007.

The study is designed to asses the achievement of learners in English in classes III and VII after the implementation of the revised textbooks.  It is expected to provide data for policy makers about key aspects of the system.  Data from the following sources will be collected for the study.
1.            Response sheets of 2000 students in classes III and VII from the 155 BRC’s across the 14    districts covering the Mid - term and the Year end examinations.
2.            Student portfolios of 100 students across the 14 districts including group products displayed in the reading corners.
3.            Self assessment sheets of 100 students across the 14 districts
4.            155 teaching manuals (one from each BRC)
5.            Feedbacks from 100 parents
6.            Feedbacks from 100 teachers
7.            Feedbacks from 15 BRC’s on the training given to English teachers

Teachers and others (for example, parents, headmasters, andstudents) may be asked to provide background information, usually in questionnaires, which, when related to student achievement, can provide insights about how achievement is related to factors such as household characteristics, levels of teacher training, teachers’ attitudes toward curriculum areas, teacher knowledge, and availability of teaching and learning materials. The focus of the achievement study will be to find positive evidences of learners’ development and also the dynamics of the new curriculum.

The study will be beneficial to SSA in a number of ways:

• to plan for teacher empowerment programmes for the effective transaction of the revised curriculum
• to devise (if necessary) midcourse corrections in the implementation of the curriculum
• to strengthen support mechanisms such as OSS
• to work out effective monitoring strategies

 
Sample Size:

• Response sheets of 2000 students (1000 in class III and 1000 in class VII) covering 155 BRC’s
• Student portfolio of 100 students covering all the 14 districts
• Teaching Manual of 155 teachers (one from each BRC)
• Feedback from 100 teachers (covering  14 districts)
• Feedback from 155 BRC’s
• Feedback from 100 parents

Objectives of the Study:
                                                                                                                                                                           

• To assess the achievement of learners in English in classes III and VII after the implementation of the revised textbooks.
• To investigate the factors associated with student achievement (to what extent does achievements vary with characteristics of the learning environment, for example, school resources, teacher preparationand competence, and type of school or with students’ home andcommunity circumstances?)
• To provide information on the operation of the education system
• To generate recommendations for policy making to improve educational quality and to create reliable baseline data for the future.
• To suggest guidelines for effective teacher empowerment programmes
• To identify areas that are to be focused on related to OSS, teacher training, monitoring, etc.

Future Programmes

• 90 day CELT Programme for High School Teachers begins on from 21st October, 2009. Interested candidates can apply in plain paper to the Director, RIESI, Bengaluru.
• The Institute has announced the launching of one year B.Ed English programme affiliated to Bangalore University and recognized by NCTE. The GOI norms for reservations are adhered to in the selection process. The last date for receiving filled in application forms is 15th October, 2009.  Application and prospectus can be had from the Director, RIESI, Bengaluru by sending a crossed DD for Rs. 500/- drawn in favour of Director, RIESI, Bengaluru
• Diploma in Communication – Last date for receiving applications has been extended up to 31st October, 2009.
• A 3 day Orientation Programme for the in-service teachers of English working in rural and tribal areas has been planned to be conducted at Idukki in Kerala from 6 – 8 October, 2009 where the focus will be on language development, teaching competence and classroom observation. A similar programme is planned for the teachers of Ooty in Tamil Nadu from 20 – 22 October, 2009.

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