You know I really am a mutt. In more than one ways I am a mixed breed. Culturally I always knew I am a mutt as I've got a bit of everything in me. Recently I discovered how even as a student I am a mixture. A product of education systems as contrasting as it can get.
My schooling was divided between CBSE and Karnataka State syllabus. Both the systems have a definite structure when it comes to the student-teacher relation. It's more or less a Teacher to student flow of information. It's drilled into your mind from the beginning that what the teacher says is right. The teacher can never be wrong. NEVER. So as we progressed from one class to another even if we left our textbooks behind we didn't leave this lesson- Never question the teacher's correctness. Of course you could ask them questions about things you are confused about. But if you question the answer they provide for the confusion, you are going to be black listed. The teacher is going to hate you for the rest of your time with them. How dare you question their authority!
Even in English classes (which have always been my favourite) We were expected to give formulaic answers. Poetry was always about what the poet feels or is trying to say. Scoring marks in English was actually quite easy. You pay attention in class as to what the key words are that the teacher uses and then in exam you churn out an answer which overflows with these words. You are guaranteed to get a good grade.
Even when I joined for an English Literature degree in a university in Bangalore I was taught in more or less the same way. There was no research, no originality in thought, no inputs from students as to what a text could mean. You just have to show up in class and you will be taught, along with 50 other students from notes which the lectures have preserved from their college days. I am not kidding.
However, things changed when I left my previous University and joined UoN. The whole student-teacher dynamics were different here. In India we are taught to view the teacher with reverence. Even in college if any lecturer walks in, you stand up for them. If you are having lunch in the cafeteria and a lecturer passes you by, you stand up. You are leaning on the wall talking to your friend and you see a teacher walking by, you straighten up and plaster a reverential smile on your face. I was so used to this kind of behaviour that when I came to Malaysia I needed some time get over it. I remember how in the first few classes I stood up when the lecturer walked in. Some classes I was left in a semi standing position after realizing that the rest of the class is sitting. I was very uncomfortable with it and actually wanted to stand for my professors!
The biggest change for me, though, was the way things were taught here. It's all group work, discussions and individual research. Your opinion is respected and in fact demanded for. Your interpretation of a poem is also considered in class. For some it might sound strange that I am raving on about how great it is to have your interpretation talked about in class. For some it might be the only way things are taught. But trust me, that's not how they roll back home.
Of course, even though I loved this new system, I wasn't good at it. I really struggled because I've been so used to all the information coming to me instead me going looking for it. Plus it's daunting to put your opinion to be evaluated alongside views of some of the greatest thinkers. You always risk making a fool out of yourself. (Which I am sure I have done more than once in the 10 months I've been in UoN)
Coming to England posed another challenge for me. Even though I am now used to the teaching system they follow, now the students pose the problem for me. Why? Well, it sounds silly, but just because of my accent. I have never felt this self concious before. There are so many things I want to say, but because of my fear of coming across as a joke to everyone, I just keep shut. Of course it's me we are talking about so I can't keep shut through out the class. I do blurt out an occasional comment here or there and then shut up again. It makes me feel angry at myself that I am being so silly. But I guess it's something like when you borrow something from someone and are using it, in front of them you are going to be extremely cautious about how you use it. But I guess this analogy is not right. I guess what I should be thinking is that I've learn a whole new language and, accent or no accent, am able to communicate with them. Which is actually a big achievement. I don't know many (any actually) British or American person who can speak hindi as fluently as I can converse in English.
I guess the perfect balance I am looking for exists in between both these education systems. While I admire the respect people have for teachers back in India, I do not want it to turn to blind worship. I want a classroom where the student knows that the teacher is more knowledgeable than him but at the same time feels comfortable to air his views. A classroom where even though the teacher knows that he is way more qualified than the student, he also knows that there are also things he can learn from the student.
Education as osmosis is what I am looking for. I think I am getting near.
My schooling was divided between CBSE and Karnataka State syllabus. Both the systems have a definite structure when it comes to the student-teacher relation. It's more or less a Teacher to student flow of information. It's drilled into your mind from the beginning that what the teacher says is right. The teacher can never be wrong. NEVER. So as we progressed from one class to another even if we left our textbooks behind we didn't leave this lesson- Never question the teacher's correctness. Of course you could ask them questions about things you are confused about. But if you question the answer they provide for the confusion, you are going to be black listed. The teacher is going to hate you for the rest of your time with them. How dare you question their authority!
Even in English classes (which have always been my favourite) We were expected to give formulaic answers. Poetry was always about what the poet feels or is trying to say. Scoring marks in English was actually quite easy. You pay attention in class as to what the key words are that the teacher uses and then in exam you churn out an answer which overflows with these words. You are guaranteed to get a good grade.
Even when I joined for an English Literature degree in a university in Bangalore I was taught in more or less the same way. There was no research, no originality in thought, no inputs from students as to what a text could mean. You just have to show up in class and you will be taught, along with 50 other students from notes which the lectures have preserved from their college days. I am not kidding.
However, things changed when I left my previous University and joined UoN. The whole student-teacher dynamics were different here. In India we are taught to view the teacher with reverence. Even in college if any lecturer walks in, you stand up for them. If you are having lunch in the cafeteria and a lecturer passes you by, you stand up. You are leaning on the wall talking to your friend and you see a teacher walking by, you straighten up and plaster a reverential smile on your face. I was so used to this kind of behaviour that when I came to Malaysia I needed some time get over it. I remember how in the first few classes I stood up when the lecturer walked in. Some classes I was left in a semi standing position after realizing that the rest of the class is sitting. I was very uncomfortable with it and actually wanted to stand for my professors!
The biggest change for me, though, was the way things were taught here. It's all group work, discussions and individual research. Your opinion is respected and in fact demanded for. Your interpretation of a poem is also considered in class. For some it might sound strange that I am raving on about how great it is to have your interpretation talked about in class. For some it might be the only way things are taught. But trust me, that's not how they roll back home.
Of course, even though I loved this new system, I wasn't good at it. I really struggled because I've been so used to all the information coming to me instead me going looking for it. Plus it's daunting to put your opinion to be evaluated alongside views of some of the greatest thinkers. You always risk making a fool out of yourself. (Which I am sure I have done more than once in the 10 months I've been in UoN)
Coming to England posed another challenge for me. Even though I am now used to the teaching system they follow, now the students pose the problem for me. Why? Well, it sounds silly, but just because of my accent. I have never felt this self concious before. There are so many things I want to say, but because of my fear of coming across as a joke to everyone, I just keep shut. Of course it's me we are talking about so I can't keep shut through out the class. I do blurt out an occasional comment here or there and then shut up again. It makes me feel angry at myself that I am being so silly. But I guess it's something like when you borrow something from someone and are using it, in front of them you are going to be extremely cautious about how you use it. But I guess this analogy is not right. I guess what I should be thinking is that I've learn a whole new language and, accent or no accent, am able to communicate with them. Which is actually a big achievement. I don't know many (any actually) British or American person who can speak hindi as fluently as I can converse in English.
I guess the perfect balance I am looking for exists in between both these education systems. While I admire the respect people have for teachers back in India, I do not want it to turn to blind worship. I want a classroom where the student knows that the teacher is more knowledgeable than him but at the same time feels comfortable to air his views. A classroom where even though the teacher knows that he is way more qualified than the student, he also knows that there are also things he can learn from the student.
Education as osmosis is what I am looking for. I think I am getting near.
Nazeen I really enjoyed reading your blogs. I am a teacher and I feel the same way. Well done
ReplyDelete