Student Orientation

1. Student Orientation An Abhinav Perspective Kedar Soni, Director Abhinav Vidyalay & Jr. College, Dombivli Visit Us: www.abhinav.ac.in

2. How do we Learn? An introduction to the functioning & development of our brain

3. A quick take on the Brain • Presence of Cortex • 90% of brain mass focused in cortex • Folds and grooves give greater surface area

4. The complexity of structure Areas of various functions in the cortex MRI scans sensitive to various soft tissue intensities

5. Which picture engrosses you the most?

6. Seat of Analysis & Creativity Analysis, Logic, Math Creativity, Emotions, Music

7. What happens inside? A picture of a thought Neurotransmission in a Synapse Post-Synaptic Membrane Pre-Synaptic Membrane Synaptic cleft where the chemicals diffuse from pre to post

8. A Neuroscientist’s take on learning • Sensory Signals pass from neuron to neuron getting stronger or weaker • Signals from different neurons pile up into one again changing the weights • Final set of neurons gets the decision on the response Neural circuits are formed with thousands of neurons doing a particular job

9. Neurons that fire together, wire together. Neurons are free to re-wire Principles of Neural Learning • Corollaries: • Maximum neurons dedicated to learn a new skill • Once learnt most neurons are re-wired to other tasks and the learnt-skill circuit is optimized • Use it or lose it Conclusion: Natural & automatic response to stimuli No / few genetic constraints We can learn anything … anytime

10. An Educators take on Learning Simple activities demand complex muscular coordination • Input come from all senses • Analysis decides muscular coordination • Learning new skills requires focus • Practice trains the circuits • Over-practice kills the circuits

11. 1011 After 21, 5000 neurons die every day No of Neurons 106 Age Old age birth 20’s Organizing Learning • Rapid up to 10 yrs • Gets tougher after 21 yrs • More neural connections imply greater intelligence • Greater connections come with greater exposure • Learning Requires • Controlled environment • Disciplined minds • Freedom to explore • Maximum exposure to situations / concepts

12. What’s Special About G3? • The Physiology • Connections are made rapidly in an infant • Then numbers rise, but not connections • In adolescence (primarily G3) connections jumble • Chaos reigns and a lot is learnt & unlearnt • Body is also changing • The Psychology • Confusion between goals & desires • Confusion about self – abilities & drawbacks • Cannot accept external interference – Rebellious Ideal for reshaping & casting into a final mould

13. Skill-Based Learning • Identify independent skills • Categorize them for better assessment • Teach one skill at a time with full focus at lower levels • Gauge each skill independent of others • Re-train until the skill is drilled at lower standards • Change methods of retraining at higher standards Ability: A set of skills whose circuits are either common or nearby in the brain Learning Process: A network of various circuits (abilities) used while learning (or later while performing) certain tasks

14. The Learning Dimensions A 3D simplification of an ∞D system We need to apply our understanding to the real world to consolidate it We need to know facts in order to analyze We need to understand the facts through computation and reasoning As you advance on the axis you have more complex abilities and skills

15. Dimensional Map: Knowledge • Senses need to be trained to Observe • Circuits need to be trained to perceive • Associations need to be formed to remember

16. Dimensional Map: Understanding • To analyze we must organize info & compute • To think we classify, compare and learn to appreciate • To reason we learn to discriminate and check for errors. We also learn to empathize

17. Dimensional Map: Application • We decide when we judge or form convictions. Hence we can motivate • We implement in technical, managerial, aesthetic or linguistic ways • We reconcile with the world through correct behavior and adaptation

18. How do we know,how much you Learn? An introduction to Skill Based Assessments

19. Assessment Methodology • Since inputs to the brain have various channel, so must the outputs • Assessment must be Oral as well as through Observation, along with written • Therefore various types: • Group Assignments (AG) • Individual Assignments (AI) • Home, Objective & Tutorials • Practical (Pr) • Written (W) • Project-Work (P) – ToK (VE) & Stimulus (GK)

20. KUA Weights

21. Schema

22. Design

23. Prototypes

24. The Result • Promotion Decisions • Clear Passing • Graced (max 15/30 mks in 3 Subs) • Re-evaluated / Re-Assessed / Repeated • Fail and detained

25. The Assessment Report • Holistic • Diagnostic • Term-wise • Annual • Analyze: • Subject-wise • Assessment-wise • Learning process • Diagnostic remark • Solving the problems • Guidance to parents / students

26. The Holistic Report • AI = AIO + AIS + AIH • Below 40% ‘Needs Attention’ Grade Subs not taken in total Extra-Ordinary only if ‘A’ in all Subs, incl. GK, VE

27. The Diagnostic Report • Skill scores clubbed into Learning Processes • Learning disabilities are identified • Identifies discrepancies in Holistic analysis • Large no of observations required for accuracy Distance on the KUA graph:-

28. A Learning Environment An introduction to the technology & philosophy of our systems

29. Maintaining H/w & S/w; Upgrades; Network Support Dept of Systems • Designing Work Rubrics • Monitoring Work Flow • Setting up Office Systems • Information Management • Network Management • Monitoring Assessments • Announcing Schedules • Organizing material & facilities • Conducting assessments • Recording scores • Processing result data • Declaring Result Any teacher temporarily assigned

30. Dept of Supports Correspondence with Institution and outside individuals • Liaison with Local Authorities • Maintaining records & info • Admission & Withdrawals • Work profiles of staff • Staff personal info • Duty Roster / Arrangements • Leave / concessions • Stock-check, purchases • In-house basic maintenance • Overseeing contracted maintenance • Room / Lab Schedules • Utilization of facilities Requisitions, Time Tables, Arrangement Formatting Printing Physical Resources

31. Dept of Learning • All Academic Subjects • Classroom-Based Learning • Ensuring academic excellence. • Improvising teaching methods. • Improving curriculum. • Monitoring teaching and assessment plans. • Approving question papers W & AI • Approving AG topics • Conducting study periods for skill-based development • Conducting re-assessments of poor performing students Guiding for Skill Based Learning Monitoring teaching plans & exam quality

32. Awards & Punishment Dept of Values • Ensuring code of conduct of students and staff • Activity-Based Learning (ABLe) through Co-Academic Subjects • Planning and conducting Lab-work • Monitoring Discipline • Developing Fine Arts • Developing physical skills • Monitoring Development & Performance • Planning & Conducting Extra-curricular Activities Lab Admin, Managing Activities Design, Quality Improvements, Instruction

33. Life @ Abhinav An introduction to the Schedules, Activities, etc.

34. The Schedules • Timings: 9:00 to 2:00 (M,T,W); 8:00 to 2:00 (T,F) • Report outside the gate 5 min before • Sometimes you may leave later than scheduled • Saturdays usually off, sometimes Project-work or extra lectures • Two terms – • First: XI – 1st Wk Aug to 3rd Wk Oct • Second: 3rd Wk Nov to 1st Wk Apr • Third: XII – 2nd Wk Apr to 3rd Wk Oct • Fourth: 2nd Wk Nov to 3rd Wk Jan

37. The Academics • Teachers are here to teach ... So you have a right to ask questions • They may answer some Q’s later • Unless you ask/discuss, you will not understand truly • Also, you have a right to be wrong • Discussion mandatory for all exams / labs

38. Groups • Assignment Groups • 18 / 12 per class in College / School • Each group has 3-4 members defined by DoV • Three batches: • Alpha: A & C – a1 to a6, B – a7 to a8 • Beta: A & C – b1 to b6, B – b7 to b8 • Gamma: A & C – g1 to g6, B – g7 to g8 • Project Groups • 2-3 assignment groups joined together

39. Use of Groups • Assignment Groups • Science Labs: a, b, g have separate practical • Any extra assignment given • Project Groups • Stimulus Project

40. The Activities • Participation is not compulsory but is expected from everyone • Planning is fluid – we may include some new activities if many students interested & time permits • Games kits kept in all classes for recess, also quadrangle available • Premises available after hours for practice

43. FTP & LAN • Logons to LAN • What’s the big deal about the LAN? • Info about the Institution • Past papers, rules & policies • Academic Webs • Web & FTP • Downloads • Blogs – Stimulus & Icon

44. Uniform & Other Rules • Without uniform, permissible until 15th Aug • Civil dress must be decent • No ornaments / fancy hair-do’s • No fancy or costly gadgets • Once in you don’t go out until dismissed

45. Olympiads • The HBCSE Presentation • The Astronomy Olympiad presentation