New Delhi :- In a bid to enhance the quality of science education, the Department of Educational Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), in collaboration with the Royal Society of Chemistry, conducted an activity-based professional development program for science teachers. The program was held from August 11 to 14, 2023 in a face-to-face workshop mode. This joint initiative aimed to equip school science teachers from grades 6 to 12 with advanced teaching methodologies.
The four-day program was divided into two separate batches, each spanning two days and accommodating more than 35 enthusiastic participants. Hailing from renowned private and public schools, including Jamia Senior Secondary School, Syed Abid Hussain Senior Secondary School, Jamia Middle School, Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Hakim Ajmal Khan Girls Senior Secondary School, Shafaat Public School, Govt. Sarvodaya Boys Sr Sec School, Mazharul Islam Secondary School, Anglo Arabic Senior Secondary School, Majeedia Model School, DAV Centenary Public school, Shaheen Group of institutions, Gurucool institute, and Cambridge School, to name a few. The participants engaged in immersive learning experiences designed to enhance their pedagogical skills and incorporate active learning techniques into their teaching repertoire.
The primary objective of the programme was to enable school teachers to update their scientific knowledge while simultaneously fostering their understanding of effective active learning strategies for imparting scientific concepts. The program kicked off with an inaugural session that began with the Jamia tradition of reciting the Holy verses of the Quran. The opening address for the first batch on Friday was delivered by Prof. Arshad Ikram Ahmad, the head of the Department. For the second batch on Sunday, Prof. Asheref Illiyan, the head of the Department of Economics took the stage. Faculty members of the Department, including Prof. Aejaz Masih, Prof. Anita Rastogi, Prof. Harjeet Kaur Bhatia, and Prof. Kaushal Kishore, addressed the participants of the first batch, while the participants of the second batch had the honour of Dr. Sajjad Ahmad, Dr. Quasi Ferdousi Islam, Dr. Md. Moosa Ali and Dr. Zeba Tabassum’s presence.
Both the sessions followed the principle of “learning by doing,” encouraging participants to collaborate in groups and execute tasks collaboratively. The participants found the workshop mode of learning engaging and immersive, enabling them to directly experience the active learning techniques they were being taught. In the workshop, they were exposed to the use of concept mapping, structural grid techniques, domino, Tarsia formulator, bingo, puzzle-solving, experimentation, reflective thinking, observation, videos, and many other activities. The educators appreciated the opportunity to work in groups and expressed their willingness to participate in similar programs in the future.
The programme’s valedictory sessions were equally enlightening. Prof. Arshad Ikram Ahmad gave an impactful speech to the first batch. Prof. Aejaz Masih’s and the Chief guest and head of the Department of IASE, Prof. Naheed Zahoor’s insights inspired the second batch. Dr. Zeba Tabassum and Dr. Ali Haider respectively, presented a vote of thanks for the valedictory sessions. The programme coordinators, Dr. Sameer Babu M., Associate Professor in the Department, and Dr. Ali Haider, Assistant Professor in the same Department, acknowledged the dedication and enthusiasm of the participating teachers. They expressed special thanks to the honourable vice-chancellor, Prof. Najma Akhtar, who showed great interest in giving her valuable consent for organising this joint venture. They also thanked professional trainer Ms. Alice Philip from the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, the Head of the Department, and all teaching and non-teaching staffs for making the event a grand success.
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