Interview with Amit Banage - Teacher, Mumbai, India
Profession : Teacher,
Bhavishya yaan: Mumbai, India
Born and
brought up in the suburbs of Mumbai, Amit has been in the field of teaching
since 2000 and has taken the concept of teaching students to the next level
with his own and innovative theory of blending speech and song to create a more
activity oriented classroom atmosphere to develop interest for the
language among the students. He realized that various currently accepted experiments
on various projects helped him realize that the regular school teaching has
very less effect on the child.
Come and hear his
story and showcase of self made vision and get a glimpse of a radically new
technique of teaching that could revolutionize the way we look at our
educational system with value and quality.
1. What inspired you into teaching?
India is the
land of Guru – Disciple relationships which has always captivated my mind. From
stories of Kings and Warriors to Scholars and Scribes I was inspired with the
unique messages that each had to bring forth and yet saw the disconnect with
the learnings we take in today’s world.
I was fortunate to be
mentored by quality teachers who believed in imparting knowledge than just educating
for its sake as seems to be the trend these days. This played an important role
as listening to spiritual discourses, helped me
develop a craving to be a teacher.
2. How did you get connected to Project Vidya ?
After graduating from St. Xavier’s College, I got a job at an English
Medium School but was disappointed by the monotonous
and routine style of work. I took a job in a N.G.O. which is a social wing of
Sun Pharma company. Through this N.G.O., I worked in B.M.C. School in Chembur
for 2 years, experimenting various activities and methods and for the first
time, the Municipal School Kids stood on the stage and sang patriotic songs
in English during the Republic Day celebrations. I was since then,
promoted and became a Master trainer [teachers' trainer] at the headquarters of
this N.G.O. in Ambernath.
It was during this time that the Rotary
club in partnership with VIDYA was planning to introduce Bhavishya yaan
project. The then Head Master recommended my name and thus I was selected
by Bhavishya yaan. Thus, i came in contact with VIDYA.
3. How has this Job Role and Vision changed the life around you?
Working with Vidya has helped me realize that to ensure effective
learning, it is very necessary to create a
non-threatening atmosphere in the classroom. Here there is no competition and
every individual is unique and important.
Being with Vidya has not only helped
me to grow above my prevailing circumstances
and explore new avenues chief being motivating women to being self
reliant.
4. What is your type of teaching?
“A good teacher is not one, who teaches
well, but one who makes the students learn by themselves”. This is my philosophy of teaching. A teacher is just a facilitator
who provides learning atmosphere and opportunities to the learners. It is
activity oriented learning. Students participate in the classroom activities
and come out with creative learning outcome. The strength of the class does not
exceed 25.
In
addition to this, I have introduced a new concept in teaching -learning
activity. Since it is difficult to memorize tables and rules of
grammar, whereas, it is easy to learn songs and poems with tunes, I give tunes
to various contents like vocabulary and rules. This is done with many regional
songs being translated by me in English
to assist. This concept is named as 'Sing and Speak English'.
For example, the famous song 'Ai mere
watan ke logo' was translated in English by me. Students of B.M.C. Ghatla
school even presented this song in English, on Republic Day celebration.
I was awarded with a certificate by
Rotary International for inspiring and motivating the kids to speak without
fear.
5. How has it shown benefits in the lives of the students?
Students have gained confidence
in speaking English. They participate in activities that enhance their
capabilities through interesting activities and songs. Many a student at the
under privileged school that I teach in have left the class with more than just
self confidence but also reassured that they not only have a reinforced sense
of self belief but that they can move out into regular society as an equal.
6. Why is this approach of teaching
going to be beneficial if adopted by teachers nation wide?
Today, teachers are burdened with routine
clerical work while parents have become' Marksist' in their attitude and
approach. Removing the fear of exams from their minds and creating a conducive
environment through song and innovative techniques could turn the education
system up a notch.
Besides, Today,
we are following the same old chalk and talk method of teaching, in the
classrooms. As a result, learning process has become monotonous and boring.
Hence, to develop interest in studies among students, alternate
teaching methods have to be adopted. Teaching
methods should be student- oriented, age appropriate, and should enhance in
creating a non-threatening atmosphere in the classroom.
All the
five sensory organs should be considered before framing activities. It is
rightly said, 'I hear, I will forget... I
see, I may forget...but if I do..I shall remember forever. Hence, along
with auditory and visual, psycho motor activities should also be involved.
The main aim of teaching
should be to create conducive atmosphere for learning, making the
learning process interesting and fun oriented. Students should enjoy learning.
7. How does this help you in your goal?
As a teacher, our goal is to provide
opportunities to the students, for their all round development. Activity
oriented teaching helps to identify the innate tendencies and qualities of the
students. A student, not good in studies, can be excellent in craft and
drawing.
A student may dislike reading, but he may be good in singing.
Thus,interest can be cultivated in students, using methods, favorable for the
students. I remember a student, who was weak in tables...but liked to sing. So
i composed a song based on tables and this student was the first one to learn
it.
In activity based teaching, the trainer is merely a facilitator and an
observer. His role is to monitor the activities and the participants, and try
to understand the inclination of their nature and interest.
