An instructive national webinar for students was organised by CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), New Delhi, on the topic “Science Teaching Methodologies in the 21st Century – A Students’ Perspective” on 15 February 2022 in its endeavour to engage students from different corners of India to present their opinions and perspectives on 21st-century teaching methodologies. The webinar aimed to give voice to students & understand their perspectives towards the changes in learning methods.
Prof. Ashok K. Bakshi, a Renowned Academician and Vice-Chancellor of PDM University, Bahadurgarh, Haryana, was the esteemed resource person of the webinar who presented his expert views. Prof. Bakshi is presently chairman of the National Resource Centre of Chemistry of the MHRD, and was earlier Vice-Chancellor of UP Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Allahabad. Prof. Bakshi also has the distinction of being one of the first persons from the Universities in India to have been selected as the Member Scientist of the “Third Indian Research Expedition to Antarctica” in 1984.
Mr R.S. Jayasomu, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR during his inaugural address briefed about the activities of the newly founded institute CSIR-NIScPR which revolves around science communication and policy research. Appreciating the theme of the webinar he said that it’s a very good initiative to involve young minds to discuss various aspects of teaching methodologies.
Students during their presentations mentioned the various aspects of science teaching methodologies in the 21st century and also talked about the importance of online teaching along with its pros and cons. They highlighted how today’s shift due to the COVID-19 pandemic from traditional teaching methods to virtual classrooms had helped them to build up learning concepts with demonstration-based learning.
Students also raised their concerns over the ways science is being taught at present. Appreciating the efforts of teachers, students discussed the need for transformation in the science teaching system so that they can have meaningful learning using different technology tools.
Sharing his experiences, Prof. AK Bakhshi said that India needs to do a lot to improve science teaching. He added that as we are living in the 21st century the curriculum and teaching methods for students should also be of the 21st century and accordingly the assessment should also be in tune with the times. He said that to excel in the 21st century, there is a need to have outstanding, interdisciplinary and practical knowledge along with 21stcentury skills. He mentioned three main challenges of the information age including uncertainty, artificial intelligence and massification of education. To overcome these challenges 21st century skills are needed which come under three categories — learning skills, literacy skills (information, media and technology literacy) and life skills. Since there are no machines with these skills, they need to be nurtured in students, Prof. Bakhshi added.
Citing a report he said that 87% of people fail in life not because of capability but because of personality. Besides, knowledge and skills, one should also have the right personality which decides the values, attitude, traits and behaviour. Competence is decided by knowledge, skills and personality, he added.
Discussing the challenges in science he emphasised that we need creative minds in India. Again citing a report, he mentioned that nearly 98% of the kids who enter Kindergarten think differently but once they go through the education system, they think alike which shows that our teaching methodology curbs their thinking ability.
Prof. Bakhshi felt that there is a crisis of creativity in the Indian education system and more so in science. Explaining the purpose of education he said that we need to encourage out-of-the-box thinking in students in lower classes and teaching methods should focus on encouraging the students which will ultimately give rise to learning. He emphasised that the traditional talk & chalk method of teaching does not align with our present 21st century methods, for which teachers need to change teaching methods. Teachers should encourage problem-based learning involving students.
Concluding, he said that there is a need to have a problem-based interdisciplinary approach in the teaching methodology to encourage students to construct knowledge on their own. Once this is done at lower classes, by the time students will come into higher education they will become experts.
Earlier, Dr Meher Wan, Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, explained the concept of the webinar. The session was very interactive wherein students came up with their queries and got them clarified. Finally, Ms Sonali Nagar, Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, proposed the vote of thanks.
