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Why Students Try To ‘Negotiate’ Their Assessment Grades?

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Why Students Try To ‘Negotiate’ Their Assessment Grades?
By Ahmad Amirali

I still remember when I was in school and get average grades in my class tests. I try to ask the teacher why I received such grades. Even the checked paper in front of me was full of teacher’s comments. The same anxiety is taking a new shape in the form of students’ concerns, which they showed in various creative ways after they receive their tests grades. Now students share their concerns with their teachers and parents and, in some cases, even start appealing over social media like Facebook and WhatsApp. The reasons can be anything from convincing oneself that they did their level best; still, they got these marks, or they try to maintain their social reputation or even some only wat sympathising words that might cheer them up. However, the matter of concern to me is not the channels students used when they are in distress but their behaviour of appealing and complain. Why students even want to negotiate or try to request for their assessment re-grading? Continue reading “Why Students Try To ‘Negotiate’ Their Assessment Grades?” →

The Online Discussion Boards – A Classroom Pedagogical Tool | How to Use Guide | Pros & Cons

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

The Online Discussion Boards – A Classroom Pedagogical Tool | How to Use Guide | Pros & Cons
By Ahmad Amirali

Since we are living in an advanced ‘Space-age’ where ICT (Information Communication Technology) is now becoming an integral part of our lives. Therefore, the ethical use of technology as part of the lesson plan provides a paperless and collaborative learning experience for students. However, in developing countries like India and Pakistan, the use of virtual tools usually discouraged by teachers in the classroom due to lack of professional development and in some regional context the lack of resources like multimedia projectors or even cellular devices. It is essential first to reflect how, as a teacher, I perceive the idea of using technology in the classroom? Do I believe that using technology means the use of heavy tech-gear in my classroom as a pedagogy? This perception not only limits the idea of a technology-engaged class but also discourage teachers even from getting involved in this process. Continue reading “The Online Discussion Boards – A Classroom Pedagogical Tool | How to Use Guide | Pros & Cons” →

What Is the Scariest Thought Student Might Have During the Whole School Term?

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

What Is the Scariest Thought Student Might Have During the Whole Term?
By Ahmad Amirali

The summer vacations are over, and students are all setting their new aspirations for the new journey which is about to start or for some already started at the beginning of August. Besides the usual term classes and assessments, some things that motivate students to work hard and perform well such as new classmates, favourite teachers, reasonable classrooms compare to last years (in most cases) etc. similarly there are things that slow down students’ performance engine. In the majority of schools in Pakistan, the term started in August and most probably every school has their midterm examinations in December. The question that almost every student asks in these four months is ‘how much time left for me in this semester to improve my grades?’ Continue reading “What Is the Scariest Thought Student Might Have During the Whole School Term?” →

Is the Late-Night Smartphone Use turning Teenagers into Daytime Zombies?

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Is the Late-Night Smartphone Use turning Teenagers into Daytime Zombies?
By Ahmad Amirali

I usually work late at night and my friends, school colleagues and even my students mostly aware of my schedule. As a result of which my ex-students mostly approach me at night even after midnight. Yesterday, a similar kind of thing happened and one of my previous year students texted me, asking my suggestions about his career choice. It was quite late at night, and unintentionally I asked him, ‘don’t you want to sleep it’s quite late?’ He replied with a usual excuse, ‘Sir, I normally sleep that late’. This reminds me of the whole term experience which I had with this kid. His class performance was above average; however, he always looks like a Somnambulist (walking in one’s sleep or under hypnosis) even during the day time in school. As children grow and move to teenage level, they become at the significant stage of their growth and development that they need more sleep than adults. (Previous Article: Sleep and Teenagers: Why Teens Need More Sleep Than Adults). The result of not having enough sleep can be devastating to teen’s mental and physical health – making them a walking ‘Daytime Zombie’. There are many factors that keep teens from getting enough sleep – one of the factors is the use of late-night smartphones. Continue reading “Is the Late-Night Smartphone Use turning Teenagers into Daytime Zombies?” →

Help Children to See Good Side of Making Mistakes

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Help Children to See Good Side of Making Mistakes

Recently, three parents complained about their kids being naughty and taking a keen interest in home-related chores. I ask them how they handled the situation when their kids made mistakes? Two out of three parents confess that they use force by scolding their children or using rough language; even one parent stated that she even swears them while scolding them. First of all, it is essential to know that children learn from their mistakes during their adolescence period. Most adults understand this concept. We have failed to teach our children that there is a positive side to getting things wrong.

Nowadays, parents and teachers struggled to make children perfect in every discipline, from high test scores to get into the best university with prestigious scholarships. Amongst all these struggles of becoming the ideal citizen of the society, children’s focus on learning somewhere lost or ignored or maybe misunderstood. An article published in Scientific American Journal highlights that if we drill children repeatedly with the same math or science problem, they will eventually remember the answer. And if they are lucky, they will remember the response on a standardised test. Continue reading “Help Children to See Good Side of Making Mistakes” →