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S t r at e g y While sharing some of her teaching methodologies with ED Matrix, she noted that teaching should be full of ideas and not stuffed with facts. “Presence of mind helps a lot for teachers. They can associate the concepts they lecture, with related stories or everyday incidents”. She cites her own experience of how she explained the Screening Effect through the method of association, citing the example of Pakistan and India border issue, with electrons as the Army, Pakistan as Nuclear force and India as outermost electrons. To introduce a new concept, she recommends “Known-to Unknown” methodology. “When you teach children from what they know, they will not panic. For instance, when you introduce the concept of photosynthesis, ask them questions about trees. They will mention roots, stems, fruits and leaves and when they say that leaves are green in colour, you can explain why they are green and introduce the concept of photosynthesis.”

she never earned extra money through extra tuition. Sumathi had been a very dedicated teacher. The school where she worked earlier, recognizing her dedication, declared holiday so that the students and staff could attend her wedding. Looking back she realizes that 20 years have gone by in using such innovation in teaching and she cherishes those moments when she received letters from her old students, in appreciation and gratitude. To become a teacher was a dream. She request-

A positive attitude towards the subject will create interest in the subject, she tells her students. “If you think that a subject is boring, it will be boring. Open the book with a positive attitude. Smell the new papers of the book and smile over the funny names of the authors. Now you will have the interest to read”, she adds. When asked if she handles private tuition, “Teaching is my passion, not a business,” the words came like a slug, from this enthusiastic teacher, who started the career when she was 19 . Ever since Silver nitrate, silver nitrate it’s chemistry time in the lab Ding-a-ling, with a copper ring soon it will be chemistry day. Take your nitrate, in solution Add your copper with style In the beaker there’s a feeling of reactions silver forming, blue solution Bringing ooh’s ah’s and wows now the data procesing begins!

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ed matrix MAY 2008

ed the interviewer at the Bank exam not to select her, as she wanted to become a teacher. In her twenty years as teacher, she had never punished a student. She says, the more rigid you are, worse will be the repulsion to the subject. As a Chemistry teacher, she laments that only a meager number of students get into research. “Even if one or two of my students get into research every year, I will be happy. I wish my students carry my message”…..

S t r at e g y grips with them, or offset their negative impact. How did Lincoln control the more negative aspects of his character, such as anger and frustration? Though once in a while he would blow up and lose his temper, he usually did it in private. To avoid such a display, Lincoln would sit down and write lengthy letters that he generally did not send. They served as ways to release his pent-up emotional feelings. Lincoln usually exhibited his darker sides only in private; problem, in a less emotional frame of mind. But Lincoln’s primary goal was to not lose his temper at all, or at least to minimize the times he would do so. His strategy was simply to not put himself in that position, to avoid conflict wherever possible. “Let minor differences, and personal preferences, if there be such; go to the winds,” he once said. If Lincoln was able to master himself, so can contemporary leaders, who can learn from his skill. He managed his darker side by displaying his outrage only in private, writing long letters to vent his anger and emotion, avoiding conflict wherever possible, and never quarrelling over insignificant matters. And Lincoln is charismatic even in death. Mention of his name still generates great emotion. Today he has a tremendous following that spans all walks of life, all professions, all around the globe. • He seemed to have a “revolving door” of generals whom he often removed and replaced; yet, in reality, he gave them ample time and support to produce results. • He claimed not to have controlled events, that his policy was to have no policy when, in actuality, he did control events to a very large degree by being aggressive, taking charge, and being extraordinarily decisive.

these amazing inconsistencies during so trying a time in American history. Yet not only did he manage them, he mastered these paradoxes in such a formidable manner that, by being more often proactive that reactive, he actually controlled the outcome of events. While Lincoln was able to capitaliSe on his own strengths, he was also to recognise his shortcomings, compensate for them, and play down his darker side.

One naturally wonders how Lincoln could possibly have managed all of

All human beings have their weaknesses, but not all of us realise them, come to

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ed matrix june 2008

Corporate leaders of the future will have to provide employee security while also encouraging an environment for risk taking. At times it will seem like walking a delicate tightrope. But, in reality, it is nothing more than the simple understanding that each person, and each situation, is different and should be handled uniquely, in some cases with completely opposite styles. In many ways, mastering paradox is nothing more than having good common sense. Abridged from Donald T. Phillips’ ‘Lincoln on Leadership’

E V E NT

“Tourism & Education Fair 2008”

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dmission Season just passed by! New academic year brought in changing trends, rising competition and fresh opportunities to cope with.

During the admission seasons, the focus of the students and parents is largely on finding suitable school and course for your students. Getting enrolled in a professional course still seems to be the top priority in the State. However, a lot of skill factors determine how a student can perform while in, and once out of college and school. Whether it is a primary or secondary education or employment, it is this value addition that, on most occasions, outweighs academic credentials of a candidate. While marks and performance in school and college still count, it is the student’s performance in extra – curricular activities and their soft skills and communication skills that are likely to give them an edge over their counterparts. It was with this motive The Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation in association with Spell Bound has organised “Tourism and Education fair 2008”, at Rajaji hall Chennai. The fair started on 27th June 2008, and continued up to 7th July 2008. Inaugurating the exhibition, V. Iraiyanbu. IAS., Secretary, Tourism Development Corporation and culture, said the fair will guide the students in shaping their career prospects and to provide educational counselling for academic improvements. “For the benefit of the students, Aptitude tests, memory improvement programmes, Learning enhancement programmes and Personality Development Programmes 16

While marks and performance in school and college still count, it is the student’s performance in extra – curricular activities and their soft skills and communication skills that are likely to give them an edge over their counterparts. will be conducted by the team of clinical Psychologists,” he said. “Individual counselling for slow learners and low achievers will also be offered. Children with learning disabilities, hyper active tension deficit syndrome, dyslexia, etc. will be identified by the psychologists and treatment will be prescribed.” he added while speaking about the special function of the fair. ‘Career Talks’ is yet another salient feature of the fair. Eminent educational experts were roped in to conduct sessions ed matrix july 2008

on topics ranging from Engineering to Job opportunities in Tourism and Hotel Industries. Leading Nationalised Banks participated in the exhibition to facilitate educational loans. Besides health check up programmes such as eye testing, dental check up. Blood grouping, etc were also part of the show for the benefit of the students attending the fair, he said. The fair had 75, stalls represented by Catering Colleges and universities and book publishers, Government Departments and the State Parent Teacher Association related to Education and UNICEF. Information on job opportunities, career options, studying abroad, Institutions giving career guidance will also be provided through this exhibition, Iraiyanbu said. He said, “It offers you information at your fingertips with experts to help you make sense of all the data. It is up to you to make the best of this opportunity and arm yourself with knowledge as admissions 2008 gets in to full swing.” Ananda K.

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Road safety programme launched in school

Safety first: Section of the students at the Toyota safety educational programme launch in Chennai.

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HENNAI: A safety education programme in schools was launched in the city on Wednesday by Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives.

initiatives were necessary in view of the worsening road safety situation. Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Sunil Kumar quizzed the students on various road safety rules. “Children can become the ambassadors of the traffic police.”

Speaking at the launch at Chettinad Vidyashram, company’s director Shekar Viswanathan, said such

Toyota Kirloskar Managing Director Hiroshi Nakagawa said the programme aims to raise awareness about of

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ed matrix august 2008

road safety among children and make them better motorists in future. The animated road safety mascot “Traffy” and the child cartoon cha racters “Aki” and “Maya” will adorn the campaign material. Details on the programme are available at www.tsepindia.com. Anandha Prabhu. K