EDUCATION: BORING OR INTERESTING???

Do you doze off whenever you sit with books at your study table? Is it that, the subjects bore you and make you fall asleep in the class? You just want to run away from those boring subjects…..

Now, let me just tell you a secret. There is perhaps no subject in the world that is innately boring, it depends how we approach them, and the medium of education should be attractive. You know what…even the researchers claim that almost 60% of the students tend to find at least half of their lectures boring. Educators should make sure that boredom does not sneak into the classroom, and for that… we need to make learning experience more interesting.

Though most of the teachers use the traditional method of teaching as it reaches many students at one go but we fail to understand that such a method barely allows two way interaction. Therefore it leads to inactive learning. Students like you seem to sit in classrooms like statues!!! Remember those days?

Lecturers are often inclined towards dictating notes or explaining at random… At the most, they teach via power point slides, stuffed with information, compelling students to copy information from the screen, resulting in boredom. Don’t you remember yawning while taking down the notes???

Now, let us change the situation… How about arranging for classes where you may be taught in an interactive manner where even you are allowed to participate and discuss and even share your opinions! So, to make the class interesting one can go for practical sessions as, it is more appealing. Teachers can use presentations that are colourful, animated and sound effects to make the class livelier.

Again…at times practical sessions and computer sessions become boring as the exercises are controlled and outcomes known, the student does not get the scope to explore. This often leads you to daydreaming, chatting with friends, doodling etc. Making lectures interesting does not mean amusement. It needs to be relevant. As ‘doing’ is not enough to engage one unless it is appropriate. It needs to appeal to the learner emotionally and intellectually then only we can engage our brain in the work.

Hey!!! It is not only the teachers who are to make the lessons interesting even the students can participate in the process by not blankly copying and mugging the notes. Why do you want to depend solely on the notes of the supervisors and tutors?

Here are ways by which you can make your studies interesting:

1) You can jot down points and then analyse and evaluate the concept on your own in order to get a better image of the scenario.

2) Use their materials for basic knowledge but try to explore each aspect by yourself. REMEMBER if you work on it, it will remain in your mind like a picture

3) You can always refer to films, videos or DVD’s based on the topic to gain an audio-visual aid about it.

4) During lunch breaks you can engage in group discussion, this can allow different as well as new ideas to come in… and open various perspective to the subject. This in turn can make the class interactive and interesting.

5) Do not only visit libraries and trap yourself among the books. Try participating or attending few seminars and workshops, which can enhance your knowledge ina much more interactive manner.