"Digital devices have changed everything"- Pankaj Mohan Rastogi

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1. Tell us more about your experience as an educator.

I think that as an educator, it’s my job to support my students through the lessons I give, but also through the various challenges they may face at University, and to partner with them as well as other support systems to help them feel motivated, comfortable, and happy in the classroom.

 

2. What is your opinion of the Indian education system and how would you like to change that?

We cannot deny the Indian government and institutions have been working to reform the existing education model. However, there are still several issues which are required to be taken care. The school and colleges must be encouraged to introduce conceptual learning which avoids students to mug up what they are being taught. While this will help students to understand the concept better, they will also be able to retain and apply them better.

 

3. What changes in the teaching methodologies have you seen in the recent times?

Digital devices have changed everything. Teachers are expected to both learn, plan, publish, share, and collaborate endlessly with other teachers, and then support their students to do the same with their own peers.

 

4. How does education help one do well in their career?

I believe when students are challenged with realistic goals and given the support they need not to just get the answers right but to be able to use those learning to solve future problems on their own, everyone comes out on top.

 

5. Do you think teaching as a profession is viewed at par with corporate jobs?

I think that a teacher is a teacher not because he couldn't do anything else, but because he felt that he is responsible for creating better students and more importantly the best science enthusiast.

 

6. How can we adopt technology to make teaching more effective?

I think that technology in the classroom can be a valuable tool in helping students learn. Students should be able to use the technology for learning as well as to learn basic skills. For example, I may include formatting requirements with their writing assignments, so they're progressively learning to format throughout the year. This allows the students to become more comfortable with different platforms and sets them up for success in their future workplace.

 

7. Why does India need more educators like you?

I believe that Teachers need to have flexibility, self-discipline, drive and patience to reach their students. Teachers also need to consider state and local testing objectives when devising lesson plans and making sure students understand the materials on which they'll be tested. Teachers must be able to alter their styles so that every one of their students is able to learn effectively.

 

8. Which is your favorite book and why?

Bhagwat Geeta... Because this book have solutions of all problems in life.

Interviewed By - Divvela Dhanush