Future of Classrooms

How Artificial Intelligence will revolutionize the existing Education System?

By Gargi Ghosh  *Updated on 16/5/2022

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a buzzword in education for some time now, and it’s easy to see why. AI is essentially a machine capable of learning and acting on its own, which makes it ideal for helping students learn—especially when there are millions of textbooks and millions of students who need them.

Educators know that the more you engage a student, the more active a learner they become – and the better they are going to perform. With digital courses, mobile devices, and online classes taking over the landscape of education, it’s no surprise that artificial intelligence (AI) has taken centre stage as an effective way to increase student engagement. These technologies are already being used in traditional classrooms in a variety of ways to help students learn and encourage participation.

There are a lot of factors that go into effective education. All students are different and have different learning styles, so it makes sense to tailor the education process to fit each student's needs. Teachers can only do so much with the resources they have—every minute spent on any one student is a minute lost for the other students in the class. In addition to this, most teachers are instructed to give standardized tests, which means they already have to focus their attention on teaching basic material rather than focusing on what each student needs.

Soon with AI-assisted education, educators will be able to use software that monitors each student's performance, identifies their strengths and weaknesses, and creates a personalized curriculum for each student based on their specific needs. Teachers would then be able to spend more time working one-on-one with students who need extra help or who excel at certain subjects, while the AI handles the rest of the class.

From allowing educators to understand their students more quickly to a more complete and personalized learning experience, there are endless benefits to using AI in the classroom. The power of AI lies in its ability to make data more accessible, which in turn, makes education more attainable.
In the future, students will be able to learn at their own pace using artificial intelligence and video-based technologies. This allows students to customize their education; therefore, ensuring that they have a rich, interactive learning experience.

AI will also allow teachers to become better at what they do. For example, teachers can use data collected from students’ devices and classroom interactions with other students to develop lesson plans based on what works best for each student. Teachers can also use artificial intelligence technologies to monitor their own performance and make adjustments accordingly.

In such a student-centric approach, students would be able to customize their own curricula and choose their own pace based on individual interests. All these steps could be orchestrated by artificial intelligence (AI).

As the global population continues to grow and education becomes more accessible, it is important for educators to explore methods for improving access to learning opportunities.

Imagine a classroom with more dedicated teachers, more engaged students, and the highest performing students producing higher results. It’s possible because of cyber technology. Moving forward, we need to adapt to an AI-driven education system that allows every student to make the most of their potential.

Written by Gargi Ghosh

Gargi Ghosh (M.A, B.Ed) is the Principal of Aptech International Preschool, New Delhi. A winner of awards for the categories of Women's Award-An Inspiring Woman (2019), Most Socially Active Principal (2020), Top Educators of India (2020), Top 100 Iconic Educators of India (2021). She has published her poems in several international anthologies and secured the 8th position in a Global Poetry Competition.  

Negative Effects of Beating Children

Why hitting children is wrong?

By Gargi Ghosh * updated on 10/2/2022

Parents often believe that hitting their children is the only way to discipline them and influence their behaviour. Excessive anger, however, has only negative effects on a child’s personality. Not only does it send the message that violence is acceptable, but it also creates fear and insecurity in children, which results in avoidance behaviour as they grow up.

Children are like sponges who absorb what they see and experience. They learn by copying the adults around them. By using violence as a punishment, you teach your child that it’s okay to beat up people weaker than them. The fear is transferred from the parents to the child. It teaches violence, not solution finding skills. 

A parent’s right and duty to discipline a child or hit them in the act often leads to abuse and violence. Most parents are unaware that everyday acts like slapping, hitting and spanking their children could expose them to a strong risk of serious mental health issues, especially in the long run. Based on the effects that verbal abuse has on children we can assume that corporal punishment would also have similar effects. There is also a fine line between discipline and violence and most parents are unaware of when they cross it.

Parents who don't know how to reason with their children and resort to physical abuse, without thinking about the consequences, have a lot to answer for. It has been proven time and time again that such actions are harmful to your child's emotional development, physical growth and mental health. They can become aggressive, violent and rebellious in future, which can result in many problems in life. Some children will even turn to drugs or crime. It is imperative that parents learn how to deal with anger in a healthier way than resorting to physical punishment.

Children, like all of us, will naturally want to do things that please their parents. However, when parents become dictators, the stage is set for future conflicts – in the playground, at school and later on in life. Punitive parenting creates a whole range of problems from short-term negative emotions to long-term depression and anxiety. The most effective parenting style is one where you encourage your child to share their feelings and where you respond to your child’s behaviour with empathy and respect.

Research shows that corporal punishment is not a useful way to discipline children. It affects the child’s physical, mental and long-term development, and puts them at risk of being subjected to child abuse. If you hit or slap your child, it impacts the relationships they cultivate with their friends, family, teachers and other adults in school, and eventually hurts their career prospects. 

The most significant impact of hitting children is how it stifles their creativity and imagination, making them fearful and dependent on others. It also hinders their decision-making ability later in life. Children who feel safe during childhood grow into happy adults. For the benefit of your children, we urge you to quit using corporal punishment, for children learn best when treated with respect and love. 

Written by Gargi Ghosh

Gargi Ghosh (M.A, B.Ed) is the Headmistress of one of the branches of Shemrock and Shemford Group of Schools since 2018. A winner of awards for the categories of Women's Award-An Inspiring Woman (2019), Most Socially Active Principal (2020), Top Educators of India (2020), Top 100 Iconic Educators of India (2021). She has published her poems in several international anthologies and secured the 8th position in a Global Poetry Competition.  

Right to Learn

Need for Education for all

By Gargi Ghosh * updated on 11/12/2021

The importance of education for everyone can never be emphasized enough. It is the key to progress and development. It is the only weapon that can fight ignorance, and it is even more powerful than the atom bomb. It is the means by which man can conquer nature and remove poverty from his life. It alone can emancipate him from slavery and raise him to the level of a master.

Swami Vivekananda said: "If the poor cannot come to education, education must reach them at the plough, in the factory, everywhere."

Henry David Thoreau said: "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation"

Millions of children in India don’t go to school. Instead, they help their parents work in the fields or work as child labourers. Some are kept out of school because they are girls – because their families feel that educating a girl is not as important as educating a boy.

Millions of children also drop out of school before completing their education. This leaves them with little hope for the future and prevents India from improving its economy and reducing poverty.

Many people don’t have enough money to pay for their children’s education. Others view it as a luxury that they cannot afford. And some think that all the children in the family can learn whatever they need to know from other members of the family – like grandparents, cousins, or even older brothers and sisters.

In addition, many public schools require students to pay fees, which poor families cannot afford. So these students either do not attend school at all or they drop out if they do not receive any money from home.

These barriers are one reason that India has such high illiteracy rates. Many people cannot read or write even basic sentences in their own language, let alone English or another language. And most Indians do not understand how important education is to the future prosperity.

Over the last few decades, India has made great strides in improving access to quality education, increasing elementary school enrollment and reducing the number of out-of-school children. However certain challenges remain:- 

"An estimated 6.1 million children out of school in 2014 reduced from 13.46 million in 2006. Out of 100 students, 29 per cent of girls and boys drop out of school before completing the full cycle of elementary education, and often they are the most marginalised children." (Source: SRI-IMRB Surveys, 2009 and 2014)

"Around 50 per cent of adolescents do not complete secondary education, while approximately 20 million children not attending pre-school." (Source Rapid Survey of Children 2013-2014 MWCD)

"Half of primary school-going children – which constitutes nearly 50 million children – not achieving grade-appropriate learning levels." (Source: National Achievement Survey, NCERT 2017)

In addition to encouraging Increased enrolment into schools and improving retention rates, it is also important to improve the quality of education received. 

Education is the only path to success and prosperity. The global community must rally together and help those countries that are still struggling to provide their people with proper education. This is one of the most effective ways for us to prevent war, poverty, hunger and any other social ills in the world today. Education is everything.

Written by Gargi Ghosh

Gargi Ghosh (M.A, B.Ed) is the Headmistress of one of the branches of Shemrock and Shemford Group of Schools. A winner of awards for the categories of Women's Award-An Inspiring Woman (2019), Most Socially Active Principal (2020), Top Educators of India (2020), Top 100 Iconic Educators of India (2021). She has published her poems in several international anthologies and secured the 8th position in a Global Poetry Competition.  

The ABCs of Kindergarten: 

A Complete Guide for Parents

by Gargi Ghosh * Updated on 25/11/20

Children are born little sponges, soaking up everything around them. They're learning to walk and talk, but also how to navigate their relationships with others. They are beginning to form opinions about themselves, other people, and the world around them. Here are the ABCs of kindergarten so you can be fully prepared for what your child will experience in their first year of school.

What to Bring

One of the most important things to bring is your child's lunch. The lunches are provided by the school, but it's important to remember that the lunches are not your child's lunch. They are the school's lunch.

It's also important to bring a backup pair of shoes because the kids are required to wear socks or shoes with their uniforms. One other thing to bring is crayons and glue because some of the projects will require them.

If you want some other ideas on what to bring, check out this article.

What to Wear

What to wear? This is an area parents often struggle with. Kindergarteners are only at school for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. But their clothes should be comfortable, appropriate for the weather, and able to withstand the rough-and-tumble play.

Here are some tips for what to wear in Kindergarten:

- Jeans, corduroys, or other comfortable pants that can be rolled up or down

- Shirts that can be tucked in or out

- Shoes that can withstand playtime

- Comfortable socks

- Hats, scarves, and gloves in the winter

What to Expect

Kindergarten is a big year for kids. They are now in their first year of formal school, learning to read, write, and do the math. The curriculum is much more rigorous than in the early years. There are specific skills they need to learn and special rules they need to follow.

It’s important to remember that kindergarten, for many kids, is their first time away from mom or dad for more than a few hours. It’s the first time they'll be away from their friends for extended periods. It can be hard for them to adjust, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are some things you can do to help your child adjust to kindergarten:

• Visit the school before the school year starts so they know what to expect

• Let them know about their new teacher and what they'll be doing in kindergarten

• Bring in special items to help them feel at home

• Bring in snacks for the first few days to keep them happy

ABCs of Kindergarten

A is for Accountability

You'll want to talk to your child about the importance of taking responsibility when it comes to things they do in school. They need to learn to take ownership when they make mistakes because self-accountability is an important part of the learning process.

You should also talk about responsibility in terms of how your child can be responsible for their health and safety. This may include talking about the importance of not talking to strangers and how to use safewords if they get lost.

B is for Bullying

Bullying is a major concern in the world today, and it's one of the most important topics to discuss with your kids. You should talk to your child about the seriousness of bullying and what they should do if they're being bullied.

B is also for Building Friendships

In kindergarten, your child will be meeting a whole new bunch of kids. To get along with these new friends, your child must understand that everyone is different and has something different to share. Encourage your child to get to know new friends on a deeper level and learn about their interests.

C is for "Care" Words

One of the most important lessons you can give to your child.

                        Written by Gargi Ghosh

Gargi Ghosh (M.A, B.Ed) is the Headmistress of one of the branches of Shemrock and Shemford Group of Schools. A winner of awards for the categories of Women's Award-An Inspiring Woman (2019), Most Socially Active Principal (2020), Top Educators of India (2020), Top 100 Iconic Educators (2021). She has published her poems in several international anthologies and secured the 8th position in a Global Poetry Competition.