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Ekya / August 16, 2022 Posted by : administrator

4 Strategies to Manage your time better!

Time is one of the most important resources we have, and the most scarce too! As educators, we have many priorities like instruction time, assessment planning, lesson planning, reviewing and grading student work  and more. When there are so many important things to do, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, over stretched and even miss out on a few key tasks.

This is where managing your time effectively comes in. Time management has always been important, but given the multitude of tasks that we generally have to contend with on a day to day basis, It has become a  key 21st century skill which increases productivity, reduces stress and helps achieve all our tasks and goals.

Let’s look at 4 strategies that can help you manage your time better:

  1. The Pareto Principle:  80:20 rule

As per the Pareto Principle our focus should be on the key 20% of our tasks that drive 80% of the impact.

For example, In the beginning of the year, prioritising building a classroom contract with students over finishing a lesson will yield better results, since the classroom contract will set the tone for the rest of the academic year, and eventually will result in more learning time.

Pareto Principle pushes us to think about our priorities and where we should focus our efforts.

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2. Kanban Board

A kanban board is a visual tool to identify things you have to work on, things you are currently working on, and things that have been completed.

It has 3 columns – To Do, Doing, Done.

Let’s look at how to create a Kanban board-

You can use a whiteboard or just a normal board to put this together.

Step 1 – Add all of your To-do list

To do Doing Done
Speak to Coordinator about a child’s issue
Grade assessment papers
Lesson Planning

Step 2 – Once you start doing an action item move it to Doing.

To do Doing Done
 Lesson Planning  Speak to Coordinator about a child’s issue
Grade assessment papers

Step 3 – Once the action item is completed, you can add it to the Done list.

To do Doing Done
 Lesson Planning  Speak to Coordinator about a child’s issue
Grade assessment papers

It is an easy visual tool to track your tasks and will also help you prioritise your tasks on a day to day basis.

3. The Pomodoro Technique

A simple technique to do deep work, once you have decided on the task you wish to finish, set a timer for 25 minutes, start as the timer starts, and until the timer goes off complete the work you have started without any interruptions. Put all of your distractions aside and just focus on the task at hand for 25 minutes and after 25 minutes, take a 5 minutes break and begin again.

Here are a few tips to help you execute Pomodoro Technique effectively:

i. Put all the distractions away

Phone, tablets, and any other gadgets should be put on silent or be put away, this is to ensure that you are not distracted and can’t focus for 25 mins on the task at hand.

ii. Isolate yourself

To ensure that you are not disturbed during the 25 mins of working, isolate yourself from other people, and let everyone around you know that you are working on something and need the time to yourself.

iii. Take a break

Avoid extending the work time when you are starting to use this technique. Instead, take a break and relax before you start another round of focused work.

Use this online pomodoro timer to regulate the time spent on the tasks.

4. Urgent – Important Prioritisation Matrix

Before the start of the month, week and day, create a to-do list, add all that you need to do there, and bracket all the items into important and unimportant items, urgent and not urgent. This to-do list will help you stay in charge of your time and ensure that you get all of your work done on time. You can also build an urgent important matrix  that will help you stay organised and on top of your tasks.

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A few additional tips and tricks that will help you save time and ensure efficiency:

Self-correction / Peer correction: Give students a chance, and time, to correct themselves, Students can also correct notebooks of one another. Peer correction often helps to create a positive class atmosphere as students realise teachers are not the only source of error correction and they can learn a lot from one another.

Avoid Reinventing the Wheel: There are plenty of lesson plans and teaching resources available online, you can use the same instead of reinventing the wheel. However, you can always contextualise the resources to your students’ needs.

Give tasks to students: Engage your students in planning and executing morning meetings, closing circles, and other spaces that you think they can manage, you can give them a template and set standards for the same, and students can plan it around it and get the plan reviewed by you.

Use Technology: Use technology in processes that can be automated. For example, attendance can be recorded and score analysis can be easily done on excel or google sheets. Online tools can be used to assign and automate grading. This will help draw trends easily and process all the raw data.

Find time for yourself: Finally, find time for yourself to do what you enjoy and can relax doing it. A relaxed mind is more efficient in problem-solving and time management than a stressed one.

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Ekya / March 14, 2024

Strategies to help students focus on their studies

The famous quote by Bruce Lee, “Concentration is the root of all the higher abilities in man,” aptly describes the importance of concentration. When it comes to students, concentration plays a major role in their overall performance. From understanding the concepts in the classroom to solving advanced mathematical problems or playing their favourite sports, everything is directly related to the power of concentration. Many of them wonder how to stay focused on their studies. For them, it is advisable to take small breaks in between their study sessions. Also, students should make an effort to participate in an extracurricular of their choice, be it playing guitar or making goals in the field. Activities of their choice would not only give them a break from studies but would also boost their dopamine level.

As per American psychological society, there is a decline in student's attention for 10 to 15 minutes. However, there is a need to look out for strategies for boosting productivity and focus among students

Here are some tips to concentrate on studies and boost focus:

Prepare short summaries of the lessons:

After completing the lessons, preparing a summary of it will help students to get a good hold on the topic. Short summaries will also be useful during the revision before final exams. Sticky notes to write important points will also help

Take periodic breaks:

A small break after a study session is one of the learning tips for children given by many experts. Small breaks help students refresh their mind and focus on the topic. Students can also use the Pomodoro technique which includes 25 minutes of study and 5 minutes of break or 50 minutes of study and 10 minutes of break.

Encourage them to finish tasks faster:

Setting a time limit will help students to channel their energy in one direction. This is a good way to increase their concentration. Children should also be advised to divide the bigger tasks into smaller pieces and solve them one by one. This technique will teach students the lesson of time management and will enhance their concentration.

Try to make learning sessions fun:

It is one of the best tips for studying. As it will engage the students in the most fun manner. For this, various learning toys can be used to make them understand complex topics. Including memory games would also be a good option to increase their concentration.

Implement Ed-Tech learning:

Involving Ed-Tech learning is one of the best ways to keep the students engaged, as it captivates their attention. Ed-tech learning methods are designed in a way to not just boost the student's interest but also help improve their concentration.

Take the feedback seriously:

Always encourage the students to take the feedback given by their teachers seriously as this way they will get to know more about their weaker areas and work over them. It is a good way for students to channel their focus on the areas that demand more attention.

Understand the student's potential:

This point is very important for teachers and parents to consider. Every child is blessed in some or the other way. Comparing them with other students not just demoralises them but also lowers their confidence. So it is essential to understand the true potential of every student. This way they can excel in their desired career fields.   Ekya School is among the best schools in Bangalore, if you are seeking a school with an ICSE curriculum, this is the place for you. It is also among the CBSE schools in Bangalore, that provide students a holistic approach by innovative curriculum design based on the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework. With over 30 years of education legacy, it has excelled not only in academics but also outperformed in co-curricular activities. Ekya’s experienced teachers help students concentrate on studies through different methods of teaching, clearing doubts, and revision sessions, pedagogy method of teaching is applied for better outcomes. Moreover allowing students to take breaks, participate, and enjoy their personal activity time. Ekya promotes the importance of co-curriculum activities such as physical health, sports, school clubs, music, dance, coding, debating, and more. All these approaches help in concentration and focus, also these are elements that demand variety and quality breaks in between everything we do. Furthermore, students are offered excellent opportunities here in Ekya that help them grow in a safe and supportive environment.  

Ekya / March 04, 2024

Teachers, The Unsung Heroes

In the vast tapestry of society, there exists a group of individuals who are shaping futures, nurturing minds and instilling values but continue to remain unsung heroes. Their efforts and contributions often go unnoticed despite the indispensable role they play in society. Despite their pivotal role, teachers are most often undervalued and underappreciated. It’s crucial to recognise and acknowledge their efforts. Acceptance of their importance motivates them to continue their noble work.

Beyond the confines of books and teaching teachers play a significant role in shaping the lives of their students. They serve as mentors, confidants and role models guiding young children through challenges and opportunities. With their role comes great responsibility as they not only impart education but also nurture character, empathy, and resilience. Teachers have the power to ignite passion, unlock potential, and instil a lifelong love and learning.

The commitment of teachers transcends mere profession, it’s a lifelong dedication. Despite facing numerous challenges, from limited resources to societal pressures, they remain committed to their pursuit of providing quality education. The impact they create in the lives of individuals is unfathomable. The smile they bring to the faces of young children is something that only they are capable of and that’s what brings joy and fulfilment in their lives.

As we reflect on their profound impact, let’s celebrate and honour their invaluable role in shaping the world we live in. This tribute to teachers is a recognition of their transformative power in shaping the destiny of individuals and communities. Let’s cherish and support them in their noble endeavour to enlighten minds and build a brighter future for generations to come.

Sreepriya Unnikrishnan Head of School Ekya School, JP Nagar

Ekya / March 04, 2024

Education, the essence of life

Education is the most beautiful creation, be it in nature or human life. I choose to do the Cambridge International Diploma course to enhance my understanding of how to teach effectively. This course enabled me to accept challenges and think outside of the box. It helped me develop critical thinking in my students, motivating them to revolutionize their thought processes as they are taught “How to think?”, not “What to think?”.This course has helped me improve my teaching skills creating a better learning environment for my learners. The use of active learning strategies like think-pair-share, brainstorming, class discussion, and Socratic Questioning has helped widen their horizon, as the students develop problem-solving skills and communicating and collaborating skills. As a teacher, following my passion has been enriching and rewarding. Written by, Shalini Joshi
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Why ICSE board is the best choice for your child

The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education board is a private, non-governmental board.  The board has a mission to serve the nation’s children by imparting high quality education to them. It aims to empower them to form a humane and pluralistic society.  The board revises its syllabus and curriculum to ensure that the lessons imparted are relevant and up to date.   The history of the ICSE board goes all the way back to 1952 when the All India Certificate Examinations Conference was held  under the chairmanship of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who was the Minister of Education. The conference wanted to hold discussions for the replacement of Cambridge School Certificate Examination by an Indian based Council. It was decided that the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations would be set up. The council was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 in 1967. There are three examinations conducted under CISCE, the first is the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education for the high school class X board, the Indian School Certificate for higher secondary or class XII board, and Certificate in Vocational Education or CVE - Year 12. Over 2, 300 schools in India and abroad are affiliated to ICSE. 

ICSE Board Curriculum for High School 

The ICSE Board Curriculum has been designed as per the recommendations of the New Education Policy 1986.  It is required that the candidates should appear for six subjects and also engage in Socially Useful Productive work. The revised syllabus for the ICSE examination includes subjects such as English, Indian Languages, Modern Foreign Language, History and Civics, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, Commercial Studies, Classical Language, Environmental Science, Computer Applications, Economic Applications, Commercial Applications, Performing Art, Fashion Designing, Home Science and Cookery among other options. The ICSE board offers a wide range of curriculum. 

1.  Assessment Pattern for ICSE School

The ICSE board decides the syllabus, exam pattern and textbooks for each affiliated school. Among the ICSE subjects, Group 1 is compulsory for all students, these subjects are English, History, Civics, Geography and a second language. From Group II, students can select two or three subjects, the options given are Mathematics, Science, Economics, Commercial Studies, a Modern Foreign Language, a Classical Language and Environmental Science. From Group III, the student can choose 1 subject from 12 options. The examination pattern consists of essay type quotations, short compulsory questions and objective type questions. For Group I and Group II of the subjects,  assessment is done by taking 20% from the internal assessment and 80% from the external assessment, while for group III, 50% each will be considered from internal and external assessment. The students will also have to face practical exams in the subjects of Art, Physics, Indian Music, Home Science, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Computer Science, and Fashion Designing. The practical examination should be given as much importance as the theoretical examination as the marks will be considered in the final assessment. The student must prove to be an expert in the subject in theoretical as well as practical terms. To prepare for examinations, students can undertake mock tests and go through ICSE board sample papers which are available online. 

2.  Future post-ICSE Board Exams

The ICSE board focuses on the development of the students and helps them gain strong analytical skills and practical knowledge to prepare them for the future. Due to the vast syllabus offered, students can pursue their line of interests and focus on their future career right from the ICSE board.  The board focuses on helping children become skillful with the use of the English language, this in turn helps share their future course. It makes it easier for the students to appear for exams such as TOEFL( Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS(International English Language Testing System).   The best ICSE schools in India can be found in cities and towns across the country. If you are looking for the best ICSE schools in Bangalore, Ekya Schools are one the best schools offering ICSE boards in a few campuses. Ekya is focused on a global mission towards Innovation in Learning, providing high quality education and making learning fun and practical for students across all ages.  The mission of Ekya is to empower young minds to make a difference in the world through technology-rich and immersive learning experiences. Whether you are looking for ICSE schools in Hebbal, ICSE schools in JP nagar, ICSE schools in Whitefield or ICSE schools in BTM layout, Ekya Schools can be found in each of these locations with state of the art campuses and skilled educators.

All You Need To Know About CBSE Board

What is CBSE Board?

CBSE or Central Board of Secondary Education is a national-level education board in India that is managed by the Union Government of India. The Government of India, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, and The Secretary of School Education and Literacy are the Controlling Authorities of this Board. CBSE conducts board examinations for classes 10 and 12, also known as SSE (Secondary School Examination) and SSCE (Senior School Certificate Examination) respectively. CBSE is the only School Board in India that boasts a vast international presence. 

History of CBSE Board

The origin of the CBSE board can be found in the early 20th century. In 1921, U. P. Board was set up for High School and Intermediate Education which was later established by the resolution of the Government of India in 1929. After undergoing several changes, the board was reconstituted in 1962 to meet the educational needs of those students in the country who had to migrate from state to state. Although the CBSE was constituted as an autonomous body, its supreme control was assigned to the Government of India. Along with secondary examinations, the Board also started carrying out higher secondary and higher secondary technical examinations.

Main Objectives of CBSE

  • Defining approaches to academic activities
  • Providing affiliation to the educational institutions for examination
  • Analyzing and monitoring the academic activities
  • Developing proper norms for implementation of different academic activities
  • Innovating and adapting methods to attain academic excellence
  • Encouraging the schools to keep records of the progress of students and teachers.
  • Making plans to achieve quality benchmarks in education
  • Organizing empowerment programs for students and teachers 
  • Prescribing conditions of assessments and conducting public examinations after Class X and XII
  • Updating the course of instructions for examinations

Salient Features Of CBSE Board 

  • Popularity and Preference
CBSE is one of the most popular boards in India. All India Secondary School Examination (AISSE) for Class X and the All-India Senior School Certificate Examination (AISSCE) for Class XII  and other places are administered by this board. It also incorporates some additional subject content into the national curriculum.
  • Maintains Uniformity
CBSE is granted recognition by the NCERT (National Council for Educational Research and Training) to serve those with transferable employment. CBSE operates many central schools and is linked with several secondary schools in India. Candidates from CBSE-affiliated schools and even non-affiliated schools are allowed to sit for the examinations.
  • Universally Recognized
CBSE has a Foreign Schools Cell (FSC) to assist secondary schools in other countries. It also enjoys a favorable reputation with international universities and colleges. Since its an internationally recognized board, students won’t face any problems in studying overseas.
  • Student-friendly
Having an appropriate approach to academic activities, the best CBSE schools provide child-centered, stress-free, and holistic education without compromising on quality. The board follows various innovative methods to achieve academic excellence that are in agreement with pedagogical and psychological principles.
  • Experiential Learning
The curriculum enables students to connect the learning content with their own day-to-day lives and the world around them.
  • Art Integrated Education
Art is integrated into the curriculum to raise awareness about India's vast diverse artistic heritage and to give the students an identity of their own at different developmental stages.
  • Compulsory Health and Physical Education
They have a well-designed Health and Physical Education Program for classes 1 to 12 to ensure the holistic development of children. There is a special exam policy to promote talent in sports that allows examinations on mutually convenient dates for those students who participate in National /International level sports competitions.
  • New-Age Courses
New age courses such as Artificial Intelligence, Yoga, etc. are being offered in the school curriculum to prepare the learners for the future. Life Skills Education is also an integral part of the curriculum that helps young learners to make informed decisions, think creatively, communicate effectively, solve problems, build healthy relationships, cope with challenges, empathize with others, and productively manage their lives.

Programmes offered by CBSE

Schools are given affiliation according to the criteria specified by CBSE, at three different levels- middle (VI-VIII), secondary (IX-X), and senior secondary (XI-XII). To make learners competent, the curriculum comprises seven main learning areas, including Sciences, Mathematics, Languages, Humanities, General Studies, Skill Subjects, and Health and Physical Education. These areas are further divided into scholastic and co-scholastic areas. Students are awarded grades based on the 9-point grading system, A1 to E* in each scholastic subject, and for co-scholastic subjects, grades are awarded based on an 8-point grading system, A1 to E.
  • Secondary School Examination (10th Board)
Grades IX and X in CBSE schools in Jakkur have integrated courses. Students can take only those subjects in class IX which they intend to continue in class X. 
  • Senior School Certificate Examination (12th Board)
Class XI and XII have an integrated course. Students in best CBSE schools in Bangalore for 11th and 12th take only those subjects in class XI which they intend to continue in class XII. A minimum of 5 or more subjects can be taken in class XI which must be continued in class XII also.
  • Assessment for Board Examination
The Assessment scheme for Board examinations, class X and XII will have theory of 80 marks and internal assessment or practical components of 20 marks according to syllabus given for each subject. Students need to obtain 33 percent marks in total in each of these components. When children are all set to begin school, parents have to face the challenge of selecting the best school suited for their child. Children's cognitive development and future prospects are greatly influenced by the school board they attend. In India, CBSE syllabus is used for most competitive admission tests like IIT-JEE and PMT. Though it’s completely a student’s preference as to which board they prefer to choose. Having wide recognition in the country, CBSE board is indeed an excellent choice when opting for a school. If you are looking for the best CBSE schools in Bangalore, you can certainly trust Ekya Schools. With excellence being the major prerequisite, Ekya Schools is a chain of progressive K-12 institutions committed to immersive, technology-driven, and standards-based education which aim to teach children not just what to learn, but how to learn. For more information, visit https://www.ekyaschools.com

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