A Two-Day Workshop to Enhance Professional Skills of Social Science Teachers
Dayawati Modi Academy, Modipuram, Meerut, hosted a two-day ‘Capacity Building Programme’ for Social Sciences, organized by CBSE on January 31 and February 1, 2025. This enriching workshop welcomed 22 social science teachers from various schools across Meerut, catering specifically to educators teaching classes IX and X.
The event began on a high note with an ‘Ish Prarthana’, performed by students of the academy. Coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, the opening ceremony included a special prayer to seek the blessings of Goddess Saraswati, fostering wisdom, knowledge, and prosperity. A colorful cultural program by students further set a joyous and vibrant tone for the workshop.
Honoring the Esteemed Resource Persons
School Director and Principal, Dr. (Mrs.) Ritu Diwan, welcomed the distinguished resource persons Mr. Madan Sahni and Mrs. Alka Sharma with floral bouquets. Senior teacher Mrs. Anita Dogra formally introduced the guests, highlighting their impressive credentials.
- Mr. Madan Sahni: With over 41 years of experience, Mr. Sahni is a visionary social science educator, expert administrator, poet, columnist, and editor. His contributions span across CBSE, DAV School Management Committees, and NIOS.
- Mrs. Alka Sharma: A CBSE-accredited resource person, Mrs. Sharma is known for her expertise in stress management, life skills, and NEP 2020 workshops. She has conducted numerous training programs to support teachers’ professional development.
Interactive Sessions and Training Activities
The workshop was designed to provide practical teaching techniques and empower educators with new skills.
First Session Highlights:
- The session focused on interactive teaching methods, project-based learning, and problem-solving approaches.
- Teachers were actively engaged in group discussions, role plays, and case study exercises to understand innovative teaching practices.
- Emphasis was placed on identifying students’ frequent mistakes, their causes, and corrective measures.
- Teachers learned strategies to incorporate methods like problem-solving, analytical reasoning, inductive and deductive techniques, making classroom learning engaging and effective.
Educators were guided on fostering curiosity and interest in students, ensuring their holistic development by tailoring methods to students’ needs and enabling active parent-teacher collaboration.
Second Session Highlights:
- Practical training was provided using the principles of deductive reasoning (from unknown to known) and inductive reasoning (from specific to general). These practices, it was explained, help build students’ self-confidence and drive curiosity in the subject.
- The significance of understanding students’ mental health was extensively discussed through audio-visual aids, emphasizing CBSE’s focus on emotional well-being.
- A key takeaway was the inclusion of competitive multiple-choice questions to enhance performance on standardized tests and exams.
The session concluded with an examination for participating teachers to reinforce their learning, followed by an engaging Q&A session, where resource persons clarified doubts and addressed challenges faced by teachers in the classroom.
Takeaways for Teachers
The workshop proved to be a transformative experience for the participating educators. It equipped them with fresh methodologies to make social science more engaging and relevant for students, fostering their critical thinking and interest.
Closing Remarks by Principal Dr. Ritu Diwan
Dr. (Mrs.) Ritu Diwan addressed participants during the workshop’s conclusion, emphasizing that “learning is a lifelong process.” She highlighted the necessity of balanced mental, physical, and spiritual development, not just for students but also for teachers. She further added that social science empowers individuals with innovative ideas and solutions to societal challenges, making it a vital subject for future leaders.
Dr. Diwan also expressed pride in the school’s ability to host such enriching events and extended her gratitude to CBSE for supporting teachers’ professional growth. She encouraged all educators to implement the learnings in their classrooms for the collective benefit of the students.
Gratitude Acknowledged
The workshop concluded with Head of the Social Sciences Department, Mrs. Sharda Sharma, thanking all participants, guests, and the organizing team for their enthusiastic involvement.
This Capacity Building Programme was a resounding success, leaving teachers motivated and equipped with renewed skills to enhance their teaching practices. It marked another significant contribution by Dayawati Modi Academy toward improving the quality of education in the region.
