Now, teachers have someone to answer their queries
Education research organisation sets up first-ever helpline for teachers…….Priya Ramakrishnan
This September 5, teachers can look forward to a special gift. An Ahmedabad-based education research organisation has set up a first-ever helpline for school teachers from class III to X. While there are plenty of helplines for students, teachers have had to rely on library books and Internet search engines to clarify their doubts. Now, they can just shoot a mail and get detailed replies to their queries from experts in different subjects.
Educational Initiatives (EI) Pvt Ltd, which is involved in conducting research at school level, has decided to make available a helpline wherein teachers would be able to email their queries to a group of senior educationists and researchers and get responses within a stipulated period.
According to Vishnuteerth Agnihotri, vice-president, Test Development, EI, the helpline will encourage teachers to clear their doubts for better teaching. “The idea of the helpline is that teachers can seek advice or tips on email and receive specific and practical suggestions to the challenges they are facing within few days from a team of experts who are updated on research and have teaching experience,” he said.
Furthermore, the questions sent in by teachers would be documented so that an FAQ (frequently asked questions) compilation could be maintained for the benefit of other teachers who could have similar questions. “Even before the formal launch of this service, we are getting various queries from teachers such as how to carry out corrections in language tests/assignments, the best way to teach maths etc,” said Agnihotri.
“The concept is certainly novel as teachers have had to depend on reference or handbooks from library. We also use the Internet to get information on any subject,” said Lalitha Hariharan, principal of Rizvi Springfield School. However, she was not sure how far the helpline would go in clearing their doubts. “It will definitely help teachers in preparatory period when they plan the methodology etc. But what if a teacher has doubts while teaching in class” she questioned.
The helpline is offered free of cost to around 47 schools that have participated in EI?s initiatives. Queries will be sent to ts@ei-india.com.
“The helpline will go a long way in providing ideas to teachers. I have just started circulating the email id among our teachers. It will help them clear misconceptions in mathematics or science,” said Seema Buch, principal of Gundecha Education Academy, Kandivali.
After gauging the response from teachers, the helpline might also be taken up via phone. However, the organisation is in favour of emails as replies can be more detailed and systematic.