L. Murali
Principal,
L. Murali is a postgraduate in Mathematics. He has worked as a college professor before entering the school space. He has published a textbook in Pascal Programming for the degree level. He is currently the Principal of YRTV School, Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu.
1. In a technology-driven world, how can schools adopt technology in classrooms to make it relevant to children and classroom teaching?
Regular teaching should be the sole focus in the classroom. We should provide the latest technology in a separate room or place. To make studying enjoyable for students, it is important to give them knowledge before taking them to a technology-based room to gain more exposure on the topic. The use of technology as a teaching aid in the classroom may deter students from learning traditional teaching methods.
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is opening platforms for integrated and multidisciplinary learning. Is it an opportunity or a threat in schools?
It is a boon for students to learn the topic in depth with AI. The students get an opportunity to learn many things on their own without a teacher, and now teachers are forced to update their knowledge to face the questions raised by the students in the class. We must accept the changes that comes at once, and must be ready to face the future consequences. The students cannot shine in the future if technology is not a part of their education.
3. Speaking of roles of teachers in classrooms, is a teacher a leader or a manager? How different or similar are these two? Please elaborate.
In the classroom a teacher can only be a teacher. A teacher cannot be the manager to manage the things in the class. Only a teacher can scold a student to correct the students. We cannot expect all students in the classroom to be talented students. The teacher plays an important role in the class; when the teacher teaches in the class all the students acquire knowledge. Where the manager issues a command, and the workers complete their task as per the instructions of the manager. A teacher cannot play the role of a manager.
4. How important is it for the principal to be a classroom teacher? Please elaborate.
Principal is the senior teacher in the school. The principal must have a good rapport with all the students in the school. It will happen only if the principal interacts with students in the class to know more about their behavior, character and to know more about students’ IQ level. The principal can decide what kind of improvements to be brought into the school for the betterment of the students.
5. What according to you are the current mental health issues seen in children? Should the schools address them at all? Please elaborate.
The students are facing lots of mental health issues nowadays. The reason is that they become addicted to mobile phones, food habits, and the media. They get to know many unwanted information from the peer group. It is going to be a challenge for the parents and teachers to safeguard the students from unwanted information in the future. To overcome this challenging issue, meditation and yoga classes should be a part of the curriculum. Students must take outdoor activities and tours to relax their mind and release stress so that they are not aggressive in the class.
6. Talking about teacher wellness, what according to you is teacher wellness and what contributes to teacher wellness?
I think no teacher takes care of health. The teachers find no time to look after their health as they are busy in school and at home. They have very hectic schedule in their life. If there are thirty students, all thirty students will be from different backgrounds and bringing them under control is a big challenge for the teachers. The teachers not only teach in the class but moulds the students with the qualities by giving mother’s care. But a teacher is a teacher always. It is better if all the teachers are insured under any group insurance scheme. Like students, teachers in schools can be allotted a games period to relieve stress and maintain their health.
7. Your message for teachers and educators…
Be positive. Think positive. Use only encouraging words in the class and appreciate the students whatever the small things they do in the class or outside. A few encouraging words will kindle the students with the work they do, and we can notice the changes in a short time. Never give advice to the students but give them opportunities to think and improve what they do in school.