It all began with a tea and at 10:30 am, a welcome address by Ms Ranjana Saikia, Director – Environment Education and Youth Services, TERI. She then went on with her presentation on teachers training on teaching and the internet.
Learners are fast paced and easily bored. Thus the use of computer helps to keep them focused, engaged and excited about what they are learning.
She stressed teachers to foster meaningful learning experience using the internet. Teachers as knowledge facilitators through this rewarding instructional tool can be updated with a wealth of information at their fingertips as knowledge is fluid and ever changing.
She also talked about common internet terminologies and some useful websites through which teachers can improve and exchange knowledge.
At around 12:45 pm the presenter gave a presentation about local environmental concerns of Bangalore like open sewage system, air pollution, waste deposition, cutting of trees, industrial pollution, lake conservation and water shortage.
It was followed by a group activity in which teachers gave their insightful views on the following issues:
As teachers, the most effective ways of communicating to students the crucial linkage between climate change and biodiversity
As city dwellers, how can we change the way we deal with nature so that we can help restore it?
How does Bangalore shift from the current unsustainable development pattern to sustainable eco -development?
With the rapid loss in the floral and faunal biodiversity, is Bangalore prepared for the future environmental problems related to climate change.
Teachers representing each essential issue presented their perspectives with colourful and creative charts. They came up with solutions that can be achieved with education imparted by teachers to the future citizens and a little effort from each individual.
At around 2:00 pm following the open house discussion, all the teachers had a get together over lunch. After the lunch the program came to a close at 2:30 pm. It was an educational and soul stirring experience to all the teachers present there.
