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EQ - Volume 7 - Issue 3

[<<< GO BACK ][ VOLUME 7 - ISSUE 3 ]

Title: Professional Legal Education in India: Challenges and the Way Forward
Abstract :

Indian Higher Education is in a continuing process of changes in orientation & methodology. Globalization has profound implications for the future of higher education in India particularly to the legal education. Inevitably, the need for raising academic standards, creating a better research environment, developing sound infrastructure, creating better career opportunities, and promoting professional advancement of academics are all central issues for formulating the necessary policies for higher education in Legal fraternity. Legal education have went through many reforms after independence but still have to do a lot for competing with international legal education. Through this paper author have evaluated the higher education in legal studies, challenges to it & way forward.

Title: Emotional Intelligence and Academic Stress among College Students
Abstract :

The present study was designed to study academic stress and emotional intelligence among college students. In order to conduct the study, six degree colleges of Jalandhar city were selected randomly. From these six colleges, 300 students were selected randomly for the study. The scale of emotional intelligence and academic stress i.e. Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) by Anukool Hyde, Sanjyot Pethe & Upinder Dhar (2001) and Bisht Battery of stress scale (BBSS) by Abha Rani Bisht (Almora) were administered on selected sample. Thus the data obtained was analysed using descriptive statistics. Relevant means, S.D’s, t values & 3x2 ANOVA were computed to draw the conclusions. The analysis of data significantly concluded that the students from science stream experience high stress as compared to students from humanities and commerce streams. Further it was found that emotional intelligence of students has got significant effect on their academic stress. The students with low emotional intelligence reported high academic stress as compared to the students with high emotional intelligence.

Title: A Critical Analysis of Adolescent’s Relationship with their Peers in the City of Mumbai
Abstract :

Adolescence is a period of life ranging from puberty to adulthood (roughly ages 12–20), characterized by marked physiological changes, development of sexual feelings, efforts toward the construction of identity, and a progression from concrete to abstract thought. Adolescence is a time when peers play an increasingly important role in the lives of youth. Teens begin to develop friendships that are more intimate, exclusive, and more constant than in earlier years. The objective of this study is to understand the relationship of adolescent girls with their peers. The study was conducted on 50 adolescent girls, falling under the age group of 18-20 years in the city of Mumbai. The outcome of the study reflected a negative, not so healthy relationship among the adolescents and their peers.

Title: Earnings Effect of Education in Nagaland
Abstract :

This paper attempts to study the impact of education on earnings in the state of Nagaland in India. The returns to education are derived through the Mincerian earnings function. The study found positive relation between years of schooling and income. Overall, income increases by 5.5 percent for each year increase in schooling. The rate of return to schooling is found to be highest for primary education at 17.2 percent, while that of secondary and higher education are found to be 6 and 7.5 percent respectively. Females have higher rate of return at 6.9 percent as compared to males at 2.8 percent. Similarly, urban workers have higher returns to schooling at 5.7 percent comparing to rural workers at 4.8 percent.

Title: Nai Talim and Education towards Sustainable Development
Abstract :

Sustainable development is central to 2020 Millennium goals of development. It is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs- World Commission on Environment and Development Report (1987). It is a process for meeting human  development  goals while maintaining the ability of natural systems to continue to provide the natural resources and ecosystem services upon which the economy and society depend. The goals and targets of sustainable development envisage a society free of poverty and economic dependence on others, free of prejudice and irrational thinking, free of fear, discrimination, injustice, intolerance and violence and also free of insensitivity towards different forms of life and the environment. A society where the economic, academic, social and environmental needs of the present generations are so balanced that the needs of the future generations could be met with the same success. Now the question arises whether is our school education system capacitated to meet the demands of a sustainable society. Does it develop children as responsible and informed citizens with required knowledge, skills and values to participate effectively in sustainable development of the society? In this regard, Mahatma Gandhi’s Nai Talim seems to be relevant and could be a successful alternative for education towards sustainable development. It stresses on indigenous scheme of education with due regard to the creative and constructive capacity of children and the needs of the locality. Hence, it is sought that Nai Talim system should be revisited and researched. The present paper describes how Nai Talim system could be a vital alternative for development of a just and sustainable society? It also highlights the possibilities of reframing the mainstream education around basic tenets of Nai Talim in terms of school curriculum, pedagogic and assessment practices, co-scholastic activities, school climate, school management and innovations.

Title: Global Cultures of Consumption and the Suburb: A Study of Changing Cultural Geography of three Urban Villages of South Delhi
Abstract :

The study attempts an understanding of the impact of the global on the local taking space as a mediator. Using a constructivist perspective it utilizes the already existing rich literature in cultural geography and documents re-negotiation of identities with the restructuring of the social and cultural universe of three villages of South Delhi. It proceeds through analysis of narratives obtained from inhabitants of the villages as well as from participants in the process of these inhabitants’ interface with the changing architectural and cultural landscape around their habitat. The arrival of consumerist cultures, media convergence and a world of hyper reality in the post-globalisation phase has given rise to deep conflicts and identity strain for these tradition bound village dwellers. In its final analysis, the paper highlights unique adaptive mechanism resorted to by those impacted with new currents of change and transition.

Title: Study of Academic Career of Elementary Teacher Educators Working in DIETs of NCT Delhi
Abstract :

A good academic career is a requisite of a teacher or teacher educator. Academically qualified and professionally interested teacher-educators can train the trainees efficiently and impart them due and required knowledge, skills and training. Therefore, whether they possess the good academic record or not it becomes essential to be examined. Berlin (1993) highlights the importance of academically more proficient teachers who are more experienced, who are better educated, who work with smaller classes and are associated with smaller classes and are associated with students who work with smaller classes and are associated with students who demonstrate significantly higher achievement. This paper presents an effort to develop a profile of elementary teacher educators working in DIETs of NCT Delhi in terms of academic career.

Title: Management Techniques and Quality of Master Trainers in In-service Training Programme of Elementary Education
Abstract :

The quality of citizens of a country depends upon the quality of education. The quality of their education depends, more than any other single factor, upon the quality of their teachers. Teacher by means of in-service education revive his theoretical knowledge, refresh his experiences, develops a wider outlook and acquire new information and thus re-orients himself. In the absence of such refreshing opportunity he may relapse into professional illiteracy and fall into the old set of mind. On the basis of the above exigencies, the SSA envisages provisions for trained and committed teacher preparation. In the state of Odisha (India), Samarthya (2011-12) a state-level integrated in-service training package for teachers is being implemented by the School and Mass Education Department for different categories of teachers working in primary, upper primary and secondary level such as in-service teachers, newly recruited teachers, under qualified teachers, head teachers, teachers working at BRC, CRC and Block level. The study was conducted on stakeholders of elementary education such as 421 elementary teachers, 72 Master Trainers and 21 supervisory personnel with the help of questionnaires to assess the quality of programme management. The findings revealed that majority of the teachers, trainers and supervisory personnel (viz: BRC and CRC Coordinators) are satisfied with the management of in-service training programme organized for the teachers from time to time; and the quality of such programmes are at par with national requirements.

Title: Understanding Discourse; from Theory to Method
Abstract :

Critical discourse analysis presents a paradigmatic shift in the ways many scholars envisage studies related to critical linguistics, education, health, politics and cultural studies from past 15 years. Norman Fairclough has been the most influential figure in presenting a coherent framework of analysis for same. The paper attempts to present related theoretical and methodological presumptions of the theorist aiming to infer a coherent and rationalized understanding of CDA. The paper first introduces the term discourse and its conceptualizations as done from the perspective of attempting a social analysis. Then after by explicating a link between language and power the paper presents different discourse analysis schools that are present in academia. Then the paper introduces CDA as a perspective from Norman Fairclough’s point of view and reflects on its potentialities as a tool for critical social analysis. In the same pursuit the paper also evaluates its difference from critical linguistics and post structuralism. Finally the paper attempts to conclude by quoting the criticisms of CDA and framing a response to them on the basis of the discussions done during the paper.

Title: Scientific Aptitude among English and Urdu Medium Secondary Level Students
Abstract :

This paper intends to compare the scientific aptitude among the Urdu and English medium secondary level students. A sample of 178 students (90 English medium and 88 Urdu medium) was selected through stratified random sampling method from the 10 secondary schools of Hyderabad City of Telangana State, India. For the sake of data collection, Scientific Aptitude Test Battery (SATB) developed by Agarwal & Aurora was used. The mean, SD and t- test was employed to analyze the data. The result revealed that English medium secondary level students possess better scientific aptitude than Urdu medium secondary level students. There is no significant difference in the level of scientific aptitude among the English and Urdu medium female secondary level students. The study also found that Urdu medium female students possess significantly better level of scientific aptitude than their male counterparts.

Title: Energy Crisis & Consumerist Culture: Applying Sociological Perspectives
Abstract :

Every year we celebrate December 14 as World Energy Conservation day, however the deliberations in academic and diplomatic discussions have not yielded the desired results in terms of conservation of energy resources in the world. On the other hand, the energy requirements of the world are supposed to rise in future and so is the need for efficient use as well as conservation of the available resources of energy. The amount of energy to be used, the type of resources to be harnessed and the pattern of unorganised or organised distribution of the energy are largely determined by the culture of the societies. The argument put forth in this research paper is that the rising consumer culture in modern societies is leading towards reckless use of energy resources. There is a dire need for refocusing on the critical theories that target the capitalist model of development and try to understand the forces which undermine the critical thinking skills of the individuals. The goal of energy conservation is very difficult to be achieved in the culture of consumerism. This article thus questions the energy scenario of the world based upon the Conflict and Critical perspectives in sociology.

Title: Comparative Study on Adjustment Ability of Special and Normal Adolescents
Abstract :

This paper is concerned to the comparative study on adjustment ability of special and normal adolescents. The present study out of 22 districts of Punjab, one district Ludhiana was selected randomly. The present study, out of 22 districts in Punjab, only one district Ludhiana was selected randomly. Thereafter, 20 special students and 20 normal students of secondary school were selected on purposive basis from that district. A standardized tool was used for the present investigation: Adjustment inventory for school students by A.K.P. Sinha and R.P. Singh (1993) was used by the researcher for collection of Data. The data were analyzed statistically by using Mean, SD and ‘t’-ratio.

Title: Gender Disparity in Literacy: Districts Level Evidence from Selected States of India
Abstract :

India is a country with high gender disparity in literacy. As per Census 2011, overall literacy rate of India is 74.04% whereas the male and female literacy rate is 82.14% and 65.46% respectively. Among all states, Kerala is on the top, where as the state Bihar is on the bottom. In addition, the northern states especially Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan also show a clear picture of gender disparity in literacy. In Haryana, male literacy rate is 84.06% and female literacy rate is 65.94% respectively. In Punjab, male literacy rate is 80.44% and female literacy rate is 70.73% respectively. Further, in Rajasthan male literacy rate is 79.11% and female literacy is 52.12% respectively. This shows the high gender disparity in literacy among these states. Despite the number of efforts made at national and state level, the gender disparity in literacy still exist in Indian society. The present study is an attempt to find out the gender disparity in literacy at district level. The study is based upon Sopher’s method to calculate disparity in literacy. The study found leading and laggard districts in terms of gender disparity in education and suggests policy implications for centre and state governments.

Title: Professional Commitment and Job Satisfaction among Secondary School Teachers
Abstract :

The teachers engaged in teaching at the secondary level play a very important role in the entire education process. Teachers deeply committed to their profession and content with their work tend to play a more constructive role in the lives of their students. The present study was aimed at investigating the professional commitment and job satisfaction of secondary school teachers and the relationship between them. The study was conducted on 98 secondary school teachers from Bareilly district. The Professional Commitment Scale for Teachers (PCST) developed by Ravinder Kaur, Sarbjit Kaur Ranu and Sarvjeet Kaur Brar and Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (JSQ) developed by Dr. Pramod Kumar and D. N. Mutha were employed to collect data for the present investigation. Statistical measures of mean, S.D., t-test and Pearson’s product moment correlation were employed to analyze the raw scores so obtained and draw inferences. The findings of the present investigation reveal that while gender and length of teaching experience influenced the professional commitment of secondary school teachers, the type of school did not have any significant effect. Also gender, type of school and length of teaching experience were found to be significant factors which influence the job satisfaction of the secondary school teachers. The professional commitment and job satisfaction of the secondary school teachers was also found to be having a strong positive correlation.

Title: Are the Pre-service Teacher Training Degree Courses Preparing Teachers for Addressing the Needs of Inclusive Classrooms?
Abstract :

The pre-service teacher education degree course or B.Ed. is one of the most sought after pre-service professional course. Pre-service teacher education degree courses prepare an individual for working as a:• Subject teacher for teaching English, Hindi, Mathematics, Social sciences etc. after completing B. Ed• Special education teacher for talking care of special educational needs of students who have difficulty in seeing, speaking, hearing, social interaction etc, after completing B. Ed. special education• Physical education teacher after completing Bachelor in Physical Education (B. P. Ed)

Title: A Study of Self-Efficacy among Secondary School Students in relation to Educational Aspiration and Academic Achievement
Abstract :

The aim of the present study is to probe self-efficacy, educational aspiration and academic achievement among secondary school students. In sample selection, random sampling was exercised and final sample comprised 106 boys and 104 girls of IX class of two Government senior secondary schools of Directorate of Education, Delhi. Self-Efficacy Scale (Singh & Narain, 2014) and Educational Aspiration Scale (Sharma & Gupta, 2015) were administered as standardized tools for data collection. Summative Assessment-I scores were used as academic achievement scores. The collected data was analysed by employing t-test and Karl Pearson’s Product Moment Coefficient of Correlation (r). It was found out that girls had statistically significant higher scores in self-efficacy, educational aspiration and academic achievement than boys. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between self-efficacy & educational aspiration, self-efficacy & academic achievement and educational aspiration & academic achievement of secondary school students.

Title: Socio-Economic Status of Dropouts at Secondary School Level: A Study of Sirsa Distr
Abstract :

Education regarded as a potential instrument of social change and national upliftment. The real education is given from primary and secondary classes because primary and secondary educations are the foundation of advancement of higher education. The step of universalisation of education has been taken to promote education for all at all stages (primary, secondary, and higher). Dropping out of children from secondary schools has been viewed now as a serious educational social problem after completing the primary education. Secondary education is a very important stage of education as it is the connecting link between primary and higher education. In this way dropout at secondary school level is acting as the main obstacle in the way of universalisation of education. The present study is a humble attempt to study the reasons related to socio economic status of dropouts at secondary school level. Such study will be helpful to solve the problem of dropout ratio at secondary level and through it our educational system becomes effective. The study was delimited to five government secondary schools of Sirsa district only.

Title: Factors Influencing Students’ Academic Performance in Mathematics
Abstract :

This paper attempts to compare students’ academic performance in mathematics on the basis of their level of mathematics anxiety. Moreover, students’ IQ and SES are known to influence their academic performance in mathematics. Hence students’ IQ and SES are included as control variables whose effect from academic performance in mathematics was removed statistically and then it was compared on the basis of the level of students’ mathematics anxiety was studied. The participants of the study included 703 students of standard 8th from S.S.C board schools. Mathematics anxiety was measured using Mathematics Anxiety Scale (MARS-I) by Karimi (2008).Students’ final examination marks in mathematics subject were considered as academic performance scores of mathematics. Results indicated that there is a significant difference in academic performance of students by mathematics anxiety. There is no significant difference in academic performance of students by mathematics anxiety when an effect of IQ has been removed statistically. This implies that the difference in students’ academic performance in mathematics on the basis of their mathematics anxiety arose on account of their IQ rather than their mathematics anxiety. There is significant difference in academic performance of students by mathematics anxiety when effect of SES has been removed statistically. It may be concluded that the academic performance of students with low mathematics anxiety is significantly greater than that of students with moderate mathematics anxiety after controlling for their SES. The findings of the study would enable teachers to develop programmes to facilitate academic performance of students from different SES backgrounds and with different levels of IQ.

Title: A Critical Analysis of Adolescent’s Relationship with their Peers in the City of Mumbai
Abstract :
Adolescence is a period of life ranging from puberty to adulthood (roughly ages 12–20), characterized by marked physiological changes, development of sexual feelings, efforts toward the construction of identity, and a progression from concrete to abstract thought. Adolescence is a time when peers play an increasingly important role in the lives of youth. Teens begin to develop friendships that are more intimate, exclusive, and more constant than in earlier years. The objective of this study is to understand the relationship of adolescent girls with their peers. The study was conducted on 50 adolescent girls, falling under the age group of 18-20 years in the city of Mumbai. The outcome of the study reflected a negative, not so healthy relationship among the adolescents and their peers.
Title: Priming Pre-Service Teachers for Managing Students’ Behaviour in the Classroom: An Indian Study
Abstract :
Priming pre-service teachers in identifying behavioural issues in students and their management in the classroom is important, especially prior to be on-job. Mock classrooms, if created optimally, would assist them to practice the solutions using required skills of a 21st century’s teacher. Such practices, with time, motivate and make them confident in handling issues that may arise in the classroom. This paper describes how from a mock classroom, various issues have been identified and their corresponding solutions knitted. The study concludes that interpersonal communication through rapport building facilitates a seamless connection between the teacher and a student. Rapport Building is pivotal in handling most of the behavioral issues in a classroom for all the levels of study, such as the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP).
Title: Factors Influencing Students’ Academic Performance in Mathematics
Abstract :
This paper attempts to compare students’ academic performance in mathematics on the basis of their level of mathematics anxiety. Moreover, students’ IQ and SES are known to influence their academic performance in mathematics. Hence students’ IQ and SES are included as control variables whose effect from academic performance in mathematics was removed statistically and then it was compared on the basis of the level of students’ mathematics anxiety was studied. The participants of the study included 703
students of standard 8th from S.S.C board schools. Mathematics anxiety was measured using Mathematics Anxiety Scale (MARS-I) by Karimi (2008).Students’ final examination marks in mathematics subject were considered as academic performance scores of mathematics. Results indicated that there is a significant difference in academic performance of students by mathematics anxiety. There is no significant difference in academic performance of students by mathematics anxiety when an effect of IQ has been removed statistically. This implies that the difference in students’ academic performance in mathematics on the basis of their mathematics anxiety arose on account of their IQ rather than their mathematics anxiety. There is significant difference in academic performance of students by mathematics anxiety when effect of SES has been removed statistically. It may be concluded that the academic performance of students with low mathematics anxiety is significantly greater than that of students with moderate mathematics anxiety after controlling for their SES. The findings of the study would enable teachers to develop programmes to facilitate academic performance of students from different SES backgrounds and with different levels of IQ.
Title: Pedagogy of Value Education in the Light of Teachings of the Bhagavad Gita
Abstract :
This paper is the outcome of a doctoral level research study by the same title and brings forth an indigenous model for value inculcation among the youth in a very systematic way. It points to a very significant pathway for inspiring excellence though educational inputs and evolves a design for value education through real life experiences or experiential learning for the students. Analyzing the various layers of personality of the learner and addressing each aspect of the developing personality of the learner at the appropriate juncture, this approach based on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita inspires the learner to see the reality for himself/ herself and makes him/ her capable of carving out his/ her own path to righteousness (Swadharma) according to the innate nature or Swabhava, thus leading to a journey in excellence for each movement of life as an offering to the presiding deity or the revealed divinity within each individual. The eleven steps suggested here come out as the eleven cardinal principles of education for righteousness and incorruptibility, the twin pillars of an ideal human life rooted deeply in values. These values are then the guiding lights for a life committed to self knowledge manifesting the divinity within in each and every action for the joy of existence
and the glory of God. Such a life, the author asserts becomes the life modelled to excellence and becomes an inspiration for the race for the ages to come. The present juncture of human history demands such a radical approach to value education as the stories and parables have failed to have deeper impact for value education.