My Reflections on the Abu Road Education Programme 2015-16- Jaydeep Mehta

The idea of presenting the programme to all the students of standard 9 was a
revolutionary step that meant we had to cater to the same rigour with all the three
groups instead of one group either of boys or girls every year. It was a daunting task
to be accomplished as we had to be in the field for almost 100 hours with ageing
taking its toll on my energy levels.
The main objective of the programme was to develop observation skills in students
as doing facilitates learning like nothing else. On field observations related to
geology and geomorphology are a proven method in understanding about content
taught in class. As expected when we have 240 students, it is difficult to make sure
that everyone observes as intently as required. Learning styles play a very
important part in student learning. Some students learn best in classroom whereas
some learn by collaboration. Multiple intelligences were catered to well during the
programme. Kinesthetic learners learn best by running around the sites exploring on
their own while attentive learners observe and came up with their own conclusions.
However, as the number was quite large in a group and main aim of some students
was to have fun all the time took most of our energies on handling them rather than
facilitating their learning. The reflection here is instead of catering to each and
every student for observation in the same way, provide options like taking
photographs, videos of process of bringing students from known to unknown.
Regarding enthusiasm and motivation in students, I personally felt that most of
them were stretched beyond their comfort zones. Probably very few had such
rigorous experience before. This made it difficult for us as facilitators to keep the
momentum up and going all the time. Instructing them at all sites and prior during
the bus journey proved to be a mammoth task. Making sure they reach the bus on
time in the morning was a nightmare. It was important to start early as it got quite
warm in the afternoon. A very important reflection keeping in mind the mindset of
students is to plan on field observations between 9 and 12 am only. Giving them a
good rest is important otherwise they would lose interest very soon.
It is very important to complete a days work before going to bed. Unfortunately,
even after giving them time at night, most students did not write daily reflections.
My reflection about this is to complete afternoon field observations early and
provide them quality time before dinner. After dinner, they must get time to be with
friends and have some fun. The whole programme was designed to cover as much
as possible in 3 days. A reflection for this could be we have a basic programme in
std 7 first where we allow them to make observations which are bare minimum.
Then in standard 9, they can be brought into this programme so that they are able
to do a better job.
With reference to the SUPW conducted at Chandravati, students showed great
enthusiasm in contributing money for a noble cause. The joy of sharing might have

given way to the joy of giving yet the approach taken was positive which was
overwhelming. Distribution of items by students and their interactions with children
was heart touching. One reflection with regards to this activity is conducting at
different locations like en route to Kui dam or in Khapa. Pre-planning with respect to
the items given would help in providing different things which are not repeated and
at the same time can be helpful
I was personally not able to make more contribution towards development of
concern for environment as children continued to litter most of the time at almost
all locations as my primary focus was always to facilitate their content learning. A
big reflection here is not to try very hard to motivate students for this problem and
let them be aware on their own. We can take a horse to a well and dip their head
closer to water but cant make them drink till they feel thirsty.
When calculating the programme cost, next time, there is a strong need to include
Rs. 10 for tractor experience in Khapa because communicating them anything more
than what they have paid does not seem to be a very good idea. We had many
enthusiasts who wanted to trek the whole way to khapa and back but we had to
convince them by giving more time to rest after lunch. The strategy worked this
time but its better to avoid such situations in future