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A documentary film
'Jamil JI'. This is in the series of documentary films on the 'Best
practices' from the field especially the Teacher-administrator's
contribution to the public schools and towards the Education at large.
It's about the work of a Teacher/Principal Md. Jamiluddin Shekh from
Government Primary School, Omkarpura Dhani (Block: Uniara, District:
Tonk). 26-minute film in Hindi- Rajasthani languages with English
subtitles, shot in digital form in SD format.
Film-maker: Abhishek Kumar
Abstract:
Paving the New Ways: Reaching the Little Minds
[A case study of a Teacher portrayed through a Documentary Film]
Kumar, A.
Rajasthan State Institute, Azim Premji Foundation, Jaipur, Rajasthan
302020
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This research follows a case study done under Teacher Excellence Program
in Tonk district of Rajasthan in 2011. The collaborative venture of
Rajasthan Government and Azim Premji Foundation, is about identifying the
best practices in government schools done by teachers; studying them; and
acknowledging their contribution by felicitating them. Besides, the
program has other objectives- understanding the various aspects of school
and; developing associations with the teachers.
Jamiluddin Shekh was one of those well-acclaimed teachers practicing
innovative classroom methods and effective teaching-learning in
mathematics at Government Primary School of the village Sop (Tonk). After
developing that school as one of the well-functioning institute in 10
years, he was transferred to another single teacher primary school of 67
students in Omkarpura Dhani village (Tonk). There he had to face many
challenges viz. having majority first generation learners, poor learning
levels or involvement of children, less community participation,
in-adequate infrastructure and so on.
This study is concerned with- how the teacher responds to a new task in
different situation with less resources; quite adverse to his current
situation!
This study focuses on analyzing the two aspects- How he develops the
working environment for teaching- learning practices in classroom and how
he involves children in studying mathematics! The study takes account of
his last 2 years of efforts and their reflections! What are the classroom
processes he follows particularly in math sessions; and what are the
community perceptions related to the children's learning and;
participation in school affairs.
The methodology includes analysis of some secondary data from the Teacher
Excellence Program (Tonk); a range of interviews with foundation members,
the teacher, his fellow teachers, community members and children. There
were 4 School/classroom observations done. Finally the documentary
film-making processes were followed including scripting, shooting and
editing. In the time span of 3 months, the study features the teacher,
the 67 enrolled children, and 1 more teacher along with the members of
the community residing in the village.
The qualitative data was coded with exploratory approach for detecting
the patterns and getting the visual appearance of the findings.
The final outcome of the research is in the form of 30-minute film 'Jamil
Ji' in Hindi- Rajasthani languages with English subtitles. The film is
shot in digital form in SD format edited on non-linear set-up.
The study finds the pedagogical practices and teaching- learning
processes implemented by the teacher and the positive effects especially
in child involvement and simplification of difficult mathematic concepts.
It shows the diverse context of work and the result- oriented initiatives
taken by teacher to address it and build a working atmosphere in a
confrontational situation. It depicts the notion of efforts and affirmative
changes as stated and cross verified by the various referred entities.
The outcomes could be a reference source for studying various aspects of
school processes and shared with Education related bodies including
students, administrators or teachers facing similar situation. It could
also be treated as examples of best practices in public schools.
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Key words: Classroom Processes, Teaching Learning Practices, Community
involvement, Teaching Math
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