Summary of the online session on syllabication

Summary of the online session on SYLLABICATION

26TH January 2019

SERPA conducted a 1-hour online session on ‘Syllabication’ for teachers and special educators on 26th January 2019. It was presented by Jayasree Venkatesh, Educational Therapist, Mediator and Special Educator. The webinar was attended by 42 participants.

The session addressed one of the main areas that concern teachers when it comes to reading and spelling. The session was interlaced with activities which helped drive home the concept. One could take back home the importance of syllables and the need to use it in classroom.

It was a practical session with tips on how syllabication could be practiced in classroom, the kinds of activities that could be done, worksheets for children, Charts for Class room etc.

It was interesting to also learn how important it was to let children know about the “exceptions” to the rules. The session also was interactive, and participants posed their questions which were responded to. The session handouts, References have been shared with the participants for their reference.

SERPA-ECHO online session on Study Skills

Summary of our online session on study skills is as follows. 

SERPA conducted a 1 hour session online, on ‘Study Skills’ for students on 13^th January 2019. It was presented by Aditya Kolisetti, a grade 11 student. The webinar was attended by 40 students/teachers.

The session began with a definition of study skills and moved on to help understand the main components to consider when studying as listed below:

1. Intent - Where and how can you focus best
2. Content - What do you want to achieve? What goals are you setting?
3. Adjust - If you don’t reach your goal, try another method.
4. Technique - How can you effectively reach a goal?
5. Schedule - When can you achieve this? How do you prioritize?

Practical tips that one could easily apply were shared. The session also was interactive, and participants posed their questions which were responded to. The session handouts have been shared with the participants for their reference.

Reference Links:

http://vark-learn.com/the-vark-questionnaire/

https://www.khanacademy.org/

Apps: Byju’s

Some glimpses from the session:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UnUH9ZcDpSmKkPA7A

An Interview with Dr. Gayathri Krishna -1

An Interview with Dr. Gayathri Krishna from Brindavan Trust. Hope you will enjoy the video and share your feedback with us. #SerpaForInclusion #InclsuionMatters #IndiaInclusion #InclusionIsTheAnswer #TeachersMatter #DisabilityTalk.

Understanding Board-wise Exemptions..SERPA's 1st webinar

Summary of the SERPA Webinar held on 8.12.18, Saturday. 

 Understanding board-wise Exemptions for Children with Special Needs

The very first webinar, organized by SERPA, was to inform and educate special educators and parents about various exemptions that are made available by various education boards, both, Indian and International. This webinar was conducted in collaboration with Echo India Pvt Ltd.

The various education boards, covered and the names of the speakers who took us through the Exemptions are as below:

1. CBSE – Central Board of Secondary Education – Ms. Lakshmi Narasimhan

2. ICSE – Indian Council of Secondary Education – Ms. Girija Vemaraju

3. Karnataka State Board of Education – MS. Kalpana Srinath

4. IGCSE – The Cambridge International Board – MS. Pooja Sood

5. NIOS - National Institute of Open Schooling – MS. Kalpana Srinath

6. IB – International Baccalaureate – Ms. Lakshmi Narasimhan

These are the most common examination boards that schools affiliate to, in Bangalore. The Speakers highlighted various important aspects and facts related to the exemptions. The speakers were teachers and special educators, who have been working in the field and have experience in coaching and preparing children for the board exams, helping parents to seek appropriate support, and guiding schools in completing formal processes and documentation to seek appropriate and possible exemptions for the students. 

The speakers, educated the audience on the vocabulary of exemptions that various boards follow eg., modification, accommodation, access-arrangements etc. The speakers provided information about the various exemptions provided by the respective boards and the necessary prerequisites for availing the same. The speakers gave information on the institutes and individuals, who are authorized to provide certificates of exemptions, and the steps involved for all stakeholders: school, parents, and the child. It was extremely helpful to know the kinds of exemptions or concessions that can be availed for the students.

Along with sharing details pertaining to concessions, most speakers also provided systematic steps for the parent and teacher to work with the child and prepare necessary documentation to seek the same. They have also mentioned the ideal year from which necessary arrangements can be made. The speakers could also provide information on the steps that the board authorities take to concede the concessions . It was interesting to know about how  each student’s special needs are appropriately addressed. 

The webinar was conducted seamlessly, the host platform could accommodate 48 members easily and the audio and video of the platform was excellent, as compared to other online platforms. The participants were comfortable in using the application and enthusiastically participated in the webinar by asking questions and responding to speakers and questions from other participants. 

All questions raised were documented and responded to. Also, documents across boards were shared with the participants for future reference. 

We thank the speakers, who graciously accepted to do this webinar. SERPA admin team does deserve a word of commendation for the work done in the background.