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Sunday, September 25, 2022

Operation Blackboard


From the pen -APN

 “You may be an engaging conversationalist or you may be an excellent orator but if you are teaching in a class then, please, use a piece of chalk and the blackboard.” Perhaps this is the best advice I can offer to all newcomers who take teaching as their profession. The power of using chalk and duster surpasses all sorts of presentation forms. May it be a PowerPoint presentation, Video presentation or digital board presentation-all presentation tools fall flat when the deft strokes of a piece of chalk act upon the black surface of a blackboard. Drawing or writing on a blackboard is way more effective than other forms of presentations because the use of a blackboard triggers better human responses to the presenter’s contents as compared to other forms of visual presentation. The interplay of human elements like one’s manual labour, care, handwriting, natural time delay in picturization, and involvement of the teachers and students in the teaching-learning process all become more telling when a class goes on with the aid of chalk and blackboard. Moreover, the blackboard as a teaching tool is low-cost and maintenance-free. 

The use of a blackboard has a great advantage at the subconscious level. When a teacher puts his/her efforts to present the contents on a blackboard, his/her efforts are recognised by the learners. This manual labour made by the teacher to enlighten the students gives a sort of moral credit to the teacher and it, in turn, inculcates a sense of respect among the learners for the teacher. Such a human bonding built on the basis of respect and care goes a long way in adding positive values to the process of education. As a teacher, whenever you come across self-doubt that your students are not respectful in conformation to your expectations. Then, start using the blackboard as a part of your classroom teaching. You will readily mark a shift in students’ attitudes. 

The use of blackboards in classrooms is an inseparable habit of many amazing teachers. However, many teachers with great potential deliberately refrain from using the chalk, duster and blackboard because it needs effort and compulsory washing of hands after each class. Further, for some teachers, the chalk dust that is produced by the use of blackboard makes things unattractive. As a result, most of the teachers in higher classes resort to the lecture method of teaching with minimal use of blackboards. 

The habit of using a blackboard for better classroom engagement can be formed by following the “law of least resistance.” The law of least resistance states that an organism will choose a course of action that appears to require the smallest amount of effort or expenditure of energy. In connection with the habit of using blackboards in the classroom, the said law can be maintained by using high-quality dustless chalk, a good set of dusters and a good quality blackboard. A one-time investment in quality products can make the writing experience smooth. It will conform to the law of least resistance and a newly appointed teacher may easily fall in love with the habit of writing on the blackboard. 

If you are a teacher and reading this piece of experience then take my words and go to the classroom with a few pieces of high-quality dustless chalk. You will feel like using the blackboard more and more. Last but not the least, the importance of the blackboard in shaping human civilisation is acknowledged in clear terms even by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. In his words, “Black colour may be sentimentally bad but every blackboard makes the student’s life bright.”

 

Thursday, July 21, 2022

The comfort zone is where Dreams go and die

 

From the pen-APNSIR

Comfort is a drug. Once you get used to it, it becomes addicting. Give a weak person consistent sex, good food, cheap entertainment, and they will throw their ambitions right out the window. The comfort zone is where Dreams go and die.

“ଆରାମ ଏକ ମାଦକ ଦ୍ରବ୍ୟ ସଦୃଶ| ଥରେ ତୁମେ ଏଥିରେ ଅଭ୍ୟସ୍ତ ହୋଇଗଲେ ଏହା ନିଶାରେ ପରିଣତ ହୋଇଯାଏ | ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଙ୍କୁ କ୍ରମାଗତ  ଭଲ ଖାଦ୍ୟ, ଶସ୍ତା ମନୋରଞ୍ଜନ ଓ ମଉଜ ମଜଲିସ୍ ପ୍ରଦାନ କର ଏବଂ ସେମାନେ ନିଜର ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ ଓ ଅଭିଳାଷକୁ ରକା ବାହାରେ ଫୋପାଡି ପକାଇବେ | ଆରାମ ହେଉଛି ସେହି ସ୍ଥାନ ଯେଉଁଠାରେ ମଣିଷର ସ୍ୱପ୍ନ ମୃତ୍ୟୁର ଶୀକାର ହୋଇଥାଏ |” 

@apnsir

Saturday, June 11, 2022

ETHICS AND VALUES (For Under Graduate Students of Odisha State)


Hi Friends,

By clicking the following link you can download the soft copy of the book on ETHICS AND VALUES which is published by Odisha State Bureau of Textbook Preparation and Production. Hope this book proves helpful to all my +3 First Semester Students students of Odisha State.

CLICK HERE

Yours truly

#apnsir

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

British Drama and Poetry:17th Century Historical Overview

(According to BA English Honors Syllabus for Students of Odisha State)

CLICK HERE TO WATCH RELEVANT VIDEO



In English literature, 17th century was a time of great social and political disturbances. 17th century was a time of great social and political disturbances. 17th Century is marked by Civil war, Regicide, Restoration and the Glorious Revolution. This century witnesses all these upheavals.

 

The first half of this century which roughly spans from the year 1603 to 1660 is known as the age of Milton. John Milton was the greatest literary force of this period. The same period, that is from the year 1603 to 1660, can also be called the Puritan age because Puritanism was a dominant force during this period.

 

Who were the puritans and what is puritanism?

 

The Puritans were a group of English-speaking protestants…. They were dissatisfied with the religious reformation movement carried out during the reign of Elizabeth. The puritans wanted a complete purification of Church of England and they also wanted removal of practices such as hierarchical leadership, clerical vestments and various rituals of church which were associated with Rome. The puritans stood for the belief of Pure Christianity and hence the name Puritans was adopted.

 

A question may come to your mind why the years 1603 and 1660 are selected to mark the beginning and ending of the first half of 17th century. The year 1603 and the year 1660 are used to mark the beginning and the ending of the first half of 17th century because the years 1603 and 1660 are important for us from historical perspective.

 

In the year 1603, Queen Elizabeth died and James VI of Scotland became James 1 of England and ascended to the throne of England. He ruled up to 1625. After his demise Charles 1 became the king but during the kingship of Charles 1 a civil war broke out and the king was beheaded. The civil war spanned from 1642 to 1651. This English Civil War was a series of conflicts between Charles 1 and the parliamentarians. The supporters of King Charles were called the cavaliers and the parliamentarians were called the Roundheads. The Roundheads mainly comprised of puritan middle classes.

 

The war ended with the victory of the Parliamentarians. Charles 1 was executed while his Son Charles 2 fled to France. All hopes of monarchy were demolished and the monarchical rule was replaced with a strong puritan Government or Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. For 12 years till the death of Cromwell in 1659, the puritans ruled the country. Afterwards the Puritan Government did not last long and in 1660, Charles 2 was restored to the throne. Hence the term Restoration is used. Restoration of Charles 2 to the throne put an end to the puritan period.

 

The first half of 17th century (1603-1660) which marks the death of Elizabeth and continues up to Restoration can be sub-divided as follows for the sake of convenience.

 

1.   The Jacobean Period (from 1603 to1625)

2.   The Caroline Period (from 1625 to1649)

3.   The Commonwealth Period (from 1649 to1660)

 

 

Now let us learn something more about The Jacobean Period

 

The period from 1603 to 1625 in English literature is known as the Jacobean Period. It is because in 1603 James 1 ascended to the throne and he ruled up to 1625.  Viewers, you must learn that the term Jacobean is derived from the Latin word Jacobus which refers to James 1.

From the literary view-point this period is an extension of the Elizabethan age but the optimism and promise of Elizabethan era are missing in Jacobean Literature. We see a sombre, darker and doubting tone in the literature of this period. To explain this tendency of literature it can be assumed that the conflict between the parliament and the king gave a darker and doubting tone to the literature of this time.

 

The Jacobean period is followed by the Caroline Period

 

The Caroline age is named after Charles 1. He reigned England for 24 years from 1625 to 1649. The name Caroline is derived from the word CAROLUS. It is the Latin version of Charles. During Caroline period 3 schools of poetry came into existence. They were

 

Metaphysical Poetry

Cavalier Poetry

Puritan Poetry

 

Caroline period is deeply affected by political unrest and civil war. The civil war was fought between the Cavaliers and the Roundheads. The supporters of the king were known as cavaliers and the supporters of Parliament were known as Roundheads. Most of the Roundheads were the puritans.

 

Caroline age is characterised by civil war, rise of Puritanism, lack of spirit of unity, dominance of intellectual spirit and decline of drama. Caroline age was not an age of drama. The enactment of Drama was discontinued due to civil war and puritanical attacks. Sermons, pamphlets, history and philosophy were written in prose. Metaphysical poetry was the main literary output during the period.

 

Now let us learn more about The Commonwealth Period (1649-1660)

 

In this period there was a rise of puritanism. This is the period when there was no Monarch in England. After the death of Charles-1, Oliver Cromwell, the Puritan leader, came to power. He died in 1658 and his son Richard Campbell became the ruler of England. But he lacked authority. He ruled England till 1660. In this period, Puritanism became gradually unpopular. The English people realised that the monarchy was essential for them.

 

The first half of 17th century produced a few immortal books like King James version of Bible, Paradise Lost. However, the literature of the age is extremely diverse in character, and this diversity is due to the collapse of the ideals of political and religious unity. The literature differs from that of the preceding age in three marked ways. The preceding age was the Elizabethan age and it was the golden age of English literature. The literature of 17th century differed from Elizabethan age in three fronts. First, the literature of this period has no unity of spirit. For example, in the days of Elizabeth the patriotic enthusiasm of all classes used to unite all but such sentiments were missing in this era. Second, in contrast to the hopefulness and vigour of Elizabethan writings, much of the literature of this period became sombre in character. The literature of 17th century saddens rather than inspires. Last but not the least, 17th century literature had lost the romantic impulse of youth and it became more critical and intellectual. It makes us think but does not prompt to feel deeply.

 

For the sake of convenience, the historians earmark the period from 1660 to 1700 as the age of Dryden or as the age of Restoration.  

John Dryden was the representative writer or the trend setter of this period. Hence, it is legitimate to call this period as the age of Dryden. This period began with the restoration of King Charles-II to the English throne. Therefore, this period is also called the restoration period.

 

There are 3 historical events which deeply influenced the life and literature of the 2nd half of 17th century. It must be borne in mind that this age is otherwise known as the age of Restoration or the age of Dryden. Those three historical events are

1.   Restoration of Charles-II to the throne in 1660

2.   The Religious and Political controversies

3.   The Glorious Revolution of 1688

 

Restoration of Charles-II to the throne in 1660

 

Restoration of Charles-II to the throne brought about a revolution. All those activities that had once remained supressed previously during the puritan government surfaced again. Now the English people consciously engaged themselves in violent excesses. Theatres reopened, bear and bull baiting revived. Sports, music, dancing and all wild delights were practiced again.

 

The King and many of the loyalists who returned from exile were heavily influenced by French cultural attitudes. They brought back with them French lifestyle and French standards. The previous Elizabethan age was dominated by Italian standards but the restoration age was dominated by French influence and it continued through the next century.

 

The King had no redeeming patriotism. He had neither the sense of responsibility to his country nor care for his countrymen. However, he had a number of mistresses and numerous children. Most of the time, he used to remain surrounded by corrupt and degenerate ministers. As a result, profligacy was glorified in the royal court and Corruption was rampant in all walks of life. The Great Fire of 1665 and the Plague that followed were popularly regarded as suitable punishments for the sins of the profligate and selfish King.

 

While London was burning and the people were suffering, the King and his nobles were busy with their revels. The utter degeneration of the nation was realised when a handful of Dutch Navy swept the English fleet from the sea.

 

During the Restoration period there was a rapid development of science. The establishment of the Royal Society was a landmark in history of England. The interest in science began to grow. The growing interest in science resulted in the beginning of rational inquiry and scientific and objective outlook. Objectivity, rationality and intellectual quality also enlivened the literature of this period.

 

The Religious and Political controversies

 

This age also witnessed the rise of two political parties the Whigs and the Tories. These parties played a significant role in English politics. The Whigs sought to limit the royal powers in the interest of the people and the Parliament whereas the Tories supported the Divine Right theory of the King, and tried to restrain the powers of the people in the interest of the hereditary rulers. The rise of these political parties gave a fresh importance to men of literary abilities. Almost all the writers of this period had political affiliations. For example, Dryden was a Tory and he used to advocate the cause of his Monarch.

 

The religious controversies were bitter in this age. The supporters of the previous regime were fanatically persecuted. The nation was predominantly Protestant and the Catholics were unduly harassed and marginalised. They were suspected, had to pay higher taxes and were not permitted to hold any office under the crown. The intense hatred for Catholics influences the writings of this period.

 

The religion of the King himself was doubtful. Although Charles II outwardly expressed support for Anglicanism, he had Catholic sympathies. Charles had no legitimate heir, but only a Catholic brother James. It was certain that after Charles II, his brother James, who was a Catholic, would succeed to the throne. Efforts were made to exclude James from the throne. Anti-Catholic Parliament led by Earl of Shaftesbury tried to prevent the coming of James to the throne. Charles however defended the Royal line against Parliament’s attempt to determine the succession. The return of tensions and conflict between the King and Parliament led to the emergence of political factions or parties in parliament (Whigs and Tories). This whole attempt to exclude James from the throne was called as THE EXCLUSION CRISIS. Charles ended this crisis by dissolving the Parliament. The King sided with his brother and he removed all obstacles for the accession of James. Finally, James II was crowned as the king in 1685. Dryden ‘s famous poem Absalom and Achitophel reflects these religious and political conflicts of the day. 

 

The Glorious Revolution of 1688

 

In this age we see the Glorious Revolution which laid foundations of Modern England. The Glorious Revolution, also called “The Revolution of 1688” and “The Bloodless Revolution,” took place from 1688 to 1689 in England. It involved the overthrow of the Catholic king James II, who was replaced by his Protestant daughter Mary and her Dutch husband, William of Orange. Motives for the revolution were complex and included both political and religious concerns. The event ultimately changed how England was governed, giving Parliament more power over the monarchy and planting seeds for the beginnings of a political democracy.

 

Students, according to your syllabus the following sub-points needs to be discussed. They are

 

·      Metaphysical poetry

·      Cavalier poetry

·      Comedy of humors

·      Masques

·      Beast fables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, November 12, 2021

DAUGHTER

From The Pen-APN

Amidst the blinking stars, she was like a full moon of calm beauty. With her comforting silence and elegantly reserved smiles, she filled joys of innocence everywhere. She was nonreactive to the vile world but her nonreaction was majestic and beautiful as that of the undying magical beauty of a sculptural masterpiece that could withstand all the tests of time.

Carrying beauty, refinement, modesty, simplicity in their purest forms, she could turn everyone’s life into a festive celebration regardless of all prevailing sorrows and subjugations of life.  She possessed an enchanting transformative power that compelled even the most unfeeling and numbest heart to marvel at the Almighty's creation with spontaneous, unpremeditated and whole-hearted responses of gratefulness. In her mesmerizing presence, being convinced, the beholders would silently and inwardly thank God for manifesting His Divine Glory in the form of such a splendid human creature.

To everyone, she is an inspirer of sacred feelings and ennobling emotions.  But to me, she is my lovely "DAUGHTER".