PRACTICUM IV

PBL No. 4. Code B.Ed. / SEM-I / 2008-09 / GP-I / PRCM / 04.
Title.
How Does Education Transform Society? A Microscopic Study of a Village Community in Kerala.
Introduction.
Education plays both conservative and transformative roles in society. As a conservative force, it tries to conserve the status co by perpetuating the age old values and beliefs. As a transformative force it tends to accelerate the process of modernization of the existing society. This role of education as a transformative force becomes crucial in developing societies like India. This practicum aims to analyze the role played by modern education in transforming Kerala society in the 20th century. Student teachers are requested to select their own respective villages/towns for the field of study.
Objectives.
Student teachers are expected to develop understanding on the role of education in initiating social changes.
Student teachers are expected to develop understanding the dynamics of social change occurred in Kerala.
Student teachers are expected to develop first-hand information about the social changes that took place in their respective communities.
Student teachers are expected to use ICT tools to a great extend heavily in their investigations and sharing.
Specific activities to be undertaken to accomplish the task.
1.Student teachers meet together in small groups and plan the investigation.
2.Student teachers meet people from various walks of life to collect data.
3.Student teachers discuss and share among themselves in small groups the information they collected.
4.Student teachers engage in online discussion with experts and with peers on the theoretical aspects of social change.
5. Student teachers reflect on the whole process of investigation and prepare scholarly reports and publish their reports online.
Suggested questions to be investigated.
Student teachers are advised to investigate the following.
1. When was the first modern education institution started in your village?.
2. Who were the people behind this progressive movement?
3. Who were the students who joined the school in the initial days?
4. What was the cross-section and social background of these students?
5. What are the major landmarks since then?
6. What social change did these initiatives bring to your community?
7. What are major indicators of social change in your community?
8. What is the current status of educational progress of your community?
9. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the education system?
10 What are major hurdles in the development of education in your area?

Work Schedule – December 10, 2008 –March 30, 2009