It is very important for a school kid to know how to apply
practically, his hard earned knowledge in every subject, he learns. If we start
this habit from early classes of learning, it triggers his creative abilities
and teaches him how to solve a critical problem in real world. Every subject
needs practical classes with more weightage than theoretical learning. I will
give one example from a difficult subject. Mathematics. Is Mathematics all
about theories and calculations without applying to real world. No. I will
explain one exercise which we can do in Mathematics
Lab. Pythogarus theorem.
Exercise 1. Find the time it will take a plane, starting
from a railway station(A) to reach the top of a hill which is located at the
end of a next station(B). The length of the train, speed of the train, speed of
the plane and height of hill is given. With only stop watch to calculate the
result.
In practical class, we are going to actually build a small
replica of all these given in the problem. Solve the problem. There may be many
ways to solve this problem. All of which will be given good marks.
Solution 1. Run the train, which will run on the speed
exactly given in the problem. Calculate the time it takes to reach the other
station using a stop watch. Then calculate the distance between station A and
station B. Distance = Speed / Time. We are not bothered about exact fraction
points. Approximation is enough. On the whole it looks like a simple problem.
But it is not so. While calculating the distance , we get distance between the
front end of the train to station B. We have to add the length of the train
with the result of the above calculation to get the actual distance AB. We
expect students to discover these small calculations, without already being
taught exactly what to do. If you give them one particular way to solve a
problem and ask theoretically to do the same is not going to trigger their
abilities to solve a real world problem. If a student fails to calculate this
small calculation, their lab exam will get little less marks. But it is
acceptable. We are not chasing numbers. We are trying to solve a problem in
different ways. Critical thinking is important here. Because, if we nurture
their abilities from school, we will produce a great student who knows what he
studied. Not just memorized and failed. After calculating the distance we can
calculate the distance AC through pythogarus theorem. From that we can find the
time it takes a plane to reach height of the hill through its distance and
speed.
Solution 2. This way will not give you exact answer. But it
is a different approach. Even this wrong answer will get marks. Because he has
tried differently. Since we know the length of the train. Sometimes, this works
and gives exact answer without much calculations. Mark the front end of the
train. Then run the train. When the back end of the train reaches the mark,
mark the front end of the running train. If the length between two stations AC
is exact multiples of train length, this will give you exact answer. Then Apply
pythogarus theorem and find remaining problem. In the question, we will not say
solve the problem through pythogarus theorem. Solve it through any way you
want. Any theorem you can use. Any methods, any shortcuts. Anything you wish.
We are not even bothered about exact solution in fractions. We are bothered
about your approach and understanding of the problem, finding a way to solve
the problem.
Actually in real world and in the replica, the top of the
hill will not be exactly steep as in the diagram, it will be slanting. If you
find a way to solve that problem as well, you score 100%. Students should be
taught about all derivations regarding pythogarus theorem. Some examples which
will explain the applications of pythogarus theorem. These should come in
theory exams , which should have only 25% weightage. Unless students understand
fully about pythogarus theorem and its applications, students won’t pass 75% of
practical marks.
Simply put, You will be taught about multiplication tables
from 1 to 10 and explained how you get those results. In theory exam, you will
be asked what is 5*4. You can answer this question, even if you simply
memorized the multiplication table. But in practical exam, you will be asked
what is 12*4. You will no way answer this question unless you have completely
understand how 5*4 is calculated in the first hand. What you call out of
syllabus is what we call practical exam.
