August 2003
I was a Computer Science Lecturer for Degree and PG Students, at S Ch College in Maddirala.
…… …… …… …… ……
I was in the BSc (MSCs: Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science) Final Year classroom. In that class, the number of Girls (80%) were more than the number of Boys (20%).
One day, after completion of a (subject’s) topic explanation, I made a sound with a duster on the Table; then, questioned the Students for any doubts. From last bench (Girls side), Ms. ShreeDevi was standup; and asked me the doubt. At that time, I have observed that other Students were making noise. I wanted to stop that noise. Then, I asked Ms. ShreeDevi to wait for few minutes (to give my explanation for her doubt); then, looked at all Students; and said “Why are you all… making noise, when she is asking a doubt ?
Is it irrelevant… … or funny… … or any other reason ?”.
Then, the entire classroom became pin-drop silent.
I said “Do you know the value of a Friend ?”.
All Students were listening to me carefully and silently.
Then, I said “When you get a doubt in your subject, to whom you approach first ?
… … … … …
Are you approach your Lecturer… or… Friend ?”.
All Students were silent. No answer.
Then, I said “Dileep…! Can you tell me the answer ?”.
Mr. Dileep was standup; and said “I approach my Friend, first. … … Sir…!”.
I said “Good. Perfect answer. You can sit, now.”.
Then, I looked at all Students; and said “Then, why are you (all) making noise; and not allowing your friend ShreeDevi to understand the subject ?”.
All Students were silent. Ms. ShreeDevi was still standing.
I said “I hope that you (all) understand the value of a Friend.
Now, let’s compare yourself with her knowledge.
… … … … …
After completion of a topic, how many people are asking the doubts ?
In fact, you need a dare… to ask the doubt. Let me call it as STAGE 1.
Now, how many people have understand her doubt ?”.
I have written STAGE 1 word on the black-board.
By addressing Ms. ShreeDevi, I said “ShreeDevi…!
Can you repeat your doubt ?
Your friends want to know clearly.”.
Ms. ShreeDevi has repeated her doubt again.
I said “Now, how many people know the answer for her doubt ?
Let me give the hint.”.
I have given the hint.
Then, I said “How many people can know the answer… now, … … based on the hint ?
All Students were silent.
By addressing Ms. ShreeDevi, I said ”ShreeDevi…!
I think that you know the answer, now.”.
Ms. ShreeDevi said “Yes, … … Sir…!”.
By addressing all Students, I said “This is STAGE 2…!”.
I have written STAGE 2 word on the black-board.
Then, I said “Now, your friend ShreeDevi is going to explain the answer to all.
… … … … …
ShreeDevi…!
Can you explain the answer to all your friends…!”.
Ms. ShreeDevi has given explanation to all.
By addressing all the Students, I said “Is there any confusion in her explanation ?”.
All Students have mentioned that they understand the answer, now.
I said “ShreeDevi…! You can sit now.
… … …
This is STAGE 3…!”.
I have written STAGE 3 word on the black-board.
By pointing the Stages 1… 2… 3…, I said “These stages are an example to know about your friend.
I think that you are all understand… … what’s the wrong… … you are doing ?”.
All Students have accepted their mistake.
Classwork was completed for that day.
…… …… …… …… ……
On another day, after completion of a (subject’s) topic explanation, I questioned all the Students for any doubts.
Now, not only Ms. ShreeDevi, but few more Students were also started by asking the doubts.
At that time, the entire classroom was in pin-drop silent.
…… …… …… …… ……
December 2003
Principal went to each and every classroom with Feedback forms. He has given one Feedback form for one (subject’s) Lecturer; and asked the Students to fill the forms without writing their personal details (Name and Roll Number). He has selected one Student in each class, for collecting (filled) Feedback forms from all the Students, and submitting them to the College Office.
During the Lunch time, all Students have started for filling Feedback forms.
In the BSc (MSCs) classroom, some of the Girls went to last bench, to meet Ms. ShreeDevi; and said “ShreeDevi…!
Have you filled the Feedback form of our Computer Science Lecturer ?”.
Ms. ShreeDevi said “Yes. I have done.”.
Girls said “Is one page sufficient to tell about our Sir ?”.
Ms. ShreeDevi said “No…! But, Principal has given only one page for each subject/Lecturer.”.
Girls said “Our Sir has mentioned that your explanation is very good.
So, we will tell you about our Sir.
You write with proper explanation, by adding additional sheets.”.
Ms. ShreeDevi took a short time for thinking; and said “But, you all the people have to sign on it.”.
Girls said “Not only we few. We will collect sign from all the Students in our class.”.
Ms. ShreeDevi was happy with their suggestion; and started writing. Slowly, other Students were also joined with them.
Finally, one Feedback form (with additional sheets) became 10 pages of Feedback, for only one Computer Science subject; i.e., also from… this only one BSc (MSCs) class.
[ All Lecturers know that Principal have given Feedback forms to all Students; and Students have submitted them on same day. ]
…… …… …… …… ……
January 2004
[ Generally, I complete the syllabus by end of the December in each year. From January onwards, I convert the class-hours to either study-hours or lab-hours. ]
On last class day (for that Academic year), I have allotted lab for Students.
Some of the Girls are murmuring each other; and then came to meet me.
Girls said “Sir…! Today is last class day for us.
So, we came here to ask you one thing.”.
I said “Yes. Tell me. What do you want to know ?”.
Remaining Students were listening to us.
Girls said “Sir…! Have you received any call from our Principal ?”.
I said “No. But why ? … … Have you done anything ?” with smile.
All Girls were smiled; and said “Yes, Sir… …! We have done a big thing.
In fact, ShreeDevi has done it.”.
Ms. ShreeDevi was near to us; and seriously doing her lab (practice) work.
On listening her name, she immediately turned towards us; and said “No, Sir…!
Not only me. Everyone has done it. Sir…!
Initially, they said that they want to keep it as a secret.
But, they are telling only my name, now.”.
By addressing Ms. ShreeDevi, I said “ShreeDevi…!
All of your classmates tell your name first… for anything.
Even boys also. Why ?”.
Boys were smiling by listening to me.
Ms. ShreeDevi said “I don’t know. … … Sir…!” with worry.
Then, I said “Don’t worry. But, all Lecturers have a good opinion about you.”.
Then, Girls said “Because, we (classmates) like ShreeDevi very much. … … Sir…!
She is very daring person.”.
I said “Good bonding. Then, come to the point. You are all saying something.”.
Girls have started telling about the Feedback session.
I said “Oh. You have written additional sheets also… … as similar as Exams.”.
Girls were smiled a lot; and said “Yes, … … Sir…!
We have converted one Feedback form into the 10 pages of Feedback.
We have mentioned everything.
… … … … …
Your explanation in subject with examples; and also, hints to remember the critical (subject) topics.
Your suggestions in Classroom and Lab, and also, for Slip-Tests and Exams.
Your observation on each one of us. One-to-one suggestions.
Your care about us; and many more.
Finally, our progress.”.
I have smiled; and said “Some of the Lecturers are also mentioned to me.
In study-hours, if a Lecturer ask you to read any subject you like.
Then, you are all referring Computer Science subject’s notes or programs.”.
Then, Girls said “In fact, we never felt difficulty in understanding the subject.
Your training with step-by-step approach, that made everything simple to us.
We have mentioned this also in the Feedback forms. Sir.... ...!”.
I said “Oh. Good to know.”.
Girls said “Initially, we wanted to keep the Feedback matter as a secret.
We thought that Principal may call you, and inform you.
Then, you feel it as a surprise; and tell to us in the class.
… … …
But, there was no information from your side; and also, today is last class day.
That’s why, we came here to share our happiness.”.
By addressing Ms. ShreeDevi, I said “ShreeDevi…!
There is a funny publicity formula. i.e.,
If you want to keep a secret forever, you need to say… … Everyone knows it. Then, it will not spread.
If you want to make a publicity, you need to say… … Top secret, don’t tell to anyone. Then, it spreads very fast than usual.
… … …
In this Feedback matter, you would have mentioned that, Sir already knows it. Then, it would have been secret forever.”.
Then, all Students were smiled.
By addressing all, I said “Principal is busy in this January month.
He may look at your Feedback forms in next month.”.
… … … … …
Anyhow, it’s really a wonderful News. Good Feedback.
Your classmates are not only active, but also dynamic.
All the best.”.
Girls said “Thank you very much, for your blessings. … … Sir…!”.
Then, they went back to their seats, in the Lab.
…… …… …… …… ……
February 2004
Near to our College, there is a Lord Shiva Temple, on the KotappaKomda (pronunciation KoatappaKomda కోటప్పకొండ) hill.
This Temple was renovated with a road-way.
One day, my best friend Mr. RamaKrishna took me to this Temple on his bike; and then later, dropped me at the College. He was also Student of this College; and also, batchmate to me.
After coming from the Temple… … …
In the College, I have entered in to the Principal room, to sign my attendance.
By looking at me, Principal said “Your Students likes you very much. … … Sir…!
They have given excellent Feedback about you.”.
[ As I was a Student of this College during my Graduation, and then, became a Lecturer later. He was the Principal since my Student days. After becoming the Lecturer, then onwards, he has addressed me as a “Sir…! or Master…!”. It was really a great honor. He maintains certain principles. ]
I said “Thank you very much… Sir…! for your blessings…!”.
Then, Principal said “There is nothing from my side.
It’s a great Feedback.
You have done hard-work; and became renown.”.
…… …… …… …… ……
March 2004
[ In our College, there is a procedure during Public Exams, i.e., when Students are writing the final exam for a subject; that subject related Lecturer will meet all his Students at end of the exam, to know their progress, and also involve in their happiness. ]
I went to meet the Students, at the end of their final exam.
They have shared their happiness about the exam; and also, they have enquired me, about the Principal response for the Feedback session. I have mentioned them, about the Principal wishes. They were very happy; as their Feedback was considered and it became valuable and unique, and also, it was added more value for me.
Later, Girls said “Sir…! We have done trials with the funny publicity formula.
It was also successful.”.
Thus, all were laughed a lot.
