Democratic learning practices in the current school scenario will be more effective if the learners at all age group are made able to see the value of what they are learning and gaining of their school experiences. There is wider consensus among educationists about connecting the course of studies to the real world implications. Getting and judging the value of the course by themselves within a broader academic framework can help students sustain motivation and persist through challenges and setbacks. The schools, teachers and parents alike can help students by exposing them to choices basis their personal interests. It is through child counseling sessions, personal sessions with children and parents that appropriate electives can be fixed for the kids. Schools taking big initiatives can group the entire school learners into different categories and assign them roles and responsibilities under different hobby clubs under the teachers’ guidance and care.
Passing Relevance to Students’ Academic Lives.

Right from the beginning of the schooling a child in his starting class grades starts showing up his capabilities, interests, likes and dislikes in academics. Consequently, it is important to explain to students how their course will help prepare them for subsequent courses in ensuing years. However, it is crucial for the school teachers and parents to develop core learning values among the learners via offering them choices in Electives to develop relevance and interests. A child doing extremely well in Elementary Maths or Drawing or Art and Craft can be directed to streamline his interests to go ahead in the same field to carry on his academic line to fulfill his professional aims. Here at this level, offering choices in relevant fields will help making children free and independent learners. A child’s academic and elective interests need synchronization through planning and participation to reach to fulfillment and achievement.
Meeting the Diverse needs of Individuals:

Individuals on the basis of their, age, class, gender and other requirements, social, religious, cultural and economic have diverse levels, status and needs. Education is the tool of fulfilling these requirements for the self and others in a way that suits to all. It is sad but true that our education system focuses on academic performance but does not help the children to decide in their early school life. The career paths that they would like to choose are set in traditional ways of guiding and instructing the school children and adhere to core subjects only. This often leads learners to go for subjects that neither suit to their careers nor fulfill the diverse needs and other concerns of life. Schools on many occasions can easily holds counseling and guidance sessions every month inviting the people of different fields, professions such as journalists, writers, artisans, potters, theatre actors, dancers, musicians etc. who would happily visit the schools. Similarly, short duration workshops can be arranged to can be arranged to help children identify their individual talents.

Electives to inspire, creativity, innovation and skills:

Good learning advances through innovation. Children learn better if schools develop new and better ideas and methods to foster creativity and innovation the demand for creativity and creative thinking is increasing and will fuel economies in the future, yet our students are less prepared to become innovative thinkers of tomorrow. Fortunately, these skills can be enhanced and taught by offering opportunities through various school based curricula. By creating a free and independent learning environment the schools can engage their children in skill development activities via indoor or outdoor surveys, projects, seminars, action research, and sports events or by organizing social awareness drives etc.

Choosing Options at Schools:

Recent innovational developments in curriculum designing by the education boards and schools itself the scope of going for electives has widened. Both CBSE and ICSE boards have recently introduced a variety of elective subjects for the learners ranging more than 40 courses under elective subject’s scheme. Besides there are variety of vocational course to meet the needs of skill development of secondary level grades ranging from; Electronics Technology, Ophthalmic Techniques, Medical Laboratory Techniques Fashion Design and Clothing Construction, Library and Information Sciences, Mass Media Studies, Media Production, Travel and Tourism, Office Secretaryship, Banking, Retail, Electronics Technology Etc. However, it is up to schools to provide the options judging the best choices for each learner.

Enhancing scope of Individual Life Skills:

We come across so many children who pick careers thrust upon them by their parents. Nowadays, so many new fields are opening up, offering unconventional career choices which are just as well paying as the common professions. It is important for parents to talk to their child, be sensitive to his/her natural skills and try and hone them. In recent times when there is high end cry advocating for the development of democratic values in learning in our schools. There is nothing new about the idea that students should be able to participate, individually and collectively, in making decisions. This conviction has long played a role in schools now being sophisticatedly designated as progressive, democratic, open, free, experimental, or alternatively; in educational philosophies called developmental, constructivist, holistic, intrinsic or learner-centered; and in the daily teaching –learning routine of teachers whose natural instinct is to treat children with respect love care and guidance.
Concluding Thoughts:

Education in totality aims to engender fundamental capacities among children such as successful learners, self-reliant individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors. Recent emerging changes in our school systems, curriculum framework and educational programmes and policies of the governments have opened before the learners’ greater choices in deciding their courses and curriculum. This has set forth before the stakeholders the challenge of giving to the children an independent, holistic and autonomous learning in schools which is a highly desirable and ineluctable but challenged concept in education.

Ushering into this learning environment, our educational institutions and schools can bring and create a purely egalitarian learning community thereby opening the doors of democratic learning to bring one and all to grow and develop in the realm of intrinsically controlled but essentially free and independent environment. Just imagine a school or an educational system where teaching-learning experiences are directed, designed and delivered in such a way that every child finds himself/herself at the helm towards undertaking an independent, comprehensive, self-decisive voyage concerning academics as well as other aspects of life.

These are the ancient string (Tanti Saaz) instruments used in Gurmat Sangeet. These instruments were almost extinct in this modern world but with the blessings of Baba Iqbal Singh Ji these string instruments were again brought into limelight by not only using them to sing the whole Guru Granth Sahib ji in the original Raagas but also by training scores of young students in playing these. And now these instruments are used in Gurmat Sangeet by Anahad Bani Jatha at Baru Sahib.

1st Saaz is Drupadi Rabab:- This instrument was played by Bhai Mardana Ji when Guru Nanak Dev used to recited Gurbani.

2nd Saaz is Taus:- This instrument is shaped like a peacock and was made at the time of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji and then later on used by Guru Gobind Singh to recite Gurbani.

3rd Saaz is sitar which very well known instrument in India.

(Starting from left)4th Saaz is Saranda which was made by Guru Amardas ji and later used by Guru Arjan Dev ji to recite Gurbani.

5th Saaz is Sarangi which was played at the time of Guru Hargobind Sahib ji in dhadi waran and this is also well known Saaz in Hindustani Classical Music.

6th Saaz is Dilruba which is used by Sikh Sangat in Gurmat sangeet to recite Gurbani.

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It is a fact that children of today are smarter than those of our times. They have grown with technology at their finger tips. Whenever we see them using a tablet, computer, smart phone, e-reader, or any other digital device, it seems they have learnt it before they learnt how to walk. Digital technology is a recent development in India and has many advantages yet there is concern among researchers about the latent harm that digital technology is causing to the children’s body, mind and more particularly eyes. Let us see how:

Damaging Effects Of Digital Devices:

As we live in the digital age, increasing number of children have access to digital devices at home and in their schools. They are becoming dependent on digital devices for their work, socializing and recreation. From televisions and computers to smartphones and tablets, there are more opportunities than ever for children to interact with digital technology both in education and play.

On an average 52% children in India spend more than four hours daily using digital devices and do multitasking screen vision activities. Even children from 2 to 6 years of age spend hours on digital devices for entertainment or texting activities. Children in 8 to 12 age group are involved in multi tasking activities such as using social media platforms, messaging, chatting, or playing their favourite games using digital devices. This directly or indirectly affects their eye health and damages their eyesight.

Common Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)

In fast developing countries like India, not many studies on CVS have been carried out. But in spite of this computer use has attained a significant patronage especially with the upsurge of information and communication technology. Sadly, many ophthalmologists when contacted did not respond positively to share their professional views on the problems. However, researches done in this field reveal the following common symptoms.

Dry eyes:

Normally we blink 10 to 12 times a minute. When we watch television our blink rate is reduced to 5 to 6 a minute and while working on the computer it further goes down to 3 to 4 times a minute and on small screen devices 2/3 times a minute. This leads to evaporation of useful layer of tears and results in irritation and dry eyes syndrome. To overcome this, the computer screen should be kept at 20 to 40 degrees below the eye level. This leads to partial closure of the eyes by the lids thereby decreasing the evaporative surface. Many ophthalmologists agree that blinking rate may decline by 60 percent of a person using a digital device for a prolonged period of time. Our children use digital technology more than an average working person – this is a cause for concern. Increasing evidence reveals that CVS can significantly harm workplace productivity, as it places unusual strain on human physical wellbeing. Thereby, it reduces the number of hours children sit to do their academic reading and studies.

Double Vision Problem

Double vision, clinically called diplopia, indicates weakness of the eyes of those students who view the computer or other digital devices for more than four hours per day. When an individual sees a double image where there should only be one it is referred to as double vision or diplopia. The two images can be side by side, one on top of the other, or a combination of both. Children’s eyes, who watch digital devices with rapt attention without moving or blinking their eyes, can become weakened by muscular movement of the eyes and produce double vision. Double vision can be caused by a number of underlying conditions. Double vision treatment can include surgery, eye exercises, or corrective lenses.

Eyestrain:

After every summer vacation, I observe our school children feeling tired and complaining of headache. They even show lack of interest in studies resulting from many other reasons, but use of digital devices at home for extended periods of time is also one reason. While it may be inevitable that children will watch television or use other screen devices, the solution is moderation.

Light Effects:

According to a recent study, children’s eyes absorb more blue light than adults from digital device screens, which is a growing concern. The popularity of cell phones, computers and tablets for school reading and personal use continues to grow each year.

Evidence shows intense blue light causes damage to the back of the eye — the retina — and exposure in children could possibly lead to early onset of macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness for those over 50, and to the earlier incidence of cataracts. Blue wavelengths are crucial during daylight — they boost our attention, reaction and mood — but are disastrous at night as they interfere with circadian rhythm and disrupt sleep.

Just about every digital screen — computer, tablet and smart phone — now uses Light Emitting Diode (LED) backlight because it produces brighter and more colourful images as well as being energy efficient. But LED also emits more blue light directly into the eye than previous screen technology such as Liquid Crystal Diode (LCD)

Digital Dementia

Digital Dementia – this expression was first used by German neuroscientist Manfred Spitzer in his book of the same name. It is a term used to describe how overuse of digital technology is resulting in decreased memory performance.

Sleep Disorders and Deprivation:

Almost 60% of parents do not supervise their child’s technology usage, and 75% of children are allowed technology in their bedrooms. A whopping 56% of children aged 9 and 10 years are sleep deprived to the extent that their grades are detrimentally impacted. A growing number of children use digital devices in their bedrooms which harms their sleep and eyes. This leads to poor performance the next day and results in lazy eye syndrome.

Preventive Measures

Digital devices have quickly become a staple part of daily life for both adults and children. So it’s hardly surprising that the risks and potential problems associated with the overuse of devices often go unnoticed. But both parents and schools can take precautionary measures to minimise any potential risk of digital devices. To ensure that children use digital devices in a healthy way, doctors, optometrists, researchers and pedagogues have provided some tips and measures to ensure that children get the most out of their devices whilst protecting their eyesight.

1. Regular eye checks. Children’s vision is critical to their learning and development, making regular checkups with an Optometrist essential in younger years. An Optometrist can adjust their examination in accordance with the age and capability of the child. Whilst a child can be seen at any age, they are most typically tested by an optician from around the ages of 3-4. Make sure you let the optometrist know about any family history of eye or vision problems.
2. Arrange Appropriate light source While a child is on the computer, avoid placing a light source behind the screen, as your eyes will struggle to adjust to the two often glaring and competing light sources. Instead, place your lamp to the side or behind you to avoid discomfort and eye strain.
3. Maintain distance from your screen Using digital devices too close to a screen can cause discomfort, stress and strain the eyes and can be a sign that the child is developing short-sightedness or Myopia. To prevent this, train the child to sit at least an arm’s length from the screen.
4. Follow 20/20/20/ Rule The thumb rule to avoid eye stress is to follow the 20/20/20 rule (for every 20 minutes spent on a digital device, spend 20 seconds looking at something 20 feet away) can be difficult to monitor in children. Designating a specific time period for digital use, with intermittent activities arranged between these times, will allow your child’s eyes to relax.
5. Encourage outdoor Activities : All optometrists recommend swapping a digital screen for the pleasures of the great outdoors to improve a child’s overall health. Encourage students to restrict multitasking on digital devices; encourage them to play outdoors, read books manually, read newspapers, solve Sudoku puzzles, etc.

Ashok Singh Guleria

Ashok Singh Guleria teacher of 19 years standing is a post- graduate in English Literature. He writes on pedagogical issues and children’s behavioural concerns. Currently, he is the Head of Department of English and Academic coordinator cum Teachers’ Trainer at the Akal Academy Group of Schools, Kajri U.P. He can be reached out at ashok.guleria70@gmail.com

‘The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.’

People walking alone after observing the theme of life in this world, often make promises perhaps they are known as goals. To achieve them they take their chance and convert it into a record.

A small child of Bakenia village in Puranpur,U.P was raised with similar thoughts. Gurveer Singh was brought to Akal Academy Gomti in nursery. And he began his value based education with a fresh start. His teachers appreciated his hardworking behavior.

Gurveer’s world revolved only around in his small village and his father who worked as a farmer. After being admitted to the academy, he tasted a new world, a new life all together. Many things were new to him like sikh history and even gurbani.

He scored the highest marks in his commerce stream. Gurveer scored a good percentage of 85% in 12th. He had set a goal to become a C.A as he had a vast interest in accountancy , economics and business.

He decided to go to Mahatan Pholle Rohinkhad college, Barelli,U.P to pursue his C.A.

His hardworking habit had already been polished in the Akal Academy. So, his effort made him to get the best of his career in the following time. With the blessings of Baba ji, he topped in the C.A examinations and is not far away from reaching the zenith of Success.

Currently, Gurveer is in the final year of his study and plans to return to his village for seeking the blessings of his parents.

Gurveer recalls :

The academy has a special influence on people who go there. The atmosphere of divine prayers naturally helps in the keeping the peace of mind intact and enthusiasm alive. We learnt time management there which helps a lot in life. And the most important is the blessings of Baba ji which has always helped in getting through hard times.

– JAGPAL SINGH