Saveetha University Director of Academics - Dr.Deepak Nallaswamy's -
MILA News Published in Hindhu Tamil Daily on 17 th May 2015, 3 rd Page,
MILA:ANew education system;
ByDr.Deepak Nallaswamy
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EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM PATENT DETAILS
MULTIPLE INTERACTIVE LEARNING ALGORITHM(MILA)
INVENTOR:DR.DEEPAK NALLASWAMY,Year:Feb 2015,Registrar of copy rights-Diary appli.No.2169/2015COL
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The multiple interacting learning algorithm (MILA)is an education system that harnesses the advancing front of technology to integrate an effective, enthusiastic and active learning environment for the students. The monotony of hours of lectures has been replaced by facilitator mediated active learning process with 20 minute lectures interspersed by an activity based learning. In addition to academic learning there also comes the added advantage of an individual’s development as a personality to thrive in the competitive world.
This is a unique lecture protocol where short lectures are interspersed with a mix of activities that follow a particular algorithm based on the findings of our research.
The order of teaching followed by activity that is designed to improve inquiry. The algorithm follows a pattern of interactive and non-interactive activities.
This is the first time a composite of lectures interspersed with activity which breaks the monotony, greatly enhances student attentiveness, improves grasping, simplifies concepts and provides an active learning environment has been done systematically.
The lecture has never been broken into 20 minutes followed by an activity that greatly enhances the attention of students.
This is the first time in a teaching system where a 2 minute allocation for a minute activity has been incorporated which will enhance the thinking skill and test the student retention skill
For the first time,the schedule is planned in such a way that the activities do not overlap within a particular day and maintain student attentiveness.The system has many options that there is no need for repetition of the interactive sessions for a minimum of 3 weeks which is tested through the sessions taken by us.
This teaching learning methodology encourages every student to think along lateral lines and not to learn by rote. This kindles in them a keen interest for research as they browse the ipad and further kindle their knowledge based on our survey.
The interaction required from the student side enhances their confidence, molds their personalities, overcome social interaction fears and instills the confidence to stand on their own in any academic forum.This has never been part of any theoretical academics evident from a self appraisal questionnaire.
The student are made aware of the varied facets of a concept. They know the complexities and intricacies of the subject and that science is an ever evolving field. They also understand the importance of being open to newer concepts even if it means relearning an established idea based on our questionnaire.
For the first time the the student’s understanding on the week topic is done in the form of assessment which gives an idea to the instructor and the student on areas of focus and improvement based on our survey.
This is the only system which satisfies all the learning styles of Experiencing , Reflecting , Theorizing: and Testing the understanding of the students.
Also for the first time , the student and instructor together have orientation to learning ,readiness to learn a subject ,learning from peers and by themselves with orientation ad experience along with the concept of self and self confidence within the attention time span as evident from our study.
Description:Background of the invention:
The MILA was formulated as an active learning system as the conventional methods had failed to reach the student of today. The technological gadgets that are a successful source of distraction among the students are exploited as learning adjuncts with the teacher only being a facilitator.
On reviewing the feedback's from the students it was found that the students are distracted and lost in a conventional one hour monologues lecture class. The concentration of a student progressively spikes down during an one hour lecture. Studies have found that it is difficult for the brain to concentrate with the same level of attention after 20 minutes(Train the Trainer: Adult Learning Principles Minnesota Secretary of State Website: http://www.sos.state.mn.us). Therefore holding a student’s attention in the class for the entire duration requires resetting of the brain every 20 minutes.
MILA algorithm is set for 120 minutes which is divided further divided into 20 minute micro sessions suited for a strength of 30 students.This is brought about by a combination of 18 lecture, followed by a minute 2 minute activity which will be related to the 18 minute lecture to enhance and test the thinking and retention skill of the student
This is followed by an activity chosen from a box comprising of SCALEUP, Critical Pedagogy, JIGSAW, POGIL, Concept Mapping, Game based Learning, Role Play, Flipped Class, Peer-led Team based Learning.
The system capitalizes the growing attention of todays generation towards electronic media as a interactive learning medium. The system will now be described in detail. The activity POGIL ( Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning employs a logical sequence of leading questions that would help the student understand an otherwise complicated process.
Different facets of an interrelated concept are given as discussion topics for separate groups. Each person of the group will be well versed in the topic. The groups are then reshuffled so that the new group has one member of each group. The ensuing discussion will result in the entire class learning all the facets of the concept.
Game- based learning employs different gaming techniques to engross the student. It is a subtle but very powerful hands on way of learning concept.Example includes clay modelling,acting ,20 questionnaire etc.
A cascade of events or processes are best understood when enacted as a role play.
Peer-led team based learning is an informal and friendly way of learning where the students help themselves in understanding and learning concepts in the presence of a facilitator.
The depth of understanding a subject is put to test by a passage that is intentionally falsified in critical areas. The student has to identify the mistakes, which indirectly reinforces and deepens their understanding.
Concept Mapping is an app based activity where in a mind map of the entire concept which has been discussed is generated.
Flipped Class – The students view a pre-recorded video of the class. The class is open for discussion in the next day. This helps in easy understanding of the concept as well as opens more avenues for discussion.
There is also an included assessment /evaluation session at the end of the weekly session which will be an integral part of the activity session which includes formal assessment ,peer assessment and self assessment respectively.
Dr.Deepak Nallaswamy is the Director of Academics in Saveetha University, Chennai.
