Comments on: Open Classes and Open Schools http://www.kenneyjacob.com/2009/04/27/open-classes-and-open-schools/ Disruptive Technologies, Modern Education, Shrouded Social Issues and Dirty media propaganda Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:58:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Kuttyedathi http://www.kenneyjacob.com/2009/04/27/open-classes-and-open-schools/comment-page-1/#comment-5031 Kuttyedathi Thu, 14 May 2009 12:55:48 +0000 http://www.kenneyjacob.com/?p=2178#comment-5031 Amazing Post and comments. Kenney, never knew about MAD. Thank you for enlightning Loved this comment by Jithin ---> "Come on !!..an ordinary toothpaste would have a toll free number to call and give the consumer feedback…why cant a student call and give feedback on a teacher?? Should we sacrifice that right for the “Indian Moral Values” ?? " Amazing Post and comments. Kenney, never knew about MAD. Thank you for enlightning

Loved this comment by Jithin —> “Come on !!..an ordinary toothpaste would have a toll free number to call and give the consumer feedback…why cant a student call and give feedback on a teacher??
Should we sacrifice that right for the “Indian Moral Values” ?? “

]]> By: Ranjith http://www.kenneyjacob.com/2009/04/27/open-classes-and-open-schools/comment-page-1/#comment-4972 Ranjith Sat, 02 May 2009 06:53:59 +0000 http://www.kenneyjacob.com/?p=2178#comment-4972 Amazing arguments!!! i got just one thing to say.. i feel they whole confusion is due to the lac of understandability of the public about what MAD mean by "volunteer" and a "well-wisher". usually we hear about a "volunteer" as someone who is ready to render his services for that organization. and well wisher normally refers to those who contributes financially (and just wishes all the best). but in MAD context these are different. A MAD volunteer is a "specially trained person" who is assigned the main stream duties which jithin mentioned in earlier comments. unfortunately i'm not one of those volunteers. A MAD well wisher is someone like me who is sitting out and helping them out financially(not me) or in other ways like helping the MAD to carry out its operations(might be as a driver, i'm ready to be one ) and for jithin's question "Should we sacrifice that right for the “Indian Moral Values” ??" we should not sacrifice it.. MAD is right.. anyone (including me) if don't have the ability to educate a child (i wont use the word teach, i prefer educate) should not waste time as a volunteer.. and as jithin said the focus is on giving good education not picking up random volunteers. Carry on friends MAD ROX Amazing arguments!!!
i got just one thing to say.. i feel they whole confusion is due to the lac of understandability of the public about what MAD mean by “volunteer” and a “well-wisher”.

usually we hear about a “volunteer” as someone who is ready to render his services for that organization. and well wisher normally refers to those who contributes financially (and just wishes all the best).

but in MAD context these are different.
A MAD volunteer is a “specially trained person” who is assigned the main stream duties which jithin mentioned in earlier comments. unfortunately i’m not one of those volunteers.

A MAD well wisher is someone like me who is sitting out and helping them out financially(not me) or in other ways like helping the MAD to carry out its operations(might be as a driver, i’m ready to be one )

and for jithin’s question “Should we sacrifice that right for the “Indian Moral Values” ??”

we should not sacrifice it.. MAD is right.. anyone (including me) if don’t have the ability to educate a child (i wont use the word teach, i prefer educate) should not waste time as a volunteer.. and as jithin said the focus is on giving good education not picking up random volunteers.

Carry on friends MAD ROX

]]> By: Tony Jose http://www.kenneyjacob.com/2009/04/27/open-classes-and-open-schools/comment-page-1/#comment-4971 Tony Jose Sat, 02 May 2009 05:10:41 +0000 http://www.kenneyjacob.com/?p=2178#comment-4971 @shahnaz : I understood.Thank you. @jithin : I totally agree that we should give quality education and quality food. That is not what we were talking. It is a matter of ethics and sincerity. We all know how to behave and we all know what the purpose is. Quality is unnegotiable. I admire MAD volunteers sincerity and commitment towards our children and the steps taken by them for providing quality education for the children. I would like to know whether you will be accepting a person, say a Psychologist if he/she volunteers to offer his/her service to MAD. The 'restriction' which we were discussing is applicable only in this context, its not about the quality of service, its not about training in English or in computer applications. @shahnaz : I understood.Thank you.

@jithin : I totally agree that we should give quality education and quality food. That is not what we were talking. It is a matter of ethics and sincerity. We all know how to behave and we all know what the purpose is. Quality is unnegotiable.

I admire MAD volunteers sincerity and commitment towards our children and the steps taken by them for providing quality education for the children. I would like to know whether you will be accepting a person, say a Psychologist if he/she volunteers to offer his/her service to MAD. The ‘restriction’ which we were discussing is applicable only in this context, its not about the quality of service, its not about training in English or in computer applications.

]]> By: Jithin http://www.kenneyjacob.com/2009/04/27/open-classes-and-open-schools/comment-page-1/#comment-4968 Jithin Sat, 02 May 2009 02:39:57 +0000 http://www.kenneyjacob.com/?p=2178#comment-4968 Yes, I stand by my previous statement. A MAD volunteer is a specific job role. Like a Google engineer. They are in the organization to do a specific task. And to do a specific task one requires specific skills. And the recruitment to that JOB is RESTRICTED to those who have the specific skills. The same way an arts student does not qualify to be a Google engineer if he does not have an engineering degree, the same way an English volunteer in MAD cannot be a volunteer without having good english skills. Here I believe you are confused with the term volunteer in MADs context. Our focus is not on giving random people an opportunity to volunteer. Our focus is on giving our children good education. Now you may argue that teaching arts is also education. I fully agree with you. But MAD is small organization that is just getting its foot on the ground. We can't teach the kids everything. So we decided to prioritize what we teach them. We decided our first focus will be on English because by having a good grasp of the language they can continue their higher studies which is in English medium and also the added advantage when they hunt for a JOB. Hence English was not chosen because we think its superior than any other subject but because we felt it will empower the kids the most. So we have three projects in MAD 1. English Project 2. Computer Project 3. Placements Project I am sure the teachers who taught you English you should have had basic levels of English proficiency and who taught you computers should have had basic knowledge of computers . Then why cant we demand the same for our children. Are they anyway less important than you? Or since you are giving your service for free, nobody should question your capability or ability or qualification to give the service? Imagine a person who donates free food to an orphanage says, There should be no "restrictions" to the quality of the food I give... its free... hence just eat it !! Yes, I stand by my previous statement. A MAD volunteer is a specific job role. Like a Google engineer. They are in the organization to do a specific task. And to do a specific task one requires specific skills. And the recruitment to that JOB is RESTRICTED to those who have the specific skills.

The same way an arts student does not qualify to be a Google engineer if he does not have an engineering degree, the same way an English volunteer in MAD cannot be a volunteer without having good english skills.

Here I believe you are confused with the term volunteer in MADs context. Our focus is not on giving random people an opportunity to volunteer. Our focus is on giving our children good education. Now you may argue that teaching arts is also education. I fully agree with you. But MAD is small organization that is just getting its foot on the ground. We can’t teach the kids everything. So we decided to prioritize what we teach them. We decided our first focus will be on English because by having a good grasp of the language they can continue their higher studies which is in English medium and also the added advantage when they hunt for a JOB. Hence English was not chosen because we think its superior than any other subject but because we felt it will empower the kids the most.

So we have three projects in MAD
1. English Project
2. Computer Project
3. Placements Project

I am sure the teachers who taught you English you should have had basic levels of English proficiency and who taught you computers should have had basic knowledge of computers . Then why cant we demand the same for our children. Are they anyway less important than you?

Or since you are giving your service for free, nobody should question your capability or ability or qualification to give the service?

Imagine a person who donates free food to an orphanage says, There should be no “restrictions” to the quality of the food I give… its free… hence just eat it !!

]]> By: Tony Jose http://www.kenneyjacob.com/2009/04/27/open-classes-and-open-schools/comment-page-1/#comment-4967 Tony Jose Sat, 02 May 2009 02:00:19 +0000 http://www.kenneyjacob.com/?p=2178#comment-4967 @jithin. Labels of restriction. To be a volunteer, one should be good in computer and in communication skills,volunteers are the driving force of MAD, the post is 'restricted'. Anyone can be a well-wisher. but everyone cant be a volunteer. The term 'restriction' is what which is creating a difference. I feel the difference is similar to the difference between Security council and the General Assembly. After all my points on the differences are based only on the statements you have provided in the previous posts. @jithin. Labels of restriction. To be a volunteer, one should be good in computer and in communication skills,volunteers are the driving force of MAD, the post is ‘restricted’.

Anyone can be a well-wisher. but everyone cant be a volunteer. The term ‘restriction’ is what which is creating a difference. I feel the difference is similar to the difference between Security council and the General Assembly.

After all my points on the differences are based only on the statements you have provided in the previous posts.

]]> By: shahnaz http://www.kenneyjacob.com/2009/04/27/open-classes-and-open-schools/comment-page-1/#comment-4966 shahnaz Fri, 01 May 2009 23:31:08 +0000 http://www.kenneyjacob.com/?p=2178#comment-4966 @tony Hi Tony. Im a MAD volunteer, so I would like to give my two cents worth. 1)Yes education is holistic, but you should remember that MAD has specifically stated it currently teaches its kids English and Computers. At the end of the day what matters most is the extent to which a child benefits from our services. How can we expect a person with minimal language skills to be effective at teaching a child English. There shouldn't be any compromise in terms of what we give our children. 2)But that does not mean we believe education is centered around the subjects of English and Computers. MAD does in fact believe there will come a day when we will extent our services to include contribution from auto drivers, Hindi teachers, painters etc. In fact these people do still help out when we require non-teaching support. But they wouldn't fit the job profile of an English or Computer teacher, which is what MAD, at least, for now engages in. But MAD does some day aspire to be an all out support system for a child :) And I hope that day will come soon. @tony Hi Tony. Im a MAD volunteer, so I would like to give my two cents worth. 1)Yes education is holistic, but you should remember that MAD has specifically stated it currently teaches its kids English and Computers. At the end of the day what matters most is the extent to which a child benefits from our services. How can we expect a person with minimal language skills to be effective at teaching a child English. There shouldn’t be any compromise in terms of what we give our children.

2)But that does not mean we believe education is centered around the subjects of English and Computers. MAD does in fact believe there will come a day when we will extent our services to include contribution from auto drivers, Hindi teachers, painters etc. In fact these people do still help out when we require non-teaching support. But they wouldn’t fit the job profile of an English or Computer teacher, which is what MAD, at least, for now engages in. But MAD does some day aspire to be an all out support system for a child :) And I hope that day will come soon.

]]> By: Jithin http://www.kenneyjacob.com/2009/04/27/open-classes-and-open-schools/comment-page-1/#comment-4965 Jithin Fri, 01 May 2009 22:40:20 +0000 http://www.kenneyjacob.com/?p=2178#comment-4965 @ tony: What do u think is the difference between a volunteer and a well- wisher in MAD? @ tony: What do u think is the difference between a volunteer and a well- wisher in MAD?

]]> By: Tony http://www.kenneyjacob.com/2009/04/27/open-classes-and-open-schools/comment-page-1/#comment-4963 Tony Fri, 01 May 2009 16:23:21 +0000 http://www.kenneyjacob.com/?p=2178#comment-4963 Okey...! I think, u should remove such restrictions from volunteering. This is the age of equal opertunities. Let it be open to everyone. Say a yoga teacher or a painter, or a horse rider, every one can play a pivotal role. I believe education is not restricted to computer and linguistics alone. It should be holistic right?. Okey…! I think, u should remove such restrictions from volunteering. This is the age of equal opertunities. Let it be open to everyone. Say a yoga teacher or a painter, or a horse rider, every one can play a pivotal role. I believe education is not restricted to computer and linguistics alone. It should be holistic right?.

]]> By: Jithin http://www.kenneyjacob.com/2009/04/27/open-classes-and-open-schools/comment-page-1/#comment-4961 Jithin Fri, 01 May 2009 14:28:41 +0000 http://www.kenneyjacob.com/?p=2178#comment-4961 He will not be a volunteer. He would be a well-wisher. If anybody wants to contribute to the organisation, he may, we would only be glad. Its well-wisher's like him who made our posters, helped us recruit volunteer, helped us conduct camps etc etc. A volunteer is a more restricted profile. It is specific to a task. We have English volunteers, Computer volunteers and Placements volunteers. They need to have their specific skills and commitment levels to be a volunteer. He will not be a volunteer. He would be a well-wisher. If anybody wants to contribute to the organisation, he may, we would only be glad. Its well-wisher’s like him who made our posters, helped us recruit volunteer, helped us conduct camps etc etc. A volunteer is a more restricted profile. It is specific to a task. We have English volunteers, Computer volunteers and Placements volunteers. They need to have their specific skills and commitment levels to be a volunteer.

]]> By: Tony Jose http://www.kenneyjacob.com/2009/04/27/open-classes-and-open-schools/comment-page-1/#comment-4960 Tony Jose Fri, 01 May 2009 13:43:51 +0000 http://www.kenneyjacob.com/?p=2178#comment-4960 I really appreciate the effort taken by MAD team, and their procedure in evaluating their volunteers. It is a part of scientific measure that how a teacher can improve by a genuine feedback from the students. I totally agree. @Jithin, Would like to know the procedure to be a volunteer by the view of Volunteering as per the definition you have given :- . ** "A Person becomes a MAD volunteer only if he/she has strong communication skills, high levels of energy and is ready to spend time in MAD for at least a year." **; If a taxi driver who volunteers to be a driver in your team or anyone who believes he can make a difference by providing his service,I would like to know whether he will be accepted by the MAD team. I really appreciate the effort taken by MAD team, and their procedure in evaluating their volunteers. It is a part of scientific measure that how a teacher can improve by a genuine feedback from the students. I totally agree.

@Jithin, Would like to know the procedure to be a volunteer by the view of Volunteering as per the definition you have given :- . ** “A Person becomes a MAD volunteer only if he/she has strong communication skills, high levels of energy and is ready to spend time in MAD for at least a year.” **; If a taxi driver who volunteers to be a driver in your team or anyone who believes he can make a difference by providing his service,I would like to know whether he will be accepted by the MAD team.

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