10 Online Platforms for Teachers

In today's digital age, educators have a wealth of resources at their fingertips to enhance their teaching methods and engage students in dynamic ways. Online platforms offer a variety of tools that cater to different educational needs, from interactive lesson planning to virtual classrooms and student assessments. Here, are ten online platforms that empower teachers to streamline their tasks, personalize instruction, and foster a more interactive and collaborative educational environment:

1. Google Classroom:

An online platform where teachers can create and manage classes, assign and grade assignments, and communicate with students and parents.

2. Zoom: 

A video conferencing app that allows teachers to conduct live virtual classes and meetings with students.

3. Microsoft Office Suite: 

A set of productivity tools including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for creating and presenting lessons, reports, and presentations.

4. Kahoot!: 

A game-based learning platform that allows teachers to create and share interactive quizzes and surveys with their students.

5. Edmodo: 

A social learning platform that allows teachers to create and manage classes, share resources, and communicate with students and parents.

6. Duolingo: 

A language learning app that offers courses in various languages, which can be used by language teachers to supplement their lessons.

7. Khan Academy: 

An educational website that offers free online courses on a wide range of subjects, including math, science, and humanities.

8. Grammarly: 

A writing assistant app that helps teachers and students to improve their writing skills by providing grammar and spelling suggestions.

9. YouTube: 

A video-sharing platform that offers a vast collection of educational videos, tutorials, and lectures for teachers to use in their lessons.

10. Flipgrid: A video discussion platform where teachers can create topics and students can respond with short video responses to engage in meaningful conversations.

To sum up, these ten online platforms provide invaluable support for teachers, enhancing their ability to deliver effective, engaging, and personalized education. By leveraging these tools, educators can streamline their teaching processes, foster collaboration, and stay up-to-date with the latest educational trends. Embracing these digital resources not only enriches the learning experience for students but also empowers teachers to continuously improve their craft and adapt to the evolving landscape of education.

The Main Educational Systems in India

India has a diverse educational system that encompasses various boards, curricula, and approaches to learning. The main educational systems in India are:

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE): 

CBSE is a national-level board of education controlled by the central government of India. It follows a centralized curriculum and conducts examinations for grades 10 and 12, known as the All India Secondary School Examination (AISSE) and All India Senior School Certificate Examination (AISSCE), respectively. CBSE is recognized by most Indian universities and is popular among both private and government schools.

Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE):

ICSE is another national-level board of education, but it is not as prevalent as CBSE. It is administered by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). 

It follows a curriculum that focuses on a comprehensive and balanced education. ICSE conducts examinations for grade 10, known as the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE).

State Boards: 

Each state in India has its own board of education that sets the curriculum and conducts examinations for grades 10 and 12 e.g. Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE), Punjab School Education Board (PSEB). 

State boards may vary in terms of syllabus, evaluation methods, and grading systems.

National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS): 

NIOS is an open schooling system that offers distance education programs at the secondary and senior secondary levels. 

It is a flexible learning option for students who are unable to attend regular schools or wish to pursue vocational courses alongside their studies.

International Baccalaureate (IB): 

IB is an internationally recognized curriculum that is offered by some private and international schools in India. 

It is known for its inquiry-based approach and global perspective. IB programs include the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP).

Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE): 

CAIE, formerly known as Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), offers the Cambridge Curriculum and qualifications. 

It is popular among some private and international schools in India and provides globally recognized certifications such as the Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Secondary, and Cambridge Advanced.

It's important to note that the availability of these educational systems may vary across different regions and schools in India. 

To sum up, India’s education system has grown in terms of access and infrastructure. There are still challenges related to quality and fairness. 

Embracing new teaching methods and encouraging lifelong learning can help address these issues. Balancing tradition with modern advancements will help create an effective and fair education system for all.

Let's Welcome 'The Retirement'

 As mentioned earlier, I searched internet for motivation for post-retirement period and got it.

After retirement, one day, I thought of searching more and writing for others, with the thought that someone might get motivated by my writing all this. I searched further, regarding the work done by people after retirement, for some inspiration to keep going.

The search revealed a lot. People are doing wonderful work, may be for their self-worth, ambition, family or society in general or money.

Here are 21 examples of ordinary individuals from India who excelled after the age of 60, overcoming various challenges.

21 Individuals Who Have Excelled After 60

Ramesh Singh: At the age of 62, Ramesh Singh started his own organic farming business after a long career in the IT industry. His farm has now become a model for sustainable agriculture in his region.

Kamla Devi: Kamla Devi, at 65, began teaching underprivileged children in her village. She has since established a small school that provides free education to over 100 children.

Rajesh Sharma: After retiring from his job as a government clerk at 60, Rajesh Sharma started a small handicraft business. His unique designs have gained popularity, and he now exports his products internationally.

Sunita Patel: Sunita Patel took up painting at the age of 60 after her retirement. Her artwork has been featured in several local exhibitions, and she has even sold a few pieces.

Anil Kumar: Anil Kumar, at 63, started a community kitchen to provide free meals to the homeless and needy in his city. His initiative has grown, and he now has a team of volunteers helping him.

Meena Joshi: Meena Joshi began writing her memoirs at the age of 60. Her book has been published and has received critical acclaim for its honest and inspiring story.

Vijay Singh: Vijay Singh, a former school teacher, started a mobile library service at the age of 61. He travels to remote villages, providing books and educational resources to children.

Lata Desai: Lata Desai took up yoga and meditation at the age of 60. She now runs a successful wellness center, helping others improve their physical and mental health.

Rajendra Prasad: Rajendra Prasad, at 60, started a small manufacturing unit for eco-friendly products. His business has grown, and he now supplies to several large retailers.

Shanti Devi: Shanti Devi began volunteering at a local animal shelter at the age of 60. Her dedication has led to the shelter's expansion and improved care for the animals.

Rajiv Kumar: Rajiv Kumar, after retiring from his job as a bank manager at 60, started a small organic food store. His store has become popular for its fresh and healthy produce.

Geeta Sharma: Geeta Sharma took up photography at the age of 60. Her stunning photographs have been featured in local galleries and magazines.

Harish Mehta: Harish Mehta, at 62, started a small bakery. His delicious baked goods have gained a loyal customer base, and he now supplies to several cafes and restaurants.

Savitri Singh: Savitri Singh began teaching traditional Indian dance at the age of 60. Her classes have become popular, and she has even performed at local cultural events.

Rameshwar Lal: Rameshwar Lal, at 60, started a small tailoring business. His craftsmanship has earned him a reputation for quality work, and he now has a steady stream of clients.

Kiran Patel: Kiran Patel took up gardening at the age of 60. Her beautiful garden has become a local attraction, and she now conducts gardening workshops.

Rajeshwar Singh: Rajeshwar Singh, at 60, started a small IT training center. His center has helped many individuals gain valuable skills and find employment.

Sudha Sharma: Sudha Sharma began writing poetry at the age of 60. Her poems have been published in several literary journals, and she has even won a few awards.

Rajesh Kumar: Rajesh Kumar, after retiring from his job as a school principal at 60, started a small publishing house. He has published several books by local authors.

Laxmi Devi: Laxmi Devi took up pottery at the age of 60. Her beautiful creations have been featured in local exhibitions, and she has even sold a few pieces.

These stories show that retirement can be the start of an exciting new chapter, filled with purpose and achievement. They are a testament to the resilience and determination of those who refuse to give up, no matter their age or past challenges.

Let me imagine, where I would be in the near future and how far I succeed in my venture of furthering Commerce Education through my Not-for-profit website commerceatease

Maybe I am able to motivate someone some way or another.

Gearing Up for Retirement

The thought of my own retirement struck my mind only when, someone from our group, retired. But then, I thought 'There's one more teacher in my batch, she will retire first.' That time my mental make up was such that 'the day of retirement ' was next to unthinkable as if I won't have to retire. Gradually, the time passed as usual.

One fine morning, the first working day of the month following the retirement of that teacher, I saw my name on the top, in the teachers' attendance register. Immediately after that, the behavior of majority of staff members started to change, some turned out to be more pleasant than before, some started to behave as if I have turned a culprit. A small percentage however started ignoring me “as if I'm an outsider just roaming here and there in the school”.

On the whole, from top to bottom in the hierarchy (Whatever it was), there was a strange mix of 'People-behaviour', extreme positive to negative.

Daily, after duty hours, I used to check, "who behaved how" and the reasons of such behavior. I had not much to do at school those days. It was mainly due to two reasons; my students of class 12 had appeared in board exams and were out now and class 11 students would come in July. Before that, my term would have been over. So, due to less mental burden of work, my mind had assumed nothing wrong to utilize that time by engaging in thinking about people's behavior more than, I ever had done in the entire life.

I started preparing myself mentally for 'that day'.

Whenever any so-called difficult work would be there and they would discuss in the staff room, I would jokingly say, 'Do as you wish, I would be out after some time.'

Gradually, the situation started becoming more serious. I would think every day, 'What shall I do the whole day?' Thoughts of uselessness and zero self-worth would occupy my mind. My behavior turned negative at home.

One day my niece said, "I think you are upset thinking about post-retirement period, People start living life after retirement and you’ve started thinking the other way."

It clicked my mind.

I could easily make out the conclusion. This 'lack of self-worth and aim' was the reason of my negative behaviour, these days. I just searched internet for some motivation about retirement. Instantly, I saw an article on self-care in the post-retirement period. There was nothing new in the article. But the way it was written proved to be beneficial, for the time being.

Then, I started thinking about what I've been doing for so many years in my free time at home. I put myself in the shoes of a ‘stranger’ doing that work and the way I’ve been doing it, without any personal or financial help from anyone, sacrificing many things and outdoor activities, sidelined my other hobbies, what I can do further etc.

The thought pattern changed for the better. I started to think positively and would think, “Now there will be enough time to do what I wanted to do, what I can do. Now, day and night, my website and my hobbies would occupy my mind, and I started waiting eagerly for my retirement.

Whenever, anyone would ask me about my post-retirement plans, I would just smile and express my happiness over all this. Earning money is not the only meaningful way to live life happily.   

Let's Welcome 'My Retirement'.