Nivedita Mukerjee
Education consultancy for parents and schools
3-2-1 TUESDAYS WITH MS NIV
Issue #116, 27th September 2022
Schools and homes are places where we open our minds, our children’s and student’s minds. Not places or cultures where we fill empty minds. The road to learning and growing is by making mistakes, experimenting, learning from so much that goes on in the day, and connecting the dots. Imagining from the dots, inventing new ideas, processes, and possibilities. Ah! the role that classroom, school, and home culture play in our lives. Here are some thoughts for you to ponder upon.
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
“In traditional schools, you’re penalized for making a mistake. But that won’t work in the new information culture, in the digital world we live in today.” — Daniel Greenberg
“The vision is, first, that the school will be a community, a place full of adults and youngsters who care about, look after, and root for one another and who work together for the good of the whole in times of need and times of celebration. Every member of a community holds some responsibility for the welfare of every other and for the welfare of the community as a whole.” — Barth, R., The Culture Builder
One Video of the Week
Our children are more than the sum of their school grades. Behind every exam result lies a whole person with incalculable, untapped potential and myriad facets and capacities just waiting to be discovered. What a child shows she knows in school is not an accurate measure of her lifelong learning ability or her human potential. Schools are for growing minds but nothing stifles growth like ranking or grading.
It’s not how smart you are that counts, it is how you are smart. Proficiency in the 3Rs of reading, remembering, and regurgitating factual knowledge may get you an A*, but to thrive in adulthood you need deep-down things that aren’t so easily measured – tacit knowledge gained through our senses, observations, and social interactions. The good news is, we have all we need from an early age; and we need to redesign our schools so that our children can pursue their natural inclinations and in so doing find their self-worth. There is nothing in adulthood that an adventurous, untrammeled childhood cannot prepare you for. Andrew has spent twenty years teaching, leading, and authoring in education.
Still a headteacher, he continues to counter the calls for short-term, measurable outcomes with a cry for long-term gains in creativity, aspirational thinking, and positive well-being. He is a champion of adventurous childhood and believes that the most secure adulthood is built on a childhood free from the pressures to prepare for being a grown-up. Shedding light on the ‘invisible curriculum’ in schools has been Andrew’s obsession throughout his teaching and writing career. He holds a BA (Hons) QTS and an MA in Creativity in Education. Currently studying for an Ed.D, he is focused on demonstrating how the ethos and culture of a school have the greatest impact on positive attitudes and behaviors for life.
Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I share what I read, learn, and, experience. At the same time, I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
This newsletter is supported by:
3-2-1 TUESDAYS WITH MS NIV
Issue #115, 21st September 2022
Post-pandemic return to school has been hard for teachers and students. Issues of discipline, focus, and differences in levels of what has been learned in the past couple of years have surfaced. What are the choices for educators and educational institutions? How are you coping? Managing? Reimagining?
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
“It is often said that education and training are the keys to the future. They are, but a key can be turned in two directions. Turn it one way and you lock resources away, even from those they belong to. Turn it the other way and you release resources and give people back to themselves. To realize our true creative potential—in our organizations, in our schools and in our communities—we need to think differently about ourselves and to act differently towards each other. We must learn to be creative.” — Sir Ken Robinson
“Every maker of video games knows something that the makers of curriculum don’t seem to understand. You’ll never see a video game being advertised as being easy. Kids who do not like school will tell you it’s not because it’s too hard. It’s because it’s boring.” ― Seymour Papert
One Video of the Week
The vulnerable are most impacted in crisis. In this insightful talk presented by Professor Asha Kanwar, President & CEO (co-written by Dr. Betty Ogange, Education Specialist: Teacher Education) at the DETA Conference 2021, here is some direction for institutions to plan for their teachers’ professional development.
Most of the resources available by Commonwealth of Learning is open source for educators and institutions to use. Great learning from the innovative methods and flexible models that have been developed for teaching and assessments.
Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I share what I read, learn, and, experience. At the same time, I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
This newsletter is supported by:
3-2-1 TUESDAYS WITH MS NIV
Issue #114, 13th September 2022
Homework. When is it too much? When is it too little? Should there be weekend homework? What about holiday homework? When does it help to give homework? What kind of homework can qualify as good homework? Whether you are a parent, student, or teacher, you would have grappled with these thoughts. If you are continuing to think about homework here are some thoughts that might help in adding clarity to your views.
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
You just don’t know in life. Life knocks you about and pushes you over boundaries. But be ready. Do your homework; that’s all I can say. Julie Andrews
A genius is a talented person who does his homework. Thomas A. Edison
One Video of the Week
Sara explores if, when, and how much homework teachers should give students.
Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I share what I read, learn, and, experience. At the same time, I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
This newsletter is supported by:
3-2-1 TUESDAYS WITH MS NIV
Issue #113, 6th September 2022
Who are the teachers you remember? Who are the teachers who made a difference in your learning journey? What is it that you are doing for your students to remember you? What are you doing to make a difference in your student’s learning journey? All of us as educators are trying our best to be the best we can be. Happy Teachers’ Day!
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
‘A teacher affects eternity: he can never tell where his influence stops.’ –Henry Adams
‘Those who know, do. Those that understand, teach.’ –Aristotle
One Video of the Week
In this talk, recorded at TEDxEustis in January 2019, Dr. Julie Hasson shares her research into the impact of “The Teachers We Remember.” Her fascinating talk details the experiences of students with teachers who impacted their lives and reveals ways and techniques that teachers can utilize to have a greater impact on current students. Dr. Julie Hasson is the Nina B. Hollis Endowed Chair in Education at Florida Southern College. In addition to teaching graduate students, Julie is engaged in qualitative research exploring the lasting impact teachers make on students’ lives. She founded the Chalk and Chances project, an online community committed to celebrating and elevating the teaching profession.
As a former teacher and school principal, Julie is passionate about making schools better places for teachers to teach and students to learn. Julie speaks to groups across the country about her research. She is also the author of Unmapped Potential: An Educator’s Guide to Lasting Change. Teacher, Researcher, Story Collector.
Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I share what I read, learn, and, experience. At the same time, I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
This newsletter is supported by:
3-2-1 TUESDAYS WITH MS NIV
Issue #112, 30th August 2022
Our phones, computers, watches are all connected. They are delicious and they are tempting! They are going to stay, not go away. How much time, energy, focus are we going to spend on them, with them? How much are we going to be influenced by the clicks we make? Our students and children are digital natives. What about you, parents and teachers? legislations, regulations or self management… what is in our control? Self control is one of the tools of the trade that each one of us can use, can train, can plan, can pre-empt getting sucked in? Here are some strategies for you to consider and in the meanwhile, check your screentime. Think about your temptations in a strategic way and hone self control.
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
“Self-control – what lies in our power to do, it lies in our power not to do.” Aristotle
“He who cannot obey himself will be commanded. That is the nature of living creatures.” Friedrich Nietzsche
One Video of the Week
Kristian graduated from Harvard University before pursuing a PhD and a career in academia. He is now a Professor of Management at The York Management School, University of York where his research focuses on behavioural decision making and judgment, addressing topics such as self-control, pro-social behaviour, risk perception, and consumer finance. Through this research, Kristian discusses how to manage impulses and exert self-control. Kristian graduated from Harvard University before pursuing a PhD and a career in academia.
He is now a Professor of Management at The York Management School, University of York where his research focuses on behavioural decision making and judgment, addressing topics such as self-control, pro-social behaviour, risk perception, and consumer finance.
Showcase of the Week
Here’s the link to register anytime for the master class on Rubrics and get a certificate by Center for Teacher Accreditation – CENTA: https://m.centa.org/pwa/masterclasses/package/ind/315
Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I share what I read, learn, and, experience. At the same time, I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
This newsletter is supported by:
3-2-1 TUESDAYS WITH MS NIV
Issue #111, 23rd August 2022
There is no cure for ‘Autism’/’being person of color’/being ‘LGBTQ +I’/being a person with ‘special needs’/being a person with any kind of ‘perceived difference or disability’…. but it is just the way people are… UNIQUE! and isn’t that wonderful? Imagine a world of cookie cutter same humans, animals, plants, and insects… what kind of a world would that be? What is our way to judge what is the perfect, correct, right, best…way to be? How can we accommodate, support, and celebrate differences as educators, parents, and students? Here are some thoughts.
Check out what 10-year-old Cole has to say about Steve in the video section of today’s issue. Share your thoughts with me by subscribing to my weekly newsletter. It is free.
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
“Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or in the same way.”
― George Evans.
“When you judge someone based on a diagnosis, you miss out on their abilities, beauty, and uniqueness.”
― Sevenly.
One Video of the Week
What is it that makes you different? What makes you jump out of bed? Cole Blakeway, a messy ten year old teaches us the value of celebrating differences as he describes his beautiful friendship with Steven, a 44 year old man with Autism. In a world that gravitates to being the same, Cole Blakeway reminds us that we are all different and that’s AWESOME!
Showcase of the Week
Here’s the link to register anytime for the master class on Rubrics and get a certificate by Center for Teacher Accreditation – CENTA: https://m.centa.org/pwa/masterclasses/package/ind/315
Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I share what I read, learn, and, experience. At the same time, I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
This newsletter is supported by:
3-2-1 TUESDAYS WITH MS NIV
Issue #110, 16th August 2022
Intrinsic motivation leads to amazing work, success, and satisfaction. The mental energy that intrinsic motivation creates is what blurs the lines between passion and profession. A key factor is a freedom to think and act on your thoughts. What kind of freedom do you have as a teacher in your institution? what about the framework from the board, parent bodies, administrators, and government? are they frameworks to scaffold or stifle? What kind of incentives destroy intrinsic motivation and what environments in our institutions promote it?
Happy Independence Day! it is the 75th year of Indian Independence. A few thoughts on academic freedom and what it means for teachers, students, and the community as a whole. Don’t miss the inspiring talk by Ms. Bennich Björkman, who is known to be an untiring defender of academic freedom and long-term research projects.
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
“The most important aspect of freedom of speech is the freedom to learn. All education is a continuous dialogue – questions and answers that pursue every problem on the horizon. That is the essence of academic freedom.” William O. Douglas
MIT is governed by a second, even higher rule: the inalienable right to academic freedom.
Nicholas Negroponte
One Video of the Week
“Can external incentives such as money, promotion, or evaluations drive scientists to be more creative? The answer is no. Internal motivation, to work on puzzles chosen out of curiosity, is the secret. Academic freedom, not command or control, therefore becomes the only way to nurture scientific creativity.” She is a pioneer in many ways. In 2007, she became the first woman professor at the Department of Government at Uppsala University. The following year, she was the first woman appointed Skyttean Professor of Eloquence and Government, with an official residence in the 18th-century building called Skytteanum. Ms. Bennich Björkman is an untiring defender of academic freedom and long-term research projects.
Showcase of the Week
https://m.centa.org/pwa/masterclasses/package/ind/313
Link to register for the CENTA masterclass.
Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I share what I read, learn, and, experience. At the same time, I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
This newsletter is supported by:
3-2-1 TUESDAYS WITH MS NIV
Issue #109, 9th August 2022
Do you need more time to do something? or do you need some time to think about how to do something? Do you need more time or more creative energy? how do you manage time and life? do you have room to create a creative mess? if your desk, classroom, the kitchen is a mess if your e-mail is piled up if you have not defined what your work is, productivity is lost. Here are a few tips for managing time, having freedom of thinking, and having control and focus for students and educators.
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
“Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves.” Dale Carnegie
“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” Stephen Covey
One Video of the Week
Productivity guru and coach David Allen talks about “Stress-Free Productivity”.
Showcase of the Week
Here’s the link to register for the CENTA certificate course ( 4 hours, self-paced) https://m.centa.org/pwa/courses/package/ind/selfpaced/301
Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I share what I read, learn, and, experience. At the same time, I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
This newsletter is supported by:
3-2-1 TUESDAYS WITH MS NIV
Issue #108, 2nd August 2022
Who are your role models? Who do you think is your mentor? How do you choose your role model? What role does a mentor play in your life? As a parent or as an educator, do you think you are your child’s or student’s role model or mentor? What makes a good mentor? who could be your role model/s? Here are some thoughts. You can subscribe to my weekly newsletter for educators, parents, and students by putting your email id here.
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” – James Baldwin
“Instruction is good for a child but example is worth more.”- Alexandre Dumas
One Video of the Week
Who inspires you? Is there someone in your life within your circle of family and friends who know just what to say to motivate you to do great things? Or maybe it is the story of someone whom you never met, but their experience inspires you to pursue something greater in your life?
In this TED talk, Dyan deNapoli, the Penguin Lady, shares her experiences, her heroes and role models, and describes why finding the right motivation matters. While she was the Senior Penguin Aquarist at the New England Aquarium, Dyan deNapoli hand-raised dozens of penguin chicks, presented daily programs about penguins to aquarium visitors, and traveled the globe to work with penguin researchers in the field.
Now, as head of her own educational company, she frequently writes on penguin topics and has served as the onboard penguin expert and guest lecturer on cruise ships visiting the Galapagos Islands and Antarctica. She estimates she has taught about 250,000 people in the US and abroad about penguins.
Showcase of the Week
For more details and registration click here https://rzp.io/l/masterclasswithTHT
Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I share what I read, learn, and, experience. At the same time, I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
This newsletter is supported by:
3-2-1 TUESDAYS WITH MS NIV
Issue #107, 26th July 2022
Thinking of quitting being a teacher? Hating Monday mornings when you have to go back to teach? Cannot imagine making one more lesson plan? Hating the thought of making a question paper and grading it? Do you feel the pain of your students? Do you get very saddened by something happening in your student’s life and your helplessness in the situation? Are you constantly taking your work home? Do you not like the idea of professional development? Hope none of this is true for you if you are a teacher, but if any/all of these hold true for you, read on.
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
“In a completely rational society, the best of us would be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less.” Lee Iacocca
“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.” Khalil Gibran
One Video of the Week
Teachers emotionally support our kids — but who’s supporting our teachers? In this eye-opening talk, educator Sydney Jensen explores how teachers are at risk of “secondary trauma” — the idea that they absorb the emotional weight of their students’ experiences — and shows how schools can get creative in supporting everyone’s mental health and wellness.
Showcase of the Week
Want to take a small step towards re-imagining your classroom? you can start by rearranging how the students sit in the school.
Join me in this self-paced course on the impact of seating arrangement and what you can do in your existing setup to make a difference. Here’s the link to registering for this fully online 4-hour certificate course :
https://m.centa.org/pwa/courses/package/ind/selfpaced/301
Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I share what I read, learn, and, experience. At the same time, I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
This newsletter is supported by:
Nivedita Mukerjee 