Being in a lecture

The best thing about being in a lecture, when you are a lecturer, is the ability to be in the shoes of the student. Eventhough I was a on the student side when I was in Campus, I never thought of the lecturing aspect of it. Now I carefully assimilate the method and approach taken by lecturers, and how they affect me and my colleagues.

For instance I found that telling anecdotes help a great deal. People who are literally falling asleep will wake up, just to hear an amusing or sometimes a story directly relevant to the topic under discussion.

Its amazing what these "stories" can do. Students whose minds have been wandering into the realm of "what am I gonna have for lunch?", "when is this dope going to finish?" "enough already, yaawwwwnn....", suddenly are all ears waiting eagerly for your story. And, I found out, the more it is closer to your real life, the better it is. It also helps build a bond bringing lecturer and student closer. There are some who may not agree about having such a bond, but I believe it is has BIG positive impact.

Another thing which I experienced is the effectiveness of group work during class. I never had the experience of participating in such activity in the traditional learning environment of campus, but my MBA has definitely opened a new door. My initial perception to such group work was, "waste of time", "lecturer hasn't prepared, so he is trying to use up some time"... but how soon I was to change this totally wrong picture on group activity.

Being involved in such grouped activity helped liven up the learning, rather than have a boring lecture to listen to. Now YOU have something to do. Even a case study, given to a group is great. Different ideas come through; some good some, well let's say interesting, shall we?

So this inturn changed the way I started delivering lectures. Started doing more group work in the class. I got the feeling some students were not very favourable towards it, but however, later, like me, I think they changed.

Waking up with a song in your mind

Don't you sometimes wake up with a song running in your head? It happened today, and the song was "My Girl", you know, the classic... If you don't, then you really need a reality check. So I called MY girl and wanted to sing it to her... Only one problem though, when I called, I was kinda embarassed, and ...errr... dunno whether I should say this in public,... but I was a bit shy too.... I'm not a very shy person by nature. Anyway managed to sing the chorus at least, since I forgot the main verses.. darn....

< singing > My girl... talking about my girl
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<fading into the background>

Commenting

Some have asked me why I have not enabled comments on my previous post. Is it because I am scared of criticism? Well actually the reason I didn't want any comments is because its a declaration. It's not something that I want someone to give comments, good or bad. Some have even asked whether it is my own. I dont know whether anyone has written something exactly the same. It is quite possible if you twist the Infinite Monkey theorem that someone could write something like it. (Well, kinda, I think....)

Anyways, can anyone let me know, if there is something similar? That is of course if anyone reads this, which could be a statistical impossibility given my hiatus.

And also, on a note of humour, I applied for Google adsense on my blog. Went through the whole shenannigan of filling up electronic forms, etcetera etcetera. I was told to expect a reply after their "experts" go through the site and give their recommendations. I got the reply. It was rejected. It said, "After reviewing your application, our program specialists have found that it does not complywith our policies. Therefore, we're unable to accept you into GoogleAdSense at this time."

And, get this, the issue was "Difficult site navigation"! For god's sake, its your own site! Apparently the site was not up when the experts took a look at it. Well I'm not the one who is hosting it, now am I?

Of cuorse I did consider that I may have typed the darn URL wrong. But could this be the problem? Surely the expert could have figured out a typo?

Well there goes my dreams of owning a porsche!

A valentine ode 2

Your eyes are like the shining sun so brilliant and bright,
Your walk, like the floating cloud upon the soft blue sky,
Your smile would make a million buds bloom without a fight,
Your sweet voice would put to shame an angelic choir on high...

For long have I wondered, what good have I done?
Bestowed the chance to know you, oh pure and graceful one!
Do I deserve this happiness that you have made me feel?
You and you alone satisfies my soul, my being!

Is my existence in this world to serve your wants and needs?
If so, then god give me the strength to those commands do heed,
My dearest darling , please know this, from my honest heart I pray
That god keep us together, forever, each and every day!