To improve the quality of education in language learning by impacting the teaching standards through assessment and teacher training.
My Professional Outlook: I believe in quality education and feel there is no end to LEARNING. My constant striving has been to apply my learning to the needs of the organisation I am associated with at its various stages of growth and development.
My work experience has taught me that one can work through problems to achieve the broader perspective of the institution one is working for. This attitude, along with my ability to organise my work schedules, has helped me in achieving success in what I do.
PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
Ø Understanding how children learn English and other languages
Ø Understanding what affects learning standards in English Language learning
Ø Analysing data to discover learning gaps and understand what contributes to them
Ø Creating practical strategies that will help address learning gaps in language learning
Ø Empowering teachers with teaching tools that work in the classroom
PERSONAL STRENGTHS
Ø 16 + years of teaching experience in an innovative teaching environment
Ø Creative contribution to the design of novel and effective teaching methods and assessments
Ø Willingness and ability to learn new things and adapt quickly
Ø Used novel question ideas in ASSET English tests
Ø Goal-oriented and systematic approach
Ø Ability to accept individual differences
Ø Hard work and perseverance
Ø Skills in proof-reading and editing
EXPERIENCE: (Total work experience = 30+ years)
I. Educational Initiatives: (July 2001 - Present)
Educational Fellow (from February 2008 till date)
Educational Specialist (from 24th July 2001 to February 2008)
Roles and Responsibilities:
Ø Creating assessment tools in English for English– including item development, paper assembly validation and data analysis
Ø Conducting Post Test Analysis Sessions for schools taking the diagnostic test, ASSET
Ø Designing School Enrichment Program
Ø Content Development for various products of the company
Ø Designing learning-teaching tools that will help teachers address learning gaps
Highlights:
Ø Team Lead – Managing people, focusing on quality of products in Content Development and composition of ASSET-English, the diagnostic test of English for schools (Ongoing)
Ø Understanding and working with statistics of assessment data, cognitive psychology of learning and testing, child development
Ø IT skills, editing skills, computer skills (word, xcel, power point, paint etc.)
Ø Recruitment, Evaluation of tests of candidates, Interviewing and hiring people,
Ø Designing teacher training programmes of various kinds for schools
Ø Content development for the TV Quiz program – India’s Child Genius (Nov 2004)
Ø Content development for the admission tests for Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai, 2003
Ø Conducted several training programs for teachers of different schools – WATIS (WIPRO)
Ø Designed a Skill-based Curriculum using the Understanding by Design Approach – TVS Matriculation Higher Secondary School (Madurai) from 2003 to 2007
Ø Designed and conducted a Whole School Transformation Program in English Teaching and Assessment at Vidya Niketan (Pondicherry) from 2007 to 2009
Ø Designed [teacher sheets an assessment- remedial tool]? for schools, based on ASSET data
Ø Misconception Explanations based on ASSET data in the form of a [StudentmyBook]- a personalised practice book for students taking ASSET
Ø Designed content development for the English Test Generator – a tool to help schools generate their own pool of test papers for the unit tests in schools
II. Anandalaya Education Society [A CBSE school]: (July 1988 – July 2001)
Initiatives and Interventions within the School:
A. Kindergarten: KG-Coordinator
Ø Designed the pre-school curriculum, Assessment Report Card and set up a pre-school with a difference, in 1991.
Ø Handled all administrative matters dealing with the pre-school.
Ø Conducted short workshops for the Pre-school teachers.
Ø Designed various extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, including the annual cultural program and the night-out camps at the school. The learning/teaching styles at the Pre-school were much appreciated.
B. Primary School: In-charge and Coordinator
Ø Designed the admission tests for the Primary section
Ø Conducted short workshops for the English Faculty of Classes I and II.
Ø Coordinated English teaching at the Primary section and conducted demonstration classes for the new teachers of the English Faculty: Classes I to V.
Ø Prepared teaching material for Classes I & II, in a move to do away with text books.
Ø Arranged for professional help from experts to help out children with special needs.
C. Other levels of involvement at the school:
Ø Designed and delivered an orientation program for the new teachers at Anandalaya -- with support of colleagues.
Ø A brief program for the teachers on How to plan and conduct projects (1998-99).
Ø A brief program for the students of classes X-XII on Selection of a leader (1998-99).
Ø Coordinated some of the inter-house, inter school and annual cultural program, and trained students for various cultural functions and competitions.
Ø .Volunteered and accompanied students on camps at Manali, Gir Forest and Panchmahal District. The duration of the camps ranged from three to fifteen days.
Ø Faculty Representative on the Board of Anandalaya Education Society (1993-4).
Ø A panel member for selection of K.G. teachers; Subject Expert in the selection of English teachers for the primary classes.
Collaboration in Professional Tasks Outside:
Ø Member of a Textbook Committee, Gujarat Board; worked on an integrated text book on English & EVS for Class-I.
Ø Co-authored an English Text book for Class-II of English medium syllabus and one for Class-V of Gujarati medium schools.
Ø Resource Person in a Workshop for Primary teachers on Teaching Writing to Beginners at Eklavvya, Ahmedabad: 1998, 2000).
Ø Resource person in a training program for teachers using the Handbook for the New Edition of English Text Book (Gujarat Board) at Ahmedabad: 1997.
Ø Resource person in a training program of the "try-out" edition of the English text book for the Gujarati medium students (Gujarat Board), at Kanya Vidyalay, Bardoli: 1996.
Ø Video class section for Interact in English at H.M. Patel Institute of English, Vallabh Vidyanagar: 1994.
Ø Participated in several in-service professional development programs run by the school and outside the school
III. Boho Shishu Club, run by NDDB–Anand: (December 1984 – April 1988)
Ø Pre-school Teacher
IV. Part time Research Assistant at IIM Ahmedabad: (August 1977 – 1982)
Ø Literature Survey on various research projects at IIM-A
Ø Prepared a teaching note on Motivational Research for use in a course of Marketing
Ø Prepared Abstracts of empirical research articles for the IIMA Journal - Vikalpa
V. Ambekar Institute for Labour Studies, Mumbai: (January 1976 – December 1976)
Ø Research Associate: Worked on various aspects of a research study on Indebtedness of Textile Mill Workers in Mumbai
EDUCATION
Ø A 6 month course in Basic Counselling at Montfort Brothers Institute (July-December 2009)
Ø M.Sc. in Anthropology, Pune University, India. (June 1973 – April 1975)
Ø B.Sc. (Chemistry, Botany, Zoology), Bangalore University, India (June 1970 – 1973)
Accomplishment:
Ø Achieved First class First in M.Sc. Anthropology at Pune University.
Ø Successfully completed a Dissertation on ‘A Comparative Study of Job Satisfaction among Migrant and Non-Migrant Workers’ at Hindustan Antibiotics, Pimpri, Pune.
PERSONAL DETAILS
Date of birth : 8th August 1954
Languages Known : English, Hindi, Tamil.
Permanent Address : Asmi Arul, Yelahanka, Bangalore-560064
Email: arul.asmi@gmail.com