Learning from gen-next

Along with good grades, the students had gained a 'to-be' tech savvy teacher, as well.

“Wow, this looks yummy! I’m sure it tastes wonderful too, but... What is it called? I stuttered. “Come on, Ma! This is Mexican salad,” my daughter said, suppressing a grin. “Oh, I usually eat rice and curry at night. I mean, I don’t prefer exotic dishes at night, doesn’t agree with my tummy, you know.”

Most moms would agree with me. When our children grow wings and fly, a mother’s heart is filled with joy and pride, and a sense of being left behind too. The child who used to pester you for “something nice for lunch box, not the same boring stuff, please” has now learnt new and exciting dishes to cook. The young one who always wanted you to “come to tailor uncle and ask him to make the clothes a little trendy” is now up-to-date with the latest fashion. The little one who couldn’t cross the road without holding your hand tightly is now managing things extremely well in life.

The other day, my class was on a concept which was very relevant to everyday life and I instructed my students to finish the assignment within a week. “Can we do it using a software, please, instead of the tedious, manual calculations and hand-drawn graphs?” one student quipped. I was a little taken aback by this question. “Oh, I am not very sure how to use a software for this concept,” I admitted. “We’ll do it ma’am, and show it to you” they chorused.

I checked with the other faculty if anyone had taught them this method but no one had. A week later, as I collected the assignments in class, I admired the professional way of printing and the neat manner in which all of them were bound. The figures and graphs were perfect, too. I resolved to learn this technique and teach the next batch using the software. So, along with good grades, my students had gained a confident, ‘to-be’ tech savvy teacher, as well.

Attending the wedding reception of an old student some days later made me realise how well the younger generation is attuned to changing culture. The rituals were the same as those in traditional weddings. The surprise element, however, was a group of children in clothes which had seen better times. “They are from a local orphanage where the couple volunteers. They wanted to include these children in the celebrations, and not sponsor just a lunch on this joyous occasion.” These words from a relative had me wondering how the older generation dismiss the next one as frivolous and irresponsible.

Learning is a lifelong process and every one is a teacher. Not only can the younger generation make us realise our inadequacies, it can also challenge us to acquire new skills. Research shows that keeping the brain cells active is a sure shot way of preventing its degeneration. When role reversal occurs, one should take pride in the way the taught  not only turns into a teacher, but also motivates the teachers to raise above their comfort zone.