8th Monday 2010 was an interesting day for PSBB KKN. Mr. Michael C. Swift, Fulbright Nehru Scholar and Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biology and Environmental Studies at St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN,USA. , who is currently working for a semester as Lecturer of Zoology in MCC, Tambaram, paid a twin visit, to our Dean, Mrs. Y.G.P. ‘s residence and KKN.
Both our Dean and Mr. Swift had a fruitful interaction, sharing each other’s experiences in the other country. Mrs YGP gave a concise explanation of our culture referring to Sita’s abduction in the epic Ramayana. Mr Swift gave an insight into his academic challenges and testing methods at MCC. Mr. Swift handed out Brochures of St. Olaf college to our Dean who expressed interest in knowing about the Admission Procedures at Medical colleges in US. The interaction ended on a sweet note with Mrs. YGP offering a traditional Indian sweet to our guest.
Mr. Swift was taken to the sprawling campus at PSBBKKN were he had a detailed discussion with the Science faculty of PSBBKKN of the methodologies adopted by the teachers in the USA. He visited the Science Laboratories (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) and he remarked that our labs were very well equipped and well maintained This was followed by an interaction with the Science Teachers , and the Heads in the Conference Hall. As a reply to the question of how the teaching Methods were different in the two countries, he replied that it was his finding that the students in India were very good in Math and in USA they were Computer Savvy. The reason he cited was that the students in USA had a Laptop each and the whole college was net connected and they could take print out of any text page or assignment.
He also said there was a total flexibility in the Exams in America. There was no compulsion for uniformity in pattern of testing or content in the exams conducted by even to neighbourhood colleges. He was given a memento and a warm send off.
By
Mrs. Ranjani Gopalakrishnan
Mrs. B. Nalini
Sr. Faculty – Maths Department
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