All posts by Padho Leekho

Fundamental Rights

Constitution Of India, GENERAL STUDIES & GK

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

The Constitution offers all citizens, individually and collectively, some basic freedoms. These are guaranteed in the Constitution in the form of six broad categories of Fundamental Rights, which are justifiable.

The Explanation of Fundamental Rights in Detail

Article 12 to 35 contained in Part III of the Constitution deal with Fundamental Rights. These rights are mentioned below:

  • Right to equality, including equality before law, prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, and equality of opportunity in matters of employment.
  • Right to freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association or union, movement, residence, and right to practice any profession or occupation (some of these rights are subject to security of the State, friendly relations with foreign countries, public order, decency or morality).

  • Right against exploitation, prohibiting all forms of forced labor, child labor and traffic in human beings.
  • Right to freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion.

  • Right of any section of citizens to conserve their culture, language or script, and right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice; and
  • Right to constitutional remedies for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.

 

What after a horrible CAT?

CAT/MBA Prep

What after a horrible CAT?

Be it the day of the CAT or be it when the final admit results come out it is not easy to be a mentor — on one hand you are happy for students who crack the exam and get admitted and on the other hand you feel sad for those who have a bad test day or fail to convert. The toughest thing was always to meet a student who was happy, knowing that the one waiting outside was sad. So with the years, one develops a certain equanimity since one cannot be so happy that one is not able to empathize with the ones who are having a hard time and one also cannot get so bogged down by sadness that one cannot partake in the joy of the successful.

In some cases students just disappear, somehow they take it very personally, that they have failed, they have failed even after reading all the blogs and attending all the sessions, they feel almost as if they have let me down. And I am left wondering, whatever happened to that guy, that girl. The others thankfully come down to meet me or reach out to me through the blog comments even if it is just to feel lighter instead of heavy and burdened.

There are two things about cliches — they are dead boring since they have been repeated so often but at the same time, they are also true, so are all the cliches about failure, I won’t repeat them but I will attest that they are true.

In one of the recent posts, I spoke about how everyone has to face a test and how heroes in myths are defined by overcoming obstacles. The thing about myths is that they rarely show heroes failing at a task spectacularly. But if we look at real-life successes, almost every spectacular success has had a big failure or inability as well. I am not linking failure to success or calling it a pre-requisite.

All I am saying is, everyone fails, so do not go beating yourself about it.

There is nothing to be gained from self-flagellation

The first reaction understandably is to hit oneself with an emotional whiplash and of these, the worst one is — I am useless, I am not smart enough, I suck, I do not have the skills to crack this exam, no matter what I do it will not change a thing.

Firstly, I will be happy if you are telling yourself all of these in anger rather than through a bucket of tears since anger with oneself can be a very good motivator.

But whether you are telling yourself these things through anger or through tears you need to quickly move from “I suck” to I suck at this particular aspect of CAT, from being emotional to being strategic.

  • This was the first time I took an entrance test and I was overwhelmed by it
  • My reading speed was the biggest hindrance when the paper became tough
  • Before the test, I did not talk myself through what I was going to execute during the three sections
  • Before the test, I did talk myself through things but everything went out of the window once the test started
  • I did not hunker down and solve 2 DI sets but flitted from set to set
  • I could not solve tough QA questions from Arithmetic, my level plateaued at easy and moderate questions
  • My technique to solve evaluative RC questions was not really up to the mark

My favorite story when it comes to dealing with doubts about one’s ability is Brian Lara’s answer when questioned about being McGrath’s bunny (he has got him quite a few times), Lara did not talk about the number of centuries he scored against Australia or the single-handed manhandling of a peak Australian team over an entire series, all he said was — someone from the opposition has to get me out sometime, right?

Evaluate the extent of damage and your options and view things in proportion

The right lens to view things should not be through your success or failure at CAT but in terms of your prospects of doing an MBA from a premier B-school.

Just like the extent of damage in a war varies across the various battlefronts, the damage, if any, to your MBA dreams, varies across different profiles.

Who are the aspirants who are the worst hit?

Those who already have 4 years of work experience and had a horrible CAT are the worst hit since another shot at the CAT and the 2-year MBA is effectively ruled out; they only have the rest of the exams in this season to make it count. (It is not that you will get rejected, you can still get an admit into a 2-year program but the number of recruiters looking at a 5-year profile will be fewer; you will still be able to get the career growth you are looking for in your domain)

Those who have three years of work-ex will still have a shot at the CAT next year but to stay close to the average profile in a b-school (having 4 or more years of work-ex will make the profile a bit of an outlier) they should crack one of the remaining exams in this season.

Those who have 2 or fewer years of work-ex have nothing to worry about as far as their MBA dreams go — they are well and truly alive. You can still get there, not when you wanted to and in the way you wanted to but you can still get there.

Some of you might wonder whether you have it in you to take another shot. Well, you do not have another option.

Roger Federer played from 2012 Wimbledon to 2017 Australian Open, 17 Slams, without winning a single slam, being stuck at 17, losing to players who were not in the same league as him. At every single slam during those five years my friend and I would talk, just before the semis or finals, about how well Fed was playing, the new things that he was inventing — the SABR (Sneak Attack By Roger) — and as usual the crazy points in the matches until then, only for him to lose again.

There were articles asking why he was still playing. I was supporting him saying that it need not be #1 or nothing, as long as he is easily making finals and semis and believes he can win he should play since he is still ranked in the top 4 and since unlike in a team sport, he is not delaying a transition or eating into the prime years of a youngster. In effect, I had mentally ruled out the chance of him winning again, I was happy that he was competing well.

Federer is great not because he has won 20 Slams but because he believed in himself so much, believed in himself through four years of heart-breaking failures, four years of aging and his body breaking down in 2016, while others were catching up with him.

I am sure no victory tasted sweeter to him than the 2017 Australian Open when he finally won a Slam again. (I have never felt more elation at the end of a sports match than while watching him win the 2017 Australian Open)

All of you are so young! This exam season is still young! And you have enough time to acquire the skills your skills to crack the CAT at another shot (if required).

Cut all the negative voices out of your head, your own voice, and that of your parents as well, if necessary (since all most Indian parents seem to care about is the timing of your wedding and how another CAT attempt affects that).

They will release the paper with your response soon and based on that we will release a tool to calculate your score — this can cause another meltdown. It is never easy to actually see the marks if you know you did not do well. Do not try to find out, let the results come out when they come out.

Some of you might be raring to smash the other tests to smithereens, and others might be feeling out of gas and motivation to pick yourself up.

The latter, please give yourself a break, do the things you like to do, eat the things you like to eat, and relax for the rest of this week, restart next Monday.

There is little you can do right by pushing yourself without a break or good rest and being a bunch of ragged nerves.

Getting ready for the next event

It is not easy to crack the test on your first or second attempt unless you are on the top of your game for at least 10 to 15 mocks with additional reserves to handle a tougher-than-usual paper. I cleared the test on my second attempt.

Even those who have set their sights firmly on the old IIMs will be taking a few more tests, at least the XAT. Now that you have the CAT monkey off your back, go ahead full-throttle on these other tests.

 

Understanding the Digital Marketing Role and Relevant Skills

Digital Marketing

Understanding the Digital Marketing Role and Relevant Skills

In today’s digital age, the role of digital marketing has become paramount for businesses worldwide. With consumers spending so much time online — and with no sign of that trend reversing — companies routinely invest in digital strategies and roles to reach their audience effectively. If you’re considering a career in this dynamic field, this article is for you. We’ll explore the role of digital marketing, the skills required to excel, and the first steps you can take on your journey to a digital marketing career.

What Is Digital Marketing?

Digital marketing refers to the use of digital channels, platforms, and technologies to promote a product, service, or brand to a wide audience. Unlike traditional marketing, which relies on physical media, digital marketing campaigns are primarily executed online.

Types of digital marketing include:

  • Search engine optimization (SEO): This involves optimizing websites to rank higher on search engines, thereby increasing organic (non-paid) traffic.
  • Pay-per-click (PPC): A model where advertisers pay a fee each time their ad is clicked, primarily seen in search engine advertising.
  • Content marketing: Creating and distributing valuable content to attract and engage a target audience.
  • Social media marketing: Using social platforms like Facebook and Instagram to promote products or services.
  • Email marketing: Sending targeted messages to a group of people via email.
  • Affiliate marketing: Earning a commission by promoting other people’s products or services.
  • Online PR: Managing a brand’s online presence and building relationships with online journalists and bloggers.

Responsibilities of a Digital Marketing Role

A digital marketer’s primary responsibility is to develop, implement, and manage marketing campaigns that promote a company’s products or services. This includes:

  • Strategy development: Creating comprehensive digital marketing strategies to achieve business goals.
  • Data analysis: Analysing digital data to draw key recommendations for improving campaigns.
  • Content creation: Producing relevant content for blogs, websites, and social media to engage the audience.
  • SEO and search engine marketing (SEM): Ensuring websites are search engine friendly and managing paid ad campaigns.
  • Social media management: Overseeing a brand’s presence on social platforms and engaging with the community.
  • Monitoring and reporting: Tracking the performance of digital marketing campaigns and making necessary adjustments.

Essential Skills for Digital Marketing Professionals

To thrive in a digital marketing role, one must possess a mix of technical and behavioral skills. Some of the most important digital marketing skills and mindsets include:

  • Communication skills: Communication skills are paramount in digital marketing because they facilitate clear conveyance of ideas, collaboration with diverse teams, and effective engagement with audiences. Whether it’s presenting campaign results to stakeholders, coordinating with designers and developers, or crafting messages that resonate with consumers, effective communication ensures alignment of goals, smooth execution of strategies, and the building of trust with both internal teams and external audiences.
  • An analytical mindset: An analytical mindset is crucial in digital marketing because it enables professionals to decipher vast amounts of data, discern patterns, and derive actionable insights. By understanding user behavior, campaign performance, and other key metrics, marketers can make informed decisions, optimize strategies for better results, and demonstrate a clear return on investment to stakeholders.
  • Creativity: This skill allows digital marketers to craft unique, compelling campaigns that stand out in a saturated online landscape. By thinking outside the box and developing innovative content or strategies, marketers can captivate their target audience, foster engagement, and differentiate their brand from competitors.

  • Technical proficiency: Digital marketers rely on various tools, platforms, and technologies — such as Google Analytics, AdWords, and content management systems (CMSs) — to execute and measure campaigns effectively. A strong grasp of these technical aspects ensures that marketers can optimize websites for search, analyze data accurately, manage paid ad campaigns, and troubleshoot issues, leading to more efficient and successful marketing efforts.
  • SEO and SEM skills: These skills are essential for digital marketing because they directly influence a brand’s visibility on search engines. Mastery in SEO ensures that a website ranks organically for relevant keywords, driving free and targeted traffic. Simultaneously, expertise in SEM allows marketers to create effective paid ad campaigns, ensuring prominent placement in search results and immediate visibility. Together, they form the backbone of a brand’s online discoverability and reach.
  • Adaptability: The digital landscape is in constant flux, with evolving algorithms, emerging platforms, and shifting consumer behaviors. Marketers who can quickly adapt to these changes are better positioned to seize new opportunities, mitigate challenges, and ensure their strategies remain effective and relevant in an ever-changing environment.

Starting a Career in Digital Marketing

For those looking to dive into the world of digital marketing, here are some steps to kickstart your journey:

  • Educate yourself: There are numerous online courses and certifications available, such as those offered by Google’s Digital Garage or HubSpot Academy. You can also learn essential skills for digital marketing through our free employment programs here at Generation. We offer programs in various fields in 17 countries around the world. Our courses provide you with the knowledge, training, and skills you need to succeed in digital marketing and beyond. We even help you gain employment after graduating the course! Learn more about our employment programs near you.
  • Build an online presence: Start a blog, create a portfolio, or be active on social media to showcase your skills.
  • Network: Attend digital marketing conferences, webinars, or workshops to connect with industry professionals.
  • Stay updated on technology and trends: The digital world changes rapidly. Subscribe to industry news sites or blogs to stay informed.

Digital marketing offers a plethora of opportunities for those willing to learn and adapt. With the right skills and mindset, you can carve a successful career in this exciting domain. Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced professional, the digital realm welcomes all with open arms. So, gear up and embark on this rewarding journey — we are happy to help you get there!

Our free employment programs offer hands-on work experience in various fields, online and offline, in 17 countries around the world. Through our programs, adults of all ages — whether unemployed, underemployed, or needing to learn new skills — can access training, support, and a path to meaningful employment. We are here to help you succeed!

Developing skills through employment programs like ours can help you become more competitive in the job market and increase your earning potential. Plus, we’ll connect you with employers who are hiring for the exact roles you’ve been trained to do. Learn more about employment program offerings near you!

At Generation, our mission is to train, support, and place people into otherwise inaccessible career opportunities that can change their lives. Explore our employment programs to see how we can help you, or donate today to help us create career opportunities for our learners!

 

 

 

Source:- https://www.generation.org/

Decode politics of BJP & Congress

Politics

Decode politics: As dust settles, here are 5 reasons why BJP won MP, and Cong lost plot

What put the two parties apart: strategic interventions to check dissent, collective leadership push, early tickets, focus on ST/SC voters, booth management

 

The BJP routed the Congress in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, winning 163 of the 230 seats, while the grand old party, which was hoping to cash in on an almost two-decade anti-incumbency, was reduced to just 66.

The Congress, which quickly blamed EVM tampering as one of the reasons for its loss, was stunned by the results as the BJP almost replicated its 2013 Assembly election performance when the party had won 165 seats when, too, Shivraj Singh Chouhan was the Chief Minister.

As the Congress does its post-mortem, here are five possible reasons the BJP stole a march:

1. Welfare schemes

The most significant reason for the BJP’s victory was the Chouhan government’s string of welfare schemes, targeting the poorest. The party calls the Ladli Behna Yojana, for one, as a “game changer”. Post the victory, Chouhan was blessed with some such women beneficiaries and said, “Ladli behnon ne saare kaante nikal diye (The ladli behnas have removed all obstacles).”

Launched in March this year, the scheme initially offered a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000 to women aged between 23 and 60 in households with an annual income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh. As the polls drew closer, the minimum age was reduced to 21 while the stipend was raised to Rs 1,250 per month. More than 1.2 crore women in the state have got the benefit of the scheme, for which an amount of Rs 13,000 crore has been allocated.

Chouhan’s trust that the state’s 2.67 crore women, or 48% of the state’s 5.52 crore electorate, will deliver the state for the BJP again was proved true. Women outnumbered men in at least 18 of the 230 Assembly seats, including in tribal-dominated areas like Balaghat, Mandla, Dindori, and Jhabua.

When the Congress tried to match Chouhan by promising to provide Rs 1,500 as stipend to women, the CM unveiled other promises such as 35% reservation for women in government jobs. This played well into the BJP’s narrative, especially against the backdrop of the Centre passing the women’s reservation Act.

2. Ticket distribution

While both parties saw the usual protests over ticket distribution, the BJP put in all its resources led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to firefight the situation; no such effort was seen in the Congress.

It was Shah’s idea to announce the first list of candidates in August, three months before the elections. The 39 seats announced in this list were presumed Congress strongholds, and expected to have multiple aspirants from within the party. The BJP thus got enough time to calm dissidence down in these seats, and ended up winning 24 of the 39 constituencies.

The Congress, in contrast, announced its first list in October on considerably “safe” seats. The list of candidates for “difficult” seats was announced much closer to the elections, giving party heavyweights Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh little to no time for damage control. As protests erupted, the party was forced to change 7 candidates, 6 of whom lost. Of the 85 sitting MLAs that the party fielded, 60 lost the election.

Insiders say poor ticket distribution cost the Congress around 20-25 seats. The party may have lost another 27 seats due to the split of votes by third parties like the BSP, SP, Gondwana Gantantra Party and Independents.

3. Collective leadership

While the BJP went into the election without projecting a CM face and fielded a host of party bigwigs – Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Prahlad Patel and Faggan Singh Kulaste; national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya; and four sitting Lok Sabha MPs – the Congress relied on Nath and Singh.

Fielding bigwigs enabled the BJP to project multiple CM faces, and what was initially seen as a drawback was turned by the party into an effective tool to battle 20-year anti-incumbency. It also left Chouhan free to tour the state instead of remaining restricted to “difficult” areas.

Consequently, the BJP won back the strongholds it had lost in 2018. In Vindhya Pradesh, the party won 25 of the 30 seats while in Mahakoshal, considered a Congress turf, it won 21 of the 20 seats. In the bellwether region of Malwa-Nimar, the BJP won 48 of 66 seats. It retained its stronghold of Bundelkhand, winning 21 of 26 seats, while it held on to 18 of 34 seats in the Gwalior-Chambal region.

In contrast, Nath and Singh did not involve the Congress central leadership in the campaign. Nath, whose aides prevailed in ticket distribution, largely made decisions and took over election management. Singh’s aides, meanwhile, chose not to speak at rallies as Nath took centre stage.

Nath and Singh – both in their 70s – as the faces of the party were in stark contrast to 2018, when Jyotiraditya Scindia, who crossed over to the BJP, connected with the youth.

4. Tribal and Dalit vote bank

In the run-up to the elections, the BJP focused on 82 seats where the tribal and Dalit votes held sway. It won 24 of the 47 ST-reserved seats, and 26 of the 35 SC-reserved seats.

Nath and Singh – both in their 70s – as the faces of the party were in stark contrast to 2018, when Jyotiraditya Scindia, who crossed over to the BJP, connected with the youth.

Development projects like water connections for irrigation and making tribal communities aware about the implementation of the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) or PESA Act were given an aggressive push in the Chouhan government.

Contrary to the BJP’s approach, the Congress only made a promise of Rs 4,000 per bag of tendu leaf procured and accused the BJP of being anti-tribal while recalling past instances of atrocities on tribals.

In areas with a dominant Scheduled Caste (SC) population, the BJP outdid the Congress with Modi visiting Sagar twice. He also inaugurated a Rs 100 crore Sant Ravidas temple.

The Congress, however, harped on the caste census even as its party workers were unable to effectively communicate its benefits to people on the ground, insiders said.

The BJP had lost a significant chunk of SC votes in 2018 following protests over the dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act after seven people lost their lives in violence that erupted in Bhind, Gwalior, and Morena districts. BJP leaders said this was not a factor any more and this helped the ruling party retain its influence in these pockets.

5. Election management

Shah gave the party’s 40 lakh booth-level workers a target of securing 52% votes in each booth. To ensure this was met, the BJP formed booth-level committees in 96% of the state’s booths, where focus was laid on Dalit and tribal communities. The state leadership was in constant contact with many leaders of booth committees.

The party also focused on booth expansion programmes and ideological training of its cadre. It used the database of beneficiaries to target voters with booth-level workers. The booth-level workers also ensured high turnout of BJP supporters on polling day.

Congress insiders said the party had foundered in its organisation and, in most BJP strongholds, the party was “missing due to lack of resources and sloppy election management”.

The failure of booth-level management was also raised in the Congress Legislature Party meeting held after the party’s poll drubbing.

 

 

© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd, Source:- https://indianexpress.com/

Image Credit:- Google

Byju’s Cash Crunch

Ed-Tech, Start-up

Byju Raveendran likens current crisis to war on multiple fronts, says true entrepreneur is a war leader

In a leadership huddle, CEO Arjun Mohan unveiled Byju’s 3.0, where he stressed the need to sell the right products to the right people without maximizing sales 

Byju Raveendran, the founder of the embattled edtech unicorn Byju’s, rallied close to 50 of the firm’s top leaders, assuring them that this was a war on multiple fronts that they would ultimately win.

The meeting came amid a precarious liquidity crisis for the once-feted edtech, as it tries to raise money via multiple channels to keep operations going.

“A true entrepreneur is a war leader. What Byju’s is going through can only be seen as a war on multiple fronts against all odds,” he is said to have mentioned during the meeting. Further, he apologized for not being able to give much face time to the team lately.

“My regret is that I am letting down a wonderful team by not providing adequate capital,” he said.

He concluded by assuring that in a few months, Byju’s would begin the journey back to “the heights where it belongs.” He also gave updates on all the key issues that Byju’s has been embroiled in, from the term loan B issue to the ED notice, asset sales, and the current liquidity position.

Byju’s 3.0

While Byju’s has faced flak in the last few years for aggressively pushing its learning products to parents, its CEO Arjun Mohan emphasized the need to sell the right products to the right people without maximizing sales, an approach that he described as Byju’s 3.0

“Byju’s 1.0 was offline, while 2.0 was about tech-delivered context. Byju’s 3.0 will be about deep tech-driven personalization with the right approach and accountability to sales”,  he said.

Byju’s challenges

Byju discussed five challenges that the company faced in 2023.

The first challenge is the litigation surrounding Term Loan B (TLB). He said this challenge should be resolved after the sale of Epic, which is a subsidiary of Byju’s in the US. That sale will also help manage the liquidity crunch the company faces now.

The second challenge is an ED notice received from the Enforcement Directorate. Byju clarified that the notice is related to procedural deficiencies under FEMA and that most of these issues have already been addressed.

The third challenge, according to Byju, is the closure of the ongoing FY23 statutory audit, which is on track to be completed soon.

The fourth challenge was the litigation surrounding the Davidson Kempner (DK) loan raised against Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), which has now been resolved with Ranjan Pai taking over the loan. He also said that Aakash is now set for a promising admissions season.

Finally, he spoke about the importance of finding ways to mitigate the impact of these cuts on the business and called on each team member to play a vital role in maintaining business momentum.

Byju’s needs Rs 500-600 crore in cash by March to settle outstanding employee dues, vendor payments, tax department obligations, and BCCI dues. The company is confident in raising this amount through asset sales or by pledging its holdings in Aakash or Think and Learn, a person familiar with the development said.

A second person added that Byju’s has been borrowing from family, friends, and other entrepreneurs in recent months to pay salaries and vendors. The company is falling short of Rs 60-70 crore every month, even as it has brought its costs down. For instance, its wage bill was higher than Rs 300 crore a year ago, and is currently Rs 130 crore now.

At the height of the funding and pandemic-led EdTech boom in 2020-2021, Byju’s aggressively raised funds and acquired companies. It made a record 22 acquisitions both in India and overseas, as it sought to expand from K-12 (kg to class 12) to categories such as test prep, higher learning, and coding. Byju is now counting on selling some of these assets to raise money and keep operations going at its core India EdTech business.

While Raveendran has been keeping investors informed about the company’s financial situation, Money control has learned that he is confident in weathering the liquidity crisis without their help. “There is no term sheet at this point and no question of Byju stepping aside. He has been putting in money in the last 8-9 months for the company to stay afloat,” a third person said.

Beginning of the trouble

Byju’s, which is India’s most-valued startup, has been under fire since the start of 2022 for a range of issues, including accounting irregularities, alleged mis-selling of courses, and mass layoffs.

The company has laid off thousands of employees in the last 12 months as it was hit by a double whammy of drying venture capital funding and slowing demand for online learning services. Since then, its investor board members have left too, citing differences with founder Byju Raveendran.

It has tried to recoup since then. Its early investor Ranjan Pai plowed in capital, set up an advisory council with veterans such as Mohandas Pai and Rajnish Kumar and elevated Arjun Mohan as CEO. It is also in talks to divest assets such as Great Learning and Epic.

Source:- https://www.moneycontrol.com/

The Valuation Obsession

Start-up

The Valuation Obsession

There is an obsession with the values that are being placed on companies when they finance. There has always been one but it is worse than ever.

Every day, without fail, I read a headline that so and so company has raised, will raise, or is trying to raise capital at some eye popping valuation.

It would be easy to blame this on the media, which certainly has to shoulder some of the blame for believing that these are important stories to write day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year.

But the media writes what people want to read and talk about.

The problem is us, the tech sector, and the mindset that valuation is the scorecard by which we measure ourselves.

Of course, valuation matters. When GitHub exits to Microsoft for billions of dollars, that matters. It matters to Microsoft’s shareholders who paid that bill. It matters to Github founders and employees who got a pay day. It matters to the investors in GitHub who got a fantastic return on their investment. And it matters to Github users who got a signal about how important the software they are using is to the big tech companies.

You cannot cover that story without taking about the price that Microsoft paid. It is an important part of the narrative.

But interim valuations being put on startups is different. Sure the price that they can finance themselves is interesting. But not more interesting than the products and services they are bringing to market, how they are building their teams and cultures, and the underlying technologies they are using to do that.

And yet we get less and less of those stories and more and more box scores.

It leads to a culture of bragging and topping one another and an obsessive focus on valuation. I’ve heard founders say “if I don’t raise at a billion or more, we will be seen as a failure.” How ridiculous is that? And yet you can see how they can get to that place.

CEOs and their talent organizations frequently tell me that it is easier to recruit people to companies that have raised at eye popping values. This is particularly peverse because the higher the valuation, the less money the employee will make on their equity. But, it seems, the talent market is looking to the investment community to signal to them what companies are worth working for.

It should work the other way around. I like to invest in companies that smart people are joining. Capital should follow talent, not talent following capital.

I know that many will read this and roll their eyes. “Fred doesn’t like the hyper inflated valuation environment so he’s trying to pour cold water on it.” That’s true about me not liking it but we benefit from it as much as anyone.

What I don’t like about this environment is the focus on form over substance and reducing everything to a number. This could be the new normal. This may be life in startup land from now on. Maybe I just need to learn to deal with it.

But I hope not. I hope that people will come to understand that it is what underneath the covers that matters and the headline number is just that. A great way to get you to click on the link and see some ads.

 

 

Source:- https://avc.com/

Introduction of Vedic Math

Vedic Math

Introduction of Vedic Math

Vedic Maths is a super-fast method of making all math calculations straightforward and easy. It mainly deals with mental calculations. When it comes to kids, it helps in increasing concentration power, memorizing formulas, and makes long calculations very simple and less tedious than before.

Vedic Maths Tricks saves a lot of time. The Math trick makes it possible for students to multiply a 13 digit number by a 12 digit number without using pen and paper. It boosts confidence in one’s ability to tackle mathematical problems easily. Formulas for special numbers and Dodging Times Tables up to 99 are much easier with the help of Vedic Maths. It not only helps for calculating magic numbers like multiplication of 999, 5’s, 11, 12, 13,… but also helps for all other numbers.

The Vedic Math Tricks mainly helps children in solving basic concepts under Arithmetic operations like additions, subtractions, multiplication, division, fractions, squares, cubes, and a few Algebraic operations. When compared to the conventional or usual method, the Vedic method has more tricks and easy ways to calculate.

The most important thing about Vedic Mathematics is that it teaches you how to think logically. The method is based on the principle that everything can be reduced to numbers. This means that you will learn to use your intuition as well as logic when doing mathematics.

Vedic Mathematics is a great way to improve your child’s overall intelligence quotient (IQ).

History and Importance of Vedic Math

In the Golden Age Period, about 5000 years ago, people were able to calculate correctly and mentally, without even using a pen or a piece of paper, in no time. Education at that time was exclusively verbal. As time passed, it was felt necessary to document the knowledge of that era for future generations and different Vedas were being composed. We are familiar with four major Vedas: the Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. The subject matter of each varies. As such, Atharvaveda contains all kinds of sciences, such as architectural science, astronomical science, engineering science, and mathematics.

Europeans showed a great deal of interest in ancient Sanskrit texts at the beginning of the 20th century. Atharvaveda contains some texts called “Ganit Sutras” that contain mathematical conclusions, but no one was able to use them since no one could find mathematics in them.

Vedic Maths is an ancient method of mental calculations that was discovered by “Late Swami Shri Bharti Krishna Tirthaji” (1884-1960)”, the Shankaracharya of Puri, who is known as “The Father of Vedic Maths”. was a great scholar of Sanskrit, English, Mathematics, History, and Philosophy. He studied these texts called “Ganit Sutras” in deep silence in the forests of shingeri for a period of 8 long years.

He reconstructed 16 main Vedic sutras or formulae and 13 sub-sutras, covering a wide range of Arithmetical computation and Algebraic operations. These formulas are in the form of sutras and they are short, easy to remember, and very easy to apply.

All the sutras are in Sanskrit words, he has given English translation and mathematical meaning for all of them and it is clearly explained for the understanding of all age groups. Through the Math techniques explained here, everyone will be able to cut out their dependency on calculators.

Students from grade 3-12, need to learn the Vedic sutras from scratch, it is the foundation. Now is where they will understand the difference between Conventional maths and Vedic Maths. In conventional maths, the steps will be longer, but in Vedic maths, the accurate answers can be found in one straight line. Here is where the students become even smarter. They will start enjoying their school life without any math phobia.

When it comes to competitive exams, students appearing for any government exams, banking, railway, SSC, UPSC, CET, GMAT, etc,.. can easily clear the papers on time with the help of Vedic tricks and it gives quick and accurate results. For this, you need to have a very good practice and tricks should be on your fingertip. It isn’t that easy, but having good practice on concepts of mathematics makes you perfect. So over a period of time, you will get a hang of the math trick. That’s where it sharpens your mind, speed of calculation increases confidence level, and improves mental ability.

Why calculate mentally if I have a calculator?

Vedic Maths is full of math tricks and gives quick answers and removes the confusion in the school method. Also helps in solving any difficulty level in maths calculation. Even a person from a non-maths background can easily learn Vedic Maths.

The human brain is capable of working faster than the world’s fastest computer.

Performing mental calculations is the best exercise for the brain, just like exercising our bodies to stay healthy. Exercising the brain will not only help us calculate fast but also help us in our daily lives as well.

With a calculator, we don’t participate in the calculation process at all. This is highly dangerous over time, as we lose our ability to calculate in a day-to-day situation and our thinking abilities are also affected.

As a result, our brain must be exercised as frequently as possible to become smart and fast, and mental calculations serve as a kind of brain gym. The ability to think faster and smarter keeps the brain active and the body healthy.

5 Interesting Vedic Maths Sutras or Tricks:-

Vedic Maths Is all about the Collection of Sutras and their benefits which can be used with the school curriculum. Here are a few basic operations that will boost you to get started with.

Vedic Sutra 1- Ekadhikena Purvena:-

English Translation:- One more than the previous one

Mathematical meaning:- To obtain the next number, add one to the previous one.

This is the formula used for calculating Squares Of Numbers Ending In 5:-

Eg:- Find the Square of 25.

Solution:- 1st step:- Multiply the number (except last 5) by one more than it.

i.e., 2x(2+1) = 2×3 = 6

2nd step:- Write Square of 5, i.e., 25 after it.

5×5 = 25.

Together (join both the steps), in one line, 2x(2+1) and write 25 = 625.

Therefore, the answer is 625.

Vedic Sutra 2 – Nikhilam Navatascharamam Dasatah:-

English Translation:- All from nine and last from ten.

Mathematical Meaning:- To find the complement (deficiency) of any number to the next base (nearest base, also called working base), subtract all the other digits (except last) from 9 and the last digit from 10.

Eg:- To find the complement of 38 (to the working base 100), subtract:-

Solution:- 3 from 9 = 6 and 8 from 10 = 2, i.e., 62.

Therefore, the complement of 38 (100-38) is 62.

Vedic Sutra 3 – Ekanyunena Purvena:-

English Translation:- One less than the previous one.

Mathematical Meaning:- One number less than the previous number.

This method is used for calculating Multiplication by 9,99,999,…

Formula:- 1st step- Left part- One less than the multiplicand, i.e., (multiplicand – 1)

2nd step- Right part- The deficiency of multiplicand, i.e., (base – multiplicand)

Eg:- Multiply 57 by 99:- (base is 100)

Solution:- step1 – 57-1= 56

step2- 100-57= (9-5=4, 10-7=3)= 43

57 x 99 = (57 – 1) (100 – 57) = 5643

Therefore, 57 x 99 = 5643.

Vedic Sutra 4 – Anthyayordasakepi:-

English Translation:- When final digits add upon ten.

Mathematical Meaning:- The sum of final digits is the base. Eg- 14+16 = (4+6) =10 as base. Multiplication – When the sum of final digits is the base and previous parts are the same.

Formula:- 1st step- Left part- Multiply the previous part by one more than itself

2nd step- Right part- Multiply the last digits (whose sum is the base).

Eg:- Multiply 36 by 34:-

Solution:- Here sum of last digits 6 and 4 is 6+4=10 (base)

36 x 34 = (3x (3+1) (6×4) =(3 x 4) (24) =1224.

Therefore, 36 x 34 = 1224.

Vedic Sutra 5 – Yavadhunam

English Translation:- Whatever the extent of the deficiency.

Mathematical Meaning:- The deficiency (to the nearest base).

This method is used for calculating Squares Of Any Number.

Formula:- 1st step- Right part- Square the deficiency

2nd step-Left part- Subtract the number by its deficiency plus carry over.

Eg:- Find the square of 96.

Solution:- The deficiency is 4 with working base 100.

Step1- Right part:- Square of deficiency (4)²

Step2 – Left part:- Subtract the number by its deficiency (96-4)

(96 – 4) (4)² = (92) (16)

Therefore, 96² = 9216.

Who Can Benefit from Vedic Maths?

Vedic Mathematics is applicable for students from grades 3-12 (age 8-17), students writing competitive exams, and also helps in our day-to-day activities. I have been training teachers and homemakers for improvising their mathematical skills and it also helps homemakers to have an identity and it provides them an extra source of income.

Vedic Maths is the gift of the Veda for solving the “Maths Anxiety” problem in Math education worldwide. It’s a very special feature, it mainly converts the dry tedious Maths into a playful and joyful subject, which children enjoy learning with a smile.

Source:- https://www.thevedicmaths.com/

Remote teaching strategies for educators

Ed-Tech

Remote teaching strategies for educators

The best ways to incorporate Brainscape’s adaptive flashcards into your remote teaching strategies to help students learn even more effectively than in the classroom.

Believe it or not, strong remote teaching strategies can often actually help your students learn even more effectively than they do in a physical classroom. But it’s important to make sure you do it properly and with the right tools.

Brainscape would like to highlight certain free features of our own web & mobile flashcards study app for teachers that may be helpful in furthering your students’ learning progress!

Use these 4 tips to take remote teaching to the next level.

(Also make sure you check out our guide ‘Top mental strategies for studying at home‘ for even more advice you could pass on to your learners.)

1. Making flashcards for students

Brainscape’s flashcards can be the perfect complement or replacement of the typical study guides or lecture slides you may be posting online.

Make and use flashcards in Brainscape

If you haven’t already, start by creating your class on Brainscape: Simply click the “+” on the My Classes list on the main dashboard, and name it (e.g. Biology 101). Then you can start creating individual Decks (e.g. Unit 1) as needed. You (or your T.A.) can easily invite other students to your class once you are ready for them to study or collaborate.

[See also: Our comprehensive guide to creating great flashcards, and the perfect job for your T.A.]

2. Having students make flashcards

If you prefer more collaborative remote teaching strategies, you can use flashcards to construct a collaborative editing environment. Brainscape allows you to easily delegate “Edit” permissions to your T.A. or to the students. Just click the Learners tab in your class, and choose which class members you’d like to appoint as Editors.

Many educators even prefer to delegate editing assignments one lesson at-a-time, where one or more students are assigned to a single deck of flashcards representing that lesson or chapter. (Learn more about using Brainscape for collaborative classroom activities).

Either way, by the end of the semester, you’ll have a complete student-generated study guide ready for the final exam!

3. Enabling students’ critical thinking

Even if you had authored the initial flashcards yourself (without giving students Edit permissions), you can still encourage a deeper level of knowledge processing by training students to use the Edit button while studying.

Whenever a student without “Edit” access clicks the Edit pencil icon in the corner of a flashcard, Brainscape displays a short form asking the user to “suggest an edit”, which will send you an email each time the form is submitted. Students can use this both to suggest edits to your flashcards (e.g. to make them clearer) and/or to ask you questions about concepts they don’t fully understand.

This feature has been shown to create an even more constructive environment for one-on-one educator/student dialog than many live classroom environments.

 

4. Monitoring students’ study progress

To see how much each student has been studying, you can easily click the Learners tab and analyze to your heart’s content. Our stats reflect not only the number of flashcards that have been studied but also each student’s self-assessed % Mastery. You can even click a student to see his/her detailed Mastery of each Deck.

An example leader board of students in brainscape

Many educators use this class-wide visibility to make studying in Brainscape a part of students’ Participation grade. Studying X flashcards every Y weeks may be required in order for a student to receive full credit for that particular Participation requirement.

There are, of course, many more remote teaching strategies. But these four will already help you gain a lot more from teaching away from the classroom, especially by using a tool like Brainscape.

Double your student’s retention knowledge with Brainscape

It doesn’t matter if you’re teaching remotely or in the classroom, the goal remains the same: improve the learning capabilities of students. That’s not always an easy task when students struggle to focus or perhaps lack an interest in learning at all.

Brainscape’s scientists have collected invaluable insights for teachers over the years while managing our adaptive flashcard platform. We’ve collected these insights to help you retain students’ knowledge. This won’t only help your students become better learners but will help you become an even greater educator!

Be sure to dive into our guide for educators: How to DOUBLE your students’ retention of knowledge. And best of luck in supporting your students to become successful!

Source:- https://www.brainscape.com/

How School Leaders Can Help Teachers Flourish in the Classroom

Leadership & Administration

How School Leaders Can Help Teachers Flourish in the Classroom

A teacher and coach offers strategies to help ensure that educators will feel supported as professionals.

One of the many responsibilities of educational leaders is to ensure that teachers work with fidelity in service of their school district’s mission, goals, policies, and board-approved curricula. Yet sometimes it can feel like a herculean task to guide the work of passionate, creative intellectuals (who are leaders in their own right) without making them feel at best stifled, or at worst, infantilized.

In my experience as a teacher and coach, I’ve observed a few strategies that can support teachers to grow and flourish, while at the same time increasing the likelihood that they’ll remain in the profession.

BE A SERVANT LEADER

Educational leaders often verify teacher compliance with district policies and programs through careful tracking of lesson plans, regular classroom observations, and targeted professional development.

The irony here is that although the leaders make these decisions, it is the teachers who are charged with implementation; and too often, teachers are not even involved in the decision-making. A question worth considering is, aren’t teachers the real leaders in these initiatives who need support, instead of being positioned as the subject of monitoring and measuring?

Here’s where it can be instructive to consider the philosophy of servant leadership, in which leaders listen to their teams, lead with humility, and prioritize the greater good. Educational leaders who are servant leaders always begin with prioritizing teacher input when making programming and scheduling decisions. Then, in support of these endeavors, instead of seeking compliance and control, servant leaders ask questions like “What is going well?“ “What challenges are you facing?”  “What solutions do you propose?” And, even more important, following up with the question, “How can I support you?”

Teachers are more likely to abide by mandates and guidelines when they have a voice in the decision-making process and feel liberated to design innovative approaches based on what they know works for their students. Howard Behar, former president of Starbucks, offers a phrase that’s good for educational leaders to remember: “The person who sweeps the floor should choose the broom.” And not only should teachers be involved in “choosing the broom,” but also they should then have the power to reflect, adjust, and provide feedback to leadership if “the broom” seems insufficient.

In the absence of this level of autonomy, the restraint required for teachers to ignore their intuition, harness their good ideas, and silence their voices is one of the many reasons why teachers leave the profession.

GIVE FEWER ANSWERS AND ASK MORE QUESTIONS

Certainly, there’s a time when it’s a leader’s job to provide answers. Teachers need guidance about best practices in response to disciplinary situations, academic integrity, and student and parent communication. Often, however, when teachers seek direction from leaders, what they’re really looking for is a sounding board and a collaborative partner.

When working to resolve conflicts, therefore, leaders can demonstrate respect and develop trust by supporting those they lead to find answers for themselves.  Consider brainstorming possible outcomes together and asking questions like these: “Can you tell me more about that?” “What has worked in the past?” “What do you think would happen if…?” What resolution would best honor your values and meet students’ needs?

Of course, offering advice can be helpful too, as long as you include a follow-up question that clearly demonstrates that you don’t believe you have all the answers.  For example, if you suggest, “What I might do is…” or “One idea could be…,” the  follow-up question might sound like “How does that feel to you?” or “What do you think about that?” Liz Wiseman and Greg McKeown write about what they call a “multiplier” mindset, encouraging leaders to “use their intelligence to amplify the smarts and capabilities of the people around them.” I like to think that this kind of advice operates as a stimulus to inspire those you lead to develop their own ideas.

Admittedly, this approach may require intentionality and restraint, but what makes it easier is the fundamental understanding that the most effective solutions are the ones that people come up with themselves. Leaders who ask more questions also support teachers to tap into and leverage their professional expertise rather than depleting their energy by silencing their voices in deference to leadership.

This kind of partnership and mutual respect has the capacity to help teachers feel more energized and inspired, which fortifies their desire to remain in the profession.

IMPLEMENT BEST INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES 

A common refrain I hear from teachers is “Where is the SEL for us?” or “Where’s my choice and voice?” and “How is this responsive to my needs?” As these are valid questions, a powerful way that leaders can both demonstrate respect for teachers and model best instructional practices is by leading teachers the way they are tasked with leading their students.

For example, faculty meetings and professional development sessions shouldn’t only continually model best classroom practices but also should offer teachers resources they can use in their classrooms the very next day.

You can begin as a leadership team by clarifying the district’s goals and asking yourself, “What practices do we expect teachers to implement in order to meet these goals?” “In what ways are we modeling these practices?” “How are we designing experiences for teachers to engage with these practices?” and “What actionable strategies or resources are teachers taking away from this meeting?”

You can use the answers to these questions to create a list to guide you when you create professional learning experiences for teachers; they will certainly notice and appreciate the shift.

Teachers might enter the profession not for money or prestige, but for the opportunity to make a real difference in the students’ lives and intellectual freedom. If leaders consider these underlying values as guiding principles that underpin their decisions, increased teacher retention is a very likely outcome.

Even better, this approach is a win for everyone because as researcher and thought leader Brené Brown writes, “Daring leaders fight for the inclusion of all people, opinions, and perspectives because that makes us all better and stronger.”

Source:- https://www.edutopia.org/

Banishing Mathematics Anxiety in Students

Education at School

From Fear to Confidence: Banishing Mathematics Anxiety in Students

Do you feel a rush of excitement when given a mathematical challenge to solve? Or does the mere thought of doing calculations make your heart race and palms sweat?

If you belong to the latter group, you’re not alone.

Researchers estimate that about 17 percent of the population experience mathematics anxiety.

Attitude, not aptitude

Cognitive scientist Sian Beilock, author of books “Choke” and “How the Body Knows Its Mind,” shared that the anxiety of just preparing for a mathematics exam triggers pain responses in the brain.

Her finding suggests that being anxious about the subject is not just about being bad at it. There is something about the anxiety itself that potentially impedes our ability to focus, think in the moment, and to want to learn and study the subject even more.

That’s why on top of thinking about how we teach students mathematics content, she urged educators to also think about how they’re preparing students to have a positive attitude.

Our top 5 research-backed tips to overcome mathematics anxiety

Every student has the potential to be a great at math(s).

Speaking of mathematics, why not join in the fun and put your students’ skills to the test in World Maths Day – the largest online mathematics competition in the world? It’s not only a great way to boost engagement, it also helps students who are struggling discover their inner mathlete.

In celebration of World Maths Day, we dive deeper on how to help students overcome their fear of the subject. Here are our top five practical strategies to minus your students’ anxiety and multiply their confidence.

1. Group peers with different ability together

Also known as mixed-ability grouping, grouping students with different skill levels promotes collaboration and encourages higher-ability students to help their peers better understand the material.

It provides students with the opportunity to learn from their peers and to observe different approaches to problem solving. This creates a supportive and inclusive learning environment where all students can feel confident in their abilities and make progress in their skills.

Mixed ability grouping also helps to break down the barriers between students and encourages critical thinking and a growth mindset, all of which are essential skills in mathematics and in life.

2. The power of books

Young students reading books in a library corner

Books and stories are powerful tools for banishing anxiety in younger learners. By reading about characters who face similar challenges in mathematics, learners develop an empathy for the characters. In the process, this helps them overcome their own struggles and gain confidence in the subject.

When using these texts in class or with learners individually, don’t forget to engage in follow up discussions and activities to draw out the key experiences of the characters and connect these to the emotions that students may be feeling.

If you’re looking for mathematics stories to introduce to students, Reading Eggs is a good place to start. An online learn-to-read program, it has a digital library of over 3,500 books for students to explore.

3. Just breathe

For older students, deep breathing exercises can help reduce the negative impacts of math(s) anxiety. They are short, effective and can easily form a part of a lesson.

Get students into a comfortable position and ask them to close their eyes and start paying attention to the pace and depth of their breathing. Are they taking deep breaths or shallow ones? Are they breathing quickly or slowly?

Becoming aware of our breathing can help us become more mindful of our body’s response to stress.

4. “I feel…”

Did you know just 10 minutes of expressive writing can alleviate students’ anxiety?

Also known as journaling, expressive writing has been proven to improve people’s general health and well-being. Researchers also applied this technique to a specific stressful event in students’ lives: sitting for a test.

They found that when students with mathematics anxiety spend 10 minutes before an exam writing down how they feel in that moment, they no longer freeze under pressure. Penning down their feelings helps students acknowledge their anxious thoughts, and to set them aside.

5. Let the games begin!

The Value of Games and Gamification with Mathematics

Games are an effective teaching tool to enhance engagement and enjoyment. They are not only fun, but they also support the development of essential skills and improve fact fluency.

Games have the potential to demonstrate that learning can be measured not just by grades but by competencies. It helps students see failures as a part of the learning process.

Looking to boost your students’ confidence through exciting, game-based learning?

Join in the fun and be a part of World Maths Day! It is a free online competition that challenges students from around the globe to compete and enhance their mathematical skills.

The competitive, gamified elements in World Maths Day engages students in an entertaining and interactive way, while promoting a positive attitude towards learning mathematics. The event also provides an excellent opportunity for students to develop their mathematical skills, overcome their anxiety to unleash their inner mathlete.

What is World Maths Day?

World Maths Day (8 March 2023) is a global celebration of mathematics where millions of students aged 5 to 18 across the world compete in Live Mathletics challenges. It’s all-inclusive, free, and open to schools as well as students learning from home.

If you don’t have a Mathletics account, you can sign up for a free World Maths Day account here. Have any questions? Check out the World Maths Day FAQ page for more information or contact us here.

Are we passing on our own mathematics anxiety unknowingly?

Adults need to be aware that our own anxiety can influence how younger children perceive it too. When adults model anxiety themselves, children can pick up on it. According to a study, girls also tend to be more affected by mathematics anxiety than boys.

Ros McLellan from the University of Cambridge shares how parents and teachers should be mindful of how they may unwittingly contribute to a child’s anxiety. To help our children or students, we first need to tackle on our anxieties and belief systems in the subject.

Beilock also stressed the importance of being clear that our mathematical ability is not fixed. Rather, it is something that can be improved through practice.

When we understand and address the causes of students’ mathematics anxiety, we can transform that nervousness into motivation and help them unlock their full potential.

Source:- https://www.mathletics.com/