HOTS, the sure path to prosperity
Harikumar Mahadeva Iyer
Last year the CBSE board took a bold decision to shift the exam pattern from MOTS (More of the Same) to HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills). It is heartening to note that this move has gained acceptance. MOTS was based on repetition and stereo types. HOTS emphasises interpretation and synthesis of knowledge. However it remains to be seen how much this shift can influence the thinking process of the entire nation.
Right from the Indus Valley civilisation days, Indians have realised the importance of learning and the bearing it has on prosperity. Every Indian family spends a good amount of money on education.
Very little thought goes into the efficacy of the learning process — of what we learn, how we learn and how to derive maximum benefits. As society matures through learning, the need arises to formulate governance structure to sustain the growth. People in authority control the learning process. Hunger for power makes people hold on to it at any cost and urges people with authority to put restrictions on the learning process to protect their position. MOTS is a powerful tool for this. Hence right from the Epic ages we have been conditioned to MOTS learning.
Lessons from history
Ancient Greek civilisation had also laid great emphasis on education. They went a step ahead and studied deeply the very process of learning. They devised a philosophy of learning through questioning and investigation which harnessed HOTS. Through academies this learning process was spread to society. With the fall of Roman Empire there were no sponsors to the HOTS education process. MOTS gained ground in the medieval period which ensured the power equation of the feudal lords.
With the growth of trade during the early 13th century, people started travelling more and were exposed to different cultures. Interest in the old Greek and Roman civilisations revived. HOTS-based learning philosophy regained acceptance. This change in learning ushered in Renaissance and the dawn of modern era. Societies quick to adopt this new method made giant strides.
The moot point is, ‘Can this CBSE move bring transformation and prosperity to the nation?’ We associate learning with academics or with the acquisition of knowledge and skill while on the job. Learning is a continuous and complex process comprising acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitude. Much of the learning happens in an unstructured manner when we are exposed to any new situation. To engineer a new learning process is a formidable challenge.
In today’s information era, the media is the prime tool for education. We view the electronic media as a pure entertainment tool. Entertainment and recreation are learning processes. They imply thought and mental occupation in an agreeable and refreshing way. They are activities that call for a higher order of thinking. Today entertainment has been reduced to beguiling the public, meaning cheating into cheer and comfort by something that insensibly draws thought or feeling away from pain or disquiet. This is a MOTS methodology of teaching the largely unlettered society.
Tackling the challenge
How do we elevate this learning process to a higher order? Chief sponsors of today’s entertainment media are the business houses. The incentive behind beguiling is to ensure increased business volume and profits. Unless the consumers grow in numbers and have deeper pockets, the long term purpose will not be met. The two great challenges faced by Indian economy are stagnant growth rate and growing disparity.
All that is called for is to create awareness among ourselves on the long term benefits of sponsoring programs that harness HOTS. This awareness will give us courage to withstand the pressure to succumb to pursuits that may seem beneficial in the short term.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Open Page
