Department of Humanities and Social Sciences

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://localhost:4000/handle/123456789/1926

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Author: search.filters.author.Lata, PushpSubject: search.filters.subject.Humanities

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 32
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    Transcending the norm: examining heteronormativity and gender roles in English language teaching textbooks in India
    (Taylor & Francis, 2025-03) Lata, Pushp
    This paper aims to study the representations of gender and sexuality in English language textbooks used in India for teaching English. We conducted a textbook analysis of Grade 8 National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) textbooks using Moore’s taxonomy (2021) and its extended version (as given by the authors) to analyse hetero/non-heteronormativity. A thematic analysis was also conducted to analyse gender roles as portrayed in the textbook. Based on the textbook analysis of the corpus, we have developed a comprehensive framework for delving into the intricate dynamics of heteronormativity and gender roles. The findings of the study revealed the pervasive presence of binary gender representations and heteronormative norms embedded within the textbook. However, a critical inquiry into the corpus unearthed the spaces for exploring LGBTQI+ discussions within the textbooks. We, therefore, recommend queering textbooks to create safe and inclusive academic spaces, considering that textbooks function as a crucial resource for conceptualising and shaping a learner’s identity.
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    Visual management in ELT classroom assessment: an application of lean philosophy
    (Springer, 2025-08) Lata, Pushp; Sangwan, Kuldip Singh
    Visual Management (VM), tool of Lean Philosophy, facilitates operation optimisation by improving procedural communication and efficiency while enhancing team accountability and coordination. This paper explores the application of VM in assessment process of an ELT course, Effective Public Speaking, at a technical institute. Adaptable visual aids, Digital Randomisers (DRs), were developed and utilised during performance-based evaluatives. Classroom observation, survey and interviews were used to understand undergraduate students’ perspectives about VM effectiveness in assessment process. The findings indicate VM intervention reduced the number of assessment classes, saving nearly 100 min of the course, improving the process efficiency by 35.14%; and enhanced procedural clarity and transparency. Students also reported DRs helped in improving their critical thinking, speech organisational and time management skills. Therefore, the study concludes that the integration of VM principles, especially in large size classes, has potential to optimise information flow, improve execution, and enhance student engagement in classroom.
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    Creating a User-Generated Learning Environment through Flipping Classroom: An Experiential Pedagogy
    (ELTAI, 2018-05) Lata, Pushp
    Participatory learning improves students’ learning and understanding of the concepts taught in a course. It can prove to be very effective in developing communication skills, higher order cognitive skills and inculcate problem solving ability among students. This kind of teaching learning environment calls for a paradigm shift, that is, to move from the teacher-centered approach to the student-centered approach. For better active learning, flipping the classroom is one of the techniques which can be employed. My work over the years has brought me into thinking heavily about the change of the role of learners from receiver to participant in the whole teaching learning process of a subject. Besides, I acknowledge the drastic shift in the learning aptitude of students due to an easy exposure and accessibility of technology and internet. I therefore, have been experimenting with, blogs, online forums and task based approach activities for collaborative learning from time to time. The flexibility and students’ active participation were the key features which motivated me to try this pedagogy in my classroom. The present study therefore, is an attempt to integrate flipped classroom environment in teaching of Cross Cultural Skills course which is a humanities elective course being offered to the first degree engineering students at Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani.
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    Digital Spinning Wheel for Just-a-Minute Session: A Pedagogical and Assessment Tool
    (IEEE, 2022-12) Lata, Pushp
    In the present digital era, technology is being extensively used as an aid to teach different skills in a language teaching course. With the sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, where technology that was being used for peripheral tasks and activities in education so far, has now become pervasive in the learning spaces. Tech aids such as audio, video, internet, educational tools, etc. are the popular ones among teachers at all levels. The present study aims to explore the use of one such tool - Digital Spinning Wheel that has been used as a tool for conducting Just-a- Minute sessions in the Effective Public Speaking course being offered at Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, one of the premier engineering institutes of India. The study also makes an attempt to understand students' perceptions about the appropriacy of the choice of the tool and the effectiveness of the instructional tool as used by the course instructors. For the study, a questionnaire was designed and circulated through Google Form among all the students of the course. The findings of the study suggest that the Digital Spinning Wheel makes the classroom activity interesting and dynamic and also ensures objectivity and fairness during the conduction of the evaluative component, Just-a-Minute.
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    Use of Digital Randomizer for Assessment of Team-Based Storytelling: An Empirical Study
    (Springer, 2024-10) Lata, Pushp
    Educators integrate technology in their classroom pedagogy to make teaching–learning more constructive, receptive, and open to different learning styles, developing a conducive environment for better engagement with learners. The present research intends to explore the use of Digital Randomizer created on the concept of Visual Management for classroom assessment with proper pedagogical planning and instruction, designed for Team-Based Storytelling. Thus, the study aims to understand students’ perspectives on the appropriacy of utilizing the designed Digital Randomizer and its effectiveness and objectivity as the instructional tool used for the classroom evaluation of undergraduate engineering students. It also focuses to study the students perception of using Team based Storytelling assessment for formative assessment of their speaking skills. For the study, a questionnaire was designed and circulated through Google Forms among all the students of the course. The findings of the study suggest that the Digital Randomizer makes the classroom activity interesting, dynamic, and more systematic with well-crafted instructions and, well-articulated outcomes.
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    Section Articles Project-Based Learning with or Without Multimodal Features: Action-Based Research for Developing and Assessing Intercultural Competence
    (Diamond Scientific Publishing, 2023) Lata, Pushp
    The present paper proposes a framework for using "Multimodal Creative Projects" (MCP) for developing intercultural competence in engineering students. Instructors added a multimodal feature to improve students' learning experiences while engaging them in project-based learning. This feature provided numerous opportunities for multiple representations of content to students using text, video, audio, images, and comic strips that suited their diverse learning styles. We argue that, though both academic research paper writing and MCP, allow an instructor to carry out an assessment of learning as well as an assessment for learning, it is MCP that improves learner motivation, engagement, and learning outcomes better when compared to academic research paper writing. For collecting data for the study, a questionnaire was designed and circulated using Google Forms to 122 engineering students enrolled in the Cross-Cultural Skills course, being offered at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, India, a premier engineering institute in India. The findings of the experiment indicate that the majority of the students who opted for MCP-based assignments found their mode of learning to be effective in making use of their core and creative skills and also providing flexibility, which enhanced their interest, engagement, and learning performance in the course.
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    Do we need to queer elt pedagogy in India?
    (ELTAI, 2023) Lata, Pushp
    The present paper focuses on initiating discussion on the much-debatable issue of adopting a gender and sexuality perspective in ELT practices in India. Till quite recently our classes have been either mono-normative or heteronormative. The basic philosophy behind this kind of socio-educational fabric is due to the belief that all beings are binary and straight, whereas scientific inquiry has proved otherwise. Also, the misconception among teachers and educators that sexual identity has no impact on English Language Teaching, has further reinforced the practice of heteronormative ideology in the classrooms. The present study attempts to determine how teaching English as a second language (ESL) needs to be meaningfully queered to create safer spaces and sustain the learning motivation of the non-heteronormative and non-binary communities in the ELT classes. In the study, we argue to have Inclusive Education in India as per the mandate of the New Educational Policy, 2020. It is important to break the age-old narrow confines created against non-normative gender and sexuality learners, especially by queering English Language pedagogy and also providing them due representation in classroom interaction.
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    Navigating the Impact of Social Media on Cross-Cultural Learnings and International Mobility: Students’ Perception
    (SEACE2024, 2024) Lata, Pushp
    In an era marked by the pervasive social media, its evolution transcends from mere communicative instruments to becoming synonymous with communication. Considering that human existence today is heavily characterized by cross-cultural intersections, the present study discusses the transformative influence wielded by social media on the perceptual landscape of cultural distinctions. The study, therefore, is a comprehensive analysis of the impact of social media on the adaptation trajectory of 20 engineering students from India who travelled abroad to do their internships. This qualitative research delves into the role of social media in enhancing their Intercultural Competence when their leaving for the host country was confirmed and the role social media played while they started residing in the host country. Researchers have used the phenomenological approach of examining the data using the Deardorff Pyramid Model of Intercultural Competence (ICC), attempted to understand the existing presence of cross-cultural knowledge and the impact of social media in cross-cultural settings, and explored the need for structured cross-cultural education within academic programs. Results suggest that Social Media helps in early adjustment in the host culture through knowledge of tangible aspects but does not help much in learning the intangible aspects. Also, social media does not support for better internal and external outcomes, required for effective ICC. Hence, a well-structured cross cultural training is required in the academic programmes at tertiary level
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    COMMUNICATION SKILLS 3rd ed.
    (OUP, 2024-07) Lata, Pushp
    The Third Edition of Communication Skills has been designed to meet the diverse needs of the learners in the fields of Engineering, Science, Management, Arts, Commerce, Mass Communication and Journalism, and also for candidates appearing in various competitive exams. Containing exhaustive content with multiple examples, illustrations, and exercises, the book aims at equipping readers with an ability to use English in their oral and written communication with confidence, clarity, and accuracy. Written with a precise understanding of the challenges that young professionals encounter in the global work scenario, the book would be highly useful for readers to enhance their professional communication skills.
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    English Language and Communication Skills
    (OUP, 2012) Lata, Pushp