The Student Learns

The relationship between a teacher and student is a dynamic one, constantly evolving throughout history. Zakir Hussain was an Indian Tabla player, composer, percussionist, and music producer, widely regarded as one of the greatest Tabla players of all time. In an interview, he once said: “You know, a teacher never teaches, the student learns. This is very important. A student must inspire the teacher to teach, otherwise there’s no point in it. The knowledge is like a fast-flowing river. Just like the Ganges passing through Lord Shiva, a river of knowledge passes through a teacher, a guru, a friend, or a mentor. It’s up to the student to be able to get a cup out of that river, or a bucket, or a truckload out of that river. It’s up to the student. Whenever I played in the room and I was practising, I was always looking to see if I was going to get any attention at all from my teacher. That attention only came when I actually took the information that was given to me and twisted it to reveal a different angle. When I did that, there would be a ‘hmm’. Then suddenly he would walk in and be standing at the doorway. And he’d say, ‘Okay, now play this, do that.’ I had inspired a chain of events in my teacher’s mind, which allowed him to just add to what I was doing and say, ‘Okay, you’ve done this and it’s good.’ So, inspiration would come. The teacher would never teach, a student has to get that information out and inspire the teacher to teach them. This is something that we all have to learn.”

"Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached" - Swami Vivekananda

P. L. Deshpande, often fondly called "Pu La", was a beloved Marathi writer, performer, musician, and humourist. Essentially, Pu La was a cultural icon in Maharashtra, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, thought-provoking insights, and a deep love for his language and culture. He once said: “You cannot create a Tansen (Tansen, born around 1500, was a legendary Indian musician and vocalist, considered one of the most influential figures in Hindustani classical music), all you can do is create an environment for one to become Tansen. The real teacher is the one who ignites curiosity in a student. Teaching is a process of pouring from one heart to another. It’s not enough to have the teacher’s and student’s intellectual wavelengths matched, but their hearts should beat to the same rhythm. Technology has transformed the way people learn these days. Whilst the concept of good music was once restricted to Hindustani Classical Music, the radio imprinted cinema music on people’s hearts. It’s the journey of listening and learning through multiple sources that evolves knowledge, and effectively the art. The teacher’s job is to nudge the students on this path. The greatest teacher is always the greatest student, an endless learner.”

"The duty of a teacher is neither to neglect nor to spoil the pupil." - Al-Biruni

500 years ago, education was mainly for the wealthy and religious elite. Think monks in monasteries and scholars in universities. The invention of the printing press around 1440 was a game-changer, making books more accessible and leading to wider literacy. Then came the Industrial Revolution, which demanded a more educated workforce, leading to the rise of public schools. Early education often consisted of rote learning and religious instruction. Over time, there's been a growing emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. With the rise of new mediums, from chalkboards and textbooks to radio, television, and the internet, technology has continuously reshaped how we access and consume information.

"Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth." - Chanakya (Ancient Indian teacher, philosopher, economist, jurist and royal advisor)

It's an exciting time for education! AI is revolutionising the process of teaching and learning. Teachers are shifting from being knowledge providers to learning facilitators. Instead of simply delivering information, they are becoming guides, mentors, and facilitators. They curate learning experiences, provide personalised support, and foster critical thinking and collaboration. AI is making it easier to understand each student's strengths and weaknesses and provide tailored instruction and support. This means education is quickly progressing to a more differentiated learning approach and moving away from a "one-size-fits-all" model. AI is creating more active and empowered learners. It provides students with greater agency and control over their learning, allowing them to learn at their own pace and explore topics that interest them. In this new world, teachers and students are more likely to be on the same intellectual wavelength from the get-go. Perhaps it’s the new “Teacher On Demand” world…

"Education is the manifestation of perfection already in man" - Swami Vivekananda

Whether we're learning to play the Tabla or trying to become the next Tansen, it's not just about the teacher, is it? It's about finding that spark within, that thirst for knowledge. We've got to be curious, we've got to put in the effort, and we've got to, as Zakir Hussain said, "twist" what we learn and make it our own. The teacher can guide us, inspire us, but ultimately, it's down to us to grab that knowledge with both hands and make something of it. The teacher gives us the ingredients, but we're the ones who have to cook up the masterpiece.

"Truth is the highest virtue, but higher still is truthful living." - Guru Nanak (Founder of Sikhism)

As AI continues to reshape the educational landscape, the possibilities are endless. Let's embrace this new era with open minds and a commitment to lifelong learning, ensuring that we all have the opportunity to 'cook up our own masterpieces' in the years to come

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- Umesh Mehendale