Best Practice 1
Title of the Practice- Incorporation of Bloom’s Taxonomy in the Internal Assessment of the college.
Objectives of the Practice- Periodic assessment is crucial for evaluating the learning levels of students. At KLE Society’s KLE College of Law, Navi Mumbai, we take utmost care to ensure prominent enlightenment of our students. Keeping the same in mind we have incorporated Bloom’s Taxonomy in our Internal Evaluation. The objectives for introducing the same is as follows:
- It is useful for course design.
- It also helps with assessment development by supporting in aligning course learning objectives to any desired level of expertise
- When instructing lower division, (introductory courses, for instance) faculty can gauge students’ abilities at the lower levels of Bloom’s taxonomy whereas instructing upper division, more advanced courses, one would be evaluating students’ abilities at the higher levels.
The Context- KLE Society’s KLE College of Law, Navi Mumbai is an affiliated college to University of Mumbai. The question papers for the end semester examinations are set by the University of Mumbai which has to be followed by the college. However, after the introduction of the CBCS system the college has taken important steps in making the Internal Assessment to cover the all the parameters of Bloom’s Taxonomy, i.e, catering to the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domain, for better learning of the students.
The Practice- The curriculum is designed by University of Mumbai which is followed by the college. Since we cannot make any changes in the syllabus, we have designed our course plans meticulously to meet the learning level of our students. In the academic year 2019-2020, University of Mumbai introduced the CBCS system for LLB (3 year) and BLS.LLB (5 year) courses with (60:40) pattern. To elaborate 60 marks were allotted to the end semester examination and 40 marks were allotted to the Internal Assessment to be conducted by the college. The marking system was again revised in academic year 2022-2023 by introducing the (75:25) pattern; 75 marks for end semester exams and 25 marks for Internal Assessment.
The end semester question papers designed by the University of Mumbai are majorly taking into consideration the “remember” and “understand” aspect of Bloom’s taxonomy. Therefore, we make sure that in the internal assessment we cover the “apply”, “analyse”, “evaluate” and “create” aspects.
The problem in the application of this practice was that since the medium of instruction is English, the students who are from the vernacular language and other slow learners were struggling to keep up with this change in the style of internal assessment. However, the respective subject teachers have taken extra care of such students by giving personal attention and guidance and helping them to grasp the intricacies of Bloom’s taxonomy.
Evidence of Success- The application of this practice has resulted in improving the cognitive levels of our students. They are now better able to understand the legal topics and subsequently evaluate and analyse their impact on society.
Problems Encountered and Resources Required- Since the college is at the outskirts of Mumbai, hence the students taking admission here are majorly from the rural background and of vernacular medium. It becomes little difficult to make such students understand the conception of Bloom’s Taxonomy. However, our committed faculty members have made all the possible efforts to make students comprehend the concept and adapt themselves to the changing patterns of Internal Assessment.
Best Practice 2
Title of the practice- Safeguarding the mental health of students and staff
Objectives of the Practice- KLE Society’s KLE College of Lawstrongly believes that good mental health is essential since it has a significant impact on every part of our life. Hence it has taken significant steps in making the students and staff realise the importance of mental health and experience the same by conducting different activities which guide them and help them release their stress. The objectives of the practice are as follows:
- It gives us the ability to overcome obstacles, forge deep connections, and take responsible decisions.
- Reduces anxiety
- Creates an enhanced sense of inner peace
- Clarity in thinking
- Improving personal and professional relationships
- Increasing self-esteem
The Context- Stabilising constructive behaviours, emotions, and thoughts depends on maintaining good mental health and treating any bad mental health disorders. Focusing on mental health care can boost productivity, improve our self-perception, and strengthen bonds with others.
Taking care of our mental health not only makes it easier for us to operate on a daily basis, but it can also help us combat or at least regulate some physical health issues that are closely related to mental health issues. For instance, since stress and heart disease are linked, reducing stress may help prevent heart disease and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Keeping the perpetual benefits of securing mental health of our staff and students, KLE Society’s KLE College of Lawbelieves in taking extra efforts to protect the overall well-being of its students.
The Practice- There is no question that sadness causes heart and vascular illnesses, and that physical and mental health are intimately linked. Alcohol and tobacco use, eating sensibly, frequent exercise, getting enough sleep, and following medical advice are all health behaviours that are affected by mental problems, which increases the risk of physical sickness.
Social issues like unemployment, disintegrated families, poverty, drug abuse, and related criminality are also influenced by mental illness. Immune system dysfunction is significantly influenced by poor mental health. Patients with depression who are medically unwell perform worse than those without. Depression risk is increased by long-term conditions such diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
Life is not the same as it used to be; stress levels have greatly risen in the modern day as a result of health difficulties, stressful jobs, and other personal issues. When we must make difficult decisions, handle stressful events, and communicate with those around us, good mental health is crucial. So, in order to combat it and raise mental health awareness, the college considers its prime responsibility to make the staff and the young students aware and wakeful of their mental health. Even the Government of India has given utmost importance to the mental health by passing the Mental Health Care Act, 2017.
Today’s youth being more prone to emotional turmoil resulting from any kind of personal or professional upheavals. The college ensures that it can extend a helping hand to its students and staff. We have the Mentor-Mentee system at our college wherein faculty members are there to guide and mentor their students as guardians. We have consistently organised programmes in collaboration with Sri SriRavishankar’s Art of Living(Yes+ & Happiness Programme) and Om Shanti (Brahmakumaris) for providing the students and staff a break from the hustle and bustle of life. We also stress on Yoga for physical and mental health, and have conducted sessions (online and offline) to make the students aware of the intricacies of Yoga and the long-lasting health benefits it can deliver.
Evidence of Success- The students have shared that they have increased personal bonding with their friends and classmates. They are more focussed on their studies and have realised the importance of a healthy mind and body. The staff too are more bonded with each other and work with renewed energy.
Problems encountered and resources required- Making the students to take part in mental health improvement programmes becomes little challenging because of the following reasons:
- Mental illness carries a stigma, and those who have it face discrimination in all spheres of society, including marriage, job, and education, which makes people put off getting medical help.
- Lack of clear indications and symptoms and vague conceptions of mental health and sickness lead to difficulty in making a diagnosis.
- Students believe that mental diseases only affect the mentally weak.
- Many students believe that mental illness cannot be cured, which results in therapeutic nihilism. They further opine that the success of preventative measures is unlikely.
However, our dedicated faculty members have made the students to take part in the programmes conducted by the college and get a first-hand experience as to how such programmes can leave wonderful impact on mind, body and soul.