Wanted Exam to be More Engaging: IIT Kanpur on ‘Kejriwal & Mann Ki Baat’ Question
In an unprecedented move, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, a premier engineering institution in India, has confirmed that a question paper asking students to design a filter for Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, to help him listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address after his party’s defeat in the Delhi Assembly polls, went viral. The question has sparked widespread debate and amusement, with many questioning the exam’s relevance and purpose.
The question, which was reportedly part of a design and development course, asked students to “design a simple filter that can help Arvind Kejriwal tune into Mann Ki Baat” after his party’s loss in the Delhi polls. The question was met with widespread criticism and amusement on social media, with many calling it a “ridiculous” and ” petty” question.
However, IIT Kanpur has clarified that the question was indeed genuine and was part of an assignment to make exam questions more engaging. According to the institute, the professor who drafted the paper likes to use “references to well-known personalities…to make exam questions more engaging”. The institute’s clarification has raised more questions than answers, with many wondering if using real-life events and personalities is an effective way to make exam questions more engaging.
The question has also sparked a debate on the relevance of such questions in an exam. While some argue that the question is a creative way to test students’ problem-solving skills, others argue that it is an unnecessary distraction and may not be relevant to the course material. The question has also raised questions about the role of politics in academia, with some arguing that it is inappropriate to use political events and personalities in an exam.
Despite the controversy, IIT Kanpur has stood by its decision to include the question in the exam. In a statement, the institute said that the question was meant to be a thought-provoking exercise and was not meant to be taken seriously. The institute also defended the professor who drafted the question, saying that he was a well-known expert in his field and was entitled to his creative approach to teaching.
However, many have questioned the effectiveness of such creative approaches to teaching. While using real-life events and personalities may be a good way to engage students, it may not necessarily be an effective way to test their knowledge and skills. Moreover, the question has also raised questions about the academic integrity of the exam, with some arguing that the question was an attempt to influence students’ opinions and perspectives.
In conclusion, the ‘Kejriwal & Mann Ki Baat’ question has sparked a debate on the relevance and effectiveness of creative approaches to teaching in academia. While IIT Kanpur has defended its decision to include the question in the exam, many have questioned the relevance and purpose of the question. The question has also raised questions about the role of politics in academia and the academic integrity of the exam. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether such creative approaches to teaching will become more common in the future.
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