MIND OVER MATTER: THE REQUIRED PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR COGNITIVE ALERTNESS AMONG PAKISTANI GERIATRIC POPULATION

Background and Objective: Aging is influenced by culture, individual experiences, and socio-demographic characteristics along with societal expectations. Cognitive functioning and activity level in geriatric population may alter their participation in daily life activities thus this study aims to explore the required physical and social activities for cognitive alertness among Pakistani Geriatric population. Methodology: An observation based study of 169 aging individuals who performed on MoCA for cognitive functioning and interviewed on IPAQ for duration of physical activity in everyday life. Results: It is an observational study, conducted among the geriatric population of different areas of Pakistan. A total number of 169 individuals participated out of which 59 % were males and 40 % were females with a majority of the population 74% falling between 65-75 years of age. It was found that 59% of the male and only 19% of the female had 22 score on MoCA for cognitive functioning and these individuals were practicing physical activities such as brisk walk for 3 days a week for more than 40 minutes and are involve at least once a week in social activities. Conclusion: The research finding concluded that physical activities and social gathering both has impact on cognitive function of geriatric population to participate actively in daily activities.

Exploring the Ways a Principal Influences Students Learning in a Private School in Karachi, Pakistan

The study explores the principal's ways of influencing student learning. This study was conducted to gain a qualitative insight into the principal's ways and practices of influencing students' learning. The study explores the strategies and methods a principal uses to engage students in their learning. This study was conducted in a context, hence, the design of the study demanded adopt a adoption of qualitative case study paradigm. Interviews and observation were the main data collection methods. The data was analyzed using the grounded theory method. The study was conducted in a private girl's secondary school in Karachi. The principal of the school, and eight students from class 3 to 9 were the research participants. The principal's activities revolve around students' learning. She spends her school time in interacting with students and teachers to facilitate them in teaching and learning process. It was also found that the principal used to encourage students by giving them respect and helping them participate in curricular and co curricular activities in the school. The principal was found accessible and visible in school and cared for the school members, visitors, and parents. The study found that the current principal played an instructional dimension of her role to a large extent, contrary to the general assumption that government school heads attend to more managerial aspects of their role. My study found evidence that this particular principal did go out of her way to make sense that she attends to student learning needs from both inside and out side the class. The study explores the strategies and methods a principal uses to engage students in their learning.