Home > A Case Study of Possibilities and Constraints in Conducting Project-Based Learning in a Lower Secondary Social Studies Classroom in Karachi, Pakistan
A Case Study of Possibilities and Constraints in Conducting Project-Based Learning in a Lower Secondary Social Studies Classroom in Karachi, Pakistan
Project-based learning (PBL) is a teaching and learning strategy, which is gaining popularity rapidly among educators, teachers, parents and students. PBL is not a new concept: it is a well-established teaching strategy in certain parts of the world, but in some it is either alien or newly introduced. This study was conducted in one of the schools in the context of Karachi, Pakistan, which has adopted project-based learning as an initiative towards school improvement. In this context, PBL is practiced in all subject areas and has been in place for the last four years. The purpose of this study was to examine factors which facilitate or hinder the process of conducting project-based learning in a Social Studies classroom. The rationale behind this study was to get insights on how to conduct PBL in other schools as an initiative for school reform and change. To do so, the qualitative case study paradigm was employed for an in-depth investigation of the case as well as to understand the process. Data collection methods such as interviews, observations, and document analysis were used. Findings of the study disclosed that PBL in this particular context was primarily the school management's initiative. And this had consequences for its adoption process. PBL has brought tremendous changes in the school culture by engaging all the stakeholders (Director of the system, principal, vice-principal, teachers, students and parents). Findings suggest that PBL has played an important role in turning the school into a learning community. Nonetheless, factors like a prescribed syllabus and public examinations have greatly shaped the nature of PBL in this context. The findings also indicate that successful implementation of PBL is largely dependent on a thorough understanding of a teacher about the nature and expected outcomes of PBL. Finally, it is realized that students should be included in the planning of PBL activities and given some level of autonomy in the choice of topics, as this would enhance their feelings of ownership and responsibility over their learning. The study recommends that PBL can be successfully conducted and sustained in any school if the stakeholders believe in its importance and benefits. It is also important that the teachers should have a sound understanding of the concept of PBL.
After the Prophet r the Muslims all over the world associate themselves with him by following his pious deeds and acting upon his sayings (Hadith). The Muslims of the sub-continent have been very zealous in this respect and have done great job in this regard. In the subcontinent, the sayings of the Holy Prophet reached with Islam during the era of pious caliphs. In those days, according to some traditions, 25 companions of the Holy Prophet ﷺ Sahaba (R. A) and 42 Tabe-ien (those who had seen the Sahaba R. A i-e their successors) came to India and preached Islam. This preaching was continued by later Muslims and the rulers like Mohammad Bin Qasim and Mehmood Ghaznavi. The services of great Muhaddeseen (narrators and illustrators of the sayings of the Holy Prophet r like Musa Bin Yaqoob, Yazid Bin Abi Kabsha, Abu Musa Israeel Bin Musa and Abu Hafs Rabi Bin Sabih are note worthy. They provided local people the knowledge of Hadith. These scholars earned fame and prestige by their great works in this field. Shah Waliuallah wrote Mussffa and Maswwa, in subcontinent there are great many institutions like Jamia Salfiya Faisalabad, Jamia Ashrafia Lahore, Jamia Naeemia Lahore, Khair- ul-Madaras Multan, Jamia Mohammadia Gujranwala, Dar-ul-Hadith Delhi and Jamia Salfiya Banaras to teach the knowledge of Hadith.
Some unique monometallic and homo-heterobimetallic complexes [Cu (dmae)2(H2O)]1,[Cu(dmae)(OAc)(H2O)]22,[Sn(dmae)(OAc)]23,[Cu4Y2(dmae)6(OAc )6(H2O)2] 4 and [Cu6Y2Cl0.7(dmae)6(OAc)7.3(OH)4(H2O)2].3H2O.0.3CH3C6H5 5 were successfully synthesized and analyzed for their stoichiometry and structure by physiochemical methods such as melting point, microanalysis, fourier transform infra red (FT-IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA) and X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis. The thermo gravimetric analysis ascertains that all the precursors undergo facile thermal decomposition at relatively low temperatures ranging from 400 to 600 oC to yield metal oxide residues. All the designed precursors except 2 were applied for the deposition of ceramic oxide composite thin films on plane and fluorine doped tinoxide (FTO) coated glass substrates by aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD). The precursor 1, 4 and 5 were found suitable for deposition of Cu2O and nanocomposites oxide Cu- YO2-0.5Cu2O and Y2CuO4–5CuO thin films respectively under inert ambient of argon gas. All the deposited thin films were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) for their surface morphology, elemental composition and phase crystallinity. XXIII The precursor 3 was applied for deposition of fullerene-like structured mesoporous SnO2 nanoball thin films on FTO and plane glass substrates by using an in-house built electro-spun aerosol spray pyrolysis (ESASP) technique. The field emission scanning electron microscopic (FESEM) and focused ion beam (FIB) images of the exterior and interior surfaces of the SnO2 nanoball thin films disclose the presence of fullerene-like structures having mesopores of the sizes ranging from 33.5 to 35.0 nm in exterior and 8.0 to 160 nm in interior surfaces respectively. All the fabricated films were found to be impurity and crack free, have good adhesion to the substrate and nanocrystalline in nature ensuring clear grain boundaries with average particle size ranges from 28 nm to 40 nm thus making them suitable for photo electrochemical (PEC) applications. The PEC measurements carried out by three-electrode electrochemical set-up with Ag/AgCl as a reference electrode and a platinum mesh as a counter electrode show an increase of photocurrent observed under illumination of 150W halogen lamp as compared to dark at potentials of 0.6 V and 0.8 V respectively. The performance of the fabricated SnO2 nanoball thin films for application in super capacitors was evaluated by capacitance measurements and all the results provide exciting new opportunities towards mesoporous ceramic nanomaterials for application in energy sector