ASAP's Foundation module training and its role in student development

In whatever ways ASAP foundation module training facilitate student development? Whether the term 'student development' is limited to personality development?

The three major dimensions are:

a. Personality development  that brings better social acceptance to students

b. Improvements in the ASAP students' core academic activities in their regular classes.

c. Competency development for whatever job roles are being directly addressed by an efficient delivery of ASAP FM

Personality development generally starts from home, but gets honed and nurtured at school and through other activities they participate elsewhere. ASAP has been one such programme that has helped to bring demonstrative changes in a student's life. It wouldn't be an exaggeration if I would describe FM as a good mix of all traits being addressed in the right order and method.

Majority of  the students are living on the sidelines, missing out many amazing things life has to offer.  Maybe it takes time for one to warm up to others or is just naturally reserved — either way, the Personal skills module has helped many to explore themselves and make conversation with those around them. And learning how to make small talk builds your self confidence and communication skills. I think the SDEs have been successful to a certain extent in helping them to

• find their strengths and love their unique qualities.

• be positive - look forward, not back and think about how they can do things now.

• be creative - to come up with new ideas and new links between ideas.

• set a goal and learn how to work towards it.

• break out of their shell - by creating a better self

Human beings are sociable creatures and we have developed many ways to communicate our messages, thoughts and feelings with others. Social skills are the skills we use to communicate and interact with each other, both verbally and non-verbally, through gestures, body language and our personal appearance. The Social skills module helpes them develop

• more and better relationships - identifying well with individuals leads to more relationships and, at times, friendships.

• better Communication - Relating with people and being able to work in  groups naturally develops one's communication skill

• learning when to use particular behaviours, as well as what behaviours to use, or how to use them.

• verbal language and the way we use it - tone of voice, volume of speech and the words we choose - as well as body language, gestures and other non-verbal communication methods

• public speaking - With simple steps like preparing, practising, presenting and gradually improving the ability to address the group first and then the class as the audience.

Along with personal skills and social skills, Organizational skills is one of the most important job skills a worker can possess. It is the efficient use of your time, energy, and resources. By the time one reaches this module, students would have already got accustomed to group work - wherein one learns to take up leadership, delegate duties, plan the task, and execute it as a team.

What makes one professional? The term  describes the standards of education and training that prepare members of the profession with the particular knowledge and skills necessary to perform their specific role within that profession. The Professional skills module aims to train a set of skills a professional should possess, but I am afraid that this module poses a challenge to the trainer in a higher secondary school, students with the teenager mindset - not aware of the responsibilities and realities of life.

The CE section of the FM has  been designed in such a way that the students are trained in Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing of the language along with the training of the non-cognitive skills.

IT Section of FM: Trains the students in Basic Computer Skills – Using information technology and related applications to convey and retrieve information. 

The following are the areas the students get skilled once the IT module has been completed.

Computer basics 

• understand the basic functions and terminology related to computer hardware, software, information systems, and communication devices.

• Use basic computer software, hardware, and communication devices to perform tasks.  

Using software

• Use word processing software to compose, organize, edit, and print documents and other business communications.

• Use spreadsheet software to enter, manipulate, edit, and format text and numerical data.

• Use presentation software to create, manipulate, edit, and present digital representations of information to an audience

• Use database software to manage data.

• Create and maintain a well-organized electronic file storage system. 

Using the Internet and email

• Use the Internet to search for online information and interact with websites.

• Use the Internet and web-based tools to manage basic workplace tasks (e.g., calendar management, contacts management, and timekeeping).

• Use electronic mail to communicate in the workplace.

• Understand the different types of social media and their appropriate workplace and non-workplace uses, and the impact that various social media activities can have on one’s personal and professional life.

• Employ collaborative/group ware applications to facilitate group work.  

The ASAP's vision to enhance communicative competence and skills required for employability has lead to the holistic development of the students. The student-centered, activity-oriented, interactive and task based approach have brought tremendous improvement in their personality, academics, and competency.

Let's hope that these students in future will demonstrate a commitment to self-development and improvement of knowledge and skills.