Bhuvaneswari R

Bio: Bhuvaneswari R is an academic researcher from VIT University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Literary theory & Creativity. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 4 publications receiving 7 citations.

Projects For Engineers: An Innovative Approach in English Language Teaching

Abstract: Projects are practical applications to set the theories into action and concepts into practice. In most of the colleges or universities, students are motivated to do projects related to the topics of the particular subjects in the semester. They also form an essential part in the evaluation process. It is a method in which students can demonstrate his practical knowledge, skills, ideas, imagination, creativity rather than only bookish knowledge. This methodology can be applied effectively in English Language Teaching. Class based learning is sometimes monotonous and hence a drift apart from it is important to nuture young minds. Project Based Learning is one such learning which can be best implemented for students in professional courses to inculcate and develop skills like leadership, teamwork, problem solving, public speaking, interview skills, etc. The paper focuses on English Language Teaching through projects and students approach to project based learning.

Ecocriticism in Indian Fiction

Abstract: Ecocriticism, a literary theory, is crucial in the current scenario, as reading a literary work under ecocritical lens is one of the functions of ecocriticism. It not only magnifies the works that appreciate nature but also explores the linguistic and literary exemplifications of the environment. Writing about ecology and environment is documented in ancient Indian literature, hence ecocriticism is not new to Indian literary context. Ecological balance is vividly represented in the Sangam (Tamil) literature, for instance, detailing of Aintinai (five landscapes). In contemporary Indian writing, there seems to be an imbalance between fiction and nonfiction environmental writings. A focus on ecological imbalance due to urbanization and westernization is seen in many unexplored Indian novels. The number of nonfictional writings famed for their “green” concern is quite high compared to fiction. This paper reviews the literature on ecocritical studies and brings out the ecological aspects in Indian fiction.

The Uninhibited Evolution of the Human Persona: A Transhumanistic Study of Anil Menon’s The Beast with Nine Billion Feet

Abstract: Debates on intuition about transformed humankind in the future have led to the conception of transhumanism. It is a new philosophical movement to express the ideology that humanism will evolve by employing science and technology. Supporters of transhumanism believe that scientific aid in the evolution of humans will take them beyond the bounds of physical and mental limitations; eventually, it will make them immortals. The influence of transhumanism in literature has given birth to seminal works of art, particularly science fiction. Anil Menon’s The Beast with Nine Billion Feet is one such novel which sprang out the moral issues due to the rapid growth of science and technology affecting social, cultural, and political scenarios in India. The story is about genetic engineering and its impact on the socio-political problems. In addition to unfolding the threats and opportunities of transhumanism, the novel also touches on the issues of young adults like acquiring autonomy and finding their true identity. This study attempts to bring out the trepidation and chaos resultant of the period of transition and the multiple challenges and threats to the human race.

Integrating vocabulary instruction into math classroom

Abstract: Background: The emphasis on vocabulary instruction in math classes has gained momentum in recent years. Mathematics vocabulary instruction enables students to comprehend and understand mathematical concepts. Most of the study and research findings on integrating or incorporating vocabulary instruction in math classes focus on high school and middle school students. As Math is the foundation for science and engineering, training on math concepts begins at school and extends to the college level. Methods: The study draws on a simple percentage method to understand students’ proficiency in math vocabulary, their difficulties in comprehending the word problems and integrating vocabulary instruction into Math classes. An online questionnaire survey was distributed among first-year undergraduate engineering students in Chennai to identify students’ exposure to math vocabulary and their views on integrating vocabulary instruction into the math classroom. The primary data collected through an online survey is analyzed using R studio. Results and Discussion: As the students come from different backgrounds, the level of understanding the math vocabulary, new or unfamiliar words from real-life experience, adds complexity in the teaching-learning process. Given the system of education with a prescribed time (classes) for completion of the syllabus, both the students and teachers may find it challenging to focus on math vocabulary instruction. The research paper highlights the importance of learning math vocabulary for first-year engineering students and integrating vocabulary instruction into the math classroom. corresponding author 2010 Mathematics Subject Classification. 62P25, 97C50.

ELT in Asia in the Digital Era: Global Citizenship and Identity : Proceedings of the 15th Asia TEFL and 64th TEFLIN International Conference on English Language Teaching, July 13-15, 2017, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract: Infusing online project to support instruction quality in facing digital learning environment is considered crucial. The contribution of teacher-made tools, however, are still important to maintain regarding to the diverse area condition in the technology development. This paper presents pre-service teachers’ learning experience in creating teaching media through project activities. This study also investigates the drawbacks that affect the accomplishment process, and examines students’ opinion on the project significance through their preferences. Various perceptions were expressed during the implementation which implies that in preparing the teacher candidates to be ready in facing digital generation, educators need to bring technology closer to the students without leaving the essential part of teacher-made teaching aids with low cost materials.

Social Picture and Livelihood of the Boatmen in Manik Bandopadhyay’s Padma Nadir Majhi : An Ecocritical Study

Abstract: According to litterateurs, literature is the reflection of social picture and human life. In this sense, it can be expressed that Ecology, Society, and Life are deeply interconnected each other. With the passage of time, ecological and social life is dealt with literature through which happiness and sorrow, - laughter, sob, and complexity of human life get entangled in a single thread. In the justice of literature, the balance of woe is much more than that of weal in human life. Manik Bandopadhyay was a radical minded litterateur of his times. His treatment of human life and humanity for the poor of the poorest is purely and acutely presented in his literary genres. The core philosophy of human life makes the novelist a universal thinker and legendary figure for all ages. He has observed human life and literature as an essential part of environment. Keeping touch in contact with environment, each and every male and female character of the novelist has enabled to accept the reality of life. Manik’s globally well-reputed novel, Padma Nadir Majhi , is the glaring example of reality of human life. In the context of ecology, this novel is the embodiment of pessimistic attitudes of the middle class society and the subaltern of 20 th -century riverine country, like Bangladesh. Kuber, Kopila, and Hossen Miah are the central characters of the whole realistic novel, who are the symbol of reality of life. Thus the writer has apparently presented the pitiable and miserable condition of the boatmen who live very near by the bank of the Mighty Padma. All boatmen have to rely upon the mercy of the Padma; sometimes the mighty river grasps and devours the lives of the poor communities when the tidal waves blow during the rainy season. The 20 th -century novelist has unveiled the neglected, helpless, and, above all, the deprived communities of basic human demands as reflected in the novel, Padma Nadir Majhi. In the novel, Manik wants to emphasize upon the fact that nobody comes to write their history. ‘They have to sweat on the dust of the way all the day and night.’—The writer has drawn a grim image of weal and woe, - sniffles and sobs- and sorrow and happiness of the middle class downtrodden people of the age. In fact, he has focused upon the livelihood of boatmen as well as fishermen with his own sympathy and affection with a view to signifying his contemporary social system as well as life-structure of the poor. For life and livelihood, all boatmen have to endure all sorts of complexities of life through living in the darkness of ecology. They hardly hope to see the radiant future of life, because they are victim of environment and circumstance. As a social reformer and an observer of human life, Manik has enabled to find out the environmental perfect image of the boatmen to 21 st -century audiences. For this purpose, this study would like to examine social picture, environmental crisis, and complexities of human life in the light of literary judgment. It aims to look at the origin of ecocriticism, the theoretical framework of ecocriticism made by very recent critics and scholars. There is a bond between environment and literature as briefly discussed in this study. It attempts to look at Manik as a social and environmental novelist. Finally, it would like to shed a new light upon 20 th -century social picture and livelihood of boatmen and fishermen of the Mighty Padma.

Interdisciplinary Approach to Teaching ESP: Problem-Based Assignment and Students’ Feedback

Abstract: The topicality of the research lies in the fact that there is some discrepancy between the demands of the technical workforce market and the pure linguistic approach ESP teachers usually take in teaching practices. Thus, language studies sometimes lack interdisciplinary issues. The aim of the research is to observe and compare the existing interdisciplinary methods and approaches, decide which of them are the most appropriate in the context of teaching ESP and assess the application of the methods in the classroom through students’ feedback and teacher’s observation techniques. The paper focuses on such didactic issues as teacher’s participation in students’ activities, students’ autonomy, professional competencies development, motivation, and adequacy of language input in problem-based assignments. Except research in methodological approaches in ESP studies, the paper also presents a sociological perspective expressed as qualitative and quantitative results. The experiment on application of problem-based assignments proves their relevance to ESP studies. As a result, students’ motivation and autonomy as well as professional aspects of communication are enhanced. As for language input, thematic correspondence and vocabulary extension largely improve students’ subject-specific knowledge and skills. Grammar and phonetics were found to be weak points of language studies and are to be more proficiently integrated into such tasks. In general, the method of problembased assignments described and evaluated in the article has proved its in-built interdisciplinary nature and positive impact on students’ professional activities and learning strategies.