PGCHE: 2014: Section A Darshan Chandekar

PGCHE: 2014 REVOLUTIONIZING EDUCATION

DARSHAN CHANDEKAR Reg. No.-DPGCHE1302

TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION-A •

Self Introduction

•

Summary of Teaching Responsibilities

•

Summary of Learning Support Responsibilities

•

Special Assignments and Responsibilities

SECTION-B •

Planning and Organizing Lecture Plans

•

Examples of Handouts and Presentation Material

•

Feedbacks

•

Class Feedback From Students

•

Institutional Feedback (From students)

•

Feedback From Peer

•

Feedback From The Mentor

•

Feedback To The Peer

•

Microteaching Feedback

•

PGCHE: Personal Development Plan

•

Assignments For Module-1

SECTION-C •

Identifying The Features of the module taught

•

Example of an Assessment That You Have Designed For Students

•

Example of Feedback Sheets Given to Students

•

Assignments on Module Evaluation

•

Electronic Resource Created For Students

•

E-Assessment Assignment

SECTION-D •

Individual Learning From Individuality

•

Committed Participation in Quality Higher Education

•

Development of Learning Communities

•

Evaluation of Continuous Professional Development

•

Reflections on Professional Values- Incorporating Evolved Processes and outcomes in The New Times

•

New Beginning to a Continuous Evolution

Reflective Journal

SECTION-A

SEE WHAT I HAVE DONE!!!

PGCHE: Personal Development Portfolio: INTRODUCTION To me Darshan is realization which is a conscious decision each human has to make for evolution of the self.

Since 2010 I am associated with ‘Pearl Academy’ which was ‘Pearl academy of Fashion’ at that time. My teaching carrier started at NIFT Delhi in 2007 where I use to teach Design Process, Advance Draping and independent modules like T-shirt design module and Portfolio Development module. My first point of contact at pearl was Mrs. Usha Nehru Patel who invited me to visit Pearl and consider taking some modules here as well. Even though I did not join Pearl at that time some circumstances made me travel towards Pearl Naraina once again in the year 2010.

My interview with then Director Mr. AKG Nair was pleasant and I found instant connect. Across the table we spoke about job responsibilities, designation, salary and it was done, finalized from my side even though he asked me to think about the offer over a day and then respond.

I joined as an Asst. Professor and was given a responsibility of CC (course coordinator) for a cohort. Started teaching PGFD in Design Process in the beginning and later also UGFD in Evening Wear and Men’s Wear Modules. All set and done I always felt my science graduation degree came as a big help in bringing in overall maturity in me and understanding of subject matter along with some visual understanding as BSc. included herbarium collection, dissections and slide making, studying of beautiful and intricate cross sections of various small animals and insects and plants before joining NIFT. The overall development of the self during Graduation days also taught me how to cope up with adverse conditions may it with the money crunch or peer pressure at NIFT. I also stood first in all India entrance exam, in Delhi center which I do Me in GC Lab, NIFT, New Delhi

credit it to my B.Sc. Graduation.

Rigorous curriculum of FD NIFT taught and built a confidence in technical modules like Design, Surface Ornamentation (SO) Pattern Making and Garment Construction (PM GC).

Design module along with the technical and creative textiles modules had developed and strengthened the sensitivity for aesthetics and functionality of a given product.

Some of the Projects undertaken during NIFT are Crafts Workshop-2000 and Craft Documentation was an experience in itself. Craft Workshop where embroiders from Kutch were invited and with design intervention numerous contemporary products and product ideas were created for which I designed a back pack with changing embroidery panels which also brought some business to the cluster. The Craft which was allotted to our group for Craft Documentation was Chikankari from Lucknow where we were supposed to get sensitized to the local craft by living, eating, talking doing with the craftsmen so that we get overall experience of a particular craft base.

I was one of the selected ones who were invited to design and showcase it in a fashion show a range of men’s and women’s wear with NGOs working in and around Bhuj, and Kutch for Sharad Mohatsav, Gujarat-05. This was my second opportunity

of having a solo show after a fashion show in Surajkund in 2003 and before that graduation show Fashionova 2002.

8 weeks industrial internship at MONA Designs, a leading export house of New Delhi, in 2001 was a great learning of how a typical export house works, wherein I designed a range of kid’s wear for the French market. This also taught me how essential are these internships to understand how fashion industry works in export business. Understanding of cost against design against functionality of the garments= DESIGN was impossible if it wouldn’t have been an export house internship as established fashion designers of that time seemed quite contrary to an export house’s organized work culture. Working with companies like TMS Fashion where I was developing concepts for the brands like Mango and Zara, working for Monte Carlo, working as a fashion fabric consultant for Grasim gave me a valuable experience in understanding of hardcore mass market fashion, fashion brands and the work culture. Organized Vs unorganized work culture was even more visible when I started taking freelance projects and working with designers like Raghuvendra Rathore for his Trans season Khadi show, Luca Berti Studio in Italy, Rohit Bal, Satya Paul, Tarun Tahliani, Rakesh Aggarwal etc.. Unorganized domestic designer fraternity really struggled to become organized in the complete process of fiber to fashion mostly designers from a formal fashion design background for others it didn’t mattered much.

Working on design projects other than garments added an understanding of a ‘product’ in 360 degrees. Working on accessories for Yahama for bikers, leather bags for Vindchy designs, scarves for Dionis, home furnishing range for Peerone, 12’ Coke bottle cladded in craftwork from Gujrat for Coke-art Festival, interiors for fashion outlets like Metal and Punk, designed and supervised construction of mannequins using metal and gauze, installation and display modules for these shops added a lot of experience in multimedia in fashion as a complete lifestyle. Before getting into teaching profession my association with the brand PUNK was something which gave me a good platform to explore garments as well as installations, display modules, events, publicity material like flyers, banners, privilege cards, carry bas etc.. This association also gave me identity and a lot of praise from the industry as the loud and dark punk interiors were apt for that time in India and become popular with the youngsters here in Delhi and through social networking made an impact India wide and also with foreigners who come to visit the mall as Wave Centerstage was India's one of the biggest mall at that time. The look and feel of the store complemented the merchandise and the music and the promotion concepts. I remember many people reached the store by looking at the flyer which was lying on the road. We were the talk of the town and top of the world. All the new upcoming malls wanted to have us and were ready to give us space for lesser rent etc.. Through this venture I also got recognition as someone who understands punk culture along with its fashion aspects which became my identity and that attracted few more similar projects from the domestic fashion industry. I feel content doing this one big impactful project which became very successful within a span of one year and is still there in the market getting me accolades on and off.

My work with some European and international fashion brands was a great learning experience which was both good and bad. Design and manufacturing scarves and kaftans with Dionis design studio from Hamburg added an experience in designing

feminine garments and understanding of feminity in fashion. One of the bad experiences where one of the projects I was doing failed completely, not because of design glitch but pricing/logistics. I was sourcing for Luca Berti Design Studio from Italy. A friend/classmate from NIFT who was working there suggested my name to them for sourcing components and manufacturing from India. I had great time working with Luca the creative head except for one occasion where the pricing quoted by the manufacturer was far too much as compared to China and took too long make the first prototype of small metal skulls we were creating.

One of the most fantastic projects was with the design magazine Addict from Holland. Addict tied up with Diesel an international casual clothing brand for Diesel’s SS 2005 range promotion. The idea was not to have professional models other than Reshma Roopram who was miss Netherland-miss universe for womenswear. We came up with amazing ideas for locations, make up, styling etc.. We actually went to GB road which is a redlight area of Delhi for a photo-shoot and came back with one hell of an experience. We could experiment even more as Diesel that season was working with a theme which was a hybrid of Indian + Olympic games=Olyindian games, the theme name. we travelled to the Taj Mahal in Agra, Rishikesh, in and around Delhi to come up with fantastic photographic results.

All this while working close with the workers (tailors, embroiders etc.) in the industry in different product categories of fashion and design I developed sympathy for this strata of the society who worked hard to create beautiful products yet following a mediocre lifestyle whether be living alone or with the family. I started undertaking projects which would benefit people from this part of the society. With AOL (art of living) designed a dyeing and printing module for the training of Tihar jail inmates, wherein I tutored them to come up with a range of lifestyle products garments and accessories. Through this project the inmates learned to design range of shirts (men’s and women’s wear), wristbands, waist pouches, sling bags, stoles, chunni etc.. These products were later displayed at AOL festival in Bangalore.

The shift to teaching happened gradually through these projects mentioned above where sometime I was teaching dyeing techniques to the jail inmates and sometime women working with NGOs. My first ever assignment I believe was when I had just graduated from the institute in 2002 and one of the design faculties invited me for showcasing my portfolio and discussing design process of my graduating collection with the final year Fashion Design students at NIFT, New Delhi. Since then visits to NIFT become regular and I started enjoying sharing and discussing ideas with the students often. This resulted in more guest lectures and small modules like T-shirt design and portfolio development. As I was running my own label by the name Noise Please I was not looking at this opportunity as a full time carrier for myself. In my design studio I was also teaching my tailor and embroider some bit of English as it was very important for the kind of work I was doing. I was using a lot of text in form of captions and messages on the T-shirts, sling bags, badges, stickers, posters, wall hangings etc. nonetheless I did wanted them to be literate. I had one embroiderer and a tailor in the beginning both were young and hailed from West Bengal and from a very backward class who would suffer from floods, draughts and illiteracy would add to it. I had chalked a good plan for their future if they would work with me for longer duration. Things like opening their saving accounts with the bank so that they know simple operations of depositing and withdrawing the money from bank. All this

gave me a lot of happiness along with exploring my creative side and exploration with material in my design studio working with two young minds. Along with teaching in NIFT I started getting invitations from other institutes like JIMS, JD institute of technology etc. to deliver modules on Design Process and Advance Draping. Joining full time at any of these institutes would hamper my work at the studio and so till the time I had that I could not think of pursuing fulltime into teaching. Another aspect was remuneration at that time offered by NIFT would never match the earning I was having from my small business/studio and other industrial projects. One of such projects was a stall design for Sultan Chand Publication at Pragati Maidan for International Book Fair. The pressure was high on me to perform. What do I mean by performing?? Well this was a big project as I was working with one the biggest publishing houses which have its name in publishing educational material and one of the most popular Indian brands in publishing. R n’ D for this project reached a conclusion to have a stall which not only attracts the general crowd who is there to check out the fair but also buyers from all over India.

We wanted to sell books during those 3 days of fair also. In front of me the challenge was not to look into aesthetics of the complete stall but also functionality and feasibility of approach to the displayed product and security of the products displayed also which was a major concern looking at the pouring crowd each day. I came up with a theme “The Grand Royal Library” for the stall. The inspiration was from the Harry Potter movies where they show these grand libraries with old wooden finish tall book racks, see through glass cabinets a long central table and chairs to sit around and go through the books. We also had a fountain and fishes in a circular convex tank which added to the mystical-magical experience we wanted to create along with the studious and nerdy feel. The project was a big success which resulted into consequent contracts for future showcases from the same publishing house.

Students work display at Pearl Delhi

Finally in year 2009 carrying a cloud of this multi-dimensional experience in design, on invitation of dear Usha Patel who taught us Fashion Art at NIFT I first came to visit Pearl. It seemed like end of Delhi as in those days mostly people who lived and worked in south Delhi would seldom venture out towards east and west Delhi. I met her we discussed ‘life’, I was going through a hard time as my studio got sealed during ‘Common Wealth Games’ sealing drive in Delhi. I never wanted the workers in the studio to suffer this backlash so I paid them and explained the whole scenario and the uncertainty of reopening of the studio as the drive was going on everywhere where young creative designers could afford the rent and daily running costs for the studio. The only areas left were industrial zones which was out of the question as far as reopening of the studio was concerned because of the high rents and other rules which many of the design studios would not comply with. Somehow I got an order from the court to unseal the studio for 2 days so that I can shift out everything.

Since then the business gone down drastically but the good thing is that it never stopped. For creation to evolve newer material had to be explored and new things had to be created which I still manage to continue through outsourcing. This adds to my real time experience in research and design. Finally time had come to share my knowledge with the budding design professionals, the students of Fashion Design at Pearl Academy of Fashion in 2010. Mr. AKG Nair interviewed me and even if I was not satisfied with the remuneration I was offered something called for this and joined in the month of July. Looking at my experience in design I was offered to teach in PGFD Dept. under Fashion Design. My first teaching assignment at Pearl

was Elements of Design (EoD) and Design Process in which I was always interested in and PG at that time lacked robust design foundation, understanding and design need of the industry.

Sharmila Katre presenting at FDP workshop.

Over a period of time (2010-2013) I realized that knowledge and information is not only needed in the industry but also in pedagogy. Updated information from the design world is as important as in pedagogy. Even though I was already imbibing many of the pre-requisites in teaching (teaching techniques, innovation in delivery, assignments and course curriculum etc.) many other requirements and insights were brought to us through PGCHE which I am currently pursuing. Enrolling in PGCHE once more made me a student and an alert faculty. I feel an assignment (mandatory) a year which could summarize the pedagogical development of the faculty can be a great idea for this new found interest and inclination.

This new role which is a hybrid of being a designer and a teacher I have created for myself is very interesting. It helps me have best of both the world and is a symbiotic relationship between both the worlds. Each of these worlds helps me grow and develop further as a teacher and as a designer. As both these areas need a serious updating in this new time, actual fact is much comes from each other. Being a designer I connect with the industry and established designer fraternity through different events like Fashion Weeks, Design Conferences and workshops and also through internships when our visits to the companies where our students interning help form a bridge and strengthen the relationship between an education institute and Fashion and Design Industry. New developments in terms of new fabrics

surfaces styles, trends etc can be spotted in shows and displays at national and international events and could be captured and made part of the classroom deliveries to update student’s information and understanding of changing trends in fashion business.

This series of pictures show one my classroom deliveries in progress. Most of my classroom deliveries are workshop based as I am a strong believer of “learning through working/experimenting”. I like to roam around the class while lecturing or conversing or discussing with the students. To ward of any kind of disinterest and lethargy I make my classrooms activity based. Another reason I call students to the front table is to make them get up from their seats and walk and be a part of an interactive session where everybody can benefit from peer observation and commentary.

Learning from four years of my experience at Pearl Academy and my research and observation being as a designer and a teacher I see two processes going hand.

These two processes can also be seen as two parallel developmental growths- one is student’s development and another teacher’s. These two parallels govern development of an institute. Any one pillar lacking development will eventually affect the cumulative growth of an academy. My continuous addition of my experiences to the academic carrier enriches and enhances my position and responsibility as a design teacher. On the other hand being a researcher and part of academics looking at future trends and concepts adds to my knowledge which helps me in discussing ideas with the industry and come up with products. One such example is my recent work with a design studio, Shoolin Designs where I developed a range of swatches for their showcase at Indigo, Paris. Indigo essentially is a textile surface expo takes place in Paris every year. I have sent clamp dyeing concepts as well as denim concepts with this studio. Further this work of mine I plan to display at Resource Center at Pearl Academy for the students and the faculties to see and learn. Similarly in the past exhibitions were held by me in collaboration with students. One was on Visual Merchandising concepts for different Brands another was display of clothing and artworks inspired by Punk culture.

Faculty workshops

Pearl till date is a different world for me. I feel it’s an ideal world for me except paper work that we are supposed to do. One part of the double helix DNA is faculty development workshops as one shown in the above picture which is an innate part of Pearl DNA. These events help to strengthen the traits further. Faculty development workshops such as ‘leadership workshops’ are an interesting and informative event which keeps on taking place at Pearl at regular intervals. Through these workshops we also get a chance to ponder and introspect ourselves and test ourselves against bigger responsibilities.

Other workshops like FDP workshops where all the faculties across the campus are involved also take place for up gradation of knowledge and information through different programs and small group activities. Faculties from different courses are mixed together and small groups are formed. Each group is supposed to have a group leader who takes care of coordination and planning of the presentation against the task given.

Concept Juries and Classroom Presentations

Course Committee Meeting

Curriculum review Meeting

NTU Review and Validation

NTU Validation and review meetings

Another DNA strengthening factor is regular NTU Validation and review meetings through which we get to know an outsider’s perspective towards curriculum design and its delivery. The quality of education is also in check and tested against currency of information. At times it does get hectic to collect students work and display it as per the division of the curriculum and we also often question the need of requirement of NTU Validation, but the reality is much of the interest of taking admission at Pearl Academy is dependent on this validation and Pearl Academy’s affiliation with NTU. Students also want to study at pearl because of its strong and quality faculty base.

An outsider’s opinion is much needed when we are engrossed in our day to day working with curriculum development and lecture deliveries. Receiving a fresh

perspective towards both positive and negative aspects of the curriculum design, its delivery and the learning outcomes through students submissions helps academy to build further on positive aspects and overcome the negatives.

In this double stranded helix structure I see a DNA being created comprising of strong design and research traits retaining these traits every coming generation will make the Pearl DNA a strong statement in the future to come.

PGCHE Personal Development Portfolio Summary of Teaching Responsibilities, Academic Year: 2013-2014 Academic Year: 2013-2014 (Aug. – Dec. 2013)

Course

Module

Format

Level

PGFD Sem. 1

Fashion Design Process

Lecture/powerpoint presentations, Market visit, Tutorials

Year 1 Sem. 1

82

6 hours/week 1- Module Leader 5 weeks, 7-18 weeks

Integrated Lecture/power- Year 2, Project point Semester Indian Wear / presentations, 3 Even.Wear Market visit, Tutorials

86

6 hours/week 18 weeks

PGFD Sem. 3

PGFD Sem. 3

Industry Internship

No of Contact/Frequen Functional Students cy per week Responsibility

Module Tutor

Mentoring

Year 2, Semester 3

8

3 hours/week Module Mentor

Lecture/powerpoint presentations, Market visit, Tutorials

Year 2, Sem. 5

32

6 hours/week 1-10 weeks

UGFD, FASHION Lecture/power- Year 3, L2, Sem DESIGN 2 point Semester 5 Evening Wear presentations, 5 /Occasional Market visit, Indian Wear Tutorials

32

6 hours/week Module Leader 11-19 weeks

UGFD, Advanced Lecture/Mentoring, Year 4, L3, Sem Specialisation Field work & Sem. 7 7 Module research, Project (independent documentation Module)

7

3 hours per week 12 weeks

FSID L3 Sem 7

8

UGFD, FASHION L2, Sem. DESIGN 1 5 Kids/Sportsw ear

Industry Internship

Mentoring

Year 4 Sem. 7

1-10 weeks 2 hours/week

Academic Year: 2013-2014 (Jan – May 2014)

Module Tutor

Module Tutor

Module Mentor

PGCHE: Personal Development Portfolio: Summary of Learning Support responsibilities

In addition to classroom teaching and learning, faculty at Pearl Academy are expected to carry out additional teaching and learning support activities that include course management, module leadership, project supervision, tutorials and other activities that facilitate a comprehensive learning experience for the student community. Given below are the support responsibilities I have been responsible for, in the course of the duration of the Academic years 2012 – 2013 and 2013- 2014.

Learning Support Responsibility Academic Year 2012 – 2013 Course

Module

UGFD

Format

Level

No of Contact/Frequency Students per week

Functional Responsibility

Fashion Tutoring, live demos Year-3 Designand interactive short 1(Sportswe classroom projects. Level-2 ar)

32

3 hoursX16 weeks

Module Tutor

UGFD

Fashion Tutoring, live demos Year-3 Designand interactive short 2(Evening classroom projects. Level-2 wear)

32

3 hoursX16 weeks

Module Leader

UGFD

Final Project

7+approx. 3 hoursX16 weeks 10 students unofficially.

Module Mentor

PGFD

Design Tutorials, Research Year 1, 82 Process-1 Mentoring, Live Semester 1 hands-on workshops, classroom demos.

9 hoursX16 weeks

Module Leader

PGFD

Design Tutorials, Research Year 1, 82 Process-2 Mentoring, Live Semester-2 hands-on workshops, classroom demos.

9 hoursX16 weeks

Module Leader

PGFD

Final Project

Tutorials, Research Year 2, 7+approx. 3 hours group Mentoring Semester 4 10 students mentoring for 16 unofficially. weeks.

Project Mentor

Tutorials, Research Year-3 Mentoring Level-2