Buddy Pair Approach as a Tool to Assess the Efficacy of Outcome-Based Education

14.1 Introduction

The “Theory of Survival of the Fittest” by Charles Darwin is a clear indication of how man learnt from his surroundings to find ways to survive and emerge as the ultimate. Humans are avid learners learning from all sources be it nature or the surroundings (which may be natural or man- made). Humans adopted different ways to learn in different situations, sometimes it was experience, sometimes adversity, sometimes curiosity and sometimes serendipity. However, the learning methodologies have evolved since man has set foot on this earth. Some of the unique features of education in ancient India are enlisted below:

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  The educational program or the curriculum was created by proficient educators and the state didn't have the position to transform it.

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  In the ancient times a pupil was expected to take fully residential mode of education, which implies that a student needed to live in the place of his teacher. There was no understanding of schools and universities as we have today.

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  In ancient India every student used to give individual time to his teacher where the teacher would give explicit lessons depending on the caliber and interest of the disciple.

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  The essential needs and needs of the student were taken care of by the teacher, for example, clothing, food and so on and there was no expense charged either.

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  Conversations and discussions were the regular component of training in Ancient India.

This education system was typically a learner-centered approach where the skills, the aptitude and the interest of the student was of paramount importance. Learner- centered teaching is a methodology that focuses on the predominantly on the student’s learning with the teacher or guide being in the role of the facilitator and an encouraging factor for learning. This kind of learning is also termed as student-centered learning.

Shifting the focus on the process of learning from teaching encourages and paves the way to student achievement. The concept of the educator as the “facilitator” implies that the pivotal point of teaching changes from the instructor to the student. This method of educating lays paramount emphasis on the inclinations and interests of the student (Learning in Prehistoric Times, 2017) .

Outcome-based education is grounded in the possibility that scholastic achievement is best estimated by what students actually realize, rather than to what extent they're glued in their seats, how much of information is fitted into their course readings, or how a lot of investment is done on their tutoring (Outcomes-based Education).

The improvement and usage of clear assumptions about the learning outcomes of undergraduate and graduate students results is a key component of learner- centric approach to education. Outcome-based education (OBE) has various takeaways for teachers, educational researchers, administrators and students, including:

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  Providing a vital method to upgrade the nature of instructing and learning;

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  Helping to guarantee the ratification and accreditation of new and existing projects;

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  Providing a tool for assuring responsibility and quality confirmation;

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  Making students more liable towards self-learning;

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  Providing a method for learners to express and articulate the information, skills and expertise obtained during their program;

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  Providing a structure for collaborative curriculum planning;

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  Developing means and methods for assessing and improving the curriculum

The chapter aims at presenting buddy pair as a tool to improve the efficacy of the outcome-based education.