Wanted Exam to be More Engaging: IIT Kanpur on ‘Kejriwal & Mann Ki Baat’ Question
In a unique and intriguing move, IIT Kanpur has confirmed that a question paper asking students to design a filter for Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, to help him listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address after the Delhi poll loss went viral on social media. The question, which has sparked curiosity among netizens, was drafted by a professor at the institute who likes to use references to well-known personalities to make exam questions more engaging.
The question paper, which was part of the institute’s exam for the Bachelor of Technology (BTech) course, asked students to design a filter for Kejriwal to help him tune into ‘Mann Ki Baat’, a monthly radio address by the Prime Minister. The question, which was meant to assess students’ skills in design and development, has been widely shared on social media platforms, with many people praising the institute for its creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.
IIT Kanpur’s confirmation of the question has sparked a debate about the role of creativity in exams and whether it is possible to make exam questions more engaging without compromising on the academic rigor. The institute’s decision to use references to well-known personalities in its exam questions is a departure from the traditional approach of using generic or abstract questions.
The use of references to Kejriwal and Modi is not an isolated incident. IIT Kanpur has been experimenting with innovative and creative ways to make its exam questions more engaging. In the past, the institute has used questions that are inspired by real-life scenarios, such as a question asking students to design a system for detecting potholes on roads.
The institute’s approach to exam questions is guided by its philosophy of making learning more enjoyable and interactive. By using real-life scenarios and references to well-known personalities, the institute aims to make its exams more relatable and engaging for students.
The ‘Mann Ki Baat’ question has also sparked a debate about the role of politics in academia. While some people have praised the institute for its creativity and willingness to take risks, others have criticized the question for being too political and divisive.
The use of politics in academia is a sensitive topic, and it is essential to strike a balance between academic rigor and sensitivity to different viewpoints. While it is understandable that IIT Kanpur wanted to make its exam questions more engaging and relatable, it is also important to ensure that the questions do not inadvertently promote a particular ideology or political viewpoint.
In conclusion, the ‘Kejriwal & Mann Ki Baat’ question is a creative and innovative approach to making exam questions more engaging. IIT Kanpur’s decision to use references to well-known personalities is a departure from the traditional approach of using generic or abstract questions, and it has sparked a debate about the role of creativity in exams.
While the question has its limitations, it is a positive step towards making learning more enjoyable and interactive. As educators, we must continue to explore new and innovative ways to make our students engaged and motivated, while also ensuring that we maintain academic rigor and sensitivity to different viewpoints.
