ALBERT EINSTEIN AT SCHOOL|| SNAPSHOTS|| NCERT CLASS 11||
ALBERT EINSTEIN AT SCHOOL
------- PATRICK PRINGLE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR :
PATRICK PRINGLE is also known as Laurence Pringle. He was born on 26 November, 1935 in Rochester. After completion of his academic studies Pringle started his writing career as a freelance writer, photographer, wildlife biologist and educator. He worked as a professor Emeritus of Earth Science at Centralia College in Washington. Pringle received many awards and honors by virtue of his academic and other accomplishments in diverse fields.
ABOUT --- ALBERT EINSTEIN :
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)) was the greatest physicist since Newton. He was born in Ulm, in the Kingdom of Wurttemberg in the German Empire. He was graduated in 1900 and subsequently searched for teaching job for two years. He published some scientific papers. Then in 1908 he was appointed lecturer in the University of Bern. He was called theoretical physicist of German. He was acknowledged as one of the most influential physicist of all time. He is across the world for his famous theory of relativity. His contributions to the development of the theory of quantum mechanics is very famous. His work is well known for their influence in the philosophy of science. Overall Einstein's life is full of a number of travelling, experiences, rejections, approvals, sweet and bitter personal life and above all political chaos.
Einstein died on 17 April 1955 due to internal bleeding. In his critical health condition he was asked to undergo surgery, but he refused saying, " I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share; it is time to go, I will do it elegantly."
ABOUT THE TEXT : ALBERT EINSTEIN AT SCHOOL
GIST ::
This chapter highlights the world famous physicist Albert Einstein's School days. Here we find how he expresses his resentment over teaching of facts and years in schools. He does not think that teaching facts bring good results on the part of students. Albert claimed that 'Idea' is the thing that bring about real change in students' life. That is why he, very often confronted with his history teacher Mr. Brown in the school classroom. He does not find mental peace. His friend Uri suggests him this or that. Apart from his school related problem, he had another problem.IT was related to his rented room. The landlady was very noisy who beat her children and encouraged much noise over there. Again her husband came drunk at night and beat the lady or his wife. Thus Einstein was fed up with both his school and the rented room. His sister Elsa came and convinced him to complete his studies somehow. Finally to escape regular school classes, Einstein made a plan with Uri to collect a fake medical certificate from a Physician. After this, he was given a certificate by his favorite Mathematics teacher of the school Mr.Coch. Then one day suddenly, he was called by the Principal of the school and declared that he was expelled form the school. Einstein did not argue with him since the certificate from the Math teacher would help him to get admitted into an institute of higher studies.
MAIN CHARACTERS IN THE CHAPTER:
Einstein : A German born theoretical physicist, here a student
Uri : Einstein's school friend
Mr. Brown : History teacher of the school
Elsa : Einstein's cousin
Mr. Koch : Mathematics teacher of the school
Dr. Ernst Weil : A young doctor
Einstein's father.
Q. 1. What do you underrated of Einstein's nature from his conversation with his history teacher, his mathematics teacher and the head teacher?
Answer:
Having gone through the conversation between A. Einstein and his history teacher it is understood that Einstein was an honest and truthful student. He had firm and logical opinion. He could explain precisely what he thought. His basic intelligence, logical argument and lucid expressions are highlighted throughout the text. He showed the soars of genius at a very young age so far.
Einstein's relationship with his mathematics teacher was very cordial. The teacher had high opinion of him. Once he said:" I can't teach you more and probably you'll soon be able to teach me. " When Einstein reacted that it was an exaggeration, the teacher acknowledged that it was only the truth. He made the point saying that Albert was ready Immediately to enter a college or Institute for the study of higher mathematics. Albert himself said :" I have learned all the maths, they teach at school and a bit more.
The head teacher did not have any good relation with Einstein. He was about to expel Einstein from classroom, because his presence made it impossible to teach other pupils. Teacher could do nothing while he was in the class. Albert was considered a constant rebellion inside the class. These allegations made Albert dumbstruck for a while. He, finally left the office without responding to the order of the head Master.
Q. 2 The school system often curbs individual talents. Discuss.
Answer::
Albert Einstein's five years stay at a school is nothing but a commentary on the prevailing system of the then education. In that system there was no room for individual brilliance or aptitude. Obviously, it discourages originality and indulges in mechanical ways of education. This system also put stress on facts and dates rather than idea. This system never encourages innovative ideas, which Einstein did not like at all.
What Einstein hated is cramming and parrot learning. That is why he confronted with his history teacher everyday. History is such a subject where cramming can only yield the best result, which Albert did not like. To him cramming is only for dull students, for they cram and repeat and thereby pass the exam. This is how they get no chance to think, imagine and have new idea of one's own.
Q.3 How do you distinguish between information gathering and insight formation ?
Answer:
Information gathering is a kind of normal task. It requires no knowledge, curiosity, creativity or any presence of mind. It may be considered a kind of mechanical work. There is not any sensation when one gathers information. Cramming is nothing but information gathering through mechanical way. It is possible by way of by heart, parrot learning etc. It's effect is also temporary. It's a worthless process and found among a number of learners even today.
However, what Einstein wanted is insight formation. It means development of understanding or comprehension capability on the part of learners. It takes time but it's impact is quite satisfactory. If one is groomed up with this habit, such a student is bound to excel in life, s/he can draw his own conclusion and add own idea as well. Einstein understood that his History teacher Mr, Brown wanted him gathering information and nothing else. Whereas his mathematics teacher Mr. Koch understood Einstein very well and his potentiality.
ADDITIONAL QUESTION AND ANSWER::
1. Who was Mr. Brown? what did he ask Albert ?
Answer.
Mr. Brown was the History teacher of the school. He asked various questions on year and period of history, which Albert hated.
2. Who was Elsa ?
Answer:
Elsa was Albert's cousin. She lived in Berlin, but she came to meet Albert in Munich. She suggested Albert to learn like parrot.
3. Who was Uri? how did he help Albert ?
Answer:
Uri was Albert's friend. He used to visit Albert's rented room. Uri is the person who found Albert a doctor and take fake certificate about nervous disorder.
4. How does Albert got ready for higher studies just after leaving the school ?
Answer:
After collecting two certificates, Albert became hopeful that his future academic life would be easier. Specially the certificate that he received from his math teacher Mr. Koch would help him in getting admission in an Italian college without any diploma from German school. The reason behind this is that Albert was very good at mathematics.
5. Who was Dr. Ernest Weil ? How did he help Einstein ?
Answer:
Dr. Ernest Weil was a newly qualified doctor as informed by Uri. He was very friendly and Uri talked to him all about Albert's problem relating to his intention of avoiding school.
As Albert met him, the doctor, with the help of his analytical ability quickly diagnosed Albert's mind and readily gave him a fake certificate about his neuro disorder.
6.What is the basic theme of this chapter ?
Answer:
This chapter focuses the modern way of imparting education in schools where it is expected that students' should be able to comprehend or understand their lessons themselves. They should be able acquire knowledge themselves, but not by cramming or parrot learning.
7. Discuss about the landlady where Albert lived in a rented room .
Answer:
While reading in a school in Munich, Albert lived in a slum area rented room. He was severely affected by slum violence. HIs landlady was a violent woman. She used to beat her children almost daily which caused disturbance on the part of Einstein. On the other hand her husband came home every Saturday and being in a state of drunk, beat his wife.
8. Why did the Head teacher ordered Albert to meet him ?
Answer:
Einstein did not co operate in the classroom, specially in History class. The teacher Mr. Brown complained against him to the Head teacher and then he was ordered to face the Head teacher.
9. Why did the Landlady asked Albert not to play on his violin?
Answer:
The lady did not like that Albert should play on his violin, since she was severely disturbed by her noisy children. So she told him not to play on his violin.
10.Why did Mr. brown, the history teacher dislike Albert?
Answer:
The history teacher disliked Albert as he did not cooperate inside his class room. Also, Albert frankly said that there was no point in learning dated.