Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) is a concept introduced by Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) for standard X to promote application-oriented studies of maths and science. However, there is confusion among students about what the question papers will look like. DNA finds out whether students and teachers are prepared for such a change
HOTS questions will be different from D-type questions
Private coaching class owners and publishers have hyped the issue of HOTS for their own benefits. This has created anxiety in the minds of parents and students. The HOTS questions will test the analytical ability of the students. They have to apply their minds and rote learning will not work. The nature of HOTS questions will be different from D-type (difficult) questions. Those were the questions which can be tackled by rote learning. The self-learning ability of the students can only be judged by their understanding of the fundamental concepts. Such changes in the education system will build the confidence in the students when facing competitive exams.
Ujjwaladevi Patil, chief, MSBSHSE
Most of my friends will not give first preference to HOTS questions
We are confused over whether HOTS questions will be like D-type questions or something different. We are not clear as to which books we need to read in order to prepare for such questions. Most of my friends will not give first preference to HOTS questions. Others have joined private coaching classes to prepare for the same. The state board has decided to allot 12% to 15% of weightage to HOTS questions, but has not given clarification on the marking system of these questions.
Vaishnavi Pathak, student
HOTS will definitely fill the gap between urban and rural students
Parents have panicked with the introduction of HOTS and are ready to shell out huge sums of money for private coaching classes. However, HOTS will definitely fill the gap between the urban and rural students thereby creating a level playing field. What students have to do is to get the basics right by studying the textbooks thoroughly and not depend on guides available in the market. Students need to refer to the links provided at the end of the science textbooks. Unfortunately, the state board introduced the HOTS technique very late.
Vaishali Keskar, director, Supermind Publications
The concept is good, but implementation of this idea is where the challenge lies
We sent two teachers of maths and science for a 3-day training to understand the concept of HOTS questions. Subsequently, we trained 100 teachers of different schools. The training was basically about how to frame such questions and deal with the syllabus. The training has helped the teachers a lot. The concept is good, but implementation of this idea is where the challenge lies.
One also needs to understand the loopholes in introducing this concept, which can be tackled over a period of time. The student’s response to the new change is also good.
Lily Patel, principal, Sardar Dastur School
The students are relatively less burdened as they don’t have to mug up
We have conducted lectures for both parents and students to help them understand what HOTS questions are all about and how to tackle such questions. Parents should not panic. The students are relatively less burdened as they don’t have to mug up all the concepts. Our science and maths teachers have prepared their own question bank based on HOTS. I am not aware whether guides based on HOTS questions are available in the market and are they even useful or not. It will be a test for teachers also to upgrade their teaching skills.
Leena Choudhari, principal, Symbiosis School
Average students are seeking help of private coaching classes
Intelligent students can answer questions that require thinking. But an average student will definitely lag, if such questions appear in the exam. Such a mess could have been avoided if students were trained to tackle HOTS questions in the early standards itself. In order to prepare for exams, average students are seeking help of private coaching classes. However, it is a punishment for those parents who can’t afford to send their students for tuitions or buy expensive books. School teachers should guide the students and clear all their doubts regarding the exam pattern.
Gajanan Tukaram Bidkar, parent
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