Decision making is a life skill. Skill helps us to grow. Decision making involves thousand of factors. Educator integrates students’ subject knowledge i.e. facts, fiction, situations, illustrations and correlates them to real life situation for developing decision making skill. Educator nurtures each individual’s capacity to take a wise decision.
Real story: 4 Young Girls of Class 5th Made a Difference
Four students of class 5th approached the principal to organize a cultural programme to celebrate ‘Teachers’ Day’ in the school. They were highly motivated and wanted to do something great for their teachers. Principal inquired minutely about the programme details. He decided to develop decision making skill among them. Principal asked them to chalk out everything related to the programme i.e. programme schedule, details of programme etc. The group decided everything minutely. Principal suggested girls to take help from educator for necessary modification. He deputed two teachers as observers. Group of 4 students took help from other students of their class, assigned duty and instructed them wisely. They organized programme exceptionally well.
It was a risk to give opportunity to a group of junior girls (5th class) to organize a cultural programme for almost 1000 students and more than 70 staffs; however he identified the calibre of students and took the risk for giving a golden opportunity for them. The principal identified, analyzed, evaluated their calibre, and trusted them, which resulted in a good cultural programme. Educator helps students. How we can do that?
1. Evaluate the calibre of students
2. Trust them, “yes they can”
3. Illustrate best possible alternatives
4. Sensitize them and lead them to the best possible point
5. Guide them to take decision carefully and deliberately
6. Give them space and time to think, to plan and to execute
Educator should sensitize students about the process of decision making. We can help them to work on the process. We can make them alert about the essential characteristics and ways of decision making. Ultimately an individual has to make decision while considering, time, situation, problems, facts, other related circumstances and consequence; moreover educator empowers individual to make an independent decision.
SEVEN-STEP PROBLEM-SOLVING, DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
1. Identify (recognize/define) the problem. 2. Gather information (facts/assumptions). 3. Develop courses of action (solutions). 4. Analyze and compare courses of action (alternatives/solutions). 5. Make a decision; select the best course of action (solution). 6. Make a plan. 7. Implement the plan (assess the results).
http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/army/rotc_dm_ps.pdf
Educator should help students to understand the importance of decision making and decision making process to lead an integrated life. We have to accept the universal truth that “Nobody can decide anything for us. Of course, others can help us to do so, but the decision has to be ours. I am accountable for my destiny. It is “I” who has to take right decision at right time. We remember quotes of French philosopher, René Descartes (1596-1650) who proposed a ‘truth’: Cogito ergo sum (I think, therefore I am).
Educator should nurture the students to avoid a situation of “to be or not to be”. In fact, if a decision takes too much time then it is always inadequate. We cannot stop the right moment/right situation for our decision. Educator should instill the habit of taking right decision at right time. Of course a rational decision making situation needs time but what will be use of that decision if situation/things/professional deal goes beyond our reach. Educator nurtures each individual to take decision at right time and at right place.
(Indian Educationist)