Page 97 - Education World Nov-21 Low 81.6MB

EW SPOTLIGHT FEATURE
RETHINKING EDUCATION

Mrs. Madhvi Chandra
A
M. Phil. , M. A . , B. E d . , s s ociate d ire ctor Gitanj ali Group of Schools and Principal,
Gitanj ali D e v s hala, com e s w ith an e x pe rie nce of ov e r 2 5 y e ars . She has be e n an
.
e d ucationis t as w e ll as a te ache r traine r She has be e n a d y nam ic le ad e r not only in the
s chool are na but als o at v arious s ocial f orum s .
from the teachers and support ample opportunities to speak and
from the school counsellor to express their opinions. Asking and
work with the students and help responding to questions whether
them transition into a safe and online or of ine, is an easy way
comfortable school environment. to encourage communication and
Individual and group sessions for critical thinking.
the students with the counsellor, To focus on the social
teachers and leaders helped us development of children
he covid 19 Pandemic has create an environment of open collaborative peer learning is
had a profound effect on communication and sharing. encouraged through break out
Tthe education sector. The When schools reopened at rooms which allow children
use of technology and disruptive Gitanjali we realised expected to develop personal skills in
strategies have taken a massive student behaviours like respecting collaboration with others.
leap, moving forward many years. others, wishing teachers, accepting Projects and group activities
As we commence reopening failures or tolerance of differences using strategies like peer editing,
physical schooling, we are now taking a backseat. The discipline similar ability groups, role plays,
encountering the unnoticed of being in school and empathetic mock trials, team rotation etc help
in uences of staying home for mentoring by the teachers is develop the core C’s in children at
months with online education. As helping tide over this phase of Gitanjali.
per the UNESCO study more than readjustment. Today’s WIFI generation is used
40 million children worldwide Physical activity along with to getting information at the click
have missed out on early childhood increased screen time has taken of a button. They have become
education leading to a lack learning a toll on the physical well being accustomed to instant gratification,
opportunities, social interactions of children. Designing a new constantly staying connected and
and a stimulating environment. curriculum that encourages both multitasking in a multimedia
The Education Endowment indoor and outdoor activity along world. To motivate and teach this
Foundation research also suggests with covid appropriate protocols generation we need to help then
that the pandemic has deprived is the need of the hour. Physical find the beauty in learning and help
children of social contact and activities encouraging team work, them realize the difference between
experiences essential for increasing skill development and dexterity information and knowledge. To
vocabulary. Schools are now were planned to encourage a help then disconnect from their
realizing that children need more healthy lifestyle. devices we at Gitanjali decided to
guidance with communication We found that dynamic provide more engaging inquiry
skills, writing skills and emotional situations paved way for based, experiential learning
support. dynamic practices. This led to opportunities in the classrooms.
As teachers and school leaders the transformation in teaching Blended learning strategies to
we need to be aware of the pedagogy at Gitanjali Schools, suit the individual needs of each
complex and sometimes traumatic diminishing the learning gaps. student and classroom were
experiences our children may be Refresher training sessions helped devised and implemented.
dealing with as a consequence empower our teachers in more As educators we are all life-long
of the pandemic. Challenging effective ways for guiding the learners. Rethinking, Relearning
experiences at home, uncertainty, students. As children spend a and Realigningis the new age
limited or no interaction with peer majority of their formative years mantra we need to live by, to stay
group, loss and bereavement, fear in school, we provided online ahead of the learning curve.
of stepping out are some of the and of ine stimulation to develop If we don’t change, we don’t
challenges children have faced their communication skills. We learn
over these past few months. There worked on activities for more If we don’t learn, we can’t teach.
is a need for patience and e ibility exposure to the language with
EDUCATIONWORLD November 2021