Learning to disagree – politely

Disagreement with the popular viewpoint is not accepted and is usually frowned upon. However, it is important that we create space for all kinds of viewpoints to co-exist in society. Having said that disagreeing doesn’t mean shouting down the other person. How we voice our disagreement is equally important. And classrooms are the best places to help encourage healthy discussions.

Interconnecting insights

Aditi Mathur and Ratnesh Mathur

From a young age we put in a lot of effort to teach our children to be independent. But interdependence is part of nature. So while we are busy telling our kids the importance of being independent we must also help them realize how interdependent we are as a society, how interdependence is as necessary as independence.

Building forward

B Ramdas and Rama Sastry

Based on their experience, the authors say sustaining a vision is not difficult if one understands that no two people can have the same vision and therefore if it is to flourish, one must be ready to allow another person to take the vision forward in his or her own way.

Principle and passion

Madhulika Sagaram

This author, who reopened a learning centre which shut down earlier due to certain difficulties, believes that passion and perseverence can help sustain a vision

By a different standard

Gurveen Kaur

Alternative ideas of education came into existence because of a reason. Alternative ideas fill the large gaps that mainstream education leaves behind. So while sustaining alternative ideas is not easy, it is important that one doesn’t give up on them.

The final analysis

Jane Sahi

Alternative ideas in education draw out even the most reluctant child and help him find himself. If one hopes to build a humane society, sustaining alternative visions is very important.

Learning in the world

Sri M

This author who is also the Director-founder of an alternative school believes that sharing one’s vision with enough likeminded people who are willing to train and learn will help sustain a vision.

Welcome to Creativity Adda

Manish Jain and Gagandeep Singh

Imagine a learning space that has no room for textbooks, but provides children with ideas and materials to explore and pursue their various passions and interests. Now imagine this space within a school. Sounds too good to believe? Creativity Adda is an after school learning space within a government school in Delhi. The success of this programme has led its organizers to think about replicating the idea in more schools.

Negotiating the Periodic Table

Surekha Nayani

From books to the Internet and now learning apps. School teachers and children have a wide variety of resources to dip into. Here’s a new learning app that helps a teacher introduce the periodic table to her students.

Nest watch – 2

Geetha Iyer

The word ‘nest’ usually brings to mind the birds, but you will be surprised to know that other creatures too make nests. While we have seen insects making nests, do we know that fish too build nests? Here’s a look at the some of the beautiful nests from the aquatic world and what students of science can learn from this.