Jayapadma R.V.
The pandemic has catapulted teaching learning processes into the online world. During such a time it would be good to remind ourselves of some of the concerns Tagore and Krishnamurti had about education. For in them we may find ideas for the way forward.
Category: 2021
The power of storytelling
Shaveta Azad
Teachers and educators are great storytellers. When a teacher tells a story, a child begins to create visuals in her mind and makes her own interpretations in order to understand the story better. Children also tend to grasp difficult concepts when stitched into stories. But it is also up to the teacher to engage in reflective activities after storytelling to keep track of what the children have learnt.
Literature circles in libraries
Sonia Deshpande
Reading together as a group can help deepen children’s engagement with books and also bring them together as a reading community. It is also about the group finding value in thinking together and discovering different perspectives. A look at how literature circles enable better understanding of a book.
Learning online: a student’s perspective
R Aishwarya
A student writes about her learning challenges online after the initial excitement wears off. Here she enlists the challenges that she faced – lack of engagement in the classes, no active interaction or structured routine leading to less energy and no motivation.
From tech averse to tech savvy!
P Ajitha
In this article, a teacher talks about her tryst with virtual teaching without any scaffolding or training, at first a nightmare, but later something that turned out to be very rewarding. Read it for more insights.
Pause for a moment – or half
Vaishnavi Bhat and Venkata Krishna Bayineni
Question time is an important part of any teaching – learning session in the classroom. But how often does this always bring the desired result? Do teachers wait long enough for a student to respond, or as is the practice, do teachers end up answering their own questions? This interesting article gives a rundown on how important it is to give the student ‘pause’ or ‘wait’ time to respond in order to stimulate reflective thinking and increase student participation.
Making space for grief
Vandana Aggarwal
Death is final and difficult to face for anyone, especially children. Yet it is an experience that affects a child’s social and emotional development. It is important for schools, teachers and counsellors to have an open dialogue about this subject, listen to students and provide a supportive environment.
In the lap of nature
Chintan Girish Modi
As a teacher, does the environmental studies curriculum in your school excite you? Is it built around nurturing a bond with trees, animals and birds? Are you willing to take your students outdoors to explore nature? Here is a book that might interest you and revitalize your spirit.
The practice of critical pedagogy
Nivedita Vijay Bedadur
Critical pedagogy is a curriculum where children examine social inequities and injustices. How can teachers begin a discourse around it in the classroom? This article looks at a few ways in which a teacher can practice this with her students.
To be or not to be
Nidhi Gaur
In today’s times, most of us are plagued by the dilemma of having to make choices in our lives. What we decide helps us on the path of self- realization and discover our true selves. Gandhi’s concept of Nai Talim helps facilitate this reflective ability in children. It initiates an individual’s journey to self-exploration and reflection. The author recounts an example from a Nai Talim school.