REIMAGINING SCHOOLS

19 Apr 2025 Leave a comment

by Dr.Vijay . in Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,


Blog Number 295
Reimagining schools
As we stand at the threshold of reimagining schools, it’s time to challenge the traditional paradigm that has long defined our education system.
For too long, exams and grades have been the primary measures of a student’s worth and potential. But what if we were to shift our focus from mere academic achievement to fostering a love of learning, creativity, and critical thinking?
What if our schools became incubators for curiosity, innovation, and growth, where students are empowered to explore their passions and interests?
Let’s embark on a journey to reimagine schools that prioritize the development of the whole child, where exams and grades are no longer the sole defining metrics of success.”
I have always envisioned schools as spaces where students grow in a stress-free environment, flourishing both intellectually and emotionally. However, with the current examination system, it is hard to imagine schools as places that foster health and happiness for both students and teachers.
It’s not that solutions are unavailable. Recently, I had the opportunity to read a journal article titled “Beyond the Oxymoronic Idea of No-Detention Policy” by Rohit Dhankar. The ideas he proposes are both thought-provoking and powerful. Here are a few key arguments he makes:

  1. Age-Based Grades Are a Flawed System:
    Every child learns at their own pace. The concept of age-based grades is convenient only for bureaucratic systems, not for the benefit of children or teachers.
  2. Stage-Based Learning:
    Dhankar proposes replacing the grade system with stage-based learning. Each stage would have clearly defined learning outcomes, and children could move from one stage to another regardless of their age.
  3. A Learning Corridor, Not a Thin Line:
    Learning achievement should not be measured as a rigid pass/fail dichotomy but as a continuum, or a “learning corridor.” This approach recognizes the diversity in students’ learning curves and allows for flexibility.
  4. Learning as a Curve, Not a Straight Line:
    Children’s learning should be seen as a developmental curve, where progress happens at varied speeds, rather than a linear, standardized progression*.
    Each of these arguments is supported by evidence and research, making this approach not only visionary but also practical.
    The NEP Connection
    Interestingly, the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) hints at a similar approach by proposing to divide schooling into four stages:
    • Foundational (5 years)
    • Preparatory (3 years)
    • Middle (3 years)
    • Secondary (4 years)
    This framework provides an opportunity to shift towards stage-based learning outcomes. If implemented in true spirit, it could restore the joy of childhood to our schools. Otherwise, the current examination practices will continue to deprive children of meaningful learning, reducing education to rote memorization with little connection to skill development or competency building.
    The Way Forward
    The NEP (2020) provides the mandate for reform, and now is the time to act. Stage-wise learning outcomes need to be clearly identified, which will require a restructuring of schools. In this new model:
    • Classrooms would accommodate children of different age groups learning together.
    • This approach would eliminate the stigma often faced by children who are detained and must repeat grades alongside younger peers.
    • Most importantly, it would remove the rigid pass/fail system, creating a more inclusive and equitable learning environment.
    Transitioning to this model will be challenging, given our deep-rooted conditioning to the idea of moving from one grade to the next based on age. However, this reform is essential if we want to rescue our schooling system from its current state. It may not be easy, but it is necessary—for the sake of our children, our teachers, and the true purpose of education.
    As we reimagine schools, let’s create learning environments that foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. By shifting our focus from exams and grades to student-centered learning, we can empower students to become lifelong learners, innovators, and changemakers. Together, let’s redefine the future of education and unlock the full potential of every student.”
    Please Feel free to record your impression on this blog and give your suggestions and or commendations& remarks

IMPORTANCE  OF QUESTIONING SKILL IN TEACHING AND LEARNING

19 Jun 2024 Leave a comment

by Dr.Vijay . in Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,


Sir Albert Eistein once said I quote
” *if I had an hour to solve a problem and my life is dependent on the solution ,I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask for . Once I know the proper question ,I could solve the problem in less than five minutes” I unquote.
Such is the power of questions .
Had Arjuna not asked  wise questions ,It would  not have prompted Lord Krishna to answer  to quench the thrist  of  knowledge of Arjuna..Thus credit for the world class mythological text  GITA  goes to questions asked by ARJUNA Such is the power and importance of questions .

Children gherefore need to be allowed to ask questions fearlessly and There is need to develop the art of asking the questions for the success
Insights of successful people from different walks of life show the importance of right question which help us to increase our curiosity and creativity
Therefore
Questioning is one of the most important skill for successful people

At our Hasti Public school more stress is given on framing questions we believe that “ *One who  answers  the question may be intelligent * but *One who ask question is wise*    In our Hasti Public school we have revolutionized the home work system , our teachers , instead of giving home work to bring answers , (to the questions (which they are likely to ask or copy from digest or from friends notebook) , give home work to  frame or make questions (as many as possible)  from the portion taught to them 

Our Hasti School is now creating  a wonder  wall or QUESTION WALL  in everty class room where children are allowed to write the question before and after the lesson /topic/chapter/unit discussed

i think , Had Arjuna not asked  wise questions It would  not have prompted Lord Krishna to answer  to quench the thrist  of  knowledge of Arjuna.. Thus credit for the world class mythological text  GITA  goes to questions asked by the ARJUNA . Such is the power and importance of questions .

We all know that the moment a child takes birth, it makes announcement of    his/her arrival with the first cry. As children grow, parents start modeling conversation skills thereby aiding the development and nurturing the communication skills of children by making them capable of expressing themselves. While growing up, children tend to ask a lot of questions and this innate desire or curiosity to know the world by asking questions acts as a **catalyst in communication.

Just like plants need the right amount of sunlight, water, clean soil, and some nutrients in the soil for food . Our learners should be taught the art of *listening,* speaking*, receiving and giving feedback* and most importantly of asking questions.

Why Is Questioning Skill Important In The Teaching And Learning Process ? child’s world is full of excitement and wonder. To strengthen the natural instinct of wondering, questioning is an important skill to be developed in learners., A good question can open minds. It is a question that often leads us to wonder, reflect, discover and challenge new ideas, uncover new meaning by taking us from the known to unknown.

Those with good questioning skills are often also very good listeners as they spend more time absorbing information Questioning is at the heart of communication, it is an expansion of critical communication skills in children.* A great question is equal to great communication* hence questioning is the key mantra to successful communication.

Promoting learner questions in class is a significant role of an Inquiry teacher.

How Can Teachers Develop A Culture Of Questioning In Their Classrooms ?

Nearly a century ago, John Dewey made a prescient observation about classroom culture and questioning that still holds true today:

No one has ever explained why children are so full of questions outside of the school ,? and the conspicuous absence of display of curiosity about the subject matter of school lessons.The real issue is in the classroom culture, here would point out that teachers have enormous power, their behaviour will determine an impact on the climate of questioning in the classroom.

A teacher’s curiosity infects the entire classroom in a positive way,Thomas Kuhn said “ The answers you get depend on the questions you ask

*What Can we Teachers Do to Improve Questioning Skills in Learners?

Question Cube –The question cube creates tension on the learners in framing critical thinking questions from a book you have read, as well as pictures of important things or main ideas. This strategy can be used in any subject focus.

See- Think- Wonder- Visible thinking Routine is simple yet a powerful tool to help learners generate questions. Beginning with a visual prompt, learners share their thinking at each step along the way before moving on to the next one. This facilitates the learners to build on the group’s thinking and often results in deeper and meaningful discussions.

Question Quadrant-                        

Teachers often struggle with getting their learners to understand and ask good open ended questions. To get them to understand the different types of questions, the Question Quadrant is a tool first devised by Philip Cam (2006) while working with students and teachers in order to *hone, sort and categorise learner questions. It is a tool which assists teachers to explicitly teach question types with the intention of using students’ questions to guide learning.                                                                                             *

Question Wall – Question wall is popularly known as a wonder wall or learning wall. A question wall is a space in the classroom where learners post their questions. In remote teaching we can design a virtual wall Teachers can incorporate this questioning strategy in their classes before, during and after a lesson. *With question walls, learners can write their burning questions enabling them to safely express their wonderings. This strategy is particularly useful as it stimulates learners to think critically, boosts active learning and participation.

The importance of communication skills in children is key to being a successful communicator, an empathic leader and a contributive global citizen.The art of questioning is at the heart of the development of communication skills. Questions can be asked in a formal or an informal setting. Asking questions in the classroom or at home is a driving force of learning. It will always be an indispensable slice of every child’s learning. Powerful questions can create an explosion in learning. Parents and teachers must encourage young learners to ask questions and provide them with an opportunity to investigate their own learning.

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CURIOSITY IN KIDS

14 Jun 2024 Leave a comment

by Dr.Vijay . in Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,


 “Why a twinkling star or say the moon following us*?”

*Why does a tree appear to be moving with us while we are in train

 “Why is 2×2 = 4 and not 5?”

“Why is the sky not red?”

“Why can birds fly but not me?

These questions should definitely sound familiar to you! Years ago you must have asked these same questions to your parents too . While a lot of times we ignore these questions asked by our preschool kids, it reflects a very important inherent quality in them – curiosity. 

Remember when an apple fell on Newton’s head and he almost made jam out of it? But why didn’t he? Because he was curious to find out about why the apple fell off the tree. Had he not been curious we would also be asking questions like our toddlers – “Why things that go up come down again?”  All pre-schoolers have a little Newton hidden inside them  somewhere. You simply need to let their curiosity bloom to allow them to scoop out a new discovery!

Quite often, questions asked by young kids get submerged in a classroom either due to a crunch of time or it being unrelated to the topic of discussion going on. However, in most cases, the teaching-learning methods used in the classroom does not provide the space for curiosity to bloom out of the minds of young learners . And so, the curiosity sort of gets buried as an unfulfilled desire to “know”.

 “When children are in pre primary school, one of the things that really defines them is their curiosity, how curious they are and so keen to learn new things.”

This is the importance of curiosity in the life of school-going kids although hard work is a crucial factor to walk on the path of success, curiosity is what drives the journey towards it! 

To push their journey of success, preschool kids need “a good pre primary school, one that really encourages this kind of curiosity in its children.” Encouraging new thoughts, ideas and most importantly questions asked by young minds are the primary steps towards appreciating and uplifting curiosity in kids. Most teachers have a “*ask me a question” session* at the end of a class which allows the students to raise their doubts and seek information. But the type of questions allowed to ask remains confined to the “syllabus” being taught and that is something that needs to be pushed out of its boundaries. And in the case of pre primary kids, patience is not their strong trait. They tend to follow their spontaneous nature and ask a question in the middle of the class! This is where a teacher’s reaction can make or break the kid’s morale . If the teacher allows the kid to proceed and answers the child or maybe politely request them to hold their thought and discuss it at the end of the class, the child will feel that his or her question matters. This not only makes them patient but also keeps the spark of curiosity alive!

On the other hand, *if the teacher has an opposite reaction and does not entertain impromptu questions from the young students, the child would think twice before asking questions * from the next class, thereby reducing their will to participate in classroom discussions. This might look like a small incident but in reality, little acts like these are what decides the degree of involvement of the child in the teaching learning process, not just physically but also mentally.

Body language should be welcoming enough for new questions, ideas, thoughts by the young learners. If they see you being interested in what they have to say, they will feel free to share their thoughts!

Curious kids are always active. It’s time for the teacher to be an active listener too!  Carefully listen to what they have to ask and answer their questions patiently.

Their questions and your answers can be turned the other way around. Why don’t you ask them a question and spark a conversation? This will give them the opportunity to think, analyze and come up with their own viewpoints!

Some topics may be difficult (and maybe boring) to teach, even for you! So why not turn them into something relatable to the young kids! Relating a concept to real life is known to help understand better than giving age-old examples time and again. Go ahead, try this in the next class!

A conversational tone, rather than passive lecture, can be incorporated into the teaching learning process in the classroom. This will help in creating a comfortable, judgement free environment for kids to fearlessly ask questions and spread curiosity among peers too!

Just like there are no regulators of Bitcoin, curiosity too can’t be regulated by anyone You simply need to let your child invest themselves fully in activities that feed their curious mind. “They are sort of developing as young adults so they are very keen to explore the world around them..”

One of the challenges faced by teachers in a majority of schools is the high student-teacher ratio which does not allow the space for teachers to encourage curiosity in their students. Schools following the ideal ratio such as HASTI PUBLIC SCHOOL, have been able to keep the spark of curiosity alive in students encouraging them to speak their minds and actively participate in classroom discussions!

CRIATIVE THIKING* AND  CREATIVITY*  

12 Jun 2024 Leave a comment

by Dr.Vijay . in Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,


*Creativity is the ability to make something new* . This might be a picture, or a piece of music—but it might also be a new idea. *Creative thinking, therefore, is the ability to think differently*: to see a problem or issue from a new angle or perspective.Critical thinking is the ability to clearly and logically consider information that is presented to us. Creative thinking is about generating new, novel, or useful ideas.

*High scores do not necessarily equate to effective learning and the onus of education is being defeated in the competitive mad race for marks* writes AK Bakhshi

*Creativity is the most difficult thinking skill to acquire, and also the most sought-after*. We value it in our music, entertainment, technology, and other aspects of our existence. We appreciate and yearn for it because it enriches our understanding and can make life easier.

*Creativity always starts with imagination*, and history shows that *many things we imagine are later actually created*.

*Gene Roddenberry imagined the Star Trek flip communicators in 1966, and Motorola produced them in 1996*

*In the mid-1800s, Augusta Ada King envisioned a language for computing machines that didn’t even exist; today she is honored as the founder of modern programing languages*.

*creating is the highest order of thinking*, it should be in the *forefront of all learning environments* and an end goal. When students create what they imagine, they’re in the driver’s seat.

*Creative thinking involves students learning to generate and apply new ideas in specific contexts*, *seeing existing situations in a new way* , *identifying alternative explanations*, and seeing or *making new links that generate a positive outcome*.

The recently announced National Education Policy *(NEP) 2020* emphasises on the need to *shift focus from examination and rote learning to conceptual clarity*, *critical-thinking*,*problem-solving*,*innovation* and  *creativity* 

*Creativity is one of the most important human resources which* enable us to look past what exists and discover new ways of thinking*.

Nurturing creativity in our students is, therefore, the need of the hour and hence *our Hasti school* is trying to  introduce major reforms* in our teaching learning pedagogy* .

According to a reliable study, *98% of the kids at the time of entering schools think different* but when they go through the education system, at the age of 25 *only 2% think different*. This happens so because from childhood *we  provide ready-made answers to the questions* and hence strips the learners of their ability to think on their own* therefore

 *at our Hasti school  *we do not ask children to* *bring answers from home*  as *home work* but instead *to bring questions*  which we intend to discuss in  class  room and make children give answers differently this gives  exposure to their-creativity* .

*The passive one sided teaching discourages questioning, discovery, experimentation and application in the classroom and thus draws them to rote learning*  .

 This situation is further aggravated by the misunderstanding that *good marks equate to effective learning* and the *onus of education is being defeated in this competitive mad race for high marks*.

*Creativity is not an injection which you can give to someone* . *For creativity, you need to create an environment for curiosity and a way to encourage students and get the best out of them* . Teachers can play the most important role in nurturing creativity among students. However, as the teachers themselves are mainly the product of the same old system which focused on rote learning, therefore they need to be massively trained in various ways to nurture creative thinking in students

*Some of the ways to nurture creativity amongst students include*:

1. *New teaching technology*  *Students need to be encouraged to ask innumerable whys and why nots* . *Curiosity is the seed of creativity*

*Therefore students ,at our Public school & Jr.colllege are encourage to ask & to   make more and more questions  & thereby advocates  & encourages  curiosity and hence creativity*

2. ICT-empowered pedagogies: In this information age the teachers need to be empowered with the new ICT-empowered pedagogies such as blended learning and flipped classroom which can help meet the learning needs of the 21st Century.

3. *Experimental learning and exploration*  There is an urgent need to shift focus from passive learning to experiential learning i.e learning by doing. As we have at our school regular students seminars .This approach is extremely effective in helping the students to grasp, explain and retain otherwise difficult concepts.

4. Focus on keen observation: Keen observation of the world around has caused many important breakthroughs in science and medicine and in the social and business worlds. Strong observation skills are found to be greatly linked to greater creativity,

5. Avoid excessive use of the internet: *One of the main reasons behind the lack of creativity in our students is the excessive usage of the Internet*. This has impacted adversely the generation of original ideas and plans.

6. Reforms in Assessment Pattern: Assessment drives learning. Special training needs to be given to the teachers through workshops in setting examination questions which test out of box thinking and hence creativity. Assessment process needs to be made more scientific to encourage multiple skills of the students.

7. Teaching beyond curriculum: *At least one lecture per week should be devoted to “teaching beyond curriculum”. In this lecture, students may be asked to decide what they will like to do* in one year or in one semester. This project may involve anything like *writing poetry, news report, general articles, scientific fantasies etc*.

*Imagination and creativity are the traits that fuel the future*. Both serve to inspire students and should be integrated into every part of learning. In planning and designing learning for students, this we know: Teaching students how to think is more important than teaching students what to think.

*There are various activities and work sheets* that if given to students individually or in groups/  bubble,  will encourage them to think independently and creatively .

*Some  such activities are given in our next blog*. please do read and record your impression and do share this to your colleagues and teaching community   if you like.