If learning does not end in practising, experiencing and experimenting with it, then it is like cooked food that’s tasteless. It is not the task of the senior leaders in a school to tell them how to do their job. It is what every teacher should know. And, the moment the shift of mind takes place learning flourishes, children enjoy learning.
So, learning should not be about children writing exams, it should not be about building tension in the child, but should not be about allowing the child to be a learner or seeker with no tensions. The learner must have the complete freedom in a natural way entirely experiencing and experimenting with it. In this process of learning, the teacher needs to ensure that children are not discriminated against physically, mentally or intellectually.
Children should be capable of collaborating, supporting, and connecting to each other. They should also be capable of critically thinking. Critically thinking means enquiring about the areas they don’t know- the darker side of the knowledge- thereby, enabling them to take decisions in the process. Therefore, teachers have an important role in enabling children to speak on what they learn, to act on what they learn, to smell on what they learn, and to experiment with it and explore it, eventually, enriching themselves.
Is there a way to assess these children in the right direction? It is possible when learning is connected to clubs.
In some of the ancient Indian epics, at the end of the learning they had a practice session where the king or the leaders of the group gave reward to the best performer. In the similar way, are places where children come together and do fun activities or practice activities. When they do a number of activities, they will connect what they have learned in their classrooms. Club participation is nothing but collaboration. Clubs and activities are very important for successful learning.
What is very important is club participation and project works? There have to be innovative project works that are embedded with digital technology. Then children will amazingly get motivated to experiment and practise what they have learned. So, teachers should encourage clubs and project works. Project works should be a continuous process. Children will happily participate in it and learn better.
Another very important aspect of encouraging learning is giving assignments to students. If you want to know the quality of learning in a class, look at the assignment book. The assignment book is the most creative book and it reveals how the child is engaged, enriched, progressive in securing knowledge and experimenting the knowledge acquired.
Therefore, the three most essential learning tools are – club participation, projects, and assignments. Nevertheless, the blending of these three should not be tiring for the child but should be exciting. The more the children are excited, the better will be learning.
