Summary
Learning by doing is an innovative pedagogy that engages students in hands-on experiences, followed by guided reflections on their experiences, the council said in the circular
The ICSE council has developed a module on experiential learning to build awareness on the need for teaching and learning through activities and hands-on experiences.
A circular from the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) to the school heads on Monday said the module was intended to build awareness on the need, scope and relevance of “experiential learning”.
The school heads have been requested to inform teachers regarding the availability of the module on “experiential learning”, which may be integrated into their regular classroom teaching.
Learning by doing is an innovative pedagogy that engages students in hands-on experiences, followed by guided reflections on their experiences, the council said in the circular.
The idea is to “build linkages between theoretical concepts and their relevance in the real world”.
“This, in turn, ensures active engagement of students for deeper conceptual understanding as well as internalisation of the knowledge, skills and values that are being developed through these joyful experiences,” the circular says.
“In alignment with the guidelines on experiential learning by NEP 2020, CISCE has developed a module for all stakeholders entitled ‘Experiential Learning’ with the aim to build awareness on the need, scope and relevance of experiential learning along with strategies for teachers to design these learning experiences for students,” says the circular issued by the council.
School principals said hands-on experiences would always make a child learn better.
But the challenge is to get the teachers to alter their teaching methods to suit the demands of the new curriculum.
Bringing live examples of theories being taught in class will not be easy, several teachers who spoke to Metro said.
The change could take time, said school heads.
“The more the students see and do, the more they learn,” said Seema Sapru, the principal of The Heritage School.
“Reading helps them to imagine, but when they experience something they understand how things happen in real life,” she said.
Terence John, director of education and development, Julien Day Schools, said the school campus can sometimes be used for experiential learning.
“Students can be taken to the garden, if a school has one, to understand pollination. Only digital content in the classroom will not be enough. Excursions and visits to places would aid this experiential learning,” he said.
Sapru spoke of the need to engage students more with work they have to do on their own.
“If a teacher demonstrates and then the children are asked to do that on their own, they will understand the concept more,” said Sapru.
Last updated on 11 Jul 2023
