April 2024 Issue

Apr 01, 2024

Editor’s Note:

In this edition of our newsletter, we delve into the theme of creating a thriving learning environment that extends the reach of education beyond traditional classroom boundaries. Our feature article, "The Essence of a Thriving Learning Environment," advocates for a wholistic approach to education that embraces diversity, fosters curiosity, and promotes a passion for lifelong learning. Through practical strategies, real-world examples, and innovative teaching methods, we are guided towards empowering educators, learners, and communities alike, to foster environments conducive to continuous growth and exploration.

Highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts among educators, parents, and the broader community, the article sheds light on the significance of nurturing educational spaces that prioritise wholistic development and learner engagement. Emphasising the role of technology, hands-on learning, and differentiated instruction, it paints a picture of a learning environment where every individual is encouraged to thrive. As the central theme of our newsletter, this vision for a thriving learning environment invites all stakeholders to reimagine education as a purposeful, inclusive journey, making a compelling case for a collective commitment to creating spaces where learning knows no bounds and every learner is prepared for a life of fulfilment and success.

Featured Articles

The Essence of a Thriving Learning Environment

by Sangeeta Doraiswami

Navigating the intricate landscape of education, our pursuit of excellence extends far beyond traditional classrooms, resonating through the diverse domains of life. This guide is a comprehensive exploration into crafting a vibrant educational ecosystem that meticulously addresses diverse learning needs across age groups, reaching beyond school walls into homes, playgrounds, and beyond. Our goal is to delve into practical strategies, accompanied by real-world examples, fostering a wholistic approach to thriving learning environments.

At the core of a thriving learning environment is a dedication that goes beyond conventional educational approaches. It is about nurturing spaces where knowledge is not just shared but explored. This dynamic environment ignites curiosity and encourages deep thought, embracing diversity and inclusivity. Here, every learner is valued and encouraged to thrive on their learning journey.

Imagine a thriving learning environment that encourages interactive and student-centred teaching experiences. Strategies such as hands-on learning not only enhance understanding but also instil analytical skills and nurture creativity. This dynamic approach empowers learners to explore their interests and passions, cultivating a passion for lifelong learning.

Click here to read the article

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32 Strategies for Building a Positive Learning Environment

by Lina Raffaelli

Courtesy: www.edutopia.org

There are many ingredients that go into making a thriving learning environment. And whether it's your first year in education or your thirtieth, the first days, weeks, and months of the school year are the time to create the learning environment you want for your students.

Below, we've collected teacher-tips on creating a positive classroom from Edutopia's online community. They were contributed by the educators and parents of Edutopia’s community in response to our Start the Year Strong campaign. There were many amazing entries, and it was a challenge narrowing them down to these 32.

Click here to read the full article.

How To Create A Thriving Culture Of Learning

by Lars Hyland

Courtesy: People Managing People

Did you know that 98% of learning and development (L&D) practitioners want to create a positive learning culture but only 36% feel like they’ve actually achieved it?

The concept of a “culture of learning” differs from organization to organization. A collaborative, informal environment where peer-to-peer learning is encouraged at one organization may not have the same impact in a more regimented, individualistic company culture, which prioritizes independent learning and development.

But, as 98% of L&D professionals agree, a positive culture of learning is invaluable for driving learning and development across the organization.

So how do we make it happen? Click here to read the full article.

Past Events

Calming the Mind: A Retreat with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

Ritinjali and Centre for Escalation of Peace in collaboration with India International Centre, Nalanda Foundation and Pallavan Learning Systems successfully concluded its 4th annual retreat with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche on the theme ‘Calming the Mind: Joy of Living - Level One’ on 16 & 17 March 2023 with hybrid mode with in-person sessions in Delhi. Click here to read the comprehensive report on the retreat.

Harmony of Head and Heart with Venerable Geshe Lhakdor

Geshe Lhakdor was in conversation with a group of eminent individuals from the education field. During this exchange, Geshe la shared insights and experiences acquired over decades in diverse roles as he deliberated on the topic, ‘Harmony of Head and Heart’. Read the report, watch the video.

The Purpose of Life with Venerable Geshe Lhakdor

The webinar unfolded as a captivating exchange between Geshe Lhakdor and the vibrant community of students and educators from Second Chance School and Ritinjali learning centres. The event seamlessly blended physical presence at Ritinjali’s Second Chance School with a vibrant online audience, featuring Geshe Lhakdor, a renowned Buddhist philosopher, as the focal point of a spirited dialogue. Read the report, watch the video

Teaching Mathematics with the Help of History

The webinar was held on 23^rd November 2023 Mathematics is a subject that is often seen as abstract, complex, and detached from the real world. Many students struggle to find meaning and relevance in mathematical concepts, leading to disinterest and a lack of motivation to learn. However, at Pallavan Learning Systems, we believe that Mathematics is a language – language of the universe – that helps us make sense of the physical world around us. During this webinar, Dinesh Singh strove to make Mathematics accessible, understandable and relatable with the help of History. Read the report, watch the video.

ASSESSMENT: Valuing what matters

The webinar was held on Thursday, 7 September 2023. Pallavan Learning Systems, in association with Ritinjali and the Centre for Escalation of Peace, conducted a webinar on the theme Assessment - Valuing What Matters. The webinar was a part of the series 'On a Quest to Learn: A series on the evolving nature of one's learning journey'. The webinar sought to look at the evolving nature of assessment and gauge its effectiveness in helping people develop into persons of substance. Read the report, watch the video.

Services

Bharti Foundation

We completed a two-year professional development engagement with the trainers of Satya Bharti Foundation. On the 6th of March, the trainers of Satya Bharti Foundation showcased their final Action Research. It marked the end of the engagement.

Salaam Balak Trust

We collaborated with Salaam Balak Trust to develop a curriculum with Non-Formal Education (NFE) and teachers actively participating in the process. The objective of this endeavour is to create an inclusive and nurturing environment and enhance teachers' capacity to effectively use the curriculum and learning materials in their daily teaching engagements. Another objective is to establish effective methods of assessment, feedback, and documentation.

To achieve these goals, regular workshops are conducted with NFE teachers to discuss various aspects, including Five Areas of Development, Roadmaps, Skills, Processes, and Watermarks, among others, fostering collaboration in curriculum development. On 29th April, the focus was on Mentorship, Roadmaps, and the process of enrolling students through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and Outcome-Based Education (OBE).

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