September 2024 Issue
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Here is our latest edition for your information.
Editor’s Note:
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the September edition of our newsletter, where we explore the theme of Learning How to Learn. In today’s fast-paced world, where knowledge constantly evolves, mastering the process of learning has become more vital than ever. This edition focuses on how the ability to learn effectively is the cornerstone for navigating challenges, adapting to change, and unlocking one’s true potential.
Learning is more than the accumulation of information; it is a journey of discovery, reflection, and growth. It extends beyond formal education, shaping how individuals perceive the world, solve problems, and pursue their aspirations. This issue delves into the intricate relationship between learning, knowledge, intelligence, and skills, highlighting how each step strengthens the other. By understanding how to learn, individuals can sharpen their intellect, develop essential skills, and transform knowledge into meaningful action.
The articles this month emphasise that learning how to learn involves cultivating a mindset rooted in curiosity, resilience, and open-mindedness. They explore how recognising the interconnectedness of knowledge, embracing diverse perspectives, and finding value in every experience can lead to both personal and professional growth. This wholistic approach to learning equips individuals to adapt to life’s complexities and grow into people of substance—those who make positive contributions to their communities and beyond.
As you read through this edition, consider the value of viewing learning not just as a task but as a lifelong pursuit. By focusing on the process rather than just the outcome, one can develop a growth mindset that thrives on continuous improvement, creativity, and adaptability. The true purpose of learning lies in its transformative power, helping each of us to realise our potential and make a lasting impact.
We hope this month’s insights inspire you to embrace learning as an ongoing adventure filled with opportunities for growth and transformation.
Enjoy the September newsletter!
Featured Articles
Learning How to Learn: Pathways for Transformation
by Thupten Tsewang
One of my earliest memories from primary school dates back to Grade One. Curiously, it is a recollection that has never faded. I was promoted to Grade One just a few months after starting kindergarten—likely due to both my age and my aptitude as a sharp student. I mention this incident because it relates directly to the theme of learning explored in this article.
In the early days following my unexpected promotion to Grade One, I excelled in nearly all areas of my schooling except for one domain, the name of which has since escaped my memory. I was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety during this particular class, primarily because I did not have the textbook for that domain. Every morning, I would make a dramatic scene at home to avoid going to school—crying, hiding, and running away. One day, my late father took me to school and spoke with the teacher about the situation. They searched diligently and eventually found an old, worn-out textbook buried in a sack in the storeroom, with some pages missing and torn at the end. From that day on, I became a more content and confident student, eager to learn. Reflecting on it now, I realise that the old, torn textbook provided the context for learning that helped me develop the qualities and strategies needed to excel in all aspects of learning.
I believe that learning is the cornerstone of growth and development, a perpetual journey of acquiring knowledge, honing skills, and gaining insights that enrich our lives in profound ways. It transcends the confines of classrooms and textbooks, permeating every aspect of our existence, from the mundane to the extraordinary. At its essence, learning is the process of discovery, exploration, reflection, and assimilation. It involves not merely the accumulation of facts and information but the cultivation of understanding, perspective, and wisdom. Whether through formal education, empirical experience, or the wisdom passed down through generations, learning shapes our perceptions, informs our decisions, and moulds our identities. In today's dynamic world, learning takes on new dimensions, propelled by technological advancements, societal changes, and the ever-expanding horizons of human knowledge. It empowers us to navigate the complexities of the modern world, confront challenges with resilience, and embrace opportunities for growth.
A Before-After Controlled Study Enhancing Growth Mindset in Priority Education Schools
by François-Xavier Cécillon & Rebecca Shankland
Courtesy: ResearchGate
Experiences at school have an impact on youths’ development, global quality of life, and life trajectory. The "Meaning of School" program adopts a collaborative approach to enhance students' motivation and satisfaction at school. It fosters a growth mindset and aligns learning with students' personal interests and values, drawing from the Self-Determination Theory. This study aims to evaluate the program's effectiveness in improving school motivation and satisfaction by meeting the students' fundamental psychological needs for autonomy and competence and increasing growth mindset. Methods: The intervention offered to students aged 9 to 11 the opportunity to become aware of their role as students, the importance of education, and their potential contribution to the world by encouraging them to reflect both together and individually. The intervention was proposed in ten schools in France, including those in 'Priority Education Networks' (Réseau d’Éducation Prioritaire), a French initiative that designates schools in underserved or low-income areas with additional resources and support to address educational inequalities. The study encompassed 311 students (4th and 5th grades), divided into experimental and control groups, and employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative analyses through pre- and post-program questionnaires and qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews. Results: Quantitative results revealed a significant impact of the workshop on the growth mindset of students, while other measures like motivation, satisfaction, and classroom climate showed no significant changes. Qualitative data, however, highlighted improvements in classroom climate, motivation, and positive school-related emotions post-intervention. Students reported enhanced sense of belonging, perception of intelligence, and a shift towards viewing mistakes as learning opportunities. Conclusion: The study underscores the possibility of school-based interventions to foster a growth mindset, which can be an important dimension to improve academic engagement and success. It suggests the potential for such programs to contribute to academic perseverance and overall student well-being. Future research may focus on long-term effects, incorporate teacher perspectives, and explore broader application in varied educational settings.
Click here to read the full article.
Mindset Is the Key to Successful Learning
by Kate Fitzpatrick
Courtesy: Nord Anglia
Mindset is the key to successful learning It is important to learn to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
It is important to learn to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Why do some people seem to succeed easily while others struggle? How much of your ability is innate and how much is learnt? Is there a limit to our intelligence? What about personality and behaviours? How does your mindset affect your approach to learning? These are some of the interesting questions that students at the British International School Bratislava have been discussing during their reflection week.
Click here to read the full article.
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Past Events
Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Education (Part 1): Exploring the Benefits and Unintended Consequences
This two-part webinar series is designed to provide a nuanced understanding of how students, teachers, and school leaders are using technology and AI in education, and how coders, IT specialists and policymakers are responding to refine its application in the educational field.
Technology and AI are revolutionizing education by providing personalized learning experiences, offering innovative teaching-learning tools, and enhancing administrative efficiency. AI-powered platforms have the ability to adapt to individual student needs with customized content and real-time feedback, allowing them to take ownership of their own learning. Through technology, Teachers can focus on personalized instruction and use AI tools for efficient and effective assessment and progress tracking. School leaders can streamline administration, improve decision-making, and enhance communication using technology.
Despite the benefits, challenges such as unequal access to technology, digital literacy issues, rise in plagiarism, and privacy concerns persist. Unforeseen consequences also include reduced social skills and mental health issues for students, job insecurity and burnout for teachers, and financial strain and cybersecurity threats for school leaders. These challenges highlight the need for a balanced and thoughtful approach to integrating technology and AI in education, ensuring effective risk management and support.
Click here to read the report. Watch the video. Read the report.
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.
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.
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.
Teaching Mathematics with the Help of History
The webinar was held on 23rd 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.
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
Services
Pallavanjali
We conducted a workshop on the Joy of Reading for the teachers of Pallavanjali school on 7th August. The workshops aim to cultivate a lifelong love for reading among primary students from PP to class 6. Its objective is to create engaging and immersive reading experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a deep appreciation for literature. Through activities such as interactive storytelling sessions, themed reading corners, author visits, and cross-curricular reading activities, the program seeks to empower students to become enthusiastic and lifelong readers. By prioritizing author interactions, the program aims to deepen students' appreciation for literature and foster meaningful connections, ultimately inspiring a new generation of writers and readers alike.
Salaam Balak Trust
A workshop for the month of August was held on 30 August 2024. The focus of the workshop was Early Literacy, conducted by Ms. Ranu Bhattacharya. The session covered high-frequency words, phonemes, and singular and plural forms. The teachers demonstrated lesson plans on these concepts. The second session focused on the progression of mathematics concepts, based on which the teachers have developed worksheets that are currently being digitised. The next step is to work on the progression of English concepts, with the first draft to be completed by 21 September 2024, while simultaneously digitising the maths worksheets.
Pallavan School, Jhalawar
During a recent team meeting led by Dr. Dinesh, the PLS team encouraged Jhalawar teachers to embrace curiosity and learn from mistakes, emphasising the role of boldness in professional growth. A teacher from Jhalawar shared a significant discovery of two bacteria, Margarita Magnificent and Theumargrita Namibians, originally identified in 2009. The discussion covered the 2022 research publication on these bacteria, the largest bacteria ever found, and the importance of effective communication in scientific research. The team also explored the Earth's core, its composition, and the importance of antibiotic resistance. Moving forward, teachers will incorporate microscope activities into their lessons, explore creative teaching methods, and focus on clear communication.
Ritinjali
Poojan Sahil conducted a session on the purpose of education for the Second Chance School students at Ritinjali. The session began with a discussion about what education means to them and the importance of learning how to learn. Poojan then explored the various skills, processes, and watermarks. He also introduced the five areas of development, emphasizing a wholistic approach to education. The session concluded with a practical exercise on setting personal goals, where students created roadmaps for their future with clear indicators of success.
Poojan Sahil conducted a session on mentorship with the students of the Empower programme at Ritinjali. He explained what mentorship is and its historical significance, highlighting how mentors have guided others throughout history. The discussion focused on how students can benefit from a mentoring relationship, gaining support, guidance, and knowledge. Poojan also talked about the qualities of a good mentor and mentee, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect, trust, and open communication in building a successful mentoring relationship.
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