Modern K12 Education Needs: E-libraries, Robotics, Arts & Athletics
Share
A three-year-old enters kindergarten, and through the next decade, the child imbibes a sense of individuality, learns about his talents and develops discipline to succeed in life. By the time they reach Class XII and pass school, they are been groomed and polished into young individuals who are ready to take on the challenges of the world. The school plays a crucial role in the overall development of the student and ensures that the child has learned all the key skills required for holistic growth.
Just a few decades ago the schools focused on academics only, where rote learning played a key role. However, the changing times threw newer challenges at these students, who lacked in communication skills, analytical abilities and even the ability to present their ideas. This called for a major reform in the education system where a balance was sought between theoretical learning and overall personality development. Such an education can empower the students to shine in their chosen fields.
It is precisely why K12 schools are now emphasizing developing analytical skills, critical thinking, a sense of morality and life skills. For this, a multi-pronged approach is required where students learn through modern tools of learning. Students must be exposed to the latest technology, ensuring that their education happens through the digital medium, apart from learning art, music, dance, theatre etc. However, it has been seen that most schools now offer these, yet, it becomes one of those compulsory classes that students find little joy in. Thus embedding these skills into daily lessons ensures adequate exposure to these mediums. New Education Policy 2020 also ensures that schools are moving in this direction.
Schools can provide a holistic education through clubs. Included in the school hours, or beyond school hours for those interested, these clubs will ensure that students learn new things. Here students get a choice, and they can hone their skills. Schools today offer a wide choice of clubs ranging from astronomy to environment to poetry, debates, declamation, drama, musical instruments, Indian and Western dance, travel clubs, language clubs, STEAM, art, cinematography, etc.
Sports too is an integral part of this endeavour. To pursue sports, simply a ground is no longer enough. One must have space for indoor sports as well like- State-of-the-art basketball, badminton, table tennis and squash courts which can enable year-round practice, come rain or heat. However, adequate attention should be paid to outdoor sports as well and a space for spectators should also be available.
Robotics is another programme that often catches the fancy of students. Programmes like Lego Mindstorm & EV3, VEX IQ & EDR, TETRIX and sophisticated NAO Humanoid enable and enhance STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) skills of the students. We all know that the future belongs to automation and technology, thus students who get early exposure can compete and excel at competitions like World Robot Olympiads, First Technical Challenges, First Lego Leagues,VEX World Championships in the country as well during international competitions.
Every major study on the impact of extracurricular activities on a child’s development has found that when children participate in regular sports and co-curricular activities such as clubs, their academic grades, study habits, and school-based behaviour improve. These clubs enable students to participate in activities and interact with others who share similar interests. The social component and autonomy of clubs also appeal to students, providing incentives as well as possibilities to broaden their knowledge.
Libraries have often been considered as the haven for students where they can learn everything about the world. However, these libraries are also turning modern as we now have e-libraries, in tune with the times. In collaboration with EBSCO High School Collection, the libraries become a storehouse of relevant and updated resources for students and teachers not just for general reading but for providing apt material when doing research projects.
We must adopt a comprehensive approach to change India’s K-12 education system, bringing it closer to global best practices and preparing children for the challenges of the twenty-first century. While we should place a greater emphasis on competency-based learning, regular curriculum reviews will ensure that it is not out of date and that a current curriculum can be developed. As we progress towards application-based knowledge, assessment flexibility must be cultivated, with Project Based Learning serving as the foundation of this assessment. To do this, a rigorous teacher training programme will be required, which will then incorporate real-life events that may be used to help teach children.
In addition, we will need to be inclusive and cater to all types of students, from the very intelligent to the ordinary, those with special needs, and those who want specific attention. Ultimately, creative thinking and putting the student first will steer educational institutions in the correct direction.
The author is Promoter and Director of Genesis Global School
