A child may secure perfect scores in his/her science test and yet find it difficult to understand why it rains. Weird isn’t it? But this occurs quite often. Memorizing answers helps a child perform well in tests. Understanding concepts helps in life
Parents have started realizing this. This is why the questions that they ask from schools are totally different today. Rather than focusing on how their child performs in examinations, they want to know about their learning process, confidence levels, and if the school prepares them for circumstances beyond the classroom.
This has been one of the main reasons behind the popularity of experiential learning in many international schools.Learning is not restricted to text and notebooks anymore
What is Experiential Learning?
- Experiential learning is a term that implies learning through actions.
- This is not just reading about some ideas, but living through them.
- The subject of plants becomes more engaging if children build their own mini-garden.
- If students are studying business, the idea will become clearer if they establish a mini-business within their classroom.
- Students find it easier to learn math when calculating measures for making their own models.
Such activities remain in memory much longer than the repeated reading of the same topics.
Why Traditional Learning Alone is No Longer Enough
- Today’s children grow up in a totally different world from the world of previous generations.
- Technology is fast changing.
- Jobs change.
- New occupations emerge every other year.
- The jobs the students are likely to pick in the future are those which do not currently exist.
- There is therefore an additional duty for schools apart from finishing the syllabus.
- The students should learn how to think, adjust, communicate and solve problems.
- These skills can not be learnt only from books.
Learning happens anywhere
What is exciting about experiential learning is that students do not know they are learning.
- Teamwork is learnt when discussions happen during an activity.
- Planning is learnt when organizing a cultural show.
- Communication is improved by preparing a presentation.
- Discipline is learnt by doing some physical activities.
- Observation and problem solving skills are learnt through participating in a science show.
- Every experience has its value.
Classrooms are Becoming More Interactive
- Today, I walked into an international school classroom.
- You will see students discussing.
- Teachers are asking questions rather than giving out answers.
- Groups are discussing.
- Simulations are on digital boards.
- Models, experiments, and activities replace long lectures wherever possible.
- Students participate instead of just sitting and listening.
- Such minor change transforms the whole educational process.
Curiosity Is Better Than Memorizing
- Almost all children tend to question.
- Why does the moon look different?
- How are bridges kept durable?
- Why do some flowers grow in desert conditions?
- Such an approach helps students to develop their curiosity.
- Teachers do not say “memorize this information” but “find the solution.”
- Children start doing that on their own.
- Such curiosity becomes the basis of innovation in the future.
Learning Through Real-Life Situations
- Consider an example when the students learn about the financial system.
- Instead of solving just textbook problems, the students set up a simulated market.
- They determine prices.
- Control expenditures.
- Calculate profits.
- Deal with customers.
- It becomes much more interesting.
And many years later, people will not remember how to solve formulas but will recall the experience.
Communication Skills Develop Naturally
Confidence does not just come out of the blue in college interviews.
It comes from years of preparation.
Students who constantly engage in:
- Presentation
- Debate
- Discussion
- Telling stories
- Public speaking
- Project presentation
become confident in voicing their opinions.Such confidence proves helpful for higher learning and future professional life.The Role of Technology in Education
Technology has been integrated into education.
- Smart classroom.
- Coding.
- STEM labs.
- Robotics.
- Virtual experimentation.
- Research project.
Learning Outside the Classroom is Equally Important
Sometimes, the greatest lessons can be learned out of schools.
- Education excursions.
- Field trips.
- Museum visits.
- Monument tours.
- Social initiatives.
- Games.
These lessons will allow pupils to bridge the gap between their studies in class and the outside world.Learning will be suddenly made relevant.
Teamwork Will Never Be Learned In Lectures
- Most jobs require teamwork today.
- Different characters will interact in one’s life.
- Group learning teaches something that books never will.
- Communication.
- Exchange of ideas.
- Conflict resolution.
- Diversity of thought.
- Working together towards solutions.
They enable students to adapt to workplaces where teamwork is essential.
Hyderabad Parents are Looking for Practical Education
The people of Hyderabad have become increasingly informed about the way education is evolving.Parents who work in places like Gachibowli, Financial District, Kondapur, Madhapur, LB Nagar, as well as other surrounding areas, deal with foreign groups of workers and up-to-date office environments.Obviously, they desire educational institutions that will equip their children with similar skills.Academic proficiency is important.However, confidence, creativity, communication, and leadership are also key factors.Such traits usually are developed through experience rather than examination.
Leadership Skills Develop at a Young Age
- Leadership does not involve being assigned a title.
- Rather, it starts with minor leadership tasks.
- A child leading a class activity.
- Managing a group project.
- Planning an event.
- Aiding younger kids.
- Joining student councils.
- These activities instill responsibility and decision-making skills at an early age.
Creative Thinking Requires Room to Breathe
- Children think differently.
- One child uses numbers to solve problems.
- Another child draws pictures.
- One child likes explaining by telling stories.
- Experience-based learning provides students with multiple platforms of expression.
- There is no single right way.
- This leads to more creativity.
Preparing Students for Careers That Don’t Exist Yet
- Artificial Intelligence.
- Green Energy.
- Space Technology.
- Data Science.
- Sustainability.
All these new industries did not exist a few years back.Nobody can accurately predict the future career choices of primary school kids.So, schools have to prepare their students for lifelong learning.The ability to adapt becomes more important than memorisation of facts.
Why International Schools Concentrate on Holistic Development of Their Students
Education must aid the academic and personal growth of children.Holistic development of children by international schools is usually achieved through:
- Academics
- Sports
- Arts
- Innovation
- Community Engagement
- Leadership activities
- Technology
- Communication
- Emotional Wellbeing
It is an effective blend of all these areas that ensures readiness of students not only for tests, but also for college and professional life in general.Key Features Parents Need to Consider While Selecting a School,Parents should consider something other than infrastructure before they select a school for their children.
Some questions to consider are:
- Does the school instill curiosity in students?
- Are project-based learning initiatives available?
- Does the school offer practical learning?
- Does it develop communication skills?
- Does it encourage leadership?
- Does the school integrate technology and innovation?
- Is there an equal emphasis on academics and development of a student?
These features have a far greater impact on future success than mere exam results.