Experiential Education inside Classrooms

Aditya Nisha

Go back to your school days…

What do we hear in classrooms?“If there are no marks, children won’t learn.”“Why do you need to think of another method of solving this problem? Just do as I say.”“Don’t waste your time on children sitting in those rows.”“Teacher, if you asked the class to get into groups of their choice; no one will choose me.”“Arrre sir, if you want my daughter to listen to you, you would need to use your stick!”“If I enter the class with a smile, they (children) will take me for granted.”

Call to Advent

ure

What if schools were a space where…Children learn to be responsible for their learningEveryone can learn from anyone and anything Everyone learns to be self-motivated, push their limitsChildren learn skills that are relevantChildren are respected Children get opportunities to explore their interestsOne’s intent and effort are valued more than getting it right

Everyone learns to work as a team and enjoys the work and relationship

Children are unafraid to state their needs Children can challenge teachers There is freedom to construct one’s own

knowledge Everyone learns to make his/her life better One could get opportunity to conquer

his/her fears Everyone learns to believe in oneself There are opportunities to understand

oneself and others One simply feels happy

What was our project?3 teachers-facilitatorsIn 2 classes of VI65 children One academic yearAll subjects other than languagesMentored by Vishwas ParchureIt was a special arrangement to ‘rock the boat’And we are SUPER grateful

Who are we?

Experiential Education

The Beginning• “Is it safe?” / “Do you feel safe?”• PIES• “Emotions are gatekeepers to learning”

Stories from a Safe Environment

Thank you, class. You made it

safe.

Yes, mom, I know I have fever but I

am required in the class.

Community

building

30% curricul

um

First Term

Dhishum-DhishumStruggle with Parents• What about the

curriculum?• He / she asks too

many questions these days.

Struggle with school• What about the

curriculum?• Children are asking

too many questions these days. We were told

that we will not continue the

next year.

Children took charge

65% curricu

lum

Second

Term

Stories

Let me experience

mastery and I shall earn my respect. Where is my opportunity?

Just believe in me. Do

not give up on me.

I will do the rest.

The year ended on an almost magical note

1. The parents saw the academic-social-emotional growth

2. They conducted a poll and more than 80% parents wanted us to continue

3. They presented it to the school and tried their best

4. Evidence based advocacy by the children

5. We were still not asked to continue and it mattered no more…

And we are picked up by another school to do the same with one class of 60 children!

There is no Magic!

1. Power of Exp-Ed

2. Self-facilitation3. Relationships

• I want to say something that happened with me yesterday. So, I was painting in the school’s scrapbook and the paper was thin and I coloured black to it. On the other side of the paper it became black and I had drew something there. I did not panic at all. And just said to myself this is life my child. I really felt good. This sentence really works for me. If I didn’t know this sentence then I would panic and go mad. Thank you.

What if…We could create more such beautiful

experiences where children are respected, loved and taught the way

they want to learn?

“Being an Experiential Educator is just an excuse to make this

world a better place.”