Teacher Training Workshops

Introduction :

Most of the current methods of learning depend largely on books and lectures and the knowledge transmitted to children is therefore bookish.

Very few opportunities exist for children to apply their knowledge to real life situations. This we hope can be bridged through hands-on learning & exploration sessions! By adopting Hands-on way of teaching approach children can learn by exploration and practice skills to their own satisfaction. These sessions provide children with opportunities for hands-on learning, cooperative learning, social interaction, real-life problem solving, autonomous learning, and open-ended activities.

Benefits of Hands on Learning:

There is an old Chinese proverb which says

I hear and I forget
I see and I remember
I do and I understand

How very true! Children need to go through the whole process of experimenting with situations before they can appreciate the nuances of science - analyzing the problem, developing the appropriate solutions, choosing the right materials, putting them together to arrive at the final design, taking it apart incase of deficiencies, repeating again from the start, etc.

We believe, that hands-on experimentation brings in multiple benefits to children, such as, it -

Encourages questioning of observations; and thus children become familiar with events and variables involved

Forces them towards interpretation of the problem statement and come up with appropriate solutions, instead of just memorization of correct responses "

Promotes a sense of accomplishment and consequently, the ability to easily transfer the complete experience of problem-solving onto other learning situations in future

Reduces dependency on superiors for guidance and promotes independent thinking and decision-making based on direct evidence and experiences

Increases perception and creativity " Improves communication skills and team-work " And of course, brings in Fun and Enjoyment back into learning


Content of the workshops:

Discussions on the Common mis-conceptions of the students (topic wise, grade wise)

Ideas about handling those mis conceptions and involving Activities to lay a stronger foundation

Sample Experiential Aids: "Experiential" Aids

Activity kits
Hands on activities;
making toys, models
Presentations by students Power point presentation, Black board, oral etc.
Role Plays Groups of children Charts Depicting the salient points Games Which are more like challenges
Flash Cards which are like blank Visiting cards Video/Photographs

Ideas for creating activities linked to curriculum using commonly available Material: viz.

" Matchsticks & Cycle valve tubes
" Model Making Materials
" Bamboo Sticks / Cycle Spokes
" Empty Film reel bottles
" Empty Thread Reels
" Cycle Tube pieces
" Ice Cream Sticks
" Soap boxes / Pencil boxes
" Buttons / Bobbins
" Card board, Chart sheets
" Bottle caps

Usual Time Frames:

These workshops are customized to suit the needs of the teachers and the school management. Usually format is in the form of a 2-day or 3 day workshop.