Keeping Abreast with 21st Century Learning

There’s been an incredible progress in the past few years with individual, cutting-edge teachers making some incredible gains in innovation. But how do we scale those kind of innovations wider throughout our schools and throughout the education system? Let’s find out.

As educators, one of the most common calls to action they hear is schools must change and that “we can’t continue to deliver education using the same old model.” But change and innovation in schools, as we all know, is not an easy process.

In addition to setting the tone for nimble and progressive teaching that's geared towards what students need most, school leaders can also find ways to integrate technology in smart ways that work on the same goals. And they can help to remove roadblocks when necessary.

Raghav Podar, Chairman, Podar World School said, “The purpose of education is learning. However, the dominant culture of education in our country and many other countries in the world has become a testing. That needs to change. The mindset of parents needs to change. They should understand that children should focus more on learning rather than testing or scores.”

“Innovation has become a buzzword that everyone wants to just talk about. The bigger question is how the child being benefited by that innovation. The innovation is worth it only if the learning outcome of the child has improved and alongside the lesson delivery of the teachers”, he further added.

Pointing to Education as an all embracing solution, Gowri Ishwaran, CEO of The Global Education & Leadership Foundation said,” We, as a system need to have more confidence in what we deliver. We don’t have to run behind other countries for education. We have enough to offer. We need to organize ourselves better having the sufficient infrastructure, branding and marketing that is required. Basically as Indians we need to have that confidence that we have something great to offer.”

Focusing on curriculum and training, Gowri Ishwaran said,” Currently in India, Teacher Training is archaic, outmoded and outdated. It needs to be powered with all the news strategies and global discourse, so that our teachers not become knowledge dispensers but facilitators.”

“India has fast emerged as a nation with women taking the front seats in running successful businesses and leading educational institutions”, said Manjula Pooja Shroff, Founder, Calorx Foundation.

India’s vision of being a world leader in the 21st century is unlikely to be realized without an education system that keeps abreast with the needs of our future citizens.