By Nidhi Garg
In the 21st century where our attention span is less than that of a goldfish, it is a task to get children to study subjects like mathematics that require concentration, long hours of practice, patience and great attention to detail. Hence at Vega Schools, we have devised new mechanisms of learning. These mechanisms help children enjoy their time at school and revive their outlook toward subjects like mathematics.
CBSE schools in Gurgaon need to comply with the New Education Policy 2020 and need to find new and better ways to make subjects more interesting for students.
The joy of learning
The old adage goes that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! But what if one could work and play all at the same time? With some unconventional and out-of-the-box thinking, we have decided to let the children have it their way in classrooms but with a twist!
Experiential learning
This reminds me of an incident when a group of students decided to protest and fly planes made out of worksheets. They were tired of the daily monotony and wanted to do something different. They were shocked when their protest failed because I allowed them to make as many planes as they liked, and even took part in their play. I asked them to make observations regarding the length of the flight. They noted variations upon changing the dimensions of the plane and the texture of the paper. After some time, when they were tired and had come to rest, I discussed their findings. They concluded that symmetrical planes fly further and those with larger wings produce more lift. In the next class, they redesigned their planes and tried to beat their previous flight distance. This helped enhance their engineering skills and learn data recording and analysis.This was a moment of eureka in my teaching career. After this point I started to include manipulatives like fraction and decimal kits that allow students to learn through visuals, stories, and games.
Keeping it simple, and fun
I also feel that the age-old KISS (keep it simple, silly) formula is the most effective when it comes to teaching. The simpler language we explain maths terms in, the better it is for learning. The best part about teaching and learning maths is that we use the basic concepts of it daily in our lives – from calculating discounts while shopping to dividing a bill among our friends. Try to draw from these everyday examples to explain even the most complex problems in the simplest possible way.Some of the best schools in Gurgaon are now realising that keeping the attention of children has become vital. They are making a shift to experiential and project based learning. Once children are hooked, they will become engaged and will slowly start to take ownership of their learning. This is the biggest victory for a parent, teacher and school!For more information on the above subject, write to us at info@vega.edu.in.