In today's time, many faculties also follow traditional teaching methods in their classrooms. They emphasis more on memorization of the facts. There's little application of data by the learners, and teaching is through direct instructions and lecture methods with little or no attention to social and emotional development. As a result, the learners don't enjoy the training process.
At Vidhyashram International School, the best school in Jodhpur, the main target is "contextual teaching and learning" instead of a standard learning method. Contextual learning is predicated on a constructivist theory of teaching and learning. Learning takes place when teachers are ready to present information so that students are prepared to construct meaning supported by their own experiences. Contextual teaching and learning are often applied in developing some language skills, like speaking and writing.
The English teachers at Vidhyashram school thus provide structured lessons in reading comprehension, note-taking, summarising, effective sentence construction, paragraphing, grammar, and vocabulary development. They emphasize that through this, the learners are acquiring tools and processes that will enable them to perform more efficiently and intelligently – altogether disciplines and in their future. Writing tasks are also administered supported experiences familiar to learners and have the looks of being associated with real-life situations.
For example, when writing skills are sought to be taught for writing a report, learners are directed to newspapers, and that they check out samples of accurate news reports before composing one among their own. A lesson on 'reported speech' could also be introduced and developed through role-playing of actual conversations amongst a gaggle of individuals.
Students selected for reading comprehension skills could also be chosen carefully to reflect the learners' interests like computer gaming, sports, and films. Speaking skills are developed and honed through group discussions and debates on relevant and meaningful issues to the learners – teenage problems and problems, current affairs, social topics within the news, such as discrimination, gender inequality, and environmental conservation. Participation in events like the MUN (Model United Nations) helps the learners and students to address the current world issues and develops critical thinking and speaking skills in them.
In the science class, the subject of 'Respiration and Lungs' was introduced to the scholars of grade 7 through a lively learning strategy. The concept of breathing and the role of the guts as a crucial organ in supplying oxygen to each body cell was taught, and the students were ready to make meaningful connections with the subject.
Learners were also introduced to a knowledge collection activity. They were divided into pairs, and every couple measured the heartbeat rate of their partner for 1 minute. Three readings were taken for the body at rest. Later the learners were asked to record the heartbeat rate of their partner after that they had exercised. Because the teacher discussed the results, the learners understood the difference within the pulse during rest and exercise. They are further concerned that the guts beat rate increases during movement because the heart pumps more oxygenated blood to the muscles respiring at a high-speed rate thanks to exercising. The learners led into problem solving and inquiry through this process which required critical thinking. The learners connected their prior knowledge to their learning and got a chance to direct their education.
The learners were ready to reflect on their learning and understand the importance of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems and the living world's whole mechanism.
In TOK (Theory of Knowledge) sessions, the learners learn prior knowledge and shared knowledge. Prior knowledge is what you call your own. Shared knowledge is what comes from other's experiences. As and once you learn from other's experiences and utilize these understandings in your context, they become your knowledge. Humanity's pursuit is to reinforce and share knowledge. to the present effect, a more constructivist approach is essential. The more they know what their knowledge is worth in the future, the more they might like to invest!
Contextual learning encourages and motivated learners to introspect and explore their talents and education. They will be ready to express themselves with precision and confidence and can thus achieve high standards in schools and universities.
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