Students of Zilla Parishad Secondary School in Parvathagiri village say learning physics has become easier for them these days. The school shifted to new method of teaching - Active Learning Methodology (ALM) - which was introduced by their physical science teacher V. Gurunadha Rao after taking a cue from the IITs.
ALM replaced the teaching-learning process that focuses on learning by rote.
Through the novel method, teacher ceases to be on the lecture mode. Instead he will help the child learn in a manner that the student deems simple and effective. Under this methodology, teachers introduce the lesson for ten minutes and then the students are made to read on their own. Students will then work as pairs and discuss the important points. Later, the class will be divided into groups and the topic will be discussed.
Peer learning
“Active or experiential learning is a form of learning that requires students to reflect and apply ideas in solving problems. It is more student centric and often involves collaborative (peer) learning,” Mr. Gurunadha Rao explains.
In a physical sciences class for Standard IX students, their teacher asks them to read two pages covering the topic ‘work and energy’. For the five minutes that follow, students read line by line, their murmur filling the room. G. Yamuna, for instance, moves her index finger over the text slowly and reads aloud.
After the first reading, she underlines unfamiliar words and asks teacher what they mean.She reads the same passage all over again. She recaptures their understanding of the passage diagrammatically.
In a few minutes, she walks up to the teacher, flaunting her “mind maps”, as they call it. After learning a lesson, the students are made to formulate questions on their own. As the process involves reading, recitation, reviewing and reflection, the students get a complete idea regarding the subject.
“Children have tremendous potential. This methodology unleashes the learner in every student and this encourages students to think creatively and critically,” says Mr. Rao. The methodology, he notes, contributes immensely to the all-round development of every child.
“The class is more interactive and participative. This increases children’s confidence and self-esteem, which are important elements of one’s emotional quotient,” he says. Taking a cue from the IITs, V. Gurunadha Rao introduces Active Learning Methodology concept to students of Parvathagiri Zilla Parishad Secondary School
ALM replaced the teaching-learning process that focuses on learning by rote.
Through the novel method, teacher ceases to be on the lecture mode. Instead he will help the child learn in a manner that the student deems simple and effective. Under this methodology, teachers introduce the lesson for ten minutes and then the students are made to read on their own. Students will then work as pairs and discuss the important points. Later, the class will be divided into groups and the topic will be discussed.
Peer learning
“Active or experiential learning is a form of learning that requires students to reflect and apply ideas in solving problems. It is more student centric and often involves collaborative (peer) learning,” Mr. Gurunadha Rao explains.
In a physical sciences class for Standard IX students, their teacher asks them to read two pages covering the topic ‘work and energy’. For the five minutes that follow, students read line by line, their murmur filling the room. G. Yamuna, for instance, moves her index finger over the text slowly and reads aloud.
After the first reading, she underlines unfamiliar words and asks teacher what they mean.She reads the same passage all over again. She recaptures their understanding of the passage diagrammatically.
In a few minutes, she walks up to the teacher, flaunting her “mind maps”, as they call it. After learning a lesson, the students are made to formulate questions on their own. As the process involves reading, recitation, reviewing and reflection, the students get a complete idea regarding the subject.
“Children have tremendous potential. This methodology unleashes the learner in every student and this encourages students to think creatively and critically,” says Mr. Rao. The methodology, he notes, contributes immensely to the all-round development of every child.
“The class is more interactive and participative. This increases children’s confidence and self-esteem, which are important elements of one’s emotional quotient,” he says. Taking a cue from the IITs, V. Gurunadha Rao introduces Active Learning Methodology concept to students of Parvathagiri Zilla Parishad Secondary School