admin, Author at Tapas

5 Facts On Children’s Engagement in Project-Based Learning Programs

November 30, 2022January 27, 2023By admin

Teachers who use more traditional methods fail to prepare their students for the real world. While lectures and direct teaching might be effective ways to impart knowledge to students, they offer little to foster the development of transferable skills like collaboration, problem thinking, and intellectual curiosity that are in high demand by today’s employers.

They will only comprehend if you offer the pupils the answers. Any child can learn knowledge by heart, but can they put it to practical use in the real world? Parents and educators sometimes underestimate the effect project-based learning programs could have on a child’s overall development in school. By preparing kids for the actual world and the difficulties it presents, this unconventional educational approach encourages a more hands-on approach to learning.

Before we dig deeper into the facts on children’s engagement in project-based learning activities, let’s comprehend what precisely it includes. But before we get into that, we need to understand project-based learning.

What is Project-Based Learning?

Project-Based Learning There’s a saying by Mahatma Gandhi, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” In project-based learning programs, students gain knowledge by delving into and interacting with challenging situations from the real world. They showcase what they’ve learned to the world through a presentation, a product, or even a model.

The students have a week, or possibly longer, to complete their project. They collaborate to develop solutions to complex problems that exceed the scope of their course content. Their communication, critical thinking, collaborative, and creative abilities are improved due to the process.

Premier and top project-based learning providers in Bangalore, such as Tapas School, typically use this kind of PBL approach since it emphasizes real-world learning and academics. On top of that, Tapas is Bangalore’s first 100% project-based learning school! Thus, this makes Tapas a considerable school selection option for your child, as it was the first one in the city to implement this teaching strategy.

The Tapas School has an outstanding education and child development strategy using cutting-edge methodologies from all across the globe. Additionally, it emphasizes each student’s emotional, social, academic, and physical well-being.

Thorough Children’s Engagement in PBL,

PBL - Tapas Education Students are given more responsibility for their education and encouraged to take on more complex challenges because of these projects’ practical and real-world relevance. This fosters an atmosphere in the classroom where students predominantly report feeling engaged.

PBL enables students to exercise a degree of independence and initiative that is impossible with traditional lesson planning. Teachers can guarantee a greater degree of participation than would otherwise be the case by letting students pursue their interests or include them in the project in some manner. One strategy, as one of the leading project-based learning providers in Bangalore, is to encourage engagement and enthusiasm for learning to expand the range of projects to incorporate children’s interests.

Fact 1: PBL Is Student-Centred

With project-based learning, the instructor can loosen their control. This is useful when the teacher is not available to help each student individually. Most teachers today spend less time with students synchronously or in person, and project-based learning programs can help make this an advantage instead of a blockade.

Fact 2: Creates a Culture of Student Inquiry

A culture of inquiry is established at Tapas School on the belief that students can feel comfortable asking questions and being appreciated for their efforts to uncover answers. Project-based learning programs can give students a sense of ownership in the class through their participation in it. It can support the interests and passions of our Tapas School students.

Fact 3: Deep Understanding and Meaningful Learning

Through developing problem-solving solid abilities and self-confidence, essential in a constant inquiry process, children’s engagement in PBL helps them grow comfortable handling obstacles. Because kids are attempting to resolve critical real-world problems, there are possibilities for in-depth learning and thorough knowledge of various subjects. This prolonged learning is made possible by these opportunities.

Fact 4: Children’s Engagement in Remote- And Hybrid-Learning Environments

Involving students in resolving a genuine problem in which they have a real interest and concern is sure to engage and motivate them. PBL enables students to create, connect with others, and take part in a solution to an issue that affects people other than themselves at a time when so many students lack a sense of belonging to others and their society.

Fact 5: Increase in Voice and Choice

In addition to boosting creativity and increasing student weariness and the notion that school is tedious, student engagement will significantly increase their voice and choice. Making connections with individuals who live or work in places outside of school is simpler now than it has ever been. Learners can interact with experts in various fields via interviews, discussions, and virtual field excursions. Although non-tech choices should always be open to students, there is now greater access than ever to technology that can be used to collaborate, do research, and produce extraordinary results.

Also read: How the progressive learning institution is changing the way we look at education?

Final Verdict

Reading this, you should be more enlightened on the learning strategy known as project-based learning and the realities of its implementation with children. At Tapas School, we strive to instill a love of learning in every student who enrolls.

Project-based learning is one way we can do this while also promoting the students’ individuality, enthusiasm, critical thinking, self-confidence, capacity, and creativity!

What Are the Five Components of Project-Based Learning?

November 24, 2022November 30, 2022By admin

You can build a learning environment that encourages student participation and 21st-century skill development beyond rote memorisation by using the differentiated learning strategies and five components of PBL designated by the Tapas School.

Teachers engage students in learning via project-based learning. Students will be immersed in a project requiring them to research, analyse, and ultimately conclude on a real-world issue or subject for anything from a week to an entire semester. They put their knowledge and abilities to the test by giving a presentation in front of an actual audience.

This leads to pupils becoming more well-rounded individuals with enhanced capacities for analysis, evaluation, innovation, and discourse. Students and teachers at Tapas School are given the freedom to express their creativity via project-based learning.

A project-based learning curriculum aims to have students acquire knowledge and skills. At the same time, they work to investigate and adapt to a real-world, relevant, and complex subject, problem, or challenge.

PBL

Content Knowledge & Skills

Compared to traditional classroom-based learning, project-based learning fosters a deeper comprehension of ideas and increases student creativity. Integrating a PBL unit’s content into students’ needs and expectations for understanding is one of the most critical aspects of building a project-based learning curriculum. Teachers must develop the connection between student participation and standards-based content by consciously designing and preparing lessons.

Teachers must first and foremost be aware of the passions and interests of their students. Students can be motivated to work harder if they feel their efforts are being oriented toward something they value, whether a school-related problem, the preservation of a personal ideology, a serious social issue, or a personal challenge.

Authenticity & Relevance

Students that take part in high-quality PBL acquire abilities, procedures, and outcomes that are well-matched for the challenges of the twenty-first century.

Despite this, students will only participate in even the most sophisticated, diversified, and open-ended projects if they are interested in them. As a result, authenticity is crucial to PBL. PBL means that students are involved in work that directly affects or is used in the real world or work that is authentic to them and true to their life.

Real-world issues are challenging. Problems are seldom resolved in the actual world by taking one particular route to one particular outcome. Instead, dealing with complicated problems often entails identifying and resolving a range of smaller ones.

This authentic approach to problem-solving should be reflected in a project-based curriculum.

With an emphasis on assisting student hypothesis testing and creation, teachers can promote this sort of authenticity. The majority of the time, when it comes to research, problem-solving, and decision-making, students should be in the lead.

This focus on authenticity must be maintained throughout the PBL process, from planning to the final outcome. Students will only benefit effectively from project-based learning with it. The motivating element behind the PBL experience is the realism ingrained in the initial hook.

Student Voice & Choice

By giving students a say in their learning, teachers can reduce the number of “dessert projects” that occur after the educational process. A “dessert” project is a unique treat since it gives the student an enjoyable or creative challenge assigned by teachers. When students are involved in their work, they start to show it. Students will have more opportunities to learn throughout the project if they are given the freedom to express their opinions, get feedback, and experiment than if they wait until the end to demonstrate their learning. Voice and choice are among the differentiated learning strategies to foster experimentation, culminating in more creative solutions aimed at students and a more polished final result. Through trial and error, students gain self-assurance and competence and learn valuable “soft skills”, including conversation, teamwork, and oral and written communication.

Collaboration

Even though it is a crucial component of the project-based curriculum, collaboration is often downplayed when discussing the advantages of project-based learning.

Students can benefit from one another’s achievements by working together. This is similar to the encouragement and shared accomplishment that members of a sports team experience. Allowing children to participate in a more significant objective boosts confidence and fosters long-lasting connections. Working together to accomplish this is a terrific feeling. The same is possible in the classroom as well. Students can bond with one another and participate in the success of a presentation when they collaborate to make it happen.

Feedback & Revision

Soliciting feedback from classmates, teachers, or other grownups can help you get different viewpoints that could help you deal with a problem or discover an undiscovered opportunity. Since it is not a regular practice in traditional classrooms, giving and getting feedback can be difficult for many students. As a result, we advise outlining and modeling productive feedback, primarily feedback that is kind, detailed, and useful. Fortunately, a broad range of approaches and differentiated learning strategies supports a safe place for fair criticism of a student’s work.

At Tapas School, students need clear guidelines to demonstrate their understanding and to complete the work they set out to do. We ensure to review the project’s goals with students and discuss whether or not their progress is on track to meet set goals.

Final Thoughts

differentiated learning strategies

What does education entail? What circumstances lead to the most profound and most effective learning? Most of us learn best by doing, analysing, reflecting, and iterating. The fundamental elements of what we love most about education are placed front and centre in our formal learning settings via PBL.

Students in a project-based learning setting develop the skills necessary to succeed individually and collectively as a part of a community that includes high achievers, followers, and learners. Since learning happens naturally in the “real world,” the project-based curriculum at Tapas School helps students prepare for it. The teachers of Tapas School are skilled in their subjects, classroom management, instructional techniques, and student development. These domains of expertise enable them to provide engaging, intriguing courses pertinent to their students!

Why Is Pedagogy Important in Teaching?

November 17, 2022November 24, 2022By admin

In ancient Greece, where the role of a teacher was initially developed, education was revered as a fine art. Only the wealthiest parents could provide their children with the opportunity to attend school and get an education. Because they provided the kids with priceless knowledge and wisdom, teachers and educators were seen as playing the most significant roles in the learning process.

What Is Pedagogy?

The practice and theory of teaching are both parts of the pedagogical direction. Pedagogy is influenced by educators’ teaching philosophies and includes their knowledge of cultural differences and various learning styles. For students to improve on prior knowledge, meaningful classroom interactions are crucial.

Pedagogy is the study of how to educate students, whether via theory or in the classroom. There is a connection between learning methods and cultural practices. Building on students’ prior knowledge and working to enhance their abilities and attitudes are the fundamental goals of teaching. Using pedagogical direction in the classroom helps students fully comprehend the subject and apply what they have learned outside the formal learning environment.

Why Is Pedagogy Important?

The effectiveness of your teaching and the method students learn could be enhanced by having a well-thought-out pedagogy, which will help them understand the basics of the subject matter more thoroughly. Knowing your pedagogical approaches to teaching can give you insight into how best to facilitate your students’ development of more sophisticated understanding. Additionally, this could affect how students see themselves, leading to cooperative learning environments. The right strategy enables students to advance from elementary thinking processes like fundamental memory and understanding, as described by Bloom’s taxonomy pyramid, to complicated educational processes like evaluation, analysis, and innovation. Students can make the most of their preferred learning styles with a teaching method that supports individuals and the way they learn best.

Role Of Pedagogy In Effective Learning

Pedagogy In Teaching

Improves Teaching Quality

It encourages students to engage in class activities and increases their receptivity to new knowledge.

Clarifies Learning Objectives

The learning outcomes, such as increased knowledge and competence, are the driving force behind the student’s study of a subject.

Enables Learning For Students With Special Needs

As a result, students with disabilities are more likely to participate in class discussions and other activities often reserved for “normal” students.

Encourages Different Learning Styles

The primary emphasis is on the course results, and students can study in various ways.

Importance Of Pedagogy In Teaching

Improves Quality Of Teaching

The education quality can significantly increase if a well-thought-out pedagogy is used in the classrooms. This will assist the students in truly understanding the educational material, enhancing their learning outcomes.

Encourage Cooperative Learning Environment

Using a pedagogical learning approach in the classroom motivates students to cooperate to complete tasks and learn new knowledge. This broadens their perspectives by helping them comprehend and consider the views of the other students, modifying the cooperative learning environments, and developing them into better future leaders.

Eliminates Monotonous Learning

Child development and pedagogy go hand in hand. It encourages the learner to think creatively and go beyond the traditional learning strategies of memorization and interpretation. Students are prompted to engage in sophisticated learning activities, including analysis, innovation, and evaluation. More than that, it opens students up to learning.

Student Can Follow Their Ways Of Learning

A well-considered pedagogy could assist students in understanding education in various ways. It accommodates a range of students’ learning styles. Students are free to adopt and maintain their learning styles. The students gradually improve their abilities and learning outcomes due to a greater understanding of the subject.

Convenient Learning Approach For All

Different teaching and pedagogical learning methods must be used at institutions for students with special needs. Adopting an effective educational strategy will improve their learning and motivate them to integrate into the larger learning community.

Improves Teacher-Student Communication

As they’re more familiar with the student, the teacher can better identify their flaws and provide guidance.

Students with disabilities or students from underprivileged backgrounds demand more thoughtful and practical pedagogical learning. The strategy helps these students meet their requirements and better integrate them into the larger learning community.

Students can acquire higher-order skills like evaluation, synthesis, and analysis with the help of effective pedagogy.

How Does Pedagogy Impact The Learner?

pedagogical approaches to teaching

Continuous Assessment Of Students

Teachers often assess their students to determine whether they are progressing toward their desired outcomes.

Student-Centered Approach

A student-centered pedagogy places the onus of learning squarely on the shoulders of the students themselves.

Develops Cognitive Skills

Evaluating, carefully analyzing, understanding, and applying for the courses, helps students develop their cognitive skills.

Encourages Teamwork

The pedagogical approaches to teaching promote collaboration and group projects so that students can collaborate with others who share their interests.

Conclusion

This makes thoughtful, relevant pedagogy a comprehensive interdependence of concepts, ideas, and methods of educating students. Taking all of this into account is a terrific formula for a successful educational strategy. Having a keener awareness of your teaching practices can help you better adapt to the needs of your students. It also shows that the student’s accomplishments, outcomes, and skills acquired via the application of the strategy are directly impacted by these pedagogical approaches to teaching.

To guarantee that every child has the most incredible learning experience possible, our teachers understand the value of strong pedagogical learning! At Tapas School, we believe pedagogical practices such as S.T.E.A.M., Debating, Nature Based Education, Creative Arts, and more can encourage a child’s development and maintain enthusiasm in school. This is a crucial foundational element for their future since it indicates that they will be passionate about the learning process.

What to Expect From Education at an International School in Bangalore

November 11, 2022November 24, 2022By admin

The most crucial decision you make for your child is undoubtedly the most difficult: selecting the ideal school for them. Unfortunately, choosing the best school for your child might be difficult since there are so many of them, and new ones are added every day.

As the world becomes more globally connected, international schools are more and more common. The international curriculum is often taught in English at these schools.

While some individuals consider the tuition cost high, others feel that the excellent quality of the education justifies the expense. International schools, on the other hand, are teaching children to survive and thrive in our contemporary, globalized world through customized learning programs.

Bangalore has some of the greatest international schools in India and the world. They provide the greatest classroom amenities and top-notch extracurricular programs to keep kids engaged.

International School in Bangalore is becoming quite well known. Parents often consider sending their children to study there. Because international schools offer a curriculum that equips students to compete in the modern labor market and be productive global citizens.

Check out the advantages listed below:

Qualified Educators

Another benefit you get from an international school in Bangalore is that you have experienced and qualified educators. Yes, you will have an excellent faculty at your service, giving you complete guidance on different aspects of your subject. In addition, they will always be available to help you with your educational needs.

Academic Excellence

When you enroll in an international school, you will always benefit from brilliance. Yes, they have professionals to help you along the curriculum, and this will be advantageous to you since it covers all the vital aspects that are widely recognized. Additionally, international school results are universally acknowledged and will always open up fantastic prospects for you. If you wish to pursue a career overseas, with your qualifications and degree from an international school, it can always be handy and beneficial in such situations.

International Environment

After getting admitted into international schools, you will first benefit from the international environment. Furthermore, students attending international schools will be effectively able to adapt and develop since they will experience various cultures.

Excellent Facilities

You will always have access to incredible facilities at international schools that are productive and accommodating and enable you to use all available learning possibilities. Undoubtedly, your educational experience will be significantly enhanced by the presence of cutting-edge technology in your classrooms.

Precise in STEM Education

You can feel confident in the applicability of your STEM education when you enroll in an international school. Additionally, it offers an applied and multidisciplinary approach to meet your academic goals in science, art, technology, and math. You will surely benefit from this in getting top job opportunities in your study field.

Exclusive Arts Education

Additionally, international schools are working hard to ensure students have access to the best resources in arts. Yes, they strongly encourage those with exceptional artistic abilities and provide them with the required resources to showcase their abilities in their most potential style.

Innovative Programmes

The creative programs infused into international schools are another advantage for your child. Yes, the schools will implement the most exemplary programs relating to self-discipline, physical fitness, mental toughness, resilience, and more through a project-based learning curriculum. Therefore, your child will undoubtedly see growth in all of her skills.

Holistic Development

Your child will benefit from international schools’ special features, such as holistic development. This implies that your child will be exposed to more opportunities for intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth for a more remarkable career trajectory.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning can help your child with the support of international schools. The schools will organize summer camps, museum visits, and other educational outings to give your child a head start.

Special Attention to Students

The student-teacher ratio does not change at international schools, nevertheless. As a result of receiving more intense care, children interact with teachers more and pick up new ideas quickly. This program aims to learn more concepts with real-world application from the teacher rather than memorize textbook content.

Focus on Moral Values

Students who enroll in international schools will get an outstanding education and leadership skills through our project-based learning curriculum and that will benefit them in all facets of the future. They will undoubtedly benefit from this as they strive for a brighter future. This way, Students will foster moral character and qualities like perseverance, discipline, empathy, and others in international schools.

Final Verdict

Would you not want to give your child a chance to have a brighter future with so many benefits? Your child will automatically have a competitive edge over the other children from the modern curriculum thanks to highly developed school institutions, and international standards, with exposure to different learning opportunities. The international school Tapas School, based in Bangalore, offers the most excellent academic environment and student life via its progressive educational institution. The school is dedicated to training students to adapt to the dynamic environment and accomplish admirable achievements in life by offering best-in-class educational facilities. As a result, they alter learning strategies even if they adhere to the Cambridge curriculum and project-based learning curriculum.

To learn how Tapas School can help your child evolve into a cutting-edge global citizen, contact us right now!

How the progressive learning institution is changing the way we look at education?

October 20, 2022November 4, 2022By admin

The world is evolving quickly. In comparison to ten years ago, the world has changed dramatically. Everything in our lives has changed, from cars to cellphones, from shopping to traveling, and from where we live to what we do for a living.

The epidemic has sped up development even further. As a result, businesses, managers, and workers are dealing with difficulties they have never encountered. To handle this chaos and unpredictability, there is a necessity for a wide range of collaborative learning spaces, talents, abilities, and skills.

We start learning at a young age. The majority of our brain’s growth occurs during our early years. Therefore, early education is crucial in developing skills, talents, and interests. These are the fundamental justifications for children needing higher education.

Meanwhile, schools across the country have only now started to try and diversify. But Tapas School, our curriculum is NEP 2020 compliant, and above that, we are amongst a select few schools in India that have already started implementing this.

Progressive educational institution provides numerous benefits if implemented well:

Depth Of Knowledge

An in-depth understanding of concepts is ensured through high-quality progressive education so that they can be used both in the classroom and in the real world. This is necessary for our children’s future employment and when they apply to the finest institutions. Ideally, the demand for expensive college preparatory programs would decrease due to high-quality education.

Creativity And Innovation

The world’s most innovative and creative people and companies have achieved great success. Unfortunately, the current educational system is built on a curriculum that will be assessed in an exam with one right answer. Instead, children are taught to think critically and consider several options in a progressive educational institution.

Working Well With Others

Being able to get along with people is one of the most crucial qualities, yet it’s typically not something that’s taught in schools. This characteristic cannot be cultivated if students spend most of their school days on individual tasks and being assessed individually. Instead, they are exposed to group and team activities via projects and problem-solving exercises in a progressive educational institution.

Resilience

By using “project-based learning programs,” progressive schools consistently push students beyond their comfort zones. They are given tools to develop their minds.

Ability to Communicate Well

Traditionally, schools have yet to do much to help students improve their presenting and communication skills. From an early age children are prepared to present to a diverse group of people from an early age via progressive educational methods. Children are required to work in groups regularly so that they can develop their communication skills.

Ability to Listen Well

Building strong social and emotional connections is facilitated by the skill of active listening. Influential leaders ask questions and encourage their followers to do the same today, which is among the most crucial qualities for leaders. In addition, children’s participation in group projects and activities naturally fosters empathy and active listening abilities.

Confidence

Knowing the subject thoroughly is the key to confidence. Children have more learning confidence when they apply what they have learned from collaborative learning spaces. Student-led seminars and project exhibitions further bolster confidence.

Ability to Influence Others

Children who work in groups develop their ability to achieve consensus, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

Lifelong Learning Habits

The most crucial skill of the twenty-first century is the ability to learn. According to CEOs and HR managers, one of the most vital skills is the ability to learn new things. Learning in a progressive environment involves using knowledge to resolve problems. Therefore, children should constantly acquire new skills owing to this.

Happiness

Happy students are usually more focused. This is because retention and enhanced academic achievement are impacted by attention. So the best Progressive Learning Institutions in Bangalore, like Tapas School, put a lot of effort into developing a happy atmosphere where students look forward to studying and developing connections with their teachers.

Innovative methods have greatly boosted schooling. These days, teachers teach kids using more modern methods, including project-based learning programs, experiential, and inquiry-based learning.

The Positivity Brought By Progressive Learning Institue To Students

The progressivism method has some positive aspects. Instead of relying solely on memorization, recitation, and textbooks, progressive educators try to stir students’ interest in their studies. Before progressivism, in the 1890s, a strict reliance on these techniques was widely practiced in schooling.

At Tapas School, we know that students must learn the art of becoming completely automated—the skills of reading, writing, and mathematical factual information and operations. Moreover, learning facts and skills extends beyond the basic 3-R concepts. In math and English, the need persists through school writing and reading—through calculations and beyond.

Curriculum planners should create a curriculum that emphasizes content in the academic disciplines that are culturally significant, such as math, science, geography and history, literacies, music, and the arts. Education in these areas should be incremental and progressive, building on knowledge gained in prior years. Teachers, textbook authors, and curriculum developers shouldn’t disregard or abandon the tools, terminologies, and approaches that academic discipline practitioners have traditionally used. The wisdom practitioners have acquired through time by employing these methods and tools defines those disciplines.

We are mindful that explicit teaching is required to achieve advanced conceptual knowledge in all areas. Conceptual knowledge does not happen automatically; it requires intensive, prolonged study. A teacher’s role is to provide constant direction and, at times, to provide direct instruction to the student.

Final Thoughts

The solution to the nation’s broader economic problems lies in improving the education system, which is at the issue’s core. Employers demand talented individuals with the skills, attitudes, and knowledge required to work well in the changing era. All Indians can access the education they need to tackle these challenges if a progressive education approach is in place.

Tapas is amongst a handful of schools in the country that have embraced this approach and base their teaching on these innovative techniques.

All educational institutions—pre-nursery, nursery, kindergarten, and or primary schools—like Tapas School- must emphasize teaching kids using these innovative methods.

When searching for “a nursery school near me,” “Progressive Learning Institution in Bangalore,” or “project-based learning programs,” we should keep the latest developments in education in mind. Choosing the best school for our child could be our most crucial choice.

The Importance of Good Parent-Teacher Communication

October 7, 2022November 24, 2022By admin

For an educational experience to be embraced and integrated wholeheartedly, it has to come from a joint effort from everybody involved in the progressive learning process, the student, the teacher and the parents.

For academic success, a stimulating environment is essential which includes educators that are committed to the cause, short-term and long-term educational goals, easy access to nature-based education, formulation and regulation in the leadership and hierarchy of the educators, and excellent familial support systems.

It is a known fact that when parents are involved minutely in their child’s education, there are great results. Hence, the teacher-parent-child triangulation needs to be smooth. This means that the parent-teacher relationship has to be honest and engaging. Tapas Education doesn’t miss any opportunity to organise events at school for the parents to get involved along with their children, and thus build up the learning relationship together!

For a child that is just starting out at school, his/her parent is their role model which soon changes to the teacher being one too. For this transition to happen smoothly year after year, there needs to be positive communication between the parents and teachers and evidently, this proves to be positive in the child’s academic performance each year too.

For education to have a positive impact, it is imperative that the learning that is formal at school should be incorporated in an informal way at home too because a child’s intellectual development happens at both places.

And for this journey to be successful, it is crucial that the communication between the parents and teachers is consistent as this impacts the emotional, cognitive and social development of the child. At Tapas Education, through stimulating curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge between teachers, students, and parents, we would like to nurture lifelong learners. Furthermore, we think that expositions like Poshak Sabha and Summit of The Minds enable us to communicate with the Tapas families more effectively and to forge greater bonds with them.

Positive Parent-Teacher Communication

At the onset of each educational year, there is a new relationship forged between the parents and teachers that ends when the child goes to the next grade. At first, introductions are made and then a relationship is established based on the common factor – the student. Typically, the school system has parent-teacher meetings that are known as PTMs. These are set early in the academic year for the whole year and this is where the parent-teacher interaction takes place. Although, in the lower grades, teachers frequently meet the parents at pick-up and drop-off times too. Also, the option of communicating via mail and phone is always available.

With consistent communication, teachers can inform the parents about the child’s achievements. At Tapas Education, we negotiate through the “two-way communication” model with parents and let them decide what suits their children. A collaborative effort by both the teacher and the parents can cumulatively have a positive impact on a child that is struggling with behavioral problems or grades. If the teacher cooperates and empowers the parent, then they can put in the right amount of help for the child at home too. This is a win-win situation because it augments the teachers’ efforts at school.

Child Centric Teaching

When all of the involved parties in a child’s education, parents and teachers per se, have a positive relationship, it impacts the child’s overall education and growth in a wholesome manner. This teamwork has great advantages for the student’s success. We host events like “Summit of the Minds” as another way to promote two-way communication between students, teachers, and parents. Summit Of the Minds is an exposition that is totally run by children. The students lead the exposition from beginning to end.

It is a learner-led exposition that improves students’ communication skills while also increasing their sense of accountability and responsibility.

The child tends to work harder with Genuity and piqued interest levels. They take part in the goals set for their class or school proactively. They get inspired to achieve more.
The student gains more respect for their educators when they see the teachers taking initiative in each of the students and their parents proactively. The respect and inclusivity shown by the teacher to the parents make the student have more regard for that teacher.
The student can solve problems easier when there is a level of trust between the teacher and parents that translates to the child too. Any issues faced in daily activities or in their studies, the child is able to comprehend and ask questions or seek help confidently. This is only due to the faith in the relationship that has been established between the three given parties.
One of the main social skills is two-way communication and it is learned passively. A child apes effective communication between adults and peers. An active environment and an advanced channel of communication intended to steer the child in the direction of observing, absorbing and open learning. The interactions with the classmates, teachers and parents are thus, successful.
A conducive environment for learning brings about small and big achievements like awards, good grades, etc., and students thrive on accomplishments. The collaborative relationship between parents and teachers can be enhanced when they motivate and celebrate the child’s successes, big and small equally. This happens when there is good communication and the effect of this is that it will motivate the child to shine better.

A Few Strategies for Teachers

When the teacher understands that the parent’s involvement is a job half done for the teacher itself, learning and teaching become an easier process. That’s when our two-way communication at Tapas Education works out.

A few pointers to start in the right direction.

Communicate with the parents consistently.
Set clear classroom expectations and communicate them to the parents.
Have open house events and special projects that parents can be a part of.
Seek feedback from parents regularly.
Have patience with parents and empathize with them if they take the time to understand.
Prioritize the parent’s timings for meets and give them importance so that they feel confident to take part in the day-to-day activities of the school.

A Few Strategies for Parents

Education starts at home. A child’s cognitive development starts the moment they are born. This makes it imperative for the parents to approach communication skills correctly as they are the first role models for their children. To accomplish a meaningful communication channel with the teachers, here are some tips.

Be considerate of the teacher’s schedule and show up on time.
Establish a channel of communication that suits the teacher and stick to that throughout the year like two-way communication.
While you are dealing with one class teacher per year, that teacher is dealing with many parents hence, respect their off-school hours time.
For a PTM, carry a list of questions that you can ask and get answers for in a concise manner and in the given time slot.
Get pointers on how you can help teach your child at home to ease the workload on both the child and the teacher.
Small stuff goes a long way. Gestures like signing the notebook or short comments, appreciation for the teachers, volunteering in projects or even greeting the teachers amiably when you drop off or pick up the child can do wonders for the communication channels.
Share all the relevant information in the first half of the academic year, like report cards and where you think the child needs help. Also, send notes regularly on the child’s academia and history so that it helps the teacher to delve better into the child’s psyche and help him/her do better in school.
Make sure you respond to the teacher’s queries regularly and not just wait to meet at the PTMs. Correspond systematically and routinely with the teachers to stay involved in the child’s progress.

It Takes a Village

Whether you are a parent or an educator, we all need to work hard toward a child’s academic success. And for a child to succeed at school, it does not mean just the curriculum but also an entire support system that has its roots at both, the home and school. When a child gets better scores and the development is wholesome in a holistic manner, it is not only the success of the child but of the whole gamut of communication between the three entities involved. At Tapas Education, our two-way communication model between the parent and teacher brings about good relationships and instills much-needed confidence in little children.

“From the earliest days, we knew that it was not possible to do good work with the little children without the help of their parents.”
― Caroline Pratt, I Learn from Children

What is the Difference between conventional and progressive teaching methods?

September 21, 2022November 25, 2022By admin

The traditional method of teaching is made up of two solids: Chalk and Talk. Centered around a teacher.

So, there is a classroom full of children and one teacher who is the central figure and the only one who provides information. While every school’s primary function and priority is to provide education to the children as well as get optimal results, it all starts going in different directions when how to implement the teaching methods is down for discussion.

In a traditional classroom, discipline is taught separately, for example, wherein in a progressive setup, it is integrated through the learning processes and becomes a part of life as a whole. Basically, it all comes down to how the curriculum is being taught. Students in a traditional school are expected to process the information as soon as the teacher has taught the children. In a progressive school, however, there is no structured curriculum and everything is taught by experience and subtle guidance by the educators.

The main difference between the two methods is that conventional teaching has been and continues to be governed by grades, exams and homework, leaving one child happier than the other. The sense of competition amongst the children is higher than the sense of achievement. Whereas in the PBL (Project Based Learning) system, every child learns through collaborative inclusion, experiences and play. The difference here lies in student learning and where it is centered. Traditional schools focus on the teachers and subjects taught while progressive school focuses on the student.

Child centric teaching

Conventionally, teachers hold the authority in teaching various subjects and are considered to be the source of all information. To set a particular academic standard, teachers have to gauge whether the students have learned the subject at hand, and whether are they ready to pass exams. For this reason, oftentimes teachers take a rigid approach and directness. It all boils down to rote learning, pass or fail. On the other hand, in a progressive school, the teachers are facilitators instead of figures of authority. They help the child learn and think, whether it is in the confines of a classroom or outside. Knowledge comes from everywhere and the teachers do not claim to be the experts as they gently nudge the child in the correct direction of his/her choice. Therein, the child can use any number of sources and resources to find and process information. These can be inclusive of their personal interests, peer interactions, sense of adventure, play and experiences.

Progressive educational institution

The conventional methods of teaching have long since established that learning is passive and the students aren’t active participants in the process of learning. Information is disseminated through the information that a teacher provides and the understanding of a particular subject that a child perceives is subjected to grades without so much as a second thought as to why the child did not understand or process the information correctly.

A progressive school, on the other hand, has experiential learning methods devoid of homework, grading systems, rote learning and exams. Since progressive learning itself uses two different approaches, they tend to follow less structure and more experience and experimentation systems to ensure that the child has the look and feel of it all. This keeps evolving with each subject distinctly. Discipline is integrated into the teaching and the students learn to connect the dots.

Differentiated learning strategies

Traditional or Progressive, both methods have their pros and cons. How amazing would it be if a parent got the best of both worlds? This is where Tapas education, a progressive learning institution in Bangalore comes in. The best practices of the conventional and project-based teaching methods are synergised and interspersed with an exclusive program that is devised for the Tapas students.

The curriculum follows a set of routines, structures and standards but also, but each child is nurtured by the educator with guidance and personalised attention. Students are taught critical thinking, decision-making skills and knowledge application besides test-taking skills and study habits.

Conclusion

When literacy, humanities, numeracy and life skills can be integrated into one wholesome curriculum, why keep the boundaries? When the children can make connections between all the subjects with an inherent discipline, why subject them to rote learning? These are imperative questions to ask oneself as a parent.

https://tapaseducation.com/ has created an alliance between the conventional and progressive methods, that prepares each individual student to be successful, remaining grateful and kind in all areas of their lives. This kind of nurturing environment exemplifies the wisdom and merit that all parents strive for their children to have.

How to choose the right school board for your child?

September 14, 2022November 25, 2022By admin

The world is marching rapidly toward globalization so how can education be left behind? In fact, it is leading the modernisation brigade. The pressure is on the parents to furnish their children with skills that are recognised globally, preparing them for a future anywhere.

In India, choices in educational streams or schooling systems have moved to newer ways of schooling, and adding to that, are the new boards that have trooped in from across the globe. Different education boards make it so much easier for modern parents to decide and shape their child’s futures.

Primarily, there are a handful of boards in India, and they all maintain different methods of teaching, learning programs, syllabuses, requirements for the curriculum, criteria for assessments, processes for tests, etc. All of these are contributing factors to the development of the students in a prepared and thorough manner.

Categories of School boards

There are a few main categories of boards which are listed below. Prominently, these are the ones that are most popular with parents nowadays.

CBSE – Central Board of Secondary Education.
CISCE – Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations.
NIOS – National Institute of Open Schooling.
IB – International Baccalaureate.
CIE – Cambridge International Education.
IGCSE – International General Certificate of Secondary Education.

Because India has a huge population and one of the largest education systems in the world, there is a place for everyone and there are choices for every stratum of the society with different mindsets and skill sets kept in mind.

Having a host of boards to choose from, is a rather difficult choice. An uphill task to make a choice based on the pros and cons, this can be very difficult. But a few pointers can help find the right direction, although the decision has to be made independently as it’s a better portion of a student’s childhood that is in question and the shaping of which is inherently very important. Each board has differentiated learning strategies integrated with the set curriculum to bring out the best results.

CBSE is like the brand ambassador of the Indian Education system. Most schools opt for it as the board they offer. They offer a structured curriculum with well-defined subjects. Their focus is knowledge application and skill-based learning. Typically, they have 6 main subjects and one vocational subject. With a host of extracurricular activities, they not only focus on education but also on preparing the children for the future with confidence. Their exams are fairly easy compared to the other boards, their teaching pedagogy is also straightforward.

ICSE on the other hand is a more difficult board and it was a fact right up until IB took over that baton. ICSE always focused on curriculum and high-level learning and excelling has always been their priority. They have a rigid structure in terms of subjects with little or no choice. While they encourage co-curricular activities, the only thing that is out of the ordinary is that there is again no choice and a child has to have a skill set. This system is high on rote learning but over the years they have outshone the other boards.

IB is a pioneer in the education system globally. Considered prestigious in India, they are a rather expensive choice for a big chunk of society. They have a curriculum that is designed based on the topic and subject. The pedagogy is immersive learning at its best. It doesn’t support the textbook learning methods as most of their subjects are integrated into one another. Since these are expensive schools, they also have fantastic infrastructure that allows them to have many interesting extracurricular activities that many schools may not be able to. The most demanding curriculum and teaching pedagogy, IB has a continuous assessment system rather than terms and exams.

IGCSE on the other hand is one of the most popular schooling systems for modern parents due to the Cambridge International education it imparts. It is also one of the largest education systems in the world. The students that pass out from here are accepted in universities worldwide, namely the UK, USA, Canada, Middle Eastern countries, Europe, Asia, etc. making it the most viable option there is. The Cambridge syllabus starts from primary, lower secondary, upper secondary, to advanced level and this is called ‘ The Cambridge Pathway.’

Conclusion

India has adapted to this board easier than others as it prepares the students for life. There are many IGCSE-affiliated schools in Bangalore, one of which is Tapas Education. An international school in Bangalore with gurukul interspersed with differentiated learning strategies. Although they follow the Cambridge syllabus, they also customize learning programs. The admissions are open for next year (2023-24). Check the website https://tapaseducation.com/ out for more information.

The Benefits of Using a Project-Based Curriculum In the Classroom – An Overview

September 8, 2022November 25, 2022By admin

How do you make education more than just theory? What can you do to make it more interactive and less boring? How do you energise students to engage and enquire? The answer to all of the above is Project-based learning. A teaching method whereby students are engaged in real-life projects makes learning more meaningful and long-lasting.

Participation in real-world projects brings about experiences that develop rooted core skills in the students, which is collectively beneficial for students, educators and society on a deeper level. Project Based Learning is centered around the student and teamwork is encouraged to obtain deep content knowledge.

The students are zealous in learning in such a way, not only because it keeps them engaged and all their questions are answered, either by the educators or the peers, but also because they get to demonstrate their skills and knowledge at the end of a project. They get to present the outcome to an audience which is rewarding too.

Project Based Learning

It is but a given that some basic skills are required in each individual. Whether or not traditional learning methods are able to achieve those are debatable. But what is not conjectured is that we all need to have and inculcate in our next-generation, and critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity and PBL ticks all these boxes.

Approaching PBL as a way of learning has become a must-have for many schools and universities now, given the changing times. Each institution has its own method of teaching and learning but the basic fabric remains the same. PBL is an in-depth exploration of a subject which has an inquiry and project approach, having an emphasis on a certain outcome. Depending on the subject matter, the age of the student and the relevance of the project, the results can be a presentation, a review, a poster, a report, a display, or a demonstration. This provides the children with opportunities to be involved at each juncture, giving them a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Benefits of Project-based Learning

Project-based learning helps students to get involved deeper in the learning process as well as the rate of interaction is higher.
The aspect of higher-order thinking is encouraged and problem-solving skills are enhanced.
Networking with peers with confidence is achieved.
Public speaking and learning to discuss openly with teachers and peers alike.
21st Century skills like collaboration and communication are cultivated.
Self-learning is a strong skill that is enhanced.
A sense of belonging, self-learning and self-competence is birthed and nurtured.
Growth in self-reliance and attitude towards learning is improved.
Research shows that academic performance is higher in Project-based learning in the classroom versus traditional learning.
The range of Project-Based learning in the Classroom is broader and more accessible as compared to other mediums of learning.
Culturally diverse learning becomes strategic and engagement is higher with a spike in attendance rates.

Tapas Education in Banashankari, Bengaluru is one such institution that has managed to meld Project-based learning curriculum with a theoretical curriculum and has interspersed the “Gurukul” system through it.

Essentially, they have included design elements from a perspective of deep learning, better quality work and a higher engagement from the students.

Some such points are:

A project that can solve a real-world problem or a challenging question is answered appropriately.
A continuous inquiry-based project that forces students to sit up and take notice and keeps them engaged in a thorough procedure of asking the right questions, and application of the apt information to find the resources to bring it to the end goal.
Real-life situations can stem from personal issues, interests or concerns which create a realistic task for the students to question and find answers to.
The students are given a choice to find a relevant and real project that enables them to voice their concerns and make decisions on the given project. They take complete ownership of what to create and why.
Validation in terms of presenting the final outcome to a crowd proves to be very beneficial. A product for a real audience provides a result-oriented mind.
Reflecting on the quality of work produced, the learning that went with it, the challenges faced, and the strategies used are all important for students and educators alike.
Being able to handle critique, reflect on the feedback and revise accordingly is an extremely important step in the world of education. The products and procedures that have been implemented by the students themselves with the guidance of the educators enable them successfully in their formative and summative assessments.

Conclusion

While this may sound like a complicated process, it is actually the simplest way of learning. We learn more through an experience than words on the said experience. Well, what could be better than having both? At Tapas education, there is a dedicated team of educators who have created the most suitable Project-based learning classrooms and Project-based learning curriculums to ensure that the best learning outcomes are achieved.

Education is not the filling of the pail, but the lighting of a fire.
-William Butler Yeats.

An Introduction To The Concept Of Project Based Teaching And How It Is Used In Classroom Management

August 24, 2022November 25, 2022By admin

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “Project-based learning”? Learning through doing, right? Well, yes you are partially correct. PBL or Project Based Learning is way more than that though as it involves a teaching method where children solve real-life problems within the stipulated time. This encourages engagement in the children and the lessons become more meaningful when the child is actively involved.

Children showcase natural curiosity and are inherently investigative by nature. If you spin an intriguing, authentic and engaging real-world problem, they are bound to give in to their intrinsic individualism and you will be rewarded with focused attention. That is one big part of your job as one of the biggest worries with the new-age world today is the lack of attention span and focus on detail.

PBL empowers students to develop patience and sustenance as well as these projects can take up anywhere between a week to an entire semester to solve an issue. This is rewarded with a demonstration of their project’s outcome in front of a live audience who will definitely laud the outcome and the efforts put in by the students with some help from their educators.

Experiences have always given way to knowledge. PBL has been known to help promote content skills and knowledge in depth. These create strong bonds with peers and fulfilling relationships with mentors as it tends to unleash the four Cs within the students.

Creative Energy: Creative energies when synergised strengthen interpersonal relationships and lend credibility to open-mindedness.

Critical Thinking: Creative thinking skills have the ability to look at a problem from several perspectives, using tried and tested methods to reveal a multitude of new possibilities.

Collaboration: Working together, the students can come up with useful, practical solutions even if rather unusual which is leading the way for new-age ideas and consequent methodology.
Communication: This plays an important role in generating new ideas and ways of working together and is a very crucial skill to develop and hone and this is obtained from learning activities together.

The difference between Project-based learning and “Doing a Project”

There are various kinds of learning that are now being used widely in educational settings. Schools have always practiced simpler forms of project-based learning keeping them to a bare minimum because they hadn’t gained the popularity that it has in recent years. While there are grey areas in the terminology “Project-based Learning” for parents, by and large, it is imperative that one understands the key characteristics that make PBL different from doing projects at school. PBL is a rigorous way of learning by doing projects rather than solving them through textbook knowledge only. Students need to distinguish between knowledge and skills and PBL is known to be the vehicle for teaching that.

PROJECT BASED LEARNING IDEAS

Intrinsically, the parameters, definitions and methods of PBL may vary from school to school, but the essence remains the same more or less. Interchangeable with “Experience learning” or “ Discovery learning”, the fundamentals are the same in PBL. Essentially, there are seven unique models to follow this method.

Open-ended questions – Posing a problem or a challenge for the students and making them solve it with a big emphasis on focus, research and responsiveness.

Academics – Interweaving textbook knowledge so that the subject matter is known, understood, and a student is able to do it academically.

Curiosity – Generating questions and making the students use their thinking skills to seek answers, coupled with inquiry-based learning which triggers elemental inquisitiveness.

21st Century skills – Critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication.

Alternate Processes – Understanding the students’ choices and trying to fit in processes that keep them interested.

Feedback – As in real-life scenarios, students are given a chance at revising their outcomes with the right constructive criticism. Also, providing opportunities to scrutinise and revamp the project at hand gives students various skill sets as well as an opportunity to put on the critical thinking capabilities to use repeatedly.
Peer review – Just as in real-world projects, students are given opportunities to pose their problems, research methods and results in front of others which has been recorded to be a confidence-building tool.

THE PBL OBJECTIVES

Combination of knowledge and skills from diverse fields through complicated reviews and several regimental projects.
Self-governed learning is determined through self-reliant research of unregulated roadblocks.
Partnerships and teamwork, help formulate students to be in a social environment.
Self-assessments and self-appraisals, inspire students to see ahead of their own intellectual judgment and expertise.

PROJECT BASED LEARNING PROGRAMS

Project Based Learning Programs Each project is looked at minutely and in convergence with the student mix and their interests, behaviours and attention levels to bring about the maximum result. There are many different types of programs and curriculums that PBL follows. At the beginning of the semester, the educator sets the goals that they need to target, focus on and achieve cumulatively. Changes that concentrate on growth, however small they may be, but well-orchestrated are made and these bring about a flurry of change in the classroom in the correct manner.

PBL can be implemented in various ways in the classroom based on the varied subjects in the curriculum. Tapas, a progressive educational institution, and a project based learning provider in Bangalore has a teaching framework that involves the students in real-world situations with a learning curve. This brings about a real intrigue and deeper knowledge and understanding of concepts through experiences that are relevant and authentic.

Some examples are:

PBL in Environmental Science: This is done in various ways such as visiting a zoo to see the animals in their natural habitat or fostering an animal and providing for it collectively. Collaboration and research are the big themes here which start with teamwork and end with presentations.
PBL in the English Language: Learning language in action is the theme here where the students are encouraged to ask various questions and also to read one book that has prominence and relevance to their age group. Not only is vocabulary and grammar focussed on, but other aspects of language acquisition are looked at. So, this approach benefits the students as they are made to write their own persuasive texts as well as apply the knowledge of the language in real-time scenarios. This speeds up the acquisition of the language.
PBL in Maths: The inquisitive nature of children is used to its full potential with them using strategies such as coding for a real-life example situation which can be decoding a certain important document that has numbers and can potentially be dangerous to a given situation if not solved within a timeframe. Or comparisons to real life with geometry using angles, sums and diagrams making learning not only theoretical but practical and absolutely necessary. Professionals from different fields that can bring in new angles to the subject are also brought in.

Conclusion

At Tapas progressive educational institution, Preethi, one of the founders, elaborates on how they want to bring about a change using a traditional curriculum but new methods of teaching that are hands-on and informative in a practical manner.

They have designed the premises keeping every single detail in mind as to where they can conduct what different subjects as the change of classroom also is a change in energy which is suitable for learning. Project-based learning is the way the new-age world is going and every child should benefit from it.

What is Project-Based Learning?

Thorough Children’s Engagement in PBL,

Fact 1: PBL Is Student-Centred

Fact 2: Creates a Culture of Student Inquiry

Fact 3: Deep Understanding and Meaningful Learning

Fact 4: Children’s Engagement in Remote- And Hybrid-Learning Environments

Fact 5: Increase in Voice and Choice

Also read: How the progressive learning institution is changing the way we look at education?

Final Verdict

Content Knowledge & Skills

Authenticity & Relevance

Student Voice & Choice

Collaboration

Feedback & Revision

Final Thoughts

What Is Pedagogy?

Why Is Pedagogy Important?

Role Of Pedagogy In Effective Learning

Importance Of Pedagogy In Teaching

How Does Pedagogy Impact The Learner?

Conclusion

Check out the advantages listed below:

Qualified Educators

Academic Excellence

International Environment

Excellent Facilities

Precise in STEM Education

Exclusive Arts Education

Innovative Programmes

Holistic Development

Experiential Learning

Special Attention to Students

Focus on Moral Values

Final Verdict

Child Centric Teaching

A Few Strategies for Teachers

A few pointers to start in the right direction.

A Few Strategies for Parents

Categories of School boards

Conclusion

Project Based Learning

Benefits of Project-based Learning

Conclusion

The difference between Project-based learning and “Doing a Project”

THE PBL OBJECTIVES

Main School campus:

Early Years Campus: