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Ekya / September 08, 2017 Posted by : administrator

At Ekya, we strongly believe that a person’s ability and intelligence can be honed through practice, hard-work, dedication and motivation. This is why we invest our time and efforts towards creating an environment that promotes and develops a ‘Growth Mindset’ among the educators and students alike.

What is Growth mindset?

Growth mindset is a concept that has been developed by Carol Dweck, a professor of Psychology at Stanford University. An individual with a Growth mindset thrives on challenge and sees failure as a heartening springboard for growth and for stretching his/her existing abilities.

A student may have the brains and talent but what is more important is his/her ability to be able to stay motivated, display grit and perseverance in completing a task and growing significantly more each day. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishments in every area of work and life.

What is on the other side of the spectrum?

Fixed mindset, on the other hand is a notion that our character, intelligence and creative ability are inherent qualities – they are static and we can’t change them in any meaningful way. People with a fixed mindset believe that you are either born with these qualities or not, and nothing can change that. They think what they are is predetermined, that which cannot be developed or improved upon. Ms. Dweck notes that such individuals strive for success and avoid failure at all costs become a way of maintaining the sense of being smart or skilled.

What does “Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset” seem like?

From excerpts of her latest book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Ms. Dweck talks about the difference between the two:

In one seminal study, we offered four-year-olds a choice: They could either redo an easy jigsaw puzzle, or try a harder one. Even these young children conformed to the characteristics of one of the two mindsets — those with “fixed” mentality stayed on the safe side, choosing the easier puzzles that would affirm their existing ability; those with the “growth” mindset thought it an odd choice to do the same puzzle over and over if they aren’t learning anything new.

In other words, the fixed mindset kids wanted to make sure they succeeded in order to seem smart, whereas the growth mindset ones wanted to stretch themselves, for their definition of success was about becoming smarter.

How does either mindset react to feedback?

Through her research, Ms. Dweck noticed that with a fixed mindset were only interested in hearing feedback that reflected directly on their present ability, but tuned out information that could help them learn and improve. They even showed no interest in hearing the right answer when they had gotten a question wrong, because they had already filed it away in the failure category. Those with a growth mindset, on the other hand, were keenly attentive to information that could help them expand their existing knowledge and skill, regardless of whether they’d gotten the question right or wrong — in other words, their priority was learning, not the binary trap of success and failure.

These findings are especially important in education and how we, as a culture assess intelligence. Hence, when we as educators value effort over ability, we are setting a culture of Growth Mindset in our classrooms, making challenges seem motivating and learning more fun. This will enable our students to view themselves as lifelong learners and their personal success will be about working their hardest to become their best.

Ms. Dweck on the importance of picking on such a mindset at an early age

At Ekya, our focus is more on the child’s learning than achievement. Yes, we celebrate our success but we value the trials and tribulations that got us there. By adopting the Growth Mindset, we allow our students to love what they do and not hold them back from what they are capable of.

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Ekya / March 14, 2024

Strategies to help students focus on their studies

The famous quote by Bruce Lee, “Concentration is the root of all the higher abilities in man,” aptly describes the importance of concentration. When it comes to students, concentration plays a major role in their overall performance. From understanding the concepts in the classroom to solving advanced mathematical problems or playing their favourite sports, everything is directly related to the power of concentration. Many of them wonder how to stay focused on their studies. For them, it is advisable to take small breaks in between their study sessions. Also, students should make an effort to participate in an extracurricular of their choice, be it playing guitar or making goals in the field. Activities of their choice would not only give them a break from studies but would also boost their dopamine level.

As per American psychological society, there is a decline in student's attention for 10 to 15 minutes. However, there is a need to look out for strategies for boosting productivity and focus among students

Here are some tips to concentrate on studies and boost focus:

Prepare short summaries of the lessons:

After completing the lessons, preparing a summary of it will help students to get a good hold on the topic. Short summaries will also be useful during the revision before final exams. Sticky notes to write important points will also help

Take periodic breaks:

A small break after a study session is one of the learning tips for children given by many experts. Small breaks help students refresh their mind and focus on the topic. Students can also use the Pomodoro technique which includes 25 minutes of study and 5 minutes of break or 50 minutes of study and 10 minutes of break.

Encourage them to finish tasks faster:

Setting a time limit will help students to channel their energy in one direction. This is a good way to increase their concentration. Children should also be advised to divide the bigger tasks into smaller pieces and solve them one by one. This technique will teach students the lesson of time management and will enhance their concentration.

Try to make learning sessions fun:

It is one of the best tips for studying. As it will engage the students in the most fun manner. For this, various learning toys can be used to make them understand complex topics. Including memory games would also be a good option to increase their concentration.

Implement Ed-Tech learning:

Involving Ed-Tech learning is one of the best ways to keep the students engaged, as it captivates their attention. Ed-tech learning methods are designed in a way to not just boost the student's interest but also help improve their concentration.

Take the feedback seriously:

Always encourage the students to take the feedback given by their teachers seriously as this way they will get to know more about their weaker areas and work over them. It is a good way for students to channel their focus on the areas that demand more attention.

Understand the student's potential:

This point is very important for teachers and parents to consider. Every child is blessed in some or the other way. Comparing them with other students not just demoralises them but also lowers their confidence. So it is essential to understand the true potential of every student. This way they can excel in their desired career fields.   Ekya School is among the best schools in Bangalore, if you are seeking a school with an ICSE curriculum, this is the place for you. It is also among the CBSE schools in Bangalore, that provide students a holistic approach by innovative curriculum design based on the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework. With over 30 years of education legacy, it has excelled not only in academics but also outperformed in co-curricular activities. Ekya’s experienced teachers help students concentrate on studies through different methods of teaching, clearing doubts, and revision sessions, pedagogy method of teaching is applied for better outcomes. Moreover allowing students to take breaks, participate, and enjoy their personal activity time. Ekya promotes the importance of co-curriculum activities such as physical health, sports, school clubs, music, dance, coding, debating, and more. All these approaches help in concentration and focus, also these are elements that demand variety and quality breaks in between everything we do. Furthermore, students are offered excellent opportunities here in Ekya that help them grow in a safe and supportive environment.  

Ekya / March 04, 2024

Teachers, The Unsung Heroes

In the vast tapestry of society, there exists a group of individuals who are shaping futures, nurturing minds and instilling values but continue to remain unsung heroes. Their efforts and contributions often go unnoticed despite the indispensable role they play in society. Despite their pivotal role, teachers are most often undervalued and underappreciated. It’s crucial to recognise and acknowledge their efforts. Acceptance of their importance motivates them to continue their noble work.

Beyond the confines of books and teaching teachers play a significant role in shaping the lives of their students. They serve as mentors, confidants and role models guiding young children through challenges and opportunities. With their role comes great responsibility as they not only impart education but also nurture character, empathy, and resilience. Teachers have the power to ignite passion, unlock potential, and instil a lifelong love and learning.

The commitment of teachers transcends mere profession, it’s a lifelong dedication. Despite facing numerous challenges, from limited resources to societal pressures, they remain committed to their pursuit of providing quality education. The impact they create in the lives of individuals is unfathomable. The smile they bring to the faces of young children is something that only they are capable of and that’s what brings joy and fulfilment in their lives.

As we reflect on their profound impact, let’s celebrate and honour their invaluable role in shaping the world we live in. This tribute to teachers is a recognition of their transformative power in shaping the destiny of individuals and communities. Let’s cherish and support them in their noble endeavour to enlighten minds and build a brighter future for generations to come.

Sreepriya Unnikrishnan Head of School Ekya School, JP Nagar

Ekya / March 04, 2024

Education, the essence of life

Education is the most beautiful creation, be it in nature or human life. I choose to do the Cambridge International Diploma course to enhance my understanding of how to teach effectively. This course enabled me to accept challenges and think outside of the box. It helped me develop critical thinking in my students, motivating them to revolutionize their thought processes as they are taught “How to think?”, not “What to think?”.This course has helped me improve my teaching skills creating a better learning environment for my learners. The use of active learning strategies like think-pair-share, brainstorming, class discussion, and Socratic Questioning has helped widen their horizon, as the students develop problem-solving skills and communicating and collaborating skills. As a teacher, following my passion has been enriching and rewarding. Written by, Shalini Joshi
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Experts@Ekya – Baking Masterclass

As part of our Experts@Ekya program, we had Ms. Neeth Medappa from Pastry Masterclass, organize a Baking Workshop at Ekya JP NagarEkya ITPL and Ekya BTM Layout. Ms. Neeth Medappa is a trained French Pastry Chef from Le Cordon Bleu, Ottawa, Canada. She has had over 300 enthusiastic bakers in attendance at her signature baking master-class, organized in Coorg and Mysore. Young, budding bakers now enjoy the same experience with Ms. Neeth’s student-friendly ‘Junior Pastry Masterclass’ as did the students of Ekya at their workshop – exploring delightful recipes of pure indulgence. [gallery columns="2" size="large" ids="1918,1917"] Students from Grade IV to Grade XII learnt the fundamentals of baking with essential kitchen safety techniques and were able to whip up some simple yet delicious treats in no time. The enthralling three hour session started with an introduction to baking and was followed by a live demonstration of recipes. In addition to playing with dough and frosting, the children got their hands on baking manuals to help with their future baking endeavors. Our young bakers put their taste-buds to work at the end of session, taking a bite full of the delicious cupcakes and biscuits. The workshop concluded with our guest speaker addressing questions from students in an interactive Q & A.

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Working at Ekya Schools – Ahlada Sudersan

“We need to prepare our students for the demands of the future.” Having started her career as an Electrical Engineer, Ms. Ahlada’s passion for Computer Science brought her to Ekya Schools. Today, she designs the Computer curriculum for Grades 1 to Grade 12 at the Ekya Learning Center. In addition to setting the learning areas of the subject, she also teaches Computer Science at Senior School of Ekya ITPL. With a B.E in Electronics and Instrumentation from Madras University, she also holds an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University, a certification in SAS training and a B.Ed. Working with artificial intelligence a few years ago versus designing the Ekya curriculum, we sit down with Ms. Ahlada and speak to her about her experience with Ekya Schools and her transition into the role of a curriculum developer and teacher. Here are the excerpts: Q: What do you do at Ekya Schools? How does your day of work typically go at Ekya Schools? I work as a curriculum developer for Ekya Learning Center. I develop, maintain and update Computer Science curriculum across Grades 1 to 12.  My typical day at Ekya begins at 8 am and ends by 4.15 pm. My daily responsibilities include:
  • Researching digital platforms that are being used in other curricula and their effectiveness in the teaching-learning process for Computer Science
  • Planning the units for each grade level.
  • Designing learning plans.
  • Creating review papers.
  • Creating resource material for the curriculum.
  • Incorporating meaningful technological integration that would encourage the  students in solving real world problems.
  • Evaluating the designed curriculum by assimilating and observing students’ work.
Q: How is the culture here at Ekya? How is it working here and what do you enjoy about it? The culture at Ekya is open, warm and welcoming. Ekya stands for the ideal, ‘United as One”. Every morning, students are greeted by their class teachers before they enter the class. Teachers are welcomed by the head of the school with a handshake and a warm smile. Students and teachers at Ekya Schools create Social Contracts, where they decide how the behaviour of a class or a team should be. At Ekya Learning Center, we engage in lively group discussions and share ideas and resources with one another. I enjoy the bonhomie at my workplace and the healthy, intelligent interactions that help us work well as a team. Q: How did you transition from your previous role to the one you hold at Ekya right now? My previous jobs include being part of an R&D project where I performed predictive analysis using artificial intelligence mechanisms for power system contingency studies. I had also worked as a data analyst for a short while after which I took a break due to family commitments. I joined Ekya School, ITPL as a computer science teacher in 2012.  Being able to leave on time helped me take care of family needs and I could compartmentalize work and home as two different spaces. Q: How have you changed as a person, coming in from a corporate fold? Being a teacher meant engaging with students, collaborating and exchanging ideas and information with them. This was an immense learning curve for me. I began to understand the importance of the teaching learning process, classroom management, the right ways of communication. This experience has helped me become a lifelong learner. I have also taken away important aspects like empathy, teamwork, social responsibility, personalized teaching and incorporated it in my personal life. This was in stark contrast to my previous job where I was tied to a machine for long hours and had a very monotonous work life. Q: Have you ever seen yourself be part of an educational set-up prior to Ekya? How has the community here help you find your feet? No. I felt the need to have work life balance and looked at educational institutions as a way of meeting my expectations. After joining Ekya, I found that I enjoyed teaching. Every single day as a teacher is a unique experience with its own set of challenges. My peer group and the vice principal helped me get my bearing with constructive feedback and support. Ekya helped me feel at home and encouraged my thoughts on how the Computer Science curriculum could be changed to better suit our changing world. After five years as a teacher and understanding the needs of students, I transitioned as a curriculum developer. Ekya continues to guide me as I learn new things and contribute to shaping the future of many, many students in a meaningful manner.
Ms. Ahlada believes that we need to gear our education to create innovators and thinkers who can tackle the challenges of an increasingly tech-dependent world.
And at Ekya, we are doing exactly that! Using immersive and experiential teaching methods that help students live the lesson, our schools enable students to explore, understand, build memories and become lifelong learners. And to help them become lifelong learners, we are looking for space explorers, painters and inventors who teach! We are hiring! If you are considering to become an educator, to make a career switch to teaching – one that is dynamic and multi-faceted, we look forward to your application here.  

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