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Ekya / September 15, 2021 Posted by : administrator

Remember the days | cried?
Anormal teacher would have sighed,
But you my Anjana ma’am,
Consoled silly me
And freed me
Of every little worry
Ma‘am, you are one of a kind,
One like you is hard to find

The admiration in your eyes,
In my heart lies
And in my skies it thrives
Ma‘am, you are one of a kind,
One like you is hard to find

There have been times I’ve wondered,
Times I have blundered
On thinking ‘If you are a friend, a teacher
Or a friend in disguise of a preacher’
Whatever it is ma’am
You are one of a kind
One like you is extra hard to find

A happy happy Teachers’ Day
If I may say,
I love you
And you deserve every bit of today
And every other happy bit
Of every other day
Because you my dear Anjana ma’am
Are one of a kind
And is indeed the hardest to find

By Ananya Arun
Grade 7C, Ekya School JP Nagar

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Ekya / April 03, 2024

The Power of Learning with Intent: A Guide to Purposeful Education

In a world brimming with information, the art of learning has evolved beyond the mere acquisition of facts. Learning with intent, a deliberate approach to education emphasises quality over quantity, depth over breadth, and purpose over passive absorption. It’s about cultivating a mindset that transforms knowledge into meaningful action and empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of the modern age effectively.

At its core, learning with intent involves setting clear objectives and actively engaging with the subject matter. Whether exploring a new language, delving into scientific principles, or honing a creative skill, intentionality infuses each learning endeavour with purpose and direction. As Albert Einstein aptly said, "The only source of knowledge is experience." This quote amplifies the importance of active participation and hands-on learning, highlighting that true understanding arises from deliberate engagement with the material.

Furthermore, engaging actively with the material is paramount. Embrace challenges and embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. This proactive approach not only deepens your understanding but also cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for success in any field.

Moreover, learning with intent emphasises relevance and applicability. Seek out opportunities to apply newfound knowledge in real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between theory and practice. By contextualising learning within your personal or professional sphere, you enhance its significance and utility, making it more likely to stick.

In conclusion, learning with intent is a transformative approach that transcends traditional notions of education. By setting clear objectives, engaging actively, prioritising relevance, and fostering a growth mindset, individuals can harness the full potential of learning to achieve their goals and thrive in an ever-changing world. So, embark on your learning journey with purpose, and let each lesson propel you towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.

By Sweta Pradeep Rao

Senior English Educator

Ekya School JP Nagar

Ekya / April 02, 2024

Gadget-free Summer Break

With summer vacation around, I urge parents to explore various ways to facilitate children to make healthy choices during their vacation time.

Last week, when we asked our Early Years to visualise their characters and create a story, most of them came up with stories about ghosts and monsters attacking others.  When we had conversations about what gave them this idea, we understood that these story ideas emanated from their online games. While gaming per se develops specific skills and requires focus, it also stifles the imagination of young children. Since it is visually appealing, children tend to remember those images in their heads all the time.

I often see parents providing very young children (1 year to 3 year olds)  with gadgets as the means to keep children engaged and entertained. I see children watching phones in the waiting areas of clinics, hospitals, school lobbies and banks.

This brings us to a fundamental question “ Should children be engaged by parents all the time?” Not necessarily. What is likely to happen if children were not handed over gadgets at the waiting lounges? What would they do? Some of them may cry, some may throw a loud tantrum, and some may crib. If parents show resilience and allow children to settle down themselves, they will soon find ways to keep themselves engaged. Likewise, during summer vacation. What if this is a “no gadget” vacation and parents do not take up the responsibility to engage their children? What would children do? How can parents show resilience here and facilitate children to make healthy choices? I leave the readers with this thought for this summer vacation.

Mathangi R,

Head of School,

Ekya NICE Road.

Ekya / April 02, 2024

The Eye of the Storm

In the hushed embrace of an Indian evening, our journey began, a symphony of anticipation orchestrated by the hum of jet engines and the flutter of boarding passes. The promise of adventure beckoned from distant shores as we boarded our flight bound for the United Kingdom, our hearts aflutter with dreams of far-off lands and newfound horizons. But as we soared through the velvet sky, a foreboding shadow loomed on the horizon, a harbinger of the chaos that was soon to unfold. In the blink of an eye, the tranquil serenity of our airborne sanctuary was shattered by a deafening crack, a burst of purple lightning that danced across the heavens with an otherworldly fervour. The air crackled with electricity as the plane shuddered beneath the force of the storm, its metal frame quivering in defiance against the tempestuous onslaught. And then, in a heart-stopping moment of sheer terror, the heavens unleashed their fury upon us, casting our fragile vessel into a maelstrom of chaos and uncertainty. The sky darkened to a shade of ominous charcoal as the winds howled with a primal ferocity, tearing at the wings of our faltering craft with savage intent. The cabin was awash with panicked cries and frantic prayers as we clung to our seats with white-knuckled desperation, each passing moment stretching into eternity.

And then, as if mocking our feeble attempts at control, the plane tilted almost 180 degrees, its nose plummeting towards the earth with a sickening lurch. Time seemed to stand still as we hurtled towards the ground, our fate hanging in the balance as the world spun wildly out of control. But just when all hope seemed lost, a glimmer of salvation emerged from the chaos, a beacon of light amidst the encroaching darkness. With a mighty roar, the engines surged to life once more, their thunderous symphony drowning out the cacophony of the storm as we clawed our way back from the brink of oblivion. As the storm clouds parted and the sun cast its golden rays upon the horizon, we emerged battered but unbroken, our spirits buoyed by the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. And though our journey had been fraught with peril and uncertainty, we emerged from the crucible of the skies stronger and more resilient than ever before. For in the crucible of adversity, we discovered the true measure of our strength, our courage, and our unwavering determination to defy the odds and chart our course through the tempestuous seas of life. As we touched down on solid ground once more, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the world around us, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul.

Arjun Narasimhan Kuppuswamy

Grade 8C

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#TeacherBlogger: Benefits of Teaching-Learning Online By, Ms Jacqueline Gomes Civics, History & Political Science, Ekya BTM

In the year 2020, the world received a jolt in the form of Co-Vid 19. The virus which was considered to be an epidemic soon spread its reach, deciphering boundaries. While the virus has given us ample reasons to empathise with our situation, it has made us hopeful about the future of teaching-learning- a future where the process of teaching-learning will be an amalgamation of physical and virtual classrooms. While educational institutions have formerly foreseen such a possibility, we at Ekya, are constantly striving towards making the transition a smooth process. With the gradual shift of taking our classes from physical classrooms, to the comfort of our homes, improvisation in the arenas of learning and teaching has been a necessity. Seeing the current situation, as an educator, my priority has always been to create an environment of inclusion, in my virtual classroom Being a teacher of Social Science,  there is an ample number of tools that I rely on, which helps me to grasp the conceptual understanding of my students. Tools like Padlet, allow me to bridge the gap between students, it allows me to map the attention of the students to the assigned task. Similarly, Discussion forum, 3-2-1 approach, I used to think, but now I know- are some of the many tools which helps me to achieve my purpose of involving my students in a discussion, especially regarding certain topics which a student might hesitate while sharing his/her thoughts orally. Besides this, online teaching has even allowed me to have access to information and videos at my fingertips. Visual learning is often preferred in subjects like Geography. Therefore a graphical video of the formation of the peninsular plateau in accordance with the reading enhances the learning of the students better. Moreover, sharing asynchronous articles dealing with discussion on sensitive or controversial topics plays the role of creating a predefined space that later gets filled with the concepts taught in class. Snippets of some of my practices have been shared below. Besides these aspects, seeing the current situation, it even becomes important to build a rapport or a feeling of interpersonal touch with the students. Being aware of the fact that students currently are learning beyond compact walls, distraction becomes inevitable for them. However, certain minute practices have allowed me to taper this. I often keep acknowledging the possibility of being distracted during the online class, making the student realise that as a teacher I think on the same lines as him/her. My acknowledgment often contains a suggestion, which I often see my students practicing. Moreover, learning never stops for a teacher. Education programs like SEE Learning allow me to have a comprehensive framework for cultivating social, economic, and ethical competencies. I would like to conclude my article with one of the tools which I am fascinated with:  I used to think, that online learning and teaching only deals with transforming information from one screen to another, but now, I know that the benefits of online learning and teaching methods are tremendous - it's an arena that surprises you at every phase, an exploration which is not restricted only to a student but transmits to the teacher, as well.  Overall, it won’t be incorrect to say that with each passing day, the current situation has given us reasons to make learning much more flexible, self-paced, global, and technical-driven.

#StudentBlogger: Education – paving way for a better tomorrow By, Misha Raichandani, 10 A Ekya JPN

An independent education system would comprise of those schools that can design their own curriculum & assessments and do not come under the purview of direct government regulations. Such institutions would offer a choice-based curriculum that covers a vast range of learning areas suited to 21st-century learning requirements; the pedagogy would have a variety of teaching tools and techniques that does justice to the curriculum. These independent institutions need not necessarily be for-profit though.  Before we envision an independent education system, let us pause and think about where the education system is right now. There is a lot of buzz about changes to the present system, with NEP around the corner. In that context, let us first process the rudimentary causes as to why there is a desperate need for change.  Curriculum:-India has been following the same pattern of education since independence. Does our current curriculum cater to the present needs of the society, country, world, and of course! Employment sector. No! Subjects like history and geography need to be taught by making connections to the present. Otherwise, students do not understand the relevance of learning about the past. Math needs to show us how scientific discoveries & inventions and commercial trade & commerce necessitated the conceptualization of new Math concepts. Science subjects ought to make us wonder “ How was this discovered/invented? Can I do the same?” Curriculum also needs to be linked to the interests of the students and the skills needed for 21st-century jobs. We never knew that aspiring to become a doctor would mean spending a good number of years writing exams on subjects that weren’t related to “medicine”, and spending another five years in order to become a doctor. How about giving students(middle school onwards) a choice of subjects from which to choose? Students can pick those subjects that excite them and those that will contribute to their career ahead.  Apart from content knowledge, the skills that will help one succeed in 21st-century jobs are creative thinking, problem-solving, and quick decision-making. Does the education system focus on these skills?  Assessments, marks, and grades:- Right now, education in India is high “marks” oriented. Sure, we started off as kids who were taught that learning is fun and ought to be driven by curiosity. But with periodic exams & tests and emphasis on “marks”, soon enough, the only reason a student studies anymore is to get good grades. There is constant pressure to perform, leading to stress, mental health problems, and anxiety. Exams were meant to be a means to suggest where the student stands and where he/she needs to go, but scores and marks soon became an end in themselves. Moreover half of these tests/exams test memory rather than actual understanding. This results in students developing a disinterest in learning. A child’s full potential can never be unlocked if the curriculum and assessments are not tapping into the same. In the same context, I do not see the purpose behind Board exams and personally, I think they could be replaced with alternate assessment mechanisms. If a student seeks admission to a higher educational institution, entrance exams and personality tests could be a sufficient criterion.  Amidst all this, NEP is a ray of hope inching towards these changes. While the above are long-term policy changes that are undoubtedly needed, the current pandemic situation has surely rattled the way education is imparted. Technology-enabled online learning is the new trend, necessitated by the need for social distancing. This online mode of learning has gone down really well with me. I have always wanted to try homeschooling. Now that I’ve got a taste, well a spoonful really, (It’s been more than a year!) it's something that I’m enjoying. The E- model of learning seems to be here to stay post the pandemic as well. As much as students enjoy writing down pages of notes, and teachers, the smell of chalk, this extended period of online schooling paves the way for technology-enabled learning. In all, there are many perspectives to the system of education in India. It's a developing system; the government, education administrative agencies, and institutions have all been accommodating the basic changes for coping up with the dynamic 21st-century environment, but I hope we soon see drastic changes for the better.    “The great aim of education is not knowledge, but action.” Herbert Spencer.

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