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Ekya / December 09, 2021 Posted by : administrator

Source: bwe ducation

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted people’s lives in various ways. One section of the population which got affected during Covid time were the children, especially those in the age group of 3-5 years, who were expected to join the school. Though parents are home-schooling children and helping the older children to adjust to the online classes, the dilemma of educating the three/four-year-olds continues. Many parents are apprehensive about admitting their little ones to preschool or kindergarten as the schools continue to function in online mode. 

The introduction of online classes, an innovative approach, was opted by most education institutions during the pandemic. Though it looked difficult and unviable in the initial stages, the continuous training provided to teachers from the school management and induction of advanced technology made this solution effective and easily adaptable. 

The impact of delaying education on the children:

The remote education and lack of physical attendance at the school have worried the parents with kids in the age group of 3-4 years. In some cases, this concern has led to a delay in the admission of their little one to the school. Though this apprehensiveness is not irrational, parents need to be assured that the faculty in the school are capable of handling children and are trained to make learning more attractive to these toddlers who are in their initial phase of schooling. 

Numerous scientific studies have shown that early education plays a major role in a child’s life. It is important as it builds the child’s perspective about schooling. The experience they get at their tender age helps to mould the future of the child. Any gap in education during these years like delay in admission to the school may impact the child’s learning, social and emotional skills.

Education is not only meant to acquire a degree or a good job, it is essential for the well-rounded development of an individual. It cultivates a healthy thought process and helps the child to develop cognitive skills. Schools can help in the mental, social, physical, and overall development of children. 

Though home-schooling is an option, it usually keeps a child away from the socio-emotional learning foundation. Kindergartens and preschools are essential to help the child ease into routine schooling. This initial education to the children is focused to give the kind of language stimulation which may not be possible at home. Though the schools are closed now, the young brain requires stimulation to orient them towards learning. Hence, deferring the academic year may harm these young minds. 

The curriculum in the schools is currently drafted based on scientific research and the ability of children of the age group. If the school is sharing educational videos with the child, utmost care is taken to draft it to help aid the development of a child. Parents need to understand that these educational videos and online classes help their children comprehend concepts and are not just a mere diversion. Therefore, deferring the admission or not allowing them to attend online classes, may delay their social and emotional development. Also, delaying a year may put extra pressure and hinder the child’s ability in understanding the various learning areas. 

Many private schools are adopting innovative ways of teaching online by making the curriculum more fun, engaging, interactive, and appealing to children. They are including activities to delineate a course of action for students to inculcate a sense of school even at home. 

It is not true that children will not get benefitted from online classes. Similar to offline education, online schooling has its advantages. 

Home is the learning space now

Education is now customised to the needs of the student and they can learn from the comfort of their home. Online learning also involves the parents in the process which will help the child to understand better. 

Short but elaborated teaching

Shorter learning sessions are effective, and teachers make them progressively longer when required, which improves the attention span of students. Teachers try to make the classes more interactive so students feel the classes are exciting irrespective of the time spent in the online classes. 

Visually stimulating content

Videos, lectures, study material, and classes that are visually attractive help develop the cognitive abilities and task proficiency of students. The added benefit is that this type of educational content helps keep the learners engaged while making the learning process an enjoyable experience for students and teachers alike.

Builds good routine 

Establishing daily routines can help children to inculcate discipline and proper habits. The regular time frame for studying helps build rhythm and adapt to learning methods with encouragement from teachers and parents.

Enhancing creativity through the online medium

The various activities organised by the schools help in enhancing the talent among children. Online classes provide a platform for the students to exhibit their talents and engage in their areas of interest. 

With the advancement in technology, online education is becoming more convenient and user-friendly. Instead of a few uncertain fears, parents need to understand its positive aspects to take full advantage of the technology as well as education to make their kid future-ready. 

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Ekya / May 24, 2023

Fun in Sun: Ekya School Summer camps designed for children to Explore, Learn & Play

Source: Brain Feed
Summer camps are a great way for children to spend their holidays in a meaningful and productive manner. These camps not only provide a fun and enjoyable experience but also offer opportunities for children to learn and develop new skills. They allow children to learn new skills, make new friends and have fun while staying active and engaged. With this in mind, Ekya Schools and CMR NPS organized series of camps with an array of activities planned that cater to a range of interests and ages. The camps are being led by experienced and qualified instructors ensuring safety, enjoyable experience and engaging environment for children across ages. The camp began with a meaningful excursion to Munnar as a part of the Outbound Learning Pogram organized for children of Ekya Schools and CMR NPS exclusively, where children got to trek, go kayaking, watching and learning tea picking, and learning the process of tea making, enjoying the natural surroundings of tea estates, activities like raft building, watching martial arts of Kerala, etc. At Ekya Schools and CMR NPS, keeping in mind the benefits of organizing summer camps for its students, they have started offering a variety of courses and skill-based activities. Customized activities like LEGO Robotics / Coding and Robotics, Public speaking and creative writing skills, Art Courses like Drama & Speech, Theatre, Sculpturing and Art on bottle, Warli Art, Paper Mache Pots, etc. Performing arts like Hip-hop dance, Indian Modern dance, Sports activities like Swimming, Basketball, Skating, Karate, and many such personality development programmes have been a part of Summer Camps for students of Ekya, CMR NPS and others who wish to participate. Camps are held on several Ekya School campuses. The best part is that kids from any school may come to our campus, participate in camps and have a good learning and fun time by enrolling into the Summer Camps. Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Anamika Radhakrishnan, Head – Student Development, Ekya Schools said, “The summer camps at Ekya School and CMR NPS are designed to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment for children to learn and grow. Our educational programs are specifically tailored to develop cognitive and social skills and focus on physical fitness and overall wellbeing. Through various activities, we aim to encourage children to be active and engage in physical exercise, which is crucial for their holistic development. With a team of experienced and qualified educators, we are dedicated to providing a high-quality education that equips children with the necessary skills to succeed in the 21st century. At Ekya Schools, we are committed to creating a learning environment that fosters children’s holistic development.”

Ekya / May 24, 2023

Bee-lieve it! Students of EKYA School introduced to the new Bee Hotel Initiative to promote sustainability

Source: Education World
While options for summer camps are aplenty, Ekya school in Bengaluru is offering its students an innovative summer assignment- to raise bees. To encourage sustainability initiatives and promote the importance of environmental conservation, Ekya Schools has collaborated with the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) in their one-of-a-kind ‘Bee Hotels’ initiative. Interested students from all five branches of Ekya have opted for the Bee Hotel and will be participating in the activity. These bee hotels will be looked after by the students during the summer vacation. This initiative targets studying solitary bees in Bengaluru. Experts believe that unlike honeybees, solitary bees do not build hives or display any aggressive behaviour, making it safe for children. Ekya School Byrathi hosted an interactive talk about conserving biodiversity in cities where students interacted with researchers from ATREE. Dr Tristha Ramamurthy, Founder of Ekya Schools and Provost, CMR University, said, “We have introduced the Bee Hotels as we firmly believe in the importance of transcending the limits of the classroom and raising our students’ awareness of the world they inhabit. Moreover, the Bee Hotel initiative engages the entire family by facilitating collective learning about sustainability and conservation”. “We believe that our students must understand the impact of their actions on the environment,” said Smriti Agarwal, Head of School, Ekya School Byrathi. “By implementing this initiative, we are not only creating a secure environment for bees but also educating our students about the significance of sustainability and conservation.” Students will be recording their observations on the Bee Hotel App. These observations will help further the research program at ATREE to integrate these important pollinators into urban life.

Ekya / May 24, 2023

Gautam Aravindan: A Compassionate Youth Paving the Way for Robotics With A Purpose

Source: Edugraph

The soft hum of electronics filled the air as Gautam Aravindan tinkered with his latest creation in his room. It was a 3-degree of freedom (DOF) camera positioning system for machine vision, and it was his most ambitious project yet. As just a second-year PU student at CMR National Pre-University College, ITPL, Gautam had already made significant strides in the field of robotics and electronics, driven by a passion that had sparked in him at a young age.

Recently, he presented his projects in electronics, robotics, and single-board computers at CMR National PU College. The session covered basic sensors and actuators, delved into the world of robotics using a robotic arm controlled using a Raspberry Pi and a remote control, and discussed the exciting potential of single-board computers. Gautam conducted the session to spread awareness to his peers regarding the amazing potential of the world of robots and computing and that there are no age constraints to building robots. He hoped to have inspired his peers to explore it further.

It all started when Gautam saw a robot on TV and was fascinated by its functionalities. From that moment, his interest in electronics and computing only grew, leading him to explore distinct ventures of robotics and ultimately becoming a field he wished to pursue when he grew older. With the COVID-19 pandemic keeping him indoors, Gautam utilized his time to learn the fundamentals required to build projects related to electronics, robotics, and single-board computers.

Amidst the pandemic, Gautam upskilled himself and expanded his knowledge, creating several impressive projects. From a Laser Security system for safety purposes to a reverse parking system using a Raspberry Pi single-board computer, he had done it all. He had even created several 3-D printed and designed home-based products, such as laptops and mobile stands.

During his journey, Gautam encountered various challenges that strengthened his persistence and determination to achieve his goals. For example - Amid the pandemic, when he couldn't access the required components for his projects, he dismantled his old toys and repurposed them for his work. And with every challenge after that, Gautam's unwavering dedication towards his projects sharpened his problem-solving abilities.

Amongst his numerous projects, Gautam had a particular social concern he wished to address using robotics and electronics - the growing necessity for elderly care. Gautam believes these fields have a wide range of applications and could be used to solve several real-world problems and assist in research ventures. He hopes to address this issue by building a robotic companion for the elderly based on their respective needs.

For people interested in learning more about robotics, technology, and computers, here’s what Gautam suggests - “Explore these ventures in-depth using the Internet. Take advantage of e-learning platforms that offer paid and free courses with certification. Get hands-on exposure by building projects - using beginner electronics kits which are easily accessible on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, etc”.

Gautam Aravindan's dedication to electronics, robotics, and single-board computers is impressive, and his work is an inspiration to many. His passion for these fields has led him to undertake several impressive projects and has given him a broader perspective on the role of these technologies in society. His work on building a robotic companion for the elderly is a testament to his commitment to solving real-world problems through technology. Gautam's journey in this field is one to watch out for, and we look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next.

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Is your child feeling bored during online classes? Tips to improve their attentiveness

Source: The Hans India

Looking at the current COVID-19 scenario and the third wave looming large, online classes are expected to continue. It's been 18 months since the pandemic struck, bringing about a paradigm shift in the learning space. As the schools remain closed, educational institutions have adapted to this change in conforming to the online mode of education ensuring that students' learning is not hampered. However, the most challenging part of online classes is to make sure that the classes are effective and students are attentive.

To make the online classes more interactive and interesting, new and improvised strategies need to be employed. The idea is to get the attention of the students, keep them motivated, engaged and also participate. Besides teaching skills, teachers have to use their creativity and adopt strategies that will help set students up for success. Being in a home environment and surrounded by potential distractions, keeping students engaged, motivated, and interested in their learning can be one of the biggest challenges. The goal is to make teaching fun, reciprocating, and inspiring using various innovative strategies.

Have expert speaker sessions: Attending continuous online classes can be challenging as it involves a lot of screen time and often diverts the focus as students feel tired, lose interest and miss attending the classes. They may be present before the screen but their attention can be somewhere else. To keep their interest going and break the monotonous chain, bringing in expert speakers occasionally can be motivational. Experts from diverse fields interact with students and share their experiences.

Develop multiple learning options: Including activities in lessons makes class sessions engaging and interesting for students. Storytelling, puzzles, quiz, role plays, debates capture students' attention and keep them effectively engaged in learning.

Make your presentation appealing: Educators need to use presentations that are creative, appealing and easy to understand. Simple presentations can be made interesting by adding animated explainer videos, short animations, illustrations, graphs, pictures, clip arts, etc. This will engage the students better and make understanding concepts easier.

Provide interactive and co-curricular activities: Organizing activities such as breakfast clubs, lunch clubs for the entire class during the weekends will help students to unwind, engage socially and make the learning more fun and enjoyable.

Make your students feel valued: Getting to know your students, addressing every child by his/her name, checking in periodically, listening to them - their interests, needs, challenges, goals, encouraging them, giving positive feedback prove helpful and make the students feel valued. Additionally, giving affirmations and awarding their work with stars and badges will keep them motivated in finishing their tasks.

(The author is Founder & MD, Ekya Schools and Provost, CMR University)

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99.96% students clear CBSE Class X exam

Source: The Hindu

Last year, the pass percentage in the Bengaluru region in the Class X examination was 98.23%

As many as 99.96% CBSE students from Karnataka cleared Class X. The Bengaluru region bagged the second spot.

Last year, the pass percentage in the Bengaluru region in the Class X examination was 98.23%. The first spot was bagged by the Trivandrum region, where 99.99% of the students had cleared the exam.

A statement issued by CBSE stated that 62,503 of the total 62,529 students in Karnataka cleared the exam. As many as 34,838 of 34,856 boys and 27,665 girls of the total 27,673, cleared. The pass percentage for boys was 99.95%, which was marginally lower than the pass percentage of girls at 99.97%.

Students were graded based on the scores obtained in Class X in the unit tests, mid-term examinations and the pre-board examinations.

While schools in the city are elated with the scores, many students who are toppers in their schools feel that their marks would have been higher if the board examinations were conducted. Many school managements also pointed out that they had to moderate the marks of students.

Shrutika D., a Class X student, said that she was extremely disappointed with the scores as the marks were moderated. “I feel I would have scored better marks if the examinations were conducted. However, I will opt not to write the examination again as my Class XI preparation has already begun. It will be difficult to break the flow and study for Class X again.”

Dakshayini Kanna, principal, Harvest International School, said that many of their students who had scored high marks had told her that they would have had a better chance of obtaining higher marks and centums had they appeared for the board-based examination. “However, we are happy with the results and have told the students that their scores are similar to the marks they may have scored if the examination was conducted. We also feel that the results collated are in line with the National Education Policy, which aims to move away from a one-time board examination.”

Jyothi Menon, Head of School, Ekya School, ITPL, said that although it has been a tough year, students overcame those hurdles very well. She said that there was a significant increase in the number of students who scored above 90%.

Manju Balasubramaniam, principal, Delhi Public School – North, said that the results did not come as a surprise to the students as it was an extremely transparent process and they were made aware of how the results would be calculated.

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