Self-directed learning – what comes to mind when we hear this? It sounds like a complex pedagogical concept. In simple terms, it is the process of a learner learning independently. Imagine a scenario where you choose what to learn, how to learn, when to learn and go about it without…
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Puzzles for fun Do you play puzzles for fun? I certainly do. Sometimes I solve them successfully, sometimes I do not. In either case, it is a good exercise for the brain. It is also a good discussion topic with family. It would indeed be a great idea to have…
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I have not always had a questioning mind. As a child, I would resist the urge to ask questions more than exercise them. It is only during my adult life as a student and teacher of Science that I have learned to shed inhibitions. Over the last couple of decades,…
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Fun with words Have you ever had fun with words? Have you played word puzzles in the newspaper? Whatever the activity is, we all enjoy playing, is it not? Children like to play most of the time. For children, playing and learning are the same thing. A whole lot of…
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The Montessori method Nowadays, the Montessori method is a familiar name to parents, educators, and the public alike. The Montessori method has gained widespread application all over the world, including India. I have been reading the book, The Secret of Childhood by Maria Montessori, over the last few weeks. The…
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Kitchen is a Science lab My husband is very fond of experimenting, especially conducting experiments in the kitchen. A few days ago, while I was away from home, he got the idea to set home-made ‘curd’ (yogurt, ಮೊಸರು, दही). When I returned home in the evening, I saw a vessel…
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Out of thin air Have you ever wondered what we are all made of? Many years ago, I attended a seminar in my office. The speaker was a visiting delegate from the USA. His expertise was in K12 education. He had carried a thick wooden log with him to use…
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Cleaning the mind I am usually a contemplative and reflective person. Asking open-ended questions feels therapeutic to my mind. While I am specific and practical with everyday logistical situations, my imagination soars when I need to de-clutter my mind. Recently I finished reading a book – When Things Start to…
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Crisis arrives with no warning We are almost 8 months into the year 2020. No one could have anticipated the turn of events this year has brought to the world. COVID-19 has disrupted lives everywhere in the world, the magnitude of this devastation is enormous. The secondary and tertiary consequences…
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Background I was part of a panel discussion on Education and E-learning yesterday. This was part of the Reboot Karnataka Virtual Conclave organised by Times of India. As part of my preparation for the conclave, I focused on education through a system of core values. This thinking was reinforced by…
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