Activity-based learning in India: Difference between revisions

'''Activity-based learning''' or ABL describes a range of pedagogical approaches to teaching. Its core premises include the requirement that learning should be based on doing some hands-on experiments and activities. The idea of activity-based learning is rooted in the common notion that children are active learners rather than passive recipients of the information. If the child is provided the opportunity to explore on their own and provided an optimum learning environment then the learning becomes joyful and long-lasting.

Activity-based learning started sometime in 1944 around World War II when a British man [[David Horsburgh]] came to India and finally decided to settle down there. He was an innovative thinker and charismatic leader.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Where mind is without fear |url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2004/01/11/stories/2004011100190700.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040122084454/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2004/01/11/stories/2004011100190700.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 January 2004 | location=Chennai, India |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=11 January 2004}}</ref> He started teaching at [[Rishi Valley School]]. He joined the [[British Council]] and worked in [[Chennai]] and [[Bangalore]] for many years. After his voluntary retirement, he located a {{convert|7|acre|m2|adj=on}} site in Kolar District and opened his school, Neel Bagh. Neel Bagh was based on an innovative idea of Horsburgh and is known for its creative methods in teaching well-planned learning materials. With his wife Doreen and his son Nicholas, Horsburgh developed a diverse curriculum, which included music, carpentry, sewing, masonry, gardening, as well as the usual school subjects, English, mathematics, Sanskrit, and Telugu. These pedagogic materials were systematically planned, with sketches and drawings and an occasional touch of humour. Later Horsburgh created a magnificent library in Neel Baugh that was accessible to teachers and students. This initiative of Horsburgh was later proved to be one of the pioneers and milestones in ABL. In modern times, the ABL method has been followed in the Corporation schools of Chennai since 2003, as an effort to provide special schools for children who had been freed from [[bonded labour]].<ref>{{cite web |title=A Report on ABL |author=Dr. Anandalakshmi |publisher=SSA |url=http://www.ssa.tn.nic.in/Docu/ABL-Report-by-Dr.Anandhalakshmi.pdf |pages=1–8}}</ref>

The ABL in its contemporary form was first undertaken by the [[Chennai]] Corporation in 13 schools on a trial basis in 2003, and has been adopted by all 270 primary schools in the district.  

First designed and tested by the [[Rishi Valley School]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]] in the '90s, the Activity-Based Learning system has been successfully implemented in several Indian states and union territory, including [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Gujarat]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ictpost.com/gujarat-trendsetter-in-activity-based-learning/ |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-08-28 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904174550/http://ictpost.com/gujarat-trendsetter-in-activity-based-learning/ |archivedate=2014-09-04 }}</ref> [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Haryana]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/haryana-launches-activity-based-learning-programme/1/341988.html |title=Haryana launches activity-based learning programme in government schools : News |publisher=Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=2014-02-06 |accessdate=2016-12-03}}</ref> [[Maharashtra]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/Activity-based-learning-to-be-introduced-in-200-more-schools/articleshow/38019841.cms |title=Activity based learning to be introduced in 200 more schools - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2014-07-08 |accessdate=2016-12-03}}</ref> and [[Chandigarh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/chandigarh/activity-based-learning-is-edu-dept-s-key-focus/article1-1247771.aspx |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-08-28 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904004257/http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/chandigarh/activity-based-learning-is-edu-dept-s-key-focus/article1-1247771.aspx |archivedate=2014-09-04 }}</ref> In [[Tamil Nadu]], [[UNICEF]] supported the Chennai Corporation to introduce the ABL methods in the Government schools.

There are many organisations which cultivate and follow the principles of activity-based learning. Digantar Siksha evam Khelkud Samiti in [[Rajasthan]], Sumavanam Village School in [[Andhra Pradesh]], Walden's Path<ref>{{cite journal|title=Learning in every corner|journal=Teacher Plus|date=4 January 2016|issue=January 2016|url=http://www.teacherplus.org/2016/january-2016/learning-in-every-corner|accessdate=5 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305023327/http://www.teacherplus.org/2016/january-2016/learning-in-every-corner|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> in [[Telangana]] and Vikasana School in [[Karnataka]] are the places which were established on the principles of activity-based learning.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alternative Education in India |url=http://www.alternativeeducationindia.net/}}</ref> This approach started in 2010 as "Pragya" in Gujarat.

There are many private organisations in India using activity-based learning to evoke curiosity in students. Some of the well-known ones are NumberNagar,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/times-groups-brand-capital-and-bengaluru-based-numbernagar-enter-into-a-strategic-partnership-times-group-acquires-strategic-stake-699368651.html|title=Times Group's Brand Capital and Bengaluru-based NumberNagar® Enter Into a Strategic Partnership; Times Group Acquires Strategic Stake|last=NumberNagar|website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-08}}</ref> [[Kumon]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kumon-program-math-completer-to-follow-in-parents-footsteps-301000324.html|title=Kumon Program Math Completer to Follow in Parents' Footsteps|last=Kumon|website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-08}}</ref> and Cuemath.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Vignesh|first=J.|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/startups-are-using-newer-methods-like-videos-and-puzzles-to-teach-mathematics/articleshow/53533769.cms|title=Startups are using newer methods like videos and puzzles to teach mathematics|date=2016-08-04|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2020-02-08}}</ref> All of these organisations have a presence in multiple states in India.

The philosophy of ABL finds its antecedents in the common notion that learning can be done best when it is initiated by the surrounding environment and motivated by providing optimum opportunities to learn. A fearless environment and freedom to express always adds to the learning outcomes.

 

Activity-based Learning helps students express and embrace their curiosity. Once the students become curious, they tend to explore and learn by themselves.

Under Activity Based learning, education takes a child-centered approach. It develops self-learning skill among the learners and allows a child to study according to his or her skill. Activities here can be in the form of songs, drawings, rhymes, or role play to teach a letter or a word, solve mathematical problems, form a sentence, or understand social or physical sciences. The learner is given a report card only after completing all the steps in a subject. If a child is absent even a single day he starts from where he left off, unlike in the old system in which the child had to do self-learning of the missed portions.

The key feature of the Activity Based Learning (ABL) method is that it uses child-friendly educational aids to foster self-learning and allows a child to study according to his or her aptitude and skill. ABL serves as one model of child-centered, child-friendly education, which is the mandate of the [[Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act]] (RTE) Act in India.

The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Scheme by Government has introduced many initiatives and creative methods to bring about changes in teaching methods for both teachers as well as learners. In the state of Tamil Nadu, the elementary schools have taken the initiative to use methodology called Activity Based Learning through [[Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan]].

The key feature of the ABL method is that it uses child-friendly educational aids to foster [[Autodidacticism|self-learning]] and allows a child to study according to his/her [[aptitude]] and [[skill]]. Under the system, the curriculum is divided into small units, each a group of Self Learning Materials (SLM) comprising attractively designed study cards for [[English language|English]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[maths]], [[science]] and Social Science. When a child finishes a group of cards, he completes one "milestone".

 

Activities in each milestone include games, rhymes, drawing, and songs to teach a letter or a word, form a sentence, do maths and science, or understand a concept. The child takes up an Exam Card only after completing all the milestones in a subject. On a common chart, the milestones are arranged in the form of a ladder and the child knows exactly which milestone he completed in the last lesson.

This is a child-friendly way to evaluate and reinforce learning.<ref>{{cite web|title=Children enjoy learning in Activity Based Learning Schools|url=http://unicef.in/Story/469/Children-enjoy-learning-in-Activity-Based-Learning-Schools-|website=unicef.in }}</ref> If a child is absent one day, he/she continues from where he/she left unlike in the old system where the children had to learn on their own what they missed out on.<ref>{{cite web |title=Activity based learning- A radical change in Primary Education |publisher=UNICEF |url= http://www.unicef.org/india/education_1546.htm |website=unicef.in }}</ref>

Sometimes, a combination of working with physical objects (for example in a learning/experiential lab environment) along with learning with the help of technology is used for the overall development of children. In such cases, the technology can be used as an enabler or as a reinforcement tool to aid in learning. This type of learning methodology is called Blended Learning. Blended Learning can also use [[machine learning]] and other such technologies to implement [[adaptive learning]].