Kusum Sharma: 50 TALES OF DISCOVERY

50 tales of discovery book is a lovely book, reminding us so clearly about the excitements and wonders of the discovery of various things like Matchsticks, ATM, Ice-Cream cone, Basketball, Velcro, Bubblegum, Grass-Cutting machine, Band-Aid and many more things. The best part of that book is that chapters are very short and written in very easy language so any one can enjoy reading. It is true that learning needs a comfortable and positive environment from time to time. It helps a person’s environment welcoming to learn, make mistakes and accomplishes new things.

This book has increased my knowledge about all these discoveries and it is rightly said that nurture plays a bigger role than nature. Upbringing and environment recreate a larger role in making people more innovative, but passion, dedication and hard work for starters play an important role.

Among all these stories which I like the most is “The buck always stops where ideas rule.” Here some discoveries are done due to the demand of time and situations. In this story, the situation where an inventor was standing in a queue and waiting for his turn felt very ridiculous. So, Donald Wetzel did many pieces of research to overcome this problem and finally, he patented the ATM. He persuaded Decotel to install a machine in the chemical bank in New York. This idea was adopted by many people and there were so many ATMs set up in the United States.

Educator: Kusum Sharma, The Fabindia School, Bali

Ksa4fab@gmail.com

Byju P Joseph: The smallest of clues can lead to the biggest of theories

Thank You The Gaudium School, for inspiring all by the “50 Tales of Discoveries”. This attempt provides a chance to know the real situations behind some of the discoveries. The inspiration which I got from these tales of discoveries motivates me to share a few things.  

It is not an easy thing for human beings to explore everything in the universe. According to the Big Bang theory, the universe is expanding continuously. We know that the universe is endless, everywhere it is the same, and then where does it expand towards? It is really beyond our imagination. Research is going on so we can expect answers for all such questions.

Let’s leave the universe and think a few things related to our earth. What will happen if the earth stops its rotation on its own axis and its revolution around the sun? Have you ever thought about it? Don’t worry. These things will not happen.

Recent studies in Geo Physics reveal that our earth is going to slow down its rotation in the coming five years from 2018. It means that the speed of rotation will decrease slightly. As a result of it the equator will contract slightly, says the Scientists of American Society of Geo-Physics. According to this change, the tectonic plates will not contract but at the sides of these plates, the pressure will increase. Its impact will be horrible. Consequently, earthquakes may occur at some places of the earth where tectonic plates are hitting continuously. By studying the shaking of tectonic plates from 1900 scientists discovered that whenever the earth’s rotation slows down the intensity of earthquakes increases. This slow motion is determined by measuring the duration of days and nights. By applying modern technology it can be measured accurately even up to microsecond.

There are chances to increase the number of earthquakes having intensities above seven in Richter scale in coming years. We cannot predict when and where these will occur. Only precautions are possible.

-          Byju P. Joseph, The Fabindia School, Bali

Email: bjh@fabindiaschools.in

Ishu Chouhan: 50 Tales of Discovery

All the thoughts of the book were just outstanding. The best thought which I liked was “It All Starts With A Quick Fix To A Problem Around You.” In this thought, Earle Dickson is an employee and he noticed that his wife was repeatedly cutting herself while preparing the meal. Her husband was concerned about his wife, so to manage such minor accidents, he decided to be proactive. As a result, he invented a ‘Band-Aid’.

Same way when we are concerned about somebody, we take care of him/her and do not expect anything in return. This is how caring for each other gives a good result in the end. Caring is about expressing feelings, not intentionally but kindheartedly. We care for the one whom we love.

Caring is a good trait to have. Caring is when we do good deeds for others because it is the right thing to do. When we care for others, we make a wonderful and noble difference in their world. Caring is being compassionate and supporting people as they go through tough times.

- Ishu Chouhan/Educator The Fabindia School, Bali

Ich4fab@gmail.com

तरूण मिश्रा : आदर करना

अधिकांशतः लोग सम्मान  बारे में सुनते हैं परन्तु इसका वास्तविक अर्थ नहीं समझ पाते। सम्मान किसी व्यक्ति के मूल्य या उत्कृष्टता के लिए भावना हैं। जीवन में ऐसी बहुत सारी चीजें है जिनको सम्मान देना आवश्यक है। अपने लिए सम्मान, दूसरों के लिए सम्मान और संपत्ति के लिए सम्मान आदि। सम्मान लोगो को हर जगह सिखाया जाता है। और इसे अपने धर्मों में भी सिखाया जाता है। सम्मान एक ऐसा पहलू है जिसका स्थान महत्वपूर्ण है। 

अपने लिए सम्मान एक व्यक्ति जीवन में महत्वपूर्ण है क्योंकि यह उसके जीवन का संतुलन कारक हो सकता है। यदि किसी व्यक्ति में अपने लिए कोई सम्मान नहीं तो इसकी सबसे अधिक संभावना अवसाद में चली जाएगी। अपने आत्मसम्मान के लिए खुद का सम्मान करना भी महत्वपूर्ण है। उच्च आत्मसम्मान होने से हमारी दूसरों के प्रति सम्मान की भावना भी प्रगाढ़ होगी।  हमारे बुजुर्गों  सम्मान होना आवश्यक है क्योंकि वे आपसे ज्यादा  जानते हैं और वे जानते हैं कि आपके लिए क्या अच्छा है और क्या नहीं। अपने साथियों सम्मान करना भी महत्त्वपूर्ण है। अपने साथियों का सम्मान करने का मतलब है कि उनसे मजाक नहीं करना, लड़ना नहीं और जब वे किसी चीज से परेशान होते हैं तो उनकी मदद करना। 

अंततः संपत्ति  सम्मान करने का मतलब कुछ ऐसा नहीं हैं जो आपका नहीं है। संपत्ति का सम्मान करना महत्वपूर्ण है क्योंकि यदि आप ऐसा नहीं करते है तो यह एक अपराध माना जा सकता है। लेकिन संपत्ति का सम्मान आपके सामान्य ज्ञान पर निर्भर है। एक जापानी संस्कृति है, जो हमें पर्यावरण का सम्मान करने की सीख देती है क्योंकि उनका मानना है कि पृथ्वी पवित्र है जैसे- पेड़, घास और जानवर।  आप खुद  पूछ सकते है कि 'संपत्ति के सम्बन्ध में इसका क्या सम्बन्ध है ?' पर्यावरण हमारे लिए अनमोल संपत्ति ही तो है।  आपके द्वारा उन चीजों को नुकसान नहीं पहुँचाना चाहिए जो आपकी नहीं है क्योंकि कोई भी वस्तु किसी न किसी प्रकार से हमसे सम्बन्ध रखती है।    

Tarun Mishra , The Fabindia School, Bali 

Tma4fab@gmail.com

No Awards & No Hidden Agenda: The Learning Conference

LEARNING FORWARD ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2018

Each year, we ask our attendees to tell us about their experience at our annual conference. Below is some of the feedback from last year's attendees: Trying to decide if this conference is right for you? We asked last year's attendees what three reasons they would use to recommend the conference to their colleagues. These were the most popular answers If you'd like to experience it all yourself and learn more about this year's  annual conference click here. View all sessions Search for sessions by day, time, area of focus, topic, and/or presenter Session selection - requires conference registration

Hear the great Sir Ken Robinson on what is Real Play!

Every time you sign up to #OutdoorClassroomDay you are pledging your support for the world you believe children deserve. If you’re a teacher who has taken part in the past, register again today and get outdoors on 1 November: https://t.co/f66fqDwG9x

#OutdoorClassroomDay: Celebrate and Inspire Outdoor Learning

#OutdoorClassroomDay is a global campaign to celebrate and inspire learning and play outside the classroom and to inspire schools everywhere to make outdoor learning and play a part of every day. The campaign started in London, England, and with the support of the global Unilever Dirt is Good family, has now gone global. ACE Trust, a non-profit trust, is leading the campaign in India backed by Project Dirt in the UK. 

In 2018, the Outdoor Classroom Day is on November 1.

Some facts:

The campaign is a response to the decline in the time that children spend outdoors. 

Why is outdoor learning important?

• Although teachers and parents know that spending time outdoors is important, sometimes it is squeezed out of the school day by all the other competing demands.
• Outdoor learning improves children’s health, engages them with learning and leads to a greater understanding of nature.  

The science of Nature project

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5keEIT-HrI&feature=youtu.be&list=PLuq8nujA_m7HZmGFgoWLT0WLe4yhR-I8o

Why is play essential for children?

• Leads to their healthy development: needs to be a part of a child’s daily routine
• Play not only teaches critical life skills such as resilience, teamwork and creativity but is central to children’s enjoyment of childhood.  

What is real play?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzOVWAwJu-w&feature=youtu.be&list=PLuq8nujA_m7HZmGFgoWLT0WLe4yhR-I8o

Why is this campaign important for Indian schools?

• Primary school students in India, annually spend 51 hours more in classrooms than their OECD counterparts. 
• A 10-year survey on school education in India by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) found that more the time for recess, greater the willingness to study among students. However, in some cases such as in Puducherry, India, only a 15-minute recess is given during the six-hour school day. This is also the reality in many schools across all states in India. For many Indian children, and especially girls, the school provides the only safe play space outdoors, but they get very little time to be outdoors during the school day.
• Playspace in Indian schools is also shrinking. There is an increasing trend of reducing school plot sizes in Indian cities citing lack of land. Almost half of India’s children HAVE NO PLAYGROUND at school!! 

ACE is not alone in its drive to reconnect children with the outdoors.   In 2017, over 2 million children in over 100 countries took part in the campaign, and 120,000 children from 600 schools across India got involved by having their lessons outside (within and outside school premises) and celebrating playtime too. 

This year, on May 17, already 1.75 million children across Brazil, Spain, France, Portugal, Finland, UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, Thailand and Turkey celebrated OC Day once. 

They are gearing up to come out in even bigger numbers on November 1st, 2018!
Join the movement and the fun!

How can you participate in Outdoor Classroom Day on November 1, 2018?

Schools can sign up for free at the OC Day India website: https://outdoorclassroomday.in which has loads of ideas and resources for teachers or on the facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OCDayIndia 

• Only a principal can sign up the whole school or a teacher can sign up the classes she/he is teaching. 
• After you have signed up spread the word and inspire others to sign up.
• Use the hashtag #OutdoorClassroomDay. Talk about the program. Let your network know why and how you will celebrate the Outdoor Classroom Day on November 1, 2018. 
• Get connected to schools across the world who share your values through the campaign.
• Need some inspiration on how to celebrate Outdoor Classroom Day? Click here for activities/ ideas and suggestions: https://outdoorclassroomday.in/resources/

For any queries, please do get in touch with us: india@outdoorclassroomday.com

Your Partner For School Improvement

Our focus is on school transformation with an emphasis on culture as a service. We'll design a plan that meets your unique needs and improves teaching and learning in your system.

1. My Good School - We help our partner schools to work for the personal and social development of an individual by offering an environment where experiential learning is made possible through activities beyond just study. The program helps measure the improvement in student learning at school. #MyGoodSchool
2. Professional Learning Program - focuses on building professional learning communities. The program leverages the best in adult learning, research on organisational change, and practical experience to create capacity for sustained improvements in educators. #HappyTeachers
3. Schools Can Change -  Upgrading or setting up a school, we closely work with the client organisation, to further the vision and mission of the promoters. This includes systems, training and management support. #SchoolsCanChange
4. School Leadership Development - Principals are the key driving force for any school, we assist schools in finding and mentoring the right people to help build a good leadership team. #SchoolLeadershipDevelopment
5. The Value Of Values - Dr Anupam Sibal and Sandeep Dutt are the Value Creators for the Program, they have the most wonderful association of Professional Learners who have worked together for over five years to help build the first of its kind Professional Learning Association in India. The work of the Value Creators has been much appreciated all over the world. #ValueOfValues
6. The YES Workshop -It is all about finding the leader within, you will be able to discover your hidden self! Open to all, mentors, students, teachers, parents and volunteers of any age or size!! This one day workshop is conducted on campus/location provided by the school/ college. #YouthEngaging Society
7. Brewing Knowledge - build professional learning communities, and assists members to leverage the power of professional learning to affect positive and lasting change. #BrewingKnowledge

www.LearningForward.org.in