News
The Solega Food Game: How academic research can be shared innovatively
Shreelata Rao Seshadri and Sheetal Patil, in Deccan Herald, share how a research product like the board game, designed by the research team at Azim Premji University, has the potential to reach people who rarely engage with research.
How Uday community schools are engaging with children by creating learning spaces within village communities
Shubham Garg and Vishnu Gopal Meena in Learning Curve magazine explain how they are working in the early childhood education space to develop children’s motor and cognitive skills and psycho-social development during the COVID-19 pandemic, without compromising on the safety measures.
What was the status of extreme poverty level in India, prior to the pandemic? Did demonetisation increase poverty?
There is much uncertainty on poverty between 2011-12 and 2019, from an increase (leaked NSS data) to a near elimination (IMF working paper). The truth lies in between, but where? It is important to keep sight of the human element and bigger picture in these data battles, says Amit Basole in Mint.
Instructional ideas on teaching students to think about measurement using the concepts of perimeter and area
Rakhi Banerjee in At Right Angles (AtRiA) magazine illustrates the challenges she faced while attempting to teach children these concepts. She provides a peek into a child’s thinking and suggests ideas while describing her own experience with her daughter.
Teaching science using the Moon’s motion and superstition around it
Ashish Sharma in Learning Curve magazine explains how logical analysis can be helpful in preventing misconceptions from growing in students. He stresses upon the need to give everyone the opportunity to check their existing knowledge and then help identify the scientific ones.
How one can learn from everywhere, so long as one is open-minded
Sudheesh Venkatesh in The Pioneer writes about how a career in HR offered him opportunities for human interactions. He discusses impediments to learning and the benefits of having one’s ear to the ground.
How immersive learning in the classroom can help students arrive at scientific concepts spontaneously
Radha Gopalan in i wonder… magazine highlights the need for selective structuring of teaching sessions to enable deeper explorations by students, thus evoking wonder and curiosity in the classroom.
Students as teachers: How peer instruction can increase learning in the science classroom
Kevin Close, Nicole Bowers, Rohit Mehta, Punya Mishra and J Bryan Henderson in i wonder… magazine describe how peer instruction empowers students— from creating their own ideas to constructing meaning with their peers— while inciting their curiosity.
No lockdown for Physics during the COVID-19 pandemic
While many institutions resorted to simulations to cope with online science education during the pandemic, the teachers at Azim Premji University tried to keep things real. One of them, Richard Fernandes, shares stories from behind the scenes with Nandita Jayaraj.
Winning glory: Students of PES University, Bengaluru, are the winners of the 6th National Social Enterprise Idea Challenge
The winning team, with their idea of using local language communication to bring improved learning outcomes in children, was amongst the 16 shortlisted teams that were selected for the final round held at the University campus, Bengaluru, on 30 April.
The process of measurement matters in widening the quantitative aptitude of students
Ankit Shukla in At Right Angles magazine describes and reflects upon the classroom experience of helping a cohort of children understand the concept of measurement using activities.
All work and no play not good even for teachers
We need to think of teachers as autonomous, rational individuals who have the potential to learn, unlearn and relearn through observation and dialogue says Vivek Sunder Pillai in Learning Curve magazine.
A Milky Way to Learn Biology
Rohini Karandikar, in i wonder…, explores the simple and everyday process of curd formation to offer a hands-on introduction to what it means to think like a scientist.
4th Edition of Stories of Change: Case Study Challenge 2022
Inviting submissions from authors, NGOs, social movements and development organisations. Ten selected stories of intervention will be published as a Compendium, and three will receive cash awards from the University; special award for stories related to public health intervention. The University’s focus is on reflection and learning. Let’s collaborate in knowledge creation that is valuable for educators and practitioners alike.
How teachers use folk games to improve language learning in the classroom
Salai Selvam explains in Learning Curve magazine how folk games like kabaddi and daayam ensure learning shifts from rote methods and connect knowledge to life, in alignment with the guiding principles of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005.
Place-based learning of science: Beyond textbooks, students should bond with landscapes and life forms
Working at Marudam Farm School, Tamil Nadu, Poornima Arun and Nishant, in i wonder… magazine, explain how reconnecting with nature emerges from experience, action, and reflection.
Karnataka’s ‘Kalika Chetarike’ initiative is an effective model for other states to follow
The School Education department of Karnataka deserves kudos for the rigorous planning and the courage to confront the matter directly, writes Anurag Behar, CEO, Azim Premji Foundation, in Mint.
Nature walks: The pedagogical tool to enhance curiosity, learning and emotional well-being in children
Maddirala Sai Praveen in Learning Curve magazine highlights how learning happens naturally when children are outdoors experiencing the environment around them.
Why, how and to what extent should teachers introduce symmetry at the primary level
Preethi, in At Right Angles magazine, explains the importance of teaching symmetry for children to develop reasoning power and creativity among other valued skills.
Library for all
Library for All, an initiative where our alumni members started setting up libraries for government schools, to develop students’ reading habits.Gubbachhi
Gubbachi is a bridge school founded by five alumni members of our University, aiming to translate their learnings into practice by working with government schools.…National strategy for job creation rooted in India’s reality is the need of the hour
Anurag Behar highlights the importance of demolishing the separation between academic education, vocational education, and the skills training system, which will be implemented via NEP 2020, in Mint.
COVID Impact Survey: Tracing Bengaluru’s Urban Poor
The Survey, conducted across 33 wards of Bengaluru, reveals how weak our public systems are in reaching the most vulnerable residents of the city. There is an urgent need to revamp Bengaluru’s governance systems.
Melting ‘toughness’ of Maths with the magic of stories
Fear of Maths, as part of the cultural inheritance, can be abated by adding problems in stories to be solved using mathematical thinking, writes Sowmya H S in At Right Angles (AtRiA) magazine.
Schools reopen but are we emotionally ready?
“Inspite of challenges in learning due to pandemic, children loved art exercises that were assigned in the community classes”, shares Vishwanath in Learning Curve magazine.
Soil: The antidepressant we need to make us feel better
Getting your hands dirty with a bit of gardening can help improve your mood, writes Ram G in i wonder… magazine.
School reopening: An opportunity more than a challenge
It’s time to revisit the fundamental approaches to education, writes Tultul Biswas in Learning Curve magazine.
Dig into the soil around you and explore its ‘heart and soul’
Radha Gopalan in i wonder… magazine encourages students to explore humus – the most important element for life on this planet.
Weak educational outcomes come from strong societal causes
Society’s treatment of education needs transformation, writes Anurag Behar, CEO, Azim Premji Foundation, in Mint.