K12 Digest – January 2022 – India Edition – K12 Education Trends to Watch Out for in 2022 by Connecta Innovation

JANUARY K12 EDUCATION SPECIAL TRENDS IN 2022

INDIAN INDIA EDITION

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K12 EDUCATION TRENDS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN

2 JANUARY 2022

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K12 Digest January 2022

January - 2022

Vol - 3 Issue - 1

K12 Education Trends in 2022 Head of Advisory Board Dr. Varughese K.John, PhD

Managing Editor Sarath Shyam

Consultant Editors

Dr. Johny Andrews Nikita Thakur Joseph Alex

Anuja Mulmule Roshni Rajagopal Emma James

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Ajay K Das Manjunath R Rohith Poojary

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MANAGING EDITOR’S NOTE

Learning in an Era of Divides and Widening Gaps

inally, schools have started registering over 90 percent attendance every day. Across many states in India, schools’ bells once more summoned students back to classrooms that had been empty for a considerable time since the pandemic outbreak. The prolonged closure of primary and upper-primary schools in the country for over 17 months had an adverse effect on students, especially those who hail from rural areas and economically backward families. A survey conducted by Road Scholarz, which is a group of freelance scholars and student volunteers interested in action-oriented research, socio-economic rights, and related issues, found out that in rural areas, only 8% of sample children are studying online regularly, 37% are not studying at all, and about half are unable to read more than a few words. Going digital is not a pandemic-instigated discussion in the education sector. Even before the advent of

COVID-19, we were enthusiastic about the online mode of learning. However, from what has happened in the last couple of years, it is evident that the world was not ready for a rapid education restructuring. Of course, we need the goods of both worlds. Hybrid learning that incorporates online learning methods and classroom lessons could be one of the few effective ways. The need of the hour is getting rid of old, inefficient practices, taking only the best into the bright future. To take this discussion forward, we have come up with a special issue that focuses on the future of K12 Education and the trends that will reshape this will sector in 2022. We have included insights, ideas, and opinions of academicians and industry leaders to give our readers a comprehensive view of what is happening in school education. Enjoy Reading.

Sarath Shyam

K12 Digest January 2022

INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD Chris Wright

Maarit Rossi

Former International School Principal, Former Group Project Director at a World Class Learning Group, Education Consultant - Wright Solutions, United Kingdom

Founder & CEO - Paths to Math Ltd, Former Mathematics Teacher and Principal, Global Teacher Prize Finalist, Finland

Dr. Stuart Grant Colesky Principal, Rundle College, South Africa

Zeljana Radojicic Lukic Exceptional Educator from Serbia, Founder of Association of the Best Teachers of the Former Yugoslavia, Founder of Magical Intercultural Friendship Network, Founder of Creative Magic - Children’s International Festival, Founder of Magic Village, Serbia

Asst. Prof. Dr. Poonsri Vate-U-Lan Assistant Professor in Education, Ph.D. Supervisor and Researcher, Thailand

Stephen Cox

Elena Shramkova

Chief Education Officer, New Nordic School, Finland

Liljana Luani

Senior Teacher ‘Pashko Vasa’ school Shkodra, Exceptional Volunteer, Albania

English and Literature teacher, Owner of “The Smart Teens Studio of English” in Belgorod, Russia

Ralph Valenzisi Chief of Digital Learning and Development, Norwalk Public Schools, Connecticut, United States

Hatem Slimane

Servatius (Servee) Palmans Former Director School Administration & Business Operations (Large Education Group), Chief Operating Officer - BBD Education, Dr. Lilian Bacich Netherlands & UAE Senior Educationist, Author, Keynote Speaker, Co-founder Tríade Educacional, Brazil

K12 Digest January 2022

Founder & National President - ATAST, General director of IFEST² the international projects competition in Tunisia, General secretary of MILSET Africa, BRISECC member, Tunisia

Juan Manuel Pico Education Soul Co-founder & HundrED Country Lead Colombia, Colombia

Hidekazu Shoto

Dr. Venus M. Alboruto

Angus Duthie

Master Teacher, Researcher, Innovator, Trainer, Philippines

Former Vice President Security (Large Education Group), Former British Army Officer (Airborne Forces), Senior Advisor – Resilience and Crisis Management (Emerald Solutions Group), United Kingdom & UAE

Innovative English and ICT Teacher, Author, Japan

Ian Deakin

Deputy Head and Dean of Faculty, Dalton Academy, Beijing, China

Shady Elkassas Rania Lampou

Global Teacher Prize Finalist 2019, 15 International Awards on STEM, STEM Instructor, Educator, Neuroscience Researcher, Trainer & Author, Greece

Director of Innovation Al Ittihad National Private School-Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Fethy Letaief Distinguished Senior EFL Teacher, ISA Coordinator with the British Council, Motivational Speaker, Tunisia

Herwin Hamid

Ha Nga

EdTech Specialist, Speaker and Teacher Trainer, Innovative ICT Educator, ICT learning multimedia developer, Indonesia

Revolutionary English Educator, Globally Connected English Studio - Hanoi, Vietnam

Dr. Leonilo Basas Capulso Master Teacher, Speaker and Researcher, Philippines

Kihyun Park Innovative Educator of Online Classroom, Pungsaeng Middle School, South Korea

Mr. Ngô Thành Nam

Technology Academy Manager, Microsoft Learning Consultant, Global Trainer, Vietnam

Dr. Varughese K.John, PhD Former Program Director, MS in Management Program, GSATM - AU, Thailand & India

K12 Digest January 2022

C O N

20 STEPS TEACHERS SHOULD TAKE TO ENSURE MENTAL WELL-BEING AT WORKPLACE Alka Kapur, Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi

K12 Digest January 2022

E-TEACHING AND LEARNING IN CORONA OUTBREAK: A BOON OR CHALLENGE IN INDIA

INSTRUCTORS WITH STAR POWERS

Prof. (Dr.) Daviender Narang, Director, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad

Neeraj Mohan Puri, Principal, Satyug Darshan Vidyalaya

T E N T S

64 EDUCATION FRANCHISE MODEL: FUTURE OF THE INDIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM Anirban Bhattacharya, AVP - Partner Schools, Seth Anandram Jaipuria Group of Schools

EXPERT TIPS FOR TEACHERS TO MITIGATE VIRTUAL FATIGUE CAUSED BY REMOTE TEACHING

WHY IS INQUISITIVENESS A FOOD FOR THE GROWING STUDENTS?

Prodipta Hore, Program Director, Aditya Birla Education Academy

ADMIN PERSPECTIVE

Vivek Khandelwal, Founder, Work Readiness Hub

MENTOR’S OPINION

K12 Digest January 2022

C O N 24

PHYGITAL BRIDGES THE LEARNING GAP

WITH THE NEW SESSION BEGINNING SOON, WILL THE PHYSICAL SCHOOL STILL BE PREFERRED?

READERS TODAY, LEADERS TOMORROW - POWER OF READING

Smijay Gokuldasan, Co-Founder & CEO, 90+ My Tuition App

Vipul Tyagi, CEO & Co-Founder, EdTech Startup Orphicy

Rohit Malik, Co-Founder, edustoke

HOME-SCHOOLING, A NEW DIGITAL ONLINE SCHOOL TREND, INDIA IS ADOPTING RAPIDLY FOR K12 SEGMENT Rohit Jain, Founder, uFaber

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIV 10

K12 Digest January 2022

T E N T S 16

HOW ARE EDTECH PLATFORMS LEVERAGING HYBRID LEARNING TO UPSKILL K12 STUDENTS?

HOW ED-TECH HAS REVOLUTIONIZED THE COURSE OF THE INDIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM?

Anurag Gupta, Co-Founder, STEMROBO Technologies

Kamaal Gupta, Business Unit Head, SparkleBox.School

52 TECH IN CHILDHOOD LEARNING MATTERS Prerna Jhunjhunwala, Founder, Creative Galileo

INDUSTRY VIEW SIGNIFICANCE OF INCLUDING MUSIC AND MOVEMENTBASED ACTIVITIES FOR HOLISTIC LEARNING Nikhat Aga, Instructional Head, Seven Rivers International School

ACADEMIC VIEW K12 Digest January 2022

MENTOR’S OPINION

Expert Tips for Teachers to Mitigate Virtual Fatigue Caused by Remote Teaching Prodipta Hore, Program Director, Aditya Birla Education Academy

Prodipta Hore has a passion and drive to guide teachers in devising creative teaching strategies. With over two decades of teaching experience, Mr. Hore is currently not only the Coordinator for International Initiatives & Head of Faculty - Mathematics at Aditya Birla World Academy, but he also spearheads the planning, execution and co-ordination of the academic programmes at the Aditya Birla Education Academy. According to Mr. Hore, the secret to success in this ever changing world is to acquire knowledge and most importantly widening of one’s knowledge that will cater to the demands of one’s professional needs, the needs to stay curious, openness to new information, and to be ever willing to learn and grow.

K12 Digest January 2022

uring the early months of the Covid outbreak, there was a broad sense of enjoyment surrounding the virtual working phenomenon including for the education sector with an aim at limiting the virus spread. However, as the year has passed, the absence of physical contact with students and educators has resulted in an increased level of ‘virtual fatigue’, the reason being so much time of our life currently is being absorbed through a screen. The pandemic led education institutions to adopt an ‘emergency remote teaching’ paradigm, in which teachers immediately digitised and posted lecture materials online while also conducting lessons in a synchronous way to online students. There was and still is a huge amount of pressure on educators to upgrade the traditional learning experiences and prevent digital learning weariness. This movement to become more engaging facilitators and catch students’ short attention spans has proven to be a lesson that will survive far beyond the age of online learning. However, this online learning offers many pros, there are certain cons attached to it. ‘Virtual fatigue’ being one, especially among educators, who were not accustomed to contributing so much time in front of a screen. The entire scope of their employment has migrated online, from

checking homework to correcting assignments. However, to be able to mitigate the stress caused by online classes, here are eleven easy ways to deal with virtual exhaustion. 1. Shorter timetables for students – Schools should think about implementing shorter live lessons for students. More time can be given for asynchronous reading and project work. This will help keep all stakeholders away from the screen for some time. 2. Keep therapists on dial – School officials must provide facilities to connect teachers with therapists if they are experiencing mental health difficulties as a result of excessive screen time. 3. Create an office environment at home – Invest in an ergonomic chair and table and adequate lighting to make teaching from home comfortable. 4. 45-minute buzzer – Set an alarm for every 45 minutes to stand up and stretch to avoid cramps or stiffness. 5. Plan your week in advance – Each lesson should be planned ahead of time. Not only the educators but

There was and still is a huge amount of pressure on educators to upgrade the traditional learning experiences and prevent digital learning weariness

K12 Digest January 2022

In order to be cut off from work and to avoid overstimulation, one should shut the laptop and not close it

the students will also feel less stressed if they know what to expect. To make it easier for learners to follow along and anticipate time commitments, put the agenda on a slide.

9. Use of Conference Calls – Though seeing each other may not be possible but to give a break from the screen time. Team meetings could be done on conference calls.

6. Off screen recreational activities – Chaotic scheduling results in virtual fatigue; thus listening to soothing music or reading a book or practising some form of physical exercise can help dodge the feeling of being overwhelmed by screen time exposure.

10. Adopting asynchronous mind-set – To avoid feeling overwhelmed by the exposure, a teacher can decide together with the students to turn camera off occasionally, especially when it is not of utmost importance. For the same reason, a teacher should also use the mute button while students work on their tasks. Moreover, one can switch from ‘gallery view’ to ‘speaker view’ when one feels that a full screen of eyes is too much.

7. Establish ‘No meeting’ time blocks – Teachers can do this after their scheduled class. This brings in rest for the eyes and brain for some time. 8. Creation of beginning and end ritual – In order to be cut off from work and to avoid overstimulation, one should shut the laptop and not close it.

K12 Digest January 2022

11. Deadline Extension – A teacher must take some things off their to-do list. Teachers should show themselves the same level of care that they show their students and loved ones.

K12 Digest January 2022

INDUSTRY VIEW

How are Edtech Platforms Leveraging Hybrid Learning to Upskill K12 Students? Anurag Gupta, Co-Founder, STEMROBO Technologies

Anurag Gupta is a Senior Educationist, Serial Entrepreneur, Motivator, STEM Consultant & Innovation Evangelist having 18+ years of experience in the Education and Technology industry, initially in semi-conductor/EDA space, embedded and more recently in IoT & STEM Robotics domain. Currently, working as CEO at STEMROBO Technologies Pvt. Ltd., an EdTech startup providing courses in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) &; Robotics.

K12 Digest January 2022

Hybrid learning significantly reduces the financial burden by cutting down travel, electricity, and accommodation costs to a great extent

dtech platforms have been leveraging online learning much before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, after the significant disruption of the pandemic, the education industry took the support of online education to upskill students. Today, even when schools, colleges and edtech platforms have reopened physical classrooms, they are ensuring their continuity by adopting a hybrid learning approach. Hybrid learning, also known as blended learning is a powerful combination of physical classroom methods and e-learning. Owing to technology and automation, educational institutions especially edtech platforms are leveraging hybrid learning to upskill students, particularly the K12 segment. Today, they can successfully do this across all segments and geographies. As a result, students can take much advantage of the flexibility offered by hybrid learning to upskill themselves and stay relevant for meeting the industry standards. Hybrid or blended learning has turned out to be the right tool for effective learning and teaching in the present scenario. Here’s a roundup of the key ways how the edtech platforms are leveraging this type of learning. By going beyond opportunities: Owing to top-notch tech, geographical boundaries are no more a barrier for learning and upskilling. Students from any background

or region are blessed with the golden chance of exposure. Edtech platforms have access to talented instructors across the world to help students with world-class quality teaching, learning, and upskilling across every stream. By enhancing flexibility: Students enjoy enhanced flexibility by courtesy of hybrid learning. It offers students 24*7 remote access to education materials & recorded sessions, access to high profile experts, seamless communication with them along with 24*7 support. Through increased flexibility, students can even opt for relevant courses from different edtech platforms as per their aptitude and interests. Besides, hybrid learning significantly reduces the financial burden by cutting down travel, electricity, and accommodation costs to a great extent. By facilitating experiential learning & effective mentoring: Today, edtech platforms are enabling quality learning and upskilling via live tutorials, real-time learning experiences, and simulations with the help of AR and VR. Experiential learning allows learning through the reflection of doing so, it effectively helps to bridge the gap in the present online world. Notably, experiential modules can facilitate the superior application of hybrid learning

K12 Digest January 2022

Access to renowned mentors during hybrid learning assists in accelerated learning and effectively connects a variety of concepts with real-time experiences and situations

knowledge via the skills acquired. Besides, access to renowned mentors during hybrid learning assists in accelerated learning and effectively connects a variety of concepts with real-time experiences and situations. By allowing peer-assisted learning: One of the key reasons why edtech platforms are leveraging hybrid learning is that it offers peer-to-peer learning experiences. Such kinds of experiences are super engaging, social and most importantly led by students. It ultimately leads to deeper learning that compliments the upskilling process of the students in the K12 segment. By enabling course access: Today, edtech platforms are leveraging hybrid modes of learning and offering access to courses, that are otherwise not available in schools, colleges, or universities. The courses include STEM, foreign language, and many more options. Power-packed by hybrid learning, edtech platforms can upskill K12 students in unimaginable ways. Summing Up Edtech platforms, students as well as teachers are thus leveraging hybrid learning opportunities to enhance the learning and upskilling ecosystem in the abovementioned ways. By embracing hybrid learning, they can continue exploring further innovative approaches to make their upskilling journey more relevant, impactful, and engaging to the greatest extent.

K12 Digest January 2022

The whole sTudenT view Our assessments provide a deeper insight into your students’ capability, struggles, learning barriers, current and comparative performance and rate of progress. With this information you are better able to personalise learning according to each individual student’s need. our assessments provide robust, standardised external data for: • Supporting decision-making across teaching, learning and pastoral needs • Identifying areas for school improvement • Preparation for inspections and accreditations. • Benchmarking and value-added • Informing staff professional development requirements • Showing prospective parents what the school has to offer and he effectiveness of teaching

international@gl-education.com

K12 Digest January 2022

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ADMIN PERSPECTIVE

Steps Teachers Should Take to Ensure Mental WellBeing at Workplace Alka Kapur, Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi

eaching is an extremely rewarding profession, but it can be, at times, stressful too. Done right, teachers can not only change the lives of children they teach but light up their hearts as well. It is, therefore, extremely important for teachers to stay in a good mental space. Not much attention was paid towards this in the recent past, but following the mainstream trend of positive psychology, the world has started to look at the issue from a different angle. Nowadays, teacher well-being isn’t just about the absence of illness at work. Instead, it is about teachers functioning healthily and successfully at work. Well-being is all about establishing equilibrium between the positive forces and the challenges at work. Here are some of the ways that you in the capacity of being a teacher can take to ensure your well-being: 1. Rediscover the purpose Oftentimes, when things get difficult, try to go back in your head and figure out why you decided to become a teacher in the first place. That could be the spark you need.

K12 Digest January 2022

Teaching is inherently stressful, and you’ve got to deal with challenges every day. Unless you’ve set up a debriefing structure, you’ll find it difficult to manage those challenges

Alka Kapur, (CBSE & State Awardee) Principal, Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi is an empowering leader, a zealous educationist with rich academic and administrative experience offering an illustrious career of 32 years in educational research. As the Principal of the school, she has taken the school to great heights through open attitude for learning and love for children. Twenty years of her sedulous selfless service as the Principal of the school has accorded the school a priceless status in Forbes India Marquee Edition, The Great Indian Schools.

K12 Digest January 2022

2. Teach with a growth mindset If you’ve settled too much into the groove and you’re not trying to improve your skills as a teacher, then it’s likely that you may face boredom and burnout. Just like your students, you’re also in a constant state of learning and growth. 3. Be kind and gracious By being kind and appreciative, you’re putting positivity out in your work environment. That positivity will be reflected back at you multifold in terms of positive emotions, stronger social connections and improved wellbeing. Before going to sleep, ponder on what happened during the day and recall at least 3 good things that happened. 4. Focus on solutions, not on problems Teaching is inherently stressful, and you’ve got to deal with challenges every day. Unless you’ve set up a debriefing structure, you’ll find it difficult to manage those challenges. When they become too much to handle, you’ll feel tired and burnt out. If you cannot do so on your own, ask a colleague to help you out or set up an official mentormentee relationship. 5. Build good sleeping habits If you want to maintain physical and psychological health, you need to get good sleep on a daily basis. Not sleeping enough will cause you to wake up tired and then you’ll find the smallest of inconveniences irritating to a great degree. Develop a regular bedtime routine; it may include reading, taking a bath, watching your favorite show, or just meditating and reflecting on the daily happenings. 6. Plan in advance Learn to manage stress proactively. There are certain periods that are going to be more stressful than others - for instance board exams. From invigilation duty to preparing students properly to evaluating answer sheets, there is a lot that you must do. Try to plan out and chart a strategy for dealing with such stressful scenarios. 7. Focus on your goals A life without direction is a life headed towards certain doom. Introspect, and try to find out what it is that you want from your profession. Do you want to see your students succeed? Do you want to become a principal or headmaster/headmistress? Do you want to join the board and make administrative decisions? There are a lot of questions that you must sift through, but it is absolutely necessary that you do so if you want clarity.

K12 Digest January 2022

8. Rewards It is our tendency to expect rewards for doing good work. While it is the primary responsibility of the school to reward its teachers who are putting in the effort to better students’ lives, the teachers should reward themselves as well. It is important to reward yourself when you achieve your personal and professional goals. 9. Build new relationships Building new relationships and connections is key to our wellbeing. Spend some time and get to know your students and colleagues. Don’t try to run away from the community, become an active participant in it and you will see the change.

K12 Digest Higher Education Digest January 2022 October 2020

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

Phygital Bridges the Learning Gap Smijay Gokuldasan, Co-Founder & CEO, 90+ My Tuition App

Smijay Gokuldasan is the CEO and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of 90+ My Tuition App, India’s best in-class Tuition App helping students to achieve exceptional grades through digital visualization in an affordable way. Smijay, a pro at marketing, has established the company’s marketing structure and sales model. Smijay has an overall experience of 12 years in the banking and FMCG industry. e is a MBA from Institute of Chartered Financial Analyst of India.

K12 Digest January 2022

The transition to digital was not a one-time event, but rather a sustained process

or everyone, the epidemic opened Pandora’s Box. This has had an impact on education at all levels. The 18-month loss of experience was devastating, but going digital saved the day by allowing people to learn during the pandemic. With schools and colleges reopening, a Phygital approach to education should be implemented. According to the Central Square Foundation’s “(Re)Build Back Better” report, “Phygital learning” is a method of learning in which kids benefit from technology while also receiving human assistance at home and in-classroom instruction when needed. Differential Loss Students at all levels have been affected by the learning gap that has been created by the pandemic, but in various

ways. Students in kindergarten through senior high school have been missing out on hands-on learning in the classroom. Students pursuing higher education have lost their most beloved college experience, which aids in the development of their personalities and prepares them for life ahead. Double-edged sword During the pandemic, digital learning has been a doubleedged sword. The transition to digital was not a one-time event, but rather a sustained process. In the face of the epidemic, it was digital learning that kept the learning continuing. Teachers all across the world, especially those who aren’t tech-savvy, put in a lot of effort to keep their students learning. Entrepreneurs facilitated the digital revolution by developing collaborative tools,

K12 Digest January 2022

There have been certain missing parts in digital learning, such as less peer interaction, a lack of sports and extracurricular activities, but all of these deficiencies can be remedied with time

K12 Digest January 2022

platforms, and applications that allowed students to learn outside the four walls of the classroom. Digital also gave students more learning flexibility and improved one-on-one assessment and feedback. There have been certain missing parts in digital learning, such as less peer interaction, a lack of sports and extracurricular activities, but all of these deficiencies can be remedied with time. Way Ahead As we continue to fill up the gaps, the path forward should be Phygital, where students can benefit from the best of both modalities, namely physical classroom learning and digital learning. A 3:3 strategy can be used, in which three days are dedicated to digital learning and the remaining days are used for on-campus evaluation, sports, and extracurricular activities. This will restore students’ and teachers’ enthusiasm for learning and development, as well as solve issues such as online fatigue, limited attention span, and the lack of internet connections that are common in digital learning.

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K12 Digest January 2022

ACADEMIC VIEWS

Significance of Including Music and Movementbased Activities for Holistic Learning Nikhat Aga, Instructional Head, Seven Rivers International School

Nikhat is currently at Acres Foundation working as an Instructional Head for one of their schools. She has been in the Education sector for a decade now. After doing her majors in Finance, she found her passion in working with young minds and with women. Post her fellowship at Teach For India, she founded a school in the humble areas of Crawford Market. She has since worked with students, teachers, school leaders, and state governments to help build quality and bridge the inequity of education in India.

K12 Digest January 2022

Often as adults we only focus on activities such as drawing and painting and appreciate students’ self-initiated representations but not their spontaneous music behaviours in play situations

‘C

hildren are born musicians, dancers, artists and storytellers… we just have to set the stage for creativity, learning and fun.’ (Stein, 2008) Numerous studies have shown that music can assist and engage the brain. Many studies have established the impact of music on young children’s language, mobility, and cognitive development, and it has considerable beneficial auxiliary effects in the early stages of development. The impacts of music on children were studied, and it was discovered that rhythm and syllabic music sequences had varied effects on their grammar and semantic processing. In regular rhythmic lines, children perform better grammatically than in phonological sequences. Texture encourages the introduction of concepts in language formation, while rhythm fosters the perceptual and cognitive order required for grammatical processing. Meet Rohan - a well-built child with low energy levels, general lack of mobility. Getting up from a crouching position and moving back down to the floor, marching, jumping, and any fine motor activity were all challenging for him (such as picking up small objects,

using scissors, etc.). He would occasionally join in with “singing,” but his words were muddled and he talked in a monotone or with a limited pitch range. We started sensory integration with Music and Movement. Individual sessions were meant to stimulate playful engagement to help Rohan increase his sensory learning. Rohan benefited from musical dynamics! Starting with beating a drum loudly, switching to soft tapping, and then returning to loud drumming generated a lot of energy and eventually control. Similarly an action song about a small clown who emerged from “far down low in the bottom of the box” to brush his hair, put on his hat, jump up, and triumphantly proclaim “Here I am!” helped Rohan pick up on actions. He can now go from a crouching position on the floor to jumping on (musical) cue to proclaim “am!” loudly and tunefully, and then back “down, down, down.” This is just one of many examples of music and movement experiences showing very tangible improvements in many students, with special needs or otherwise. Fawcett (2012) writes that we often overlook and undervalue the potential of music for young students.

K12 Digest January 2022

If a program is truly holistic, that is one that nurtures all aspects of students’ learning, it will include music and movement

Often as adults we only focus on activities such as drawing and painting and appreciate students’ selfinitiated representations but not their spontaneous music behaviours in play situations. He emphasises that although challenging to organise, it is important for us to focus on music and movement for young learners because of the massive positive impact they have on the mind and body! Providing students with opportunities for music and movement can positively impact: ● Their cognitive growth: how they think, explore and work things through. ● The development of problem-solving skills, like logic, reasoning, and sequencing. ● Self-expression: how they communicate feelings, ideas, and thoughts through music, movement, or by playing an instrument. ● The development of physical skills like hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and balance.

K12 Digest January 2022

● Social skills like cooperation, taking turns, and sharing the music experience of learning how to dance and play instruments with others. ● The regulation of their emotions by learning to calm down, relax, and control their feelings. Therefore, if a program is truly holistic, that is one that nurtures all aspects of students’ learning, it will include music and movement. So how can you get started? ● Familiarise your child with songs and music they will come to know and love and as they become older. ● Make rhymes for daily routines like circle time, bedtime and shopping trips. ● Be spontaneous, include an instrument! ● Use music as a way to spend quality time and build a bond with your young one ● Practice simple dance routines with simple beats to boost self-belief and confidence!

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MENTOR’S OPINION

Why is Inquisitiveness a Food for the Growing Students? Vivek Khandelwal, Founder, Work Readiness Hub

Vivek is a relationship, result-oriented, and network-driven professional with over 60k hours of experience from the Consumer space across Urban and Rural Retail covering Modern and General Trade, Ecommerce, Digital Marketing, Youth Marketing, and Influencer Marketing areas. He has played multiple roles at Leadership position managing large teams of people. He has worked across varied sectors including Retail, FMCG, Fashion, Pharma, Wellness, and Toys with extensive travel within India and various international markets.

K12 Digest January 2022

tudents at a young age have to go through a series of ups and downs. As they keep moving from one class to the next, their weakness starts to haunt them even further. The ones who may not be getting good grades may not necessarily be weak – it’s just that their ability to ask the right questions might be a limiting factor! Let us begin with a short story The school bell rang The 1st period was Maths and Divya had her heart beating …thinking about what she would do when her teacher is going to ask her to solve a question in the class. This isn’t a surprise and was told to her a few days back. When the topic was getting discussed a few days back in the class, she didn’t ask any questions although she had a number of them in her mind. Why did that happen to her? Well, she has been holding that belief of what will others think about her question And as an introvert or someone who engages only with a close coterie of people, she was reluctant Does this situation connect with you? Well, this is what the scenario is for a lot of students today. What they lack in their real sense is developing the sense of ‘Inquisitiveness’ We can also say that this is synonymous to Curiosity and it implies as the desire for learning more or eagerness to know and learn new things.

What is the way that one achieves this objective? By asking and relating more to any given situation. An example could be how a young mind goes to a place of interest during their school trips or with their family and are keen to know a variety of things about that place. Why is this aspect so important today? Wasn’t that the case earlier? Yes, it was always important however - its importance has been growing at manifold levels. The entire world of inquisitiveness takes one deeper asking the Why, What, When, Where, How, Which type of questions – It all depends upon the context in which anything is getting discussed. Here are lists of things that could be done to enhance this skill amongst our future leaders: 1. Always encourage young students to ask questions – What this means is that even if they have none – we could follow the approach other way round wherein asking the student on a certain aspect may invoke a sense of thinking into him/her. The idea is - one shouldn’t judge their ability to ask the right type of question since it is linked to cultivating a habit for them. 2. Try new things – While this may be encouraged as a trait, the idea here must be to evaluate what questions have the student been trying to solve rather than what has been the output. In many workplace scenarios, the output defines the ability, and thus in the growing years, the learnings from what went well and what didn’t could add a lot of learnings.

The entire world of inquisitiveness takes one deeper asking the Why, What, When, Where, How, Which type of questions – It all depends upon the context in which anything is getting discussed

K12 Digest January 2022

that makes us do things in a similar fashion. Developing Inquisitiveness or Curiosity is all about breaking that pattern which may have got developed for years in an adult. Thus, if this process starts at an early age – the probability for having the right angle to things can eventually create a lot of magic. 7. Developing the habit of solving problems - The best of the technology has been developed by human brains and thus activation of the thinking part is always the key to tackling bigger and bolder challenges. This is where nurturing the young minds can make a lot of difference where they get to understand the importance of breaking down any problem into smaller parts and then gradually finding the right course of action. 8. Relishing newer information – This ensures that a solid base of the ongoing learning curve is built for a young mind not just to absorb but also build up a lot on that. Our country has been inching actively towards becoming an Innovation first economy and focusing on this trait can work wonders. 3. Searching answers – There always are a lot of questions that could be given for the young mind to search on the internet. This forces them to use a variety of dimensions to get to the desired approach. It is like asking - Why do people do what they do? This also gives them a clear-headed direction of what all could be done on the internet. 4. Get into ‘Why’ mode – The key to developing young minds for their careers is to entice them to find this reasoning in every discussion. This would encourage them to build both their left brain as well as right brain. Let’s not forget - All great inventions and discoveries have happened on the foundation of a solid ‘Why’. If this wasn’t prevalent, those wouldn’t have happened. 5. Embed the art and science of Creativity at a young age – As young students get into their adulthood– they realise that all the shortcuts that they have used over the years is great however they need to genuinely think of creative solutions to challenges which aren’t part of the rule book. Learn something new that was never known is also a form of Creativity. 6. Change the pattern at the right age - What comes across a lot of times in front of us is the fact that we are creatures from our past. We get driven by patterns and

K12 Digest January 2022

9. Make new connections – In the desire to know and learn more, directly or indirectly, newer connections take progress and those can open gateways of development for all stakeholders. All this while actively experiencing and making sense of the world. 10. This becomes the ladder – To what? Well, learning and developing the most important aspects of Critical Thinking. Because of having developed a better sense to ask questions, the aspects of finding solutions to any challenges become better approachable. To summarise, these pointers are leading the young student to gradually become a better professional and have the sense of self-awareness and self-confidence to deal with resilience thereby being future-ready. Having this in place also means that one has been nurtured with a strong base on which one could grow appropriately. It would be akin to the growing years of any tree for it to gradually generate a lot of fruits and last many seasons. What Albert Einstein had said many years back holds true on this even today - It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education Time has come for our young minds to move beyond IQ and EQ and start to embrace CQ i.e, develop their Curiosity Quotient and in turn become more inquisitive and open to newer experiences. It’s just that now is the time to make it an integral part of formal education.

K12 Digest Sept-OctK12 2020 Digest January 2022

ADMIN PERSPECTIVE

E-Teaching and Learning in Corona Outbreak: A Boon or Challenge in India Prof. (Dr.) Daviender Narang, Director, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad

he sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has confined all individuals to the four corners of their homes. But that could not deter the spirit of the learners and the education system. The pandemic and its subsequent lockdown have prompted the entire academia to explore and engage technology-based learning to create a relevant, effective learning ecosystem for learners. The technology that was being used to teach the learners as an addendum has now transformed and captured the entire education system. Traditional classrooms have been replaced by online classrooms which make use of online platforms like CISCO, Google Meet, MS Teams, Zoom, etc. to educate the young learners. In a country like India, where majority of the people in remote areas are deprived of schools and technological amenities, the current crisis has brought a fresh whiff of technology in their lives. Many students and teachers have struggled to procure digital devices and learn the techniques to use them effectively, whereas, there have been many still struggling to buy a smart phone for want of money. The natural calamities like the storm Amphan and floods have wrecked the lives of many not only in villages but also in cities, depriving them of basic necessities and also internet facilities. But nothing could stop the zest of the teacher and the taught who have braved all odds to continue learning by

K12 Digest January 2022

The students’ attitude in accepting various learning methods and adapting to new surroundings for learning has also changed drastically

A thorough management professional, Prof. (Dr.) Daviender Narang is working as a Professor and Director at Jaipuria Institute of Management, Ghaziabad. He has a rich experience of 22 years in the field of academics and management, especially in the best business and management institutes of India and abroad. He has experience of establishing successful management business schools. He has worked on a World Bank-supported project on capacity-building in Ethiopia for two years. He holds two post graduate degrees in Business Economics and Finance & Control. He has a Ph.D in Economics and his contribution to research focuses on banking efficiency in India. His areas of expertise are security analysis, corporate finance, banking, research methodology and mutual funds. He is also associated with business firms as a corporate trainer on various financial modules. A fine academic and administrator, he is known as an institution builder, an acclaimed teacher, a prolific speaker, an avid researcher, a consultant and a trainer.

K12 Digest January 2022

Education is not only about sharing knowledge and information. Its scope goes beyond books, syllabus, and theoretical knowledge using technology, even when there is a continuous debate on whether to close the institutions or open them. At this juncture, e-learning proves to be a panacea while paving the way for a newer model of teaching and learning. One can find that the post-pandemic teaching processes are way different from their pre-pandemic version. A steep rise in e-learning, flipped learning, virtual mode of learning is quite evident in the current scenario. E-learning, which is otherwise known as online learning, virtual learning, or web-based learning, has become the saviour in the current scenario for continuing teaching and learning process. One can define e-learning as a virtual classroom or an online learning environment where students can be independent to learn and interact with instructors and other students. Learning in this mode is more flexible and learner-centered. The students’ attitude in accepting various learning methods and adapting to new surroundings for learning has also changed drastically. Students have become more independent and self-reliant today. Flexibility, creative learning content, and learner autonomy are some of the benefits academicians find in due course. E-teaching and learning also encourages personalized learning and enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills among learners. However, issues related to quality of education and assessment of learners’ performance are questioned by academics. Every system has got its pros and cons; so does e-learning. It has been observed that e-teaching can act

K12 Digest January 2022

as a barrier between the student and the instructor, as immediate response, sharing, and human touch are lost. Sometimes students’ callous behaviour and non-serious attitude act as limitations for online classroom. Education is not only about sharing knowledge and information. Its scope goes beyond books, syllabus, and theoretical knowledge. It is a training of the mind and enrichment of the heart. It is all-round development of an individual. Learners learn better when they work in a group, like a classroom. They learn much more from the peer group than from their elders. They play sports and participate in different activities. However, all these are not possible in e-teaching. Learners are compelled to sit in rooms, glued to computers, straining their eyes. They miss the charm of physical activities and pastime with friends. There are reports that a large number of children are suffering from depression and psychological problems due to lack of peer bonding. Additionally, there have been many major challenges both teachers and learners have faced in e-teaching and learning, such as learning loss, lack of internet access in remote areas, virtual dropouts of students, difficulty in assessment of learners and so on. As COVID-19 has negatively impacted the smooth running of educational institutions, online learning is the only resort. It is a fact that e-teaching and learning cannot act as a substitute for the traditional mode of learning; however, it can be considered as the best alternative. It helped millions of students to continue their learning and helped educational institutions in their smooth running. Rather, one can see COVID as an opportunity for opening new vistas of learning. The pandemic has redefined education. It has brought together the entire academic community across the globe. A very encouraging thing has been noticed that the academicians, teachers have become proactive and creative than ever while sharing their learning content. Instead of sitting back, they have explored new avenues, adapted major changes in the medium of teaching and also created interesting and effective contents. Yet, the challenges are myriad. We need to address these issues. Ranging from the learning loss to connectivity issues, we have to adapt with the issues as they crop up. Simultaneously, teachers need to act as a facilitator rather than a preacher in the class. Our learners are not settled in the front rows; they have access to teachers across the globe. They have a choice now. The COVID situation has made one thing crystal clear. Our education system needs more than just the academic system. Both modes have their pros and cons, but we need to accustom to the changes. Adaptability, collaboration in education are the key words.

K12 Digest Sept-Oct 2020

K12 Digest January 2022

INDUSTRY VIEW

How Ed-Tech has Revolutionized the Course of the Indian Education System? Kamaal Gupta, Business Unit Head, SparkleBox.School

Kamaal Gupta is a seasoned business player with 20 + years of experience in managing Operations, Sales, Marketing, Business, and Product development for building and scaling businesses. He is the Business Head of SparkleBox.School, a subsidiary firm based in Bangalore, funded by K12 Techno Services Pvt. Ltd. His key role is to position the brand, the product and business overall objectives. He looks at enhancing and growing the market share of SparkleBox.School (SBS) across the country.

K12 Digest January 2022

Ed-Tech platforms focus on a futuristic, holistic, and simplistic approach which overall builds the personality and robust foundation and allows a child to be more expressive to accomplish their dreams

ince the inception of the technological revolution young and curious minds have been striving for innovation in every aspect of life. It was inevitable that it would make its way to the education segment as well eventually. The transformation of knowledge delivery from book to the tech-based virtual apparatus would happen, was something experts were anticipating for some time now. However, when the pandemic hit us it hastily pushed us in the right direction at a much faster pace than we anticipated. The rise of the EdTech platforms in the Indian education ecosystem came as a breath of fresh air. It not only ensured education continuity in the most adverse situation but also helped break the monotony of pouring over the textbooks and class notes – homework – multiple tests. Young edupreneurs brought many innovative ideas into the system and gave children the opportunity to learn, despite being confined in the four walls of home and also have fun while learning. Children got the opportunity to explore their creative side, logical reasoning, and thinking out of the box and expand their minds by active methods.

Ed-Tech backed by education experts, government, and NGOs The change slowly began around a decade ago, where syllabus, schools, and technology were integrated on the basic level. But over the years as traditional operation of various verticals started diminishing and up-skilling oneself started gaining prominence, parents and schools started focusing on how they too can make use of it to stay ahead of the trend. Restructuring of the education system with the introduction of the NEP (National Education Policy) was the required boost that the Ed-Tech sector was looking for. This was the point the pioneers in the Ed-Tech sector were making for a long time. The pandemic acted as a catalyst by making the decision-makers in this case the schools and parents realize the advantages of what impact an education system founded on the strong pillars of technology can do in advancing their wards prospects. Ed-Tech platforms focus on a futuristic, holistic, and simplistic approach which overall builds the personality and robust foundation and allows a child to be more expressive to accomplish their dreams. The government and even NGOs have promptly supported this change

K12 Digest January 2022

social and economic backgrounds of the kids, EdTech platforms continued reaching out to the farthest corners of the country to ensure last-mile delivery. One can easily connect and collaborate with different individuals across the nation and work on the same online project. Inclusion of AI/ML/AR/VR in education Data analytics, AI/ML, AR/VR are going to play a big part in education. The inclusion of these technologies will help in making children future-ready and groom them according to the requirements of the industry. The traditional education system somewhere lacked the required infrastructure to support every unique mind and talent that a student possessed. Ed-Tech has however helped them breach that barrier. The success stories of many young entrepreneurs and professionals who are bringing in newer concepts into our market have benefited from the integration of technology with their traditional education. Tomorrow’s economy depends on today’s education but challenges remain The economy, advancement, and our standing in the world depend on how progressive our education system is. Hence having a stronger EdTech community will help us keep our education ecosystem updated and innovative in the long run and automatically propel the growth of the country.

in the education system with all the experts rooting for the holistic education of a student irrespective of their backgrounds. Every child is talented but Ed-Tech gives them the edge of being able to help with a unique solution for each student as this is what the traditional education system lacked for decades. E-books, interactive videos, and educational robots add fun to learning and bring an ample amount of educational value and excitement for students. Ed-Tech democratized student participation irrespective of the

K12 Digest January 2022

Conclusion However, we have a long way to go. If you look at the bigger picture so far we have just been able to scratch the bottom of the barrel as the reach of these revolutionary tools is still restricted to the tier-1 and tier-2 cities and many parts of the country are still in Work in Progress mode when it comes to IT infrastructure. A majority of students in India, be it the public or private schooling, reside in the underdeveloped and rural zones, and bringing the digitised learning to them is a mammoth task. Unfortunately, in India, there are still many places and households where education is considered a luxury due to the lack of financial aid or infrastructure, and this leaves many of our talented youth under-skilled and with unexplored potential. Devices, the internet, and other basic facilities are much needed and if we can tap into these zones and help them in their development with a holistic approach, this would lead to a systematic improvement of the education system. The present and the future belong to Ed-Tech. Together we as an industry have brought in a revolution and together we need to ensure that this revolution reaches every part of our country and benefits every child living here.

K12 Digest January 2022

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

With the New Session Beginning Soon, will the Physical School Still be Preferred? Rohit Malik, Co-Founder, edustoke

Rohit is Co-Founder of edustoke. He has over 16 years of rich and varied experience in sales and operations. He set up and expanded Career Launchers operations in Bangalore.

K12 Digest January 2022

Online schooling is adding substantially to the screen times of children which in turn hampers their health

he landscape of the education sector underwent a comprehensive change in the wake of the global pandemic. When the pandemic first hit the coast, people from all across the world expected it to be a small crisis that would be over within a few months. Thus, all modifications made to accommodate the pandemic at that time were made hastily and with temporary relief in mind. In the initial phases of the pandemic, the education sector was brought to a complete halt. All schools and such institutions were closed when the first lockdown was imposed, and students got a little break from schooling. However, this small break which seemed enjoyable to most students back then, turned dreary when institutions showed no signs of opening again as the crisis surged. Soon, virtual schools and EdTech platforms were introduced to resume education amidst the ongoing crisis. However, the efficiency of these platforms was always criticized in comparison to the physical ones.

Physical education will always be known and appreciated for its focussed and measurable approach. When students learn face-to-face with their educators, they are more likely to take their lessons seriously and retain more information. Educators in turn are able to read the body language and other subtle signals in class and are able to modulate their instruction delivery accordingly. Further, online schooling is adding substantially to the screen times of children which in turn hampers their health. Virtual schooling also curbs the option of physical activity which may add to worsening a child’s health. Lastly, since not everyone comes from a place of equal income, accessing and affording the gadgets and resources such as the internet that are absolutely essential to avail online education might not be possible for all. It’s important for a child’s social growth that they return to school. Online education has created a great digital divide between the have & the have nots. A substantial part of the 232 Million school going kids in India have been deprived of basic education either due to lack of affordability or

K12 Digest January 2022

The need of the hour is for increased vaccination for kids between 2-18 years old coupled with technology driven safety surveillance in schools

faster internet access. If one is to go around clinics of Ophthalmologists in major cities of the country, you would come across an alarming number of kids having eye related disorders due to excessive screen time. This coupled with mental health issues of being isolated at home for a prolonged period of time As we enter 2022, the pandemic continues to rage with mutations & we can safely say we have to live with it now. The need of the hour is for increased vaccination for kids between 2-18 years old coupled with technology driven safety surveillance in schools. With AI assisted facial recognition, we can better manage mask compliance & social distancing. Thermal body scanners along with periodic testing can ensure that we are more proactive is identifying cases at school & managing any spread. Unless kids go back to school & day cares open, not only are we looking at a stunted education for our current generation of kids but also a challenging work environment for parents.

K12 Digest January 2022

ADMIN PERSPECTIVE

Instructors with Star Powers Neeraj Mohan Puri, Principal, Satyug Darshan Vidyalaya

“S

uccess is the good fortune that comes from aspiration, desperation, perspiration and inspiration.” Star Power is a real-time, person to person, non-computer based replication game of an organization or system in which leaders are given unlimited & boundless powers to make the rules of the simulation change. Star power means the influence of one’s presence, either through endorsements, popularity or vote of confidence in the said person that often lends itself to strongly influencing an unavoidable decision. Star power plays a vital role in almost every field, whether it is education, fashion, business, marketing. Talking particularly about the field of education, star power focuses on increasing students knowledge about their subject area more transparently and enormously. Well, it’s the fact that teachers play a unique role in strengthening roots of knowledge in their students, but a professional who has real experience in that field can guide students better. Students have a chance to improve their understanding of the subject by acquiring information and knowledge through trading with the professional and other participants. Numerous universities worldwide are waking up to the benefits of having industry professionals involved in the world of academic and teaching students. Bridging the

K12 Digest January 2022

Numerous universities worldwide are waking up to the benefits of having industry professionals involved in the world of academic and teaching students

Neeraj Mohan Puri, is a passionate and far-sighted educationist with almost 21 years of invaluable experience under his belt. Mr. Puri is an exemplary alumnus of A.B. College in Pathankot from the 1999 batch. In addition to that, he has successfully attained multifarious academic degrees from well-established universities such as Master of Commerce from Himachal Pradesh University, Master of Business Administration from Indira Gandhi National Open University and Master of Philosophy from Vinayak Mission University and Master of Arts from Himachal Pradesh University.

K12 Digest January 2022

Having proficient and renowned specialists teach in an academic setting can transform participants into capable and skilled people

gap between ‘traditional’ teaching methodologies and the application of industry knowledge in the classroom not only enhances the curriculum but can help students comprehend the link between theory and practice, as well as prepare them better for the future. Change in the education system during today’s era demand master classes. Master class has taken a unique revolution on online training. Instead of hiring professional teachers like college professors or school teachers, their courses are taught by experts in the field, including big prominent personalities. The power and influence of a professional is curious, because an experienced person can empower you with special rights and privileges. For example- You can learn about Journalism from any leading professional in Journalism like Barkha Dutt, Sweta Singh, Sudhir Chaudhary. They can provide you with more accurate facts and clarity about journalism. Benefits of Instructors with Star Power 1. Insight into the industry itself- Industry professionals tend to have more ample knowledge of the inner workings of the professional world, including the markets, systems and processes. Having proficient and renowned specialists teach in an academic setting can transform participants into capable and skilled people. 2. Provide real-world experience- Industry professionals have an in-depth understanding and knowledge of the principles and theories within their field. At the same time, distinctive collaborations between industry and academics combine the best of both worlds and are highly beneficial for the students. But, can’t deny the fact that the practical knowledge and experience of an instructor with star power helps in witnessing the real world.

K12 Digest January 2022

3. Help boost career visions- To have a fundamental understanding of the industry by the professions before graduating can be a real deal-breaker for some people. Combining experience with theory can be very useful for participants and equip them with the skills and solid knowledge they need to develop and become more eyecatching to companies. 4. Improve networking- Your professor or the instructor who is enriched with star power is very likely to have a lot of contacts within the industry. Depending on your ambitions and plans, they may even be able to put you in connection with the right people and be the golden ticket to helping you get a foot on the career ladder. 5. Help in identifying potential challenges and their solution- An instructor with industry experience has been exposed to various situations and challenges in their work, and they can communicate these experiences and how they specifically overcame them. 6. Improve communication skills- Another benefit of having an instructor with star power is that students learn the importance of soft skills like communication, presentation, email etiquettes, corporate grooming and dressing styles. Communicating with successful people is the most considerable enthusiasm, and inspiration students can gain in more than one way when they interact in such sessions. The extremity line to getting an education from instructors with industry experience is that they are incredibly knowledgeable about the type of work they still do or have done outside of an academic environment. As a learner, having access to these professionals has immeasurable assistance and can help students OK their career focus and pursue their desired career paths.

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INDUSTRY VIEW

Tech in Childhood Learning Matters Prerna Jhunjhunwala, Founder, Creative Galileo

Prerna Jhunjhunwala is the Founder of Creative Galileo, Little Singham- Kids Early learning app. Prerna is committed to delivering innovative pedagogy and has a vision to modernize and upscale the education imparted to children in their budding or formative years. She is a firm believer that a child’s future not only depends on the grades in various subjects but also on their impeccable social, cognitive and leadership skills. She is also the founder of Little Paddington, a chain of highly acclaimed schools in Singapore established in 2015. Prerna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science from The Stern School of Business, New York University and has nearly a decade’s experience in the field of education.

K12 Digest January 2022

Through games, children pick up cues in developing non-verbal communication, an important aspect of enhancing cognitive skills

n an increasingly digitized world, the role of technology in learning starts at an early age When we talk about childhood learning and development, there’s a Chinese proverb that comes to my mind. It goes like this “Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time.” Never before would this proverb have held greater significance than now when the pandemic has confined children to homes and learning is increasingly getting routed through technology. While the role of technology in education now goes hand-in-hand, what often goes unnoticed is how beneficial technology is in the early stages of childhood. The perils of too much dependency on technology, be it for any group, has been spoken about ad nauseum. But technology, when used appropriately, can go a long way in shaping young minds. Since the development of touch screens, the use of technology in early childhood development has been further accepted as children as young as four are able to navigate through it effortlessly. Here’s a lowdown on the four development categories that needs attention in the early years and how they can gain significantly through the aid of digital tools: Physical Development: The development of fine motor skills is one of the foremost aspects of early

childhood. It is fine motor skills that help a child learn how to use the smaller muscles of hands, like how to hold a pencil or even play with blocks. Children are attracted by bright colours and moving images, to chase them on screen they will figure out how to navigate through various options on the screen. Using the mouse of a computer or even navigating through the virtual keypad on an i-pad allows this skill to be enhanced. Be it allowing a child to complete a picture on the computer or make them trace alphabets that they see on the screen to a paper, these are ways in which tech helps take the baby steps towards early learning. Tapping, scrolling, swiping has become a child’s play, one that unintentionally allows learning. Cognitive Development: Often screen time is looked at as a negative impact tool without us recognizing how it aids cognitive development. Cognitive or thinking skills are developed effectively when a child tries to make sense of images on the screen. Through games, children pick up cues in developing non-verbal communication, an important aspect of enhancing cognitive skills. They are more likely to be engaged without getting bored when they pick up cues from screen through bright imagery. Linguistic Development: Today classroom pedagogy has taken a new shape where every child is learning using a device. At a time when learning has shifted online for

K12 Digest January 2022

When a child is engaged in a game, he or she picks up key lessons in collaboration, teamwork and communication

most children, linguistic skills are honed at a faster pace. Bilingualism has become the order of the day. Several apps help children pick up multilingual skills as audiovideo visuals leave a deep impact. In fact, studies have shown that early learning of languages increase brain’s attention process towards solving problems or performing a variety of mentally demanding tasks at a later stage. Socio-emotional Growth: This is a necessary soft skill that allows children to collaborate effectively with their peers, parents and educators. So can tech enhance a child’s social skills or emotional behavior? Yes, it can. When a child is engaged in a game, he or she picks up key lessons in collaboration, teamwork and communication. Early influences help shape emotional bonding, say for instance, an educator or parent can engage with the child and find out what kind of an emotion he or she felt after watching a cartoon. A reward point in an app is a useful tool that teaches children a valuable lesson in reflecting on behaviour. As is evident from the above pointers, making screen time constructive is the need of the hour. As children cross the threshold of primary schooling, they navigate the tech world much on their own. But the role of technology at a younger age has to be shaped with help—one that focuses on intellectual and behavioural skills. The key is to identify the age-appropriate tech tools, present them in a non-linear fashion to children and allow them to have a fun time with the smorgasbord of learning apps at hand.

K12 Digest January 2022

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

Readers Today, Leaders Tomorrow Power of Reading Vipul Tyagi, CEO & Co-Founder, EdTech Startup Orphicy

Vipul Tyagi, CEO, and Co-Founder of EdTech Startup Orphicy. An electronics and telecom engineer, Vipul co-founded Orphicy along with 3 academicians in 2020. The startup offers live online coaching for the school curriculum (Classes 5-10) and also helps students prepare for NTSE/ Olympiads and other competitive exams. The learning modules are designed with a holistic approach focusing on extracurricular activities along with academics. Orphicy is Vipul’s second entrepreneurial venture. His first business venture already rakes in revenues to the tune of 100 million INR.

K12 Digest January 2022

Reading books on diverse genres imparts information and gives you a deep insight into the topic you read about

“T

o acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life as reading gives us the habit of solitary reflection and enjoyment.” - W Somerset Maugham Why cultivate the habit in the first place? A child’s reading skills are vital as they allow them to access the breadth of the curriculum and improve their communication and language expertise. In addition, reading can be fun and be an imaginative time for children, which opens the doors to all kinds of new worlds for them. In today’s world with so much more to know and to learn and also the need for a conscious effort to conquer the divisive forces, the importance of reading has increased. In the olden days, if reading was not cultivated or encouraged, there was a substitute for it in the religious sermon and in the oral tradition. As a part of our curriculum at Orphicy, we have identified ‘reading’ as a key area for development and will be included in the future strategic development plans too. It is being said that “No two men can read the same book”, what it means is that whenever two people read a

book, each one has his own interpretation. Each one paints the protagonist as per his own imagination. When two people watch an Iron Man movie, they know exactly how the superhero looks like, there is not much left to imagine but reading a book gives you an opportunity to paint your own canvas. Books are a rich source of information and knowledge. Reading books on diverse genres imparts information and gives you a deep insight into the topic you read about. You always learn something new when you read. Two kinds of habits – Serious reading and leisure reading. The interrelationship. Reading for pleasure makes a big difference to children’s cocurricular performance. Evidence suggests that children who read for fun every day not only perform better in reading tests than those who do not but also develop a broader vocabulary increased general know-how and a better understanding of other cultures. In fact, reading for pleasure is more likely to determine whether a child does well at school than their social or financial background. Learning to read is about listening and understanding as well as working out what is printed on the page. Through

K12 Digest January 2022

hearing stories, children are exposed to a wide range of words. This helps them build their own vocabulary and improve their understanding when they listen, which is vital as they start to read. It is important for them to understand how stories work too. Even if your child does not understand every word, they will hear new sounds, words, and phrases which they can then try out, copying what they have heard. What does the Research point at? It is a proven fact that those who have good reading habits show signs of higher intelligence. With diverse and bountiful genres books open up the mind and enhance the creative ability and language skills. The fiction of reading develops empathy and helps build better relations with others. You become a part of the story and naturally empathize and sympathize with the characters. You become more aware of how people get affected in different situations. It enhances your overall ability to empathize with others. By active reading, you explore several aspects of life too. It involves questioning what you read. It helps you develop your thoughts and express your opinions. You engage your mind in understanding and thinking higher. You start comparing your point of view to the writer’s perspective. New ideas and thoughts synthesize in your mind by active reading. It stimulates your brain and provides you with a fresher perspective. How can institutes and parents foster such an enabling environment? Institutions that are established with vision aren’t merely bothered about a child’s co-curricular achievements but also stretch their sight beyond it. Kids that are empowered

K12 Digest January 2022

from their younger days towards the development of life skills, one amongst them being reading, tend to do better in life and career, and that’s where the actual vision lies. Effective contemporary practices like shared reading and parent-child reading have developed with time and have shown its impact on children in all dimensions. Research proves such practices help children in the areas of ● Language and vocabulary development ● Communication and opinion formation ● Development of team skills ● Sensitization to the practice of resource sharing. This in the long run empowers them psychologically and spiritually, making them more interactive and responsible citizens. Consequently, having understood the importance of reading, its contemporary practices, and its impact on the younger ones, it’s important to determine who shares the responsibility of passing on this age-old wisdom to Generation Z. The leadership should be shared equally between parents and the educational institutions that build the very persona or the character of the individuals. The institutions build an environment that stimulates the habit of reading while the parents function as the backbone of the implementation that follows post the stimulation. It is also vital to note that the reading ability is a fruit that gives returns only in due course of time. An instantaneous expectation might just impede the development process. When the aforementioned entities combine, the institutions and the parents, the combined force can give rise to a more socially aware and conscientious generation.

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Higher EducationK12 Digest Digest November 2021 January 2022

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

Home-Schooling, a New Digital Online School Trend, India is Adopting Rapidly for K12 Segment Rohit Jain, Founder, uFaber

Rohit Jain is an education and technology professional turned entrepreneur who has changed the face of the world through the advancement of the Ed-Tech system. Education technology has been a major area of interest from the beginning of his career and turning into an entrepreneur with a passion for teaching has changed the face of the world through the advancement of the Ed-Tech system. He founded uFaber in 2015 to provide hyperpersonalized training programs for students from the age of 9.

K12 Digest January 2022

Instructors and students interact face-to-face via an online medium in home-schooling, which allows students to learn sitting at home

t’s no secret that the Coronavirus Pandemic had a significant impact on our educational system. Long lessons and participation in co-curricular activities appear to be a thing of the past. Those days were fun, weren’t they? But as Corona has hit the land, we have tried a not-so-new trend of Home-schooling K12. But most of the time, Home-schooling for a parent can be tough! Some days it’s incredibly efficient whereas on some days you’ll feel it’s a hard crack. In recent years, our country’s educational system has undergone significant changes, blending traditional learning with modern techniques. During the coronavirus outbreak, home-schooling / e-learning is one of the most recent systems to be installed. What is Home-schooling? Home-schooling entails the child completing its kindergarten to 10+2 education and learning at home rather than going to a traditional classroom environment, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. We can also say that Home-schooling is a kind of e-learning. While several countries have always been friendly to home-schooling, in India, it still has a long way

to go. However, in the last two years, we have initiated on the path and are growing. Instructors and students interact face-to-face via an online medium in home-schooling, which allows students to learn sitting at home. In India, home-schooling is still a choice where parents decide to educate their children through an online medium known as “e-Learning”. Where teachers and mentors teach students the same course taught in public or private schools. However, home-schooling focuses on your child’s specific abilities and helps them to dive into the areas of their interest and design a specific learning need. Benefits of Home-schooling During the unprecedented curtailment of the COVID-19 pandemic, the benefits of home-schooling are even more evident. With many children having to learn outside the classroom in order to curb the spread of the virus, many parents/guardians are wondering why they shouldn’t take this good initial step for their child’s ensuing years. There are numerous boons to home-schooling. Homeschool students are not bound to follow the strict and

K12 Digest January 2022

mundane schedule as many online schools offer flexible time slots to students. Every student has a unique skill or ability, and homeschooling focuses on the fundamental notion of nurturing and enhancing that potential. As a result, the learning is accommodated appropriately. With their child studying at home, parents can keep an eye on what they are learning. They can even discuss the concepts with their kids afterward and solve their doubts. Learning at home assists the child in overcoming peer pressure. He/she can ask questions and answer without hesitating. This type of e-learning commits to the healthy social, emotional, and psychological development of a child. It also builds a strong relationship and psychological understanding between the parents and their kids. For some challenged children, it is a better place where no one would bully, threaten or harass them. Home-schooling will make the learning innovative and interesting. Physical classrooms consist of a diversified mix of children which makes it a struggle for introverts and slow learners. In home-schools, these students study and learn from a place where they feel more comfortable. Government initiative regarding Home-school In the past few years, the government has made homeschooling lawful in several jurisdictions. Homeschooling is also a privilege for every kid under the “Right to Education” Act. Due to pandemics, it is the

K12 Digest January 2022

best alternative to educate students which the government has seen as a boon. Home-schooling in India Several EdTech platforms sprouting in India are customizing their system with a variety of materials and methods as per international standards and learning styles. Home-schooling gives the student a comfortable environment to gain knowledge. They build a schedule and style it in a way that the student is able to grasp the concept easily and effortlessly. Many home schoolers follow formal education methods like CBSE, NIOS IGCSE. There is a different curriculum set for the age range of 5 to 12, 13 to 15. The main purpose of home schoolers is to give a standard level of education to children. Over the last few years, India has experienced fast growth in the education system. Around 15000 Indian families have decided to homeschool their kids for their holistic development. The Bottom line: Through the best platforms, you can choose the finest homeschools for your child on which students can receive a high-quality education, experiencing less stress learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit THE REAL SCHOOL to get eminent informative articles along with personalized lectures and guidance from the most eminent experts. Study with the leading platform and radiate differently in the worldly crowd.

K12 Digest January 2022

ADMIN PERSPECTIVE

Education Franchise Model: Future of the Indian Education System Anirban Bhattacharya, AVP - Partner Schools, Seth Anandram Jaipuria Group of Schools

ranchise businesses play a pivotal role in escalating education businesses due to its economic, social, and geographical reasons. Franchise businesses work by buying rights to use a firm business model along with the brand’s name to ensure maximum expansion in less time and capital. Besides, economic, social, and geographic reasons there are many reasons why the education business is in the favour of the franchise model and this is why the franchise model is seen as the future of the Indian education system. With 26.31 percent of India’s population is in the age group of 0-14 years which means multi-fold opportunities of growth for the Indian education sector. By 2025, the Indian education market is expected to grow up to USD 225 million. In the Union Budget, 2021-22, the government of India allocated over 54,000 crores (USD 7.53 Billion) for the Department of School Education and literacy. The figures look promising as it will boost confidence and strengthen National Education Policy, 21. A hard look at the Indian education sector reveals that the system is skewed more towards the public sector as more spending is directed by the government to strengthen public schools, however, the overall trend suggests differently. According to FICCI, 54 percent out of 1.46 million K-12 schools in India are either governed by central or state and 21 percent is managed by local bodies. Private

K12 Digest January 2022

Established brands that have already proved their mettle in imparting quality education are always looking to expand and provide their financial support to the potential player or start-ups

Anirban Bhattacharya is working as the Associate Vice President – Partner Schools with Seth Anandram Jaipuria Group. He is currently spearheading the complete operations and expansion of Franchise schools across pan India. Anirban has more than 18 years’ experience in the education sector in various domains and capacities. In the past, he played an important role in setting up K12 Schools in North India and Higher Education initiative wherein he was instrumental to set up colleges in pan India. He has been associated with some reputed education organizations in the past.

K12 Digest January 2022

schools account for 25 percent of the share out of the total number of K-12 Schools in India. And out of the total number of students enrolled in K-12 schools, 40 percent go to private schools. This clearly states that parents prefer private K-12 schools over government or public schools. Parents look for state-of-the-art infrastructure, quality education, individual attention, and faculties before finalizing a school and school franchising model becomes instrumental in meeting these demands. Why franchise business is a profitable model The world runs based on basic economic principles of demand and supply. The figures projected above suggest a huge potential market for private schools in India. If an investor is confused or has minimum knowledge about the business then there is already a ready successful model in existence that can help them. In the Union Budget 2021-22, more than 15,000 schools, 100 new Sainik Schools, and 750 Eklavya model residential schools for tribals will be established to strengthen the National Education Policy, 21 which gives room for a ready market that requires quality education in tier 2 and 3 cities and remote areas of India. Established brands that have already proved their mettle in imparting quality education are always looking to expand and provide their financial support to the potential player or start-ups. The school franchise model is also a recessionproof business, even during the pandemic the education sector witnessed a uniform growth in student enrolments.

planning yearly calendar, IT support, curriculum design, marketing and publicity assistance and more. Since premium education schools are looking to expand their reach with the intent that students from different parts of India get access to quality education, they are always ready to diversify with 360-degree support. The franchise model alleviates risk for both parties, franchisor ensures an apt architecture and vendor support at the initial phase of the construction. As projected that the Indian Education Market is expected to reach USD 225 million by 2025, the growth potential of this sector is huge, and to capitalise it fully franchise partners can capture the market better with an established brand name. The franchise education model is the smartest business model which ensures recurring income as students become familiar with the curriculum and its flow, they are most unlikely to switch. Sticking to one education model also comes with the emotional value

The franchise model alleviates risk for both parties, franchisor ensures an apt architecture and vendor support at the initial phase of the construction

Benefits of the franchise education business One of the key benefits of doing a franchise education business is the constant guidance and direction that a franchisor gives to the franchise. Right from academics to hiring faculties and staff members to infrastructural support,

K12 Digest January 2022

The future ahead In the future, more and more established players are looking to invest in education as a step towards nation building after promising support extended by the government in the Union Budget 202122 to enhance and strengthen the education sector. More established brands are entering this foray with the ‘ABCD’ model of the school franchise- Academic support, Brand legacy, Care and Commitment, and Detailed Planning. As government lays more emphasis to build quality and premium educational institutes in tier 2 and 3 cities, more and more franchises are looking for established players to help them grow with the help of their experience and expertise. The recession-proof and recurring revenue model adds power to the franchise education business which will only increase in years to come.

K12 Digest January 2022

K12 Digest Higher Education Digest January 2022 October 2020