K12 Digest – India Edition – March-April 2021 – Most Innovative Schools in South India by Connecta Innovation

SOUTH INDIAN SCHOOLS

INDIAN EDITION

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FEATURING INSIDE

Ashish Fernando, Founder & CEO, iSchoolConnect Dr. Madhuri Sagale, Principal, Orchids - The International School

MAKING STUDENTS EXPERTS IN

ALL SPHERES OF LIFE

GEMS MODERN ACADEMY

YUVABHARATHI PUBLIC SCHOOL

Gaurav Bhagat, Founder, Gaurav Bhagat Academy Shweta Sastri, Managing Director, Canadian International School Yogesh Makkar, Founder, Kapdec

MARCH - APRIL 2021

K12 Digest March - April 2021

K12 Digest Sept-Oct 2020 March - April 2021

K12 Digest March - April 2021

March - April 2021

Vol - 2 Issue - 3

Innovative Schools in South India Special Head of Advisory Board Dr. Varughese K.John, PhD

Managing Editor Sarath Shyam

Consultant Editors

Dr. Johny Andrews Andrew Scott Joseph Alex

Naomi Wilson Stanly Lui Emma James

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London Connecta Global Ltd. 27, Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX, United Kingdom Bangalore Connecta Innovation Pvt. Ltd. Carlton Towers, Old Airport Road, Bangalore - 560008 India K12 Digest is a digital magazine published by Connecta Innovation Private Limited. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed in the content and pictures provided are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Connecta Innovation Private Limited or any of its members and we do not assume any responsibility. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the advertisements, its content, pictures, and all representation of warranties made in such advertisements are those of the advertisers and not of the publisher. K12 Digest is a Free Subscription digital magazine strictly not for sale and has to be strictly for internal private use only. Publisher does not assume any responsibility arising out of anyone printing copy of this digital magazine in any format and in any country and all matters related to that.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

MANAGING EDITOR’S NOTE

Learning Beyond the Books

he COVID-19, though not clearly associated with much to boast good of itself, have unintentionally opened a rather unexplored world of Digital Communication to the era of education. Many terms that were considered of mere importance have seen a sudden spike in their usage. Days when online education is for only those who have not got enough time to be present physically are long forgotten. Now anything and everything starts from a single click of the keyboard, and the opportunities it opens to are vast and beyond comprehension. Mobile phones that were sneaked from their parents to play games and laptops clearly out of reach are the new education-friendly gadgets now. Education has taken a vibrant leap; new innovations are put forward to make learning easier and interesting. Schools are

leaving behind the age-old ways and making exuberant methods to bring more exciting shades to learning. They are paving ways to show that learning can be more than just books, that it can grow and flourish beyond the pages. In this issue, we have identified the ‘10 Most Innovative Schools in South India’ that are forever improving when it comes to innovation. In fact, schools in the southern part of the country are recognized for their resources, infrastructure and quality of education. On the cover, we feature Yuvabharathi Public School, a highly reputed school in Coimbatore that has won awards for outstanding academic excellence, co-curricular activities, STEM education, and Happiness Quotient Index and many more. Enjoy Reading.

Sarath Shyam

K12 Digest March - April 2021

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 March - April 2021

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 Columbia, Columbia

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

Assistant Principal, Sharjah American International School, 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 March - April 2021

CONTENTS

CONTENTS 8

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COVER STORY

GEMS MODERN ACADEMY, KOCHI

Developing the Gems of Tomorrow

18 YUVABHARATHI

PUBLIC SCHOOL

MAKING STUDENTS EXPERTS IN ALL SPHERES OF LIFE MENTOR’S OPINION

BLENDED LEARNING TO BECOME COMMON IN THE FUTURE

Kavita Sahay Kerawalla, Vice Chairperson, VIBGYOR Group of Schools

12 K12 Digest March - April 2021

K12 Digest March - April 2021

Yogesh Makkar, Founder, Kapdec

Ashish Fernando, Founder and CEO, iSchoolConnect

INDUSTRY VIEWS

CONTENTS

CONTENTS 10

TOP E-LEARNING TRENDS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 2021

HOW ARE GLOBAL UNIVERSITIES SCOUTING FOR THE RIGHT TALENT AND HOW CAN INDIAN STUDENTS STAY AHEAD IN THE RACE?

STARTUPS FROM EDTECH GO BEYOND SCHOOL LESSONS, CHILDREN ARE MORE ATTRACTED TO EDUENTERTAINMENT

5 REASONS WHY ONLINE DANCE CLASSES ARE BETTER THAN OFFLINE

Ashish Gupta, CO-Founder and CEO, Bambinos.live

Divanshi Gupta, Founder, Ucanji

BEST PRACTICES

E-LEARNING – A BOON FOR TEACHERS AS WELL AS LEARNERS

Gaurav Bhagat, Founder, Gaurav Bhagat Academy

ACADEMIC VIEWS

48 GOING BEYOND ACADEMICS, PREPARING FOR THE WORLD BEYOND SCHOOL

TIME TO CHALLENGE OURSELVES TO CREATE A WORLD OF INCLUSIVITY AND GENDER PARITY

Shweta Sastri, Managing Director, Canadian International School, Bangalore

Dr. Madhuri Sagale Principal, Orchids - The International School, Thane

K12 Digest March - April 2021

MENTOR’S OPINION

Blended Learning to Become Common in the Future Kavita Sahay Kerawalla, Vice Chairperson, VIBGYOR Group of Schools

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Being an optimistic person, I always believe in looking at the brighter side of life, hence I believe we must use the current situation as an opportunity to innovate and adapt

A trailblazer in educational innovation, Kavita Sahay Kerawalla, Vice Chairperson of VIBGYOR Group of Schools, has been an educationist for over two decades. She believes that education can be the catalyst to transform the world, inspire the young generation and make the world a better place. A powerful driving force behind VIBGYOR Group of Schools since its inception, an academician in her felt that the curriculum offered in a large number of schools did not equip children for the demands of the future. She led a team of experts who designed a curriculum for VIBGYOR that has a fine mix of global teaching practices and the Indian curriculum. In a conversation with K12 Digest, Kavita Sahay Kerawalla talks about the impact of NEP on Indian school education, importance of taking care of students’ mental health, predictable changes in the education sector after COVID-19 and much more.

What would be the potential impact of NEP on Indian school education? How is the VIBGYOR Group of Schools gearing up for the changes? The National Education Policy (NEP), introduced in July 2020, provides a much-needed focus to Early Child Care Education (ECCE), envisaging a five-year foundational stage of education: three years of Early Childhood Education (ECE), or pre-primary, and two years of primary school. The broader impact of NEP, if implemented successfully, will be a shift towards the real understanding of concepts and away from the current culture of only memorizing information for exams. This, I strongly believe, is the right approach, as it is vital to comprehend a particular subject or concept thoroughly to apply it successfully to solve real-life problems. A rote learning culture only allows for the assimilation of information but does little to help students develop a holistic understanding of this information or the interdisciplinary skills necessary to translate it into

tangible outcomes. Proper implementation of NEP will create a space for deeper and more experiential learning that enables the holistic development of students. The policy discusses various measures that aim to ensure that all children benefit from early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for the next level of learning. One such measure is the inclusion of play-based and activity-based learning for children between the ages of 3-6 years. Based on my experience as an early childhood care expert, I have long held the conviction that young children learn best through experiential activities. This idea has already been a part of VIBGYOR’s DNA since its inception. Our activity-based pre-primary education programme is designed to nurture and promote the development of a child’s cognitive, social, physical, cultural, and emotional skills. The lessons are planned with the understanding that at this age, a child’s attention span is usually low. We have developed various activities, games, and puzzles

K12 Digest March - April 2021

Kavita Sahay Kerawalla holds a Master’s degree in Economics and has completed her B.Ed followed by a PGDEd.M from the prestigious institute NMIMS, Mumbai. Her tireless work and exemplary contribution to the field of education has won her many accolades. She has been recognised as the Business Leader of the Year (Education Sector) by ET Now in February 2020, ‘Most Innovative Woman of the Year (Education Sector)’ at GTF Women’s Excellence Awards 2018, Times Power Women Award 2018, Woman Super Achiever Award for Excellence in Education, Coaching and Consulting by Femina 5th World Woman Leadership Award 2018, Leader in Education Award by International Women Leaders Forum (2017), and Women at Work Leadership Award by Asia’s Best Employer Brand Award (2017) amongst many others. Kavita Kerawalla is someone who strives for change and is constantly working on new initiatives for the overall development of children, such as VIBGYOR VIVA (a Pan-India annual event that offers a platform for students to showcase their talent), VIBGYORMUN (Model United Nations to provide an admirable learning experience for our young learners to be acquainted with global issues) and more such projects that enable VIBGYOR Group of Schools to provide enhanced learning experience to students as well as broaden the scope of offerings.

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accordingly, which are used to engage students for better learning outcomes. Many of NEP’s guidelines mirror my philosophy, which has been reflected in our pedagogy since well before the guidelines were announced last year. The proposed reforms further reinforce my confidence in my beliefs and will help VIBGYOR in resolutely pursuing our mission of facilitating world-class, quality education and a stress-free learning environment to prepare our students for a dynamic world.

For more than a year now, students have not been able to go to school, and have been isolated from friends and social gatherings, which has taken a toll on their mental health

In India, how badly are students going to be set back by not having formal instruction? What are the efforts of the VIBGYOR Group of Schools to control the damage? Formal instruction and an in-class learning environment are vital for a child’s development. Being an optimistic person, I always believe in looking at the brighter side of life, hence I believe we must use the current situation as an opportunity to innovate and adapt. At VIBGYOR, we bolstered our digital infrastructure, as soon as the lockdown began, so that we could facilitate

an engaging and immersive learning experience for students from the safety of their homes. We also invested in training our academicians for effective online pedagogical delivery. We have worked hard to develop an online pedagogy that has been developed taking into consideration the psychology of a pre-primary child. • Our classes are of shorter spans so that the child does not lose attention. • We follow a timetable that considers teacher-led and parent-led learning sessions, hence promoting healthy learning routines and academic rigor. • We advise parents to be a part of the teacher-child interaction sessions so that parents can take the learning further while interacting with the child. • Our teachers conduct ‘Circle Time’, a five-minute session at the start of every class. This time is used to make the entire class engage with each other including a virtual assembly so that social interaction is promoted online. Lack of social interaction is one of the major problems children have been facing during COVID times. • There is a break of 10 minutes between each teacherchild interaction session so that children get a break from screen time. • We provide experiential learning, real-world experiences, and trans-disciplinary integration by organising virtual field trips for children. • We handhold parents through ‘parent-child interaction at home’ by providing them with plans for all subjects which include ‘Creative Activities’, ‘Perceptual Motor Programme’, ‘Math Skills’, and more. • We use a good amount of digital content including ‘Flashcards, ‘Audios’, ‘Videos of songs/rhymes and stories’ to keep the learning experiential and engaging. I see this period as a silver lining in our learning curve, where we have up skilled ourselves by adapting and innovating with a new approach to teaching. Our parents have appreciated the efforts that VIBGYOR has put in to rise to the occasion. Tell us about the importance of taking care of students’ mental health in the aftermath of the pandemic? What is the role of schools in it? For more than a year now, students have not been able to go to school, and have been isolated from friends and social gatherings, which has taken a toll on their mental health. It is my firm belief that we need to prioritize their mental health, particularly in such a situation, and that schools are uniquely placed to contribute by

K12 Digest March - April 2021

My larger aim is to help develop the unique potential of each student and equip them with a 21st-century mind-set, to enable them to navigate successfully through a complex and diverse world

providing ample support and counselling. VIBGYOR has a dedicated cell, comprising qualified counsellors who help students deal with anxiety and stress. Since this kind of support can no longer be provided face to face, given the challenges of the pandemic, we have transitioned and are facilitating online sessions for students. I also believe that during a phase when socialising is a daunting task, online schooling plays an important role in encouraging social interaction. Whether it’s through encouraging interactions among students during classes, providing them with assignments that result in them engaging with each other digitally or nudging their creativity through experiential learning. Nowadays, schools not only have a great responsibility on their shoulders, but they are also skilfully playing that role because of the hard work of our teachers. I would urge our society to recognise the role our ‘Teachers’ have played during these COVID times. They are no less than any other COVID warrior. What are the precautionary measures schools must take when they reopen? What is the VIBGYOR model that other schools in the country can follow? In my view, the safety and wellbeing of students and staff need to be of utmost priority. When reopening for physical classes, schools should implement and strictly adhere to all the safety protocols prescribed by the authorities.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

At VIBGYOR, we are already taking several measures to enable students to safely resume physical classes in the upcoming academic year, by following government guidelines. In addition to strict hygiene and disinfection procedures being followed, regular temperature checks will be conducted for students and staff when physical classes commence. Further, we are setting up medical care stations around each school campus, for quick access by students in case they feel unwell. We will also conduct awareness drives periodically to ensure all students, faculty, and staff are mindful of, and adhere to, the COVID-19 guidelines prescribed by the government. Such protocols were also implemented when we had reopened some VIBGYOR campuses earlier, in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh in the previous academic year, as per state government regulations. Given the developments around the world, I believe the pandemic situation is still in flux. While we must continue to focus on how to regain normalcy, we must also recognise the uncertainty of the situation. Accordingly, at least for the coming year, we need to be prepared for agility in operations in case more lockdowns are necessary, and vigilance in preventing the spread of the virus when campuses reopen so that further restrictions can be avoided. VIBGYOR has not only constantly honed and evolved its online pedagogy, but it has also developed its infrastructure to be able to run a blended model of

education for some time to come. We have used these times to learn, adapt and evolve. I believe it stands true for the entire education industry. What is the importance of extra-curricular activities in holistic personality development which includes critical thinking, analytical reasoning, strategic decision-making, collaboration, and teamwork? In my opinion, extra-curricular activities are an essential element of both, the school experience, and the overall personality development of children. They not only help enhance students’ critical thinking abilities and decision-making skills but also help inculcate a genuine spirit of teamwork via extensive peer-to-peer collaboration. This view led me to spearhead the development of a first-of-itskind ‘Sports & Performing Arts’ (SPA) curriculum at VIBGYOR, which has been designed to integrate with classroom learning to help strike a fine balance between the various facets that constitute the asymmetrical learning process. As the country grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, I noticed students feeling isolated, and felt that extra-curricular activities could go a long way in uniting them and rebuilding their confidence. To help students bridge this divide, we introduced virtual versions of our extra-curricular activities. For example, we moved our annual inter-school cultural mega-festival VIVA, as well as our annual VIB-MUN simulation – Model United Nations – online. This served the dual purpose of ensuring our learners’ holistic development despite the pandemic, while also enabling their safety. My larger aim is to help develop the unique potential of each student and equip them with a 21st-century mind-set, to enable them to navigate successfully through a complex and diverse world. What are the predictable changes in the education sector after COVID-19? Even after a year, COVID-19 related disruptions continue to affect all sectors, including education. I believe that online classes, cancellations, and delays in exams are likely to continue being a part of our reality for a while. In such a scenario, academicians and policymakers must come up with suitable alternatives for the age-old methods of classroom education and examinations. This will enable students to continue education even

if physical classes cannot be conducted due to volatile factors such as climatic or geopolitical disturbances, or public health crises. I believe that blended learning, for one, will become more common in the future. This approach uses a mix of digital tools and in-class teaching to deliver education effectively and smoothly. If one pedagogical method is disrupted, the other can be leveraged to continue delivering education to students. Such a model is highly flexible and allows students and schools to adapt quickly to evolving circumstances, ensuring learning continuity. As far as exams are concerned, I expect to see schools transitioning to continuous, year-round assessments instead of depending on mid-terms and year-end exams. Student assessments will be based on their periodic test scores and/or class projects. I am confident that, with such alternatives in place, students’ plans for higher education will not be impacted by the cancellation of, or delay in, year-end examinations. How is the education sector evolving, and what are the leadership goals? While the education sector is constantly evolving in terms of effective teaching and learning methodologies, I feel strongly that the future, beyond this pandemic, warrants an overhaul and that, with able and effective leadership, we can achieve this goal. Leadership goals will now involve building a newage education system in India that will stay strong in face of crises and disruptions. Such a system will transcend the old divisions between knowledge and skills, theory and application, and academic and vocational learning. I believe that we need to focus more on the development of skills that enable students to become self-reliant adults who can cope with the trials and tribulations of social, political, and economic shifts. What are the immediate plans of the VIBGYOR Group of Schools? In alignment with our commitment towards accessibility to high-quality education, VIBGYOR launched a new campus in Chokkanahalli, Bengaluru, this year. We will continue to expand our presence across the country and are also planning to set up a vocational training institute as well as technical training institutes, in our endeavour to bring the Indian education system to the world stage. In the coming years, I also plan to introduce various educational initiatives to enhance the employability of women and thus empower them.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

Y R O

K12 Digest March - April 2021

YUVABHARATHI PUBLIC SCHOOL

MOST INNOVATIVE

MAKING STUDENTS EXPERTS IN ALL SPHERES OF LIFE

K12 Digest March - April 2021

hanges in education are expected yearly because of its dynamic nature that is dependent on many components from upgrades in technology, mandates of the department of education, available resources, educators’ motivation, parental influence, and the students themselves. These changes can influence perspective towards the acquisition of knowledge, as well as learning outcomes. Having acquired the technical understanding and identified the availability of several online educational resources, it is almost certain that one can’t brush aside the benefits of online educational tools towards constructive learning. With even the most remote village gaining access to an online classroom during the pandemic that replaced the physical presence of a teacher, technological advancement and internet usage have gained a phenomenal reach globally. On the other hand, none can deny the emotional support, motivation, and facilitation that the physical presence of a teacher can provide. “Even under normal circumstances, we were continuously focusing towards

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preparing our students to face the world ahead. With no exception to the current scenario, we will further continue to give our best to equip the students to face the challenges of tomorrow’s world,” says Anand Chinnasamy, Correspondent, Yuvabharathi Public School (YBPS). As a preparatory step, the management at YBPS has already taken its initiative by showing its readiness in accommodating competency-based learning as a measure to ascertain student’s overall development. Cybersafety has been imparted during these days to promote cognition of the pros and cons of various platforms and ensure emotional safety. Student clubs across various disciplines (though essentially a feature already existing) would be enhanced to meet the market requirements. Skill-based activities integrated with academics would be another aspect of ensuring future readiness for every student. Ranked No.1 in Coimbatore, YBPS has won awards for outstanding academic excellence, co-curricular activities, STEM education, and Happiness Quotient Index as well. The sprawling 11.236-acre school campus houses the state-of-theart infrastructure – physical, administrative, and technological –that has augmented the performance of the school and the stakeholders in various dimensions. “We provide a platform to identify, nurture and showcase the talents and innate potential of students by actively participating in Model United Nations, Olympiads, Drama and communication skills exams,” adds Geetha Jayachandran, Principal, YBPS.

Value education percolates in the culture of YBPS. The school’s outreach activities involve the students in volunteering and inculcate empathy, kindness, charity, and social responsibility. The students are engaged in Shanti Ashram’s Poverty Solutions Programme, annual blood donation camps, active implementation of SEWA programmes, supporting social causes like the Gaja cyclone relief fund by conducting a school fair,

conduction of free medical camps, adopting of a nearby village settlement for spreading awareness. The students of the Interact club actively organize a Blood donation camp, joining hands with Ganga Hospitals, Coimbatore, on the occasion of Independence Day every year since 2014. Around 120 donors donate blood every year after being duly screened. Environmental consciousness is one of the core values promoted by YBPS; Team Yuva leaves no stone unturned when it comes to the creation of awareness, promotion of environmental values, and conservation of biodiversity, water, energy, and other resources. The school campus is a plastic free-zone where students use metallic water bottles and utensils to shun the usage of plastics. The recycling unit, organic gardening & sales of products by students, Herbal Garden, Yuva’s Miya (the backyard forest following the Miyawaki technique), and cross country runs have proven this academic institution to be more than just textbook and classroom teaching.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

About

Mr Anand Chinnasamy A dynamic personality and an inconspicuous leader who makes his presence strongly felt in the innovations and achievements of Yuvabharathi Public School. With more than three decades of prolific experience in the arena of School Administration and Management, he serves as the Sire of five educational institutions under the aegis of Bharath Educational Society and sets the standards for our performance which others wish to emulate. With a Bachelors and Diploma in Educational Institutional Management from The University of Manchester, U. K. and Outstanding Educationist Award, he stands for sustainable practices and modern ethos in the field of school education. He envisioned Yuvabharathi Public School, one of the best CBSE schools in the district of Coimbatore. An ardent lover of sports, innovation, and progress are his benchmarks and he is the fountainhead of building South India’s largest Multi-Sport turf at Yuvabharathi Public School. A staunch believer of exponential excellence, he sets higher goals year after year for the progress of the institution.

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Shaping Innovative Thinkers – Teachers at YBPS Offering personalized instruction and individualized learning, the class size at YBPS is 25/30 students per section, and the student-teacher ratio is 18:1. The school caters to the Multiple Intelligences of the students. Students who are finding it difficult to master competencies are identified and are given additional support and guidance to perform better. Embracing inclusive learning, students having varying levels of intelligence are accommodated well within the same classroom. Lesson plans are tailored to meet the individual needs of the students, ensuring all types of learners are involved in the teaching-learning process. The potential of the child is identified, and the mentors are assigned to guide the children. The tasks and activities are well analyzed and designed, which kindles the creativity of the child. If they are passive in school activities, they are advised to meet the school counsellor to identify what deters their performance, and then necessary actions are taken to help the child overcome hurdles. Adhering to the norms of CBSE in recruiting qualified teachers who come on board, An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the respective faculty with an undergraduate/postgraduate professional degree in education is mandatory. The school absorbs both experienced hands and promising freshers after rounds of interviews and demo classes. They are continuously exposed to the current trends in the field of pedagogy and

their respective subjects through the Capacity Building Programmes, Prospective Resource Person training Programmes and refresher programmes (experienced teachers and subject heads) conducted by the Centre of Excellence, CBSE, and Sahodaya Schools complex (cluster of neighbouring CBSE schools at regional level). They also attend workshops and seminars conducted by institutes/agencies like the British Council, IIM (The Indian Institutes of Management), ICTRC (Institute of Counsellor Training Research and Consultancy), and other programmes based on mental health, positive psychology, digital literacy, child sex abuse, value education, and the pedagogical programmes conducted by our curriculum partners. “We expect at least 50 hours of professional development courses/modules/programmes to be completed by the teachers to meet the professional standards. On-site training by experts is also provided. Ongoing professional development is continuously ensured,” adds the Principal, Ms Geetha. Achieving Greatness Everywhere! Holding the spirit of inquiry in its curriculum transactions, Project-based learning is encouraged, and projects like Weeks of wonder, namely Ideation week, Literary week, Maths week, Visual and performing arts week are conducted to provide a platform to exhibit their talents of innovation and creativity and to hone their skills. Themebased assemblies are assigned to all the classes where

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every student has to contribute based on their skill set. The children form a committee, chalk out their ideas, pool them together, and conduct activities for the school. Winning the Best School Delegation Award at IIMUN’s Coimbatore Chapters in 2017 and 2018 and IIMUN Championship Conference held in Mumbai 2018, YBPS was one of the 257 schools that were selected by AIM (Atal Innovation Mission) from 13,000 schools in 2016 that applied for the establishment of Atal Tinkering Laboratory (ATL). “The studentfriendly approach is directed towards enhancing their leadership, speech, and drama skills. We also stand as the first school in Coimbatore that undertakes the examination in Speech and Drama offered by the Trinity College, London,” points out Ms Geetha. In the remarkable journey of MUN activities, it is to be highlighted that YBPS’s delegation won Regional Scholarship from YMUN XLV based on the past success records and merit. This award granted fee waivers and stipend to participate in Yale Model United Nations XLV, Yale’s campus in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, in January 2019. Smayan

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Santosh from our school received the Honourable Mention award at the same. Suraj Narayanan won the Honorable Mention award at the Harvard Model Congress Asia 2018 conducted by the University of Hong Kong in Hong Kong in January 2018. Delegates from YBPS have received a scholarship and attended Yale Model United Nations Korea in Seoul, S.Korea (November 2018), and YMUN Taiwan VI at Taipei, Taiwan. Continuing the list of achievements, Ms Swasthika Anand, of Grade 11 from the school, participated as one of the three children who represented India at the Global Network of Religions for Children 5th Forum organized by Arigatou International in May 2017. Swasthika presented the resolutions and interacted with AlaaMurabit, UN High –Level Commissioner on Health, Employment, and Economic Growth. Saanvi of grade 2 successfully reached 15,000 ft in the Everest Region of Nepal in 2019. At just 7 years, she is the youngest climber to have completed the 10 day mountaineering programme in the Himalayas. Jash K. Kankaria and Neyati V. have carved a niche for themselves in Cricket at the State level and Golf respectively.

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YBPS has also received International School Awards 2011-14 & 2015-18 conferred by the British Council, Nature Conservative Society’s Eco Award 2016-17, Greenest Campus Award 2017, Design for Change Awards 2014, 2016, and 2018 to name a few. “We have also been conferred the National School Excellence Award for outstanding commitment and exceptional efforts in promoting co-curricular education, Microsoft Create to Inspire Awards in 2015 and 2016, and Brainfeed’s School Excellence Award 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20. We do our best in encouraging our students to pursue their interests and strive for success and these achievements are a testament for this,” according to Ms Geetha. Making education more Impactful The best predictor of student success is the extent to which families encourage learning at home and involve themselves in their child’s education. Making sure the parents are also a part of their child’s educational journey, Parent-Teacher meetings are conducted from

K12 Digest March - April 2021

time to time, and their suggestions are obtained to develop the system. Personalized feedback is being sent at regular intervals to the parents to make them a part of the entire process. They partner with the respective teachers in the remedial teaching-learning and differentiated programmes. YBPS conducts orientation programmes for the parents to guide students in various spheres like learning, behaviour modification, and emotional development. The curriculum framework for the primary involves parents to significantly contribute towards the home fun activities, which are essentially activities post every lesson. They get involved in the school projects too. They add value to the programmes as guests and speakers too. The School Management Committee and the Atal Advisory Committee have parent members on board who have their say in enhancing the functioning of the school by providing valuable inputs for decision making. Sailing through the COVID Storm Taking everyone by surprise, the COVID pandemic forced students and teachers to adapt to a new environment worldwide. Disrupting various activities of the institution, YBPS had to be shut down to ensure the safety of all children, leaving them apprehensive about the bleak future. The unprecedented closure of schools isolated the school from the soul of its students. The impact was so fierce the entire education system had to develop an alternate working model of the institution that indeed was the need of the hour. Despite the impact, the institution was able to see the bigger picture, leaving no stones unturned, taking every initiative possible to transform these setbacks into opportunities.

About

Geetha Jayachandran Serving as the Principal of one of the best CBSE schools, she inspires the children to discover their inner potentials and aspire to make a difference when they leave the portals of Yuvabharathi. She has visited Finland to study the modern concepts of Education. She is the architect of the activities of Yuvabharathi that are unique and trendsetting. She has been instrumental in winning many awards for the school and is a resource person for Capacity Building Training programmes of CBSE COE. Being the spring of motivation and enthusiasm of Team Yuva, she envisions a strain-free, stimulating environment for the holistic development of the children. Conferred with ‘Iconic Woman Achiever’s Award’ on International Women’s Day, her guidance has won the school International School Awards, Education world School Ranking Coimbatore’s No.1 School, Future 50 School (National Level), Brainfeed Excellence Awards, NCS Eco Awards, Greenest Campus Award, Microsoft Create to Inspire Awards, Design for Change Awards and such others. She has been honoured for Thought Leadership in Co-curricular Education by the organisation, Scoolstars in 2018-19.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

By demonstrating resourcefulness, through optimum utilization of technology and by maintaining open lines of communication through web platforms to establish the triple connection (student-parent-educator) intact, the school management conquered the initial struggles and expeditiously transcended the phase of disconnect towards firmly establishing a digital connection between the educators and the students. The school facilitated the study of augmented reality to qualified teachers to aid the teaching-learning process with innovation. The school follows hybrid pedagogy –synchronous & asynchronous approach regarding teaching-learning practice during this COVID Lockdown period. Observing the paranoia among students that emerged as an unsolicited consequence of the pandemic, the emotional and psychological trauma of the students were addressed by the teachers/counsellors who were trained to handle the situation. Exclusive counselling sessions were organized from time to time to cater to the changing emotional and psychological needs of the students. “We gave our students digital literacy courses to ensure they are safe in the digital world and take up the new role as netizens,” adds Ms Geetha. Looking and Planning for the Road Ahead! With more than 90% of students of YBPS being accepted in both Indian and International Universities, the Career Guidance (CG) Cell at YBPS conducts guidance programmes right from grade 9 to assess the aptitudes and identify the interests of every student. Psychometric assessments, multiple intelligence tests, career, and vocational-based tests are administered to understand the areas they bear fruit and the areas where they need to shoot up.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

The CG cell organizes in-house exhaustive and comprehensive workshops/orientation sessions for the parents to introduce the whole new spectrum of emerging careers and the skills required for the same. The CG cell organizes in-house exhaustive and comprehensive workshops/orientation sessions for the parents as they play a critical role in the career choices of their children. The school systematically prepares the predicted scores and does deep research and analysis of the students’ portfolios for the recommendation letters it issues. If need be, the requisites are uploaded by the school on the university portal. All possible support from the school is extended in the process of application. Currently, Artificial Intelligence is introduced at the secondary level to integrate the same with all the subjects. With vocational training and skill-based courses already being a part of the curricula, the institution is sure to proliferate the use of such skill-based training to create innovative entrepreneurs. Planning to organize its MUN to promote global awareness and leadership qualities among the students of the district, YBPS has won accolades for possessing Happiness Index, and the YBPS will always strive to be the haven for joyful learning and multifarious opportunities to discover one’s potential. With a cross curricular objective, the school now plans to introduce more variety of subjects to choose from. The management has already finished the groundwork from the secondary level by reinforcement through Career and Guidance Cell. This way, YBPS blends inclusive education seamlessly in all spheres of learning. “We are continuously evolving to meet the standards of the changing paradigms of school education and bring out of its portals, competent and future-ready global citizens who can thrive, cultivate harmony, and spread happiness,”, concludes Correspondent, Mr Anand.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

ACADEMIC VIEW

E-learning – a boon for teachers as well as learners Gaurav Bhagat, Founder, Gaurav Bhagat Academy

K12 Digest March - April 2021

Online education has simplified the teaching-learning process and has made the disbursement of education much more efficient

ccording to market research, the global e-learning market, which was worth $200 billion in 2019, is expected to reach a new height of $375 billion by 2026, a spiralling height of CAGR - 8%. Online learning has gained massive popularity in the past few years, and has made education easily accessible and convenient for all strata of life. E-learning infrastructures are now being integrated into all sorts of educational institutes – from schools to colleges to special training workshops for business professionals. Online education has simplified the teachinglearning process and has made the disbursement of education much more efficient. While the online learning market was already growing rapidly, it has gained some serious momentum because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Students and teachers are relying on e-learning platforms, to maintain the easy and seamless flow of education, ensuring that the students do not lag behind, under any circumstance, in any sphere. At the same time, reputed institutions that offer training programs to working professionals have also made their courses available and easily accessible, on

online platforms to ensure that those who are in need of learning are able to use it as per their desire and convenience of frequency. In the light of these facts, let us take a look at how online learning benefits both the teachers and the students. Benefits of online learning for teachers Setting the right pace It is a well-known fact that not all students learn at the same pace. However, the classroom environment does not permit the teacher to individually teach each and every student. With online learning, however, the teacher can create learning programs, that are tailored made to the learning abilities of every individual student. It also allows students and teachers to work together to achieve specific targets. Simplifying complex concepts with technological aids With technological aids like animations, videos, holograms, etc., the teachers can easily explain otherwise complex and lengthy concepts to the students.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

Gaurav Bhagat is the very definition of “self-made, he was dabbling in entrepreneurship even when he was 16 and formally started his first company, Consortium Gifts, at the age of 19 years. After having garnered overwhelming success in the business sphere, Gaurav then turned his attention towards training large corporates, business owners, and working professionals so that they can achieve their goals and 10X success as well. Towards this purpose, he launched the Gaurav Bhagat Academy in 2018, it’s an organization dedicated to training and mentoring businesses and individuals, so that they can enjoy the 10X life.

Different people have different preferences when it comes to learning. While some are verbal learners, others are visual learners. Online learning allows the teachers to leverage different technological aids to best explain concepts to students in their preferred way of learning. Practicality Online learning is more practical than classroom learning, and we can easily calculate the practical benefits by measuring time-based efforts and workload reduction. For instance, the teachers can now easily create quizzes and question papers with the help of LMS (Learning Management System). E-learning also makes it simple for the teachers to track the progress of their students and make necessary course corrections. Learning opportunities for teachers One cannot be a good teacher without being a good student first. Teachers who are passionate about their job, want to keep on learning and developing their skill set. The everevolving e-learning technologies, keep the teachers on their toes and give them plenty of opportunities to grow and get better every day.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

Benefits of online learning for the students Convenience E-learning allows students or working professionals to study from the comfort of their homes. It is a very important advantage, especially in these difficult times when going to a place where there are a lot of people – like a classroom – can pose a hazardous threat to health. Even without the pandemic, e-learning makes it quite convenient to access education, which is why it has become so popular among the students. This becomes an even more important trait when we consider business professionals who want to pursue certain training courses or certifications. Most workers do not have the time to attend classes in person, but with the help of online learning, they can spare a couple of hours every day to learn important concepts, which can help them advance their careers. Flexibility Contrary to classroom learning where every student is supposed to learn at the same pace, e-learning offers flexibility. The students can pause the lectures, rewind

Even without the pandemic, e-learning makes it quite convenient to access education, which is why it has become so popular among the students

to get a better understanding of the concepts being taught, and practice as much as they need to, without worrying about getting left behind. One of the best things about e-learning is that it gives you 24/7 access to education. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, its just one click away. Economical Compared to offline education, e-learning is much more cost-effective and affordable. You do need an internet connection and certain gadgets like laptops, mobile phones, tablets, etc., but that’s about all you need. While the online courses themselves are much cheaper than their offline counterparts, you can also save plenty of money that would otherwise be spent on transportation, stationery, etc. Engaging One of the many benefits of online education over offline education is that it is highly engaging. With the help of images, videos, animations, etc., the entire learning process becomes fun and

interesting. On the other hand, offline learning relies a lot on the teacher’s ability to explain complex concepts in an easy to understand manner – which may or may not work out at times. Specific feedback Even though the teachers know which of their students are lagging behind, they often find it difficult to pinpoint the exact areas where they need to improve and scale up. This is where online learning programs enter the picture. With the help of technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), the e-learning programs can prepare every individual student’s progress report, highlighting specific areas where the student needs to work on. This makes assessment much more effective. Conclusion E-learning has a plethora of advantages over conventional learning methods and it is an undeniable fact that e-learning is the future of education. The sooner we adopt and embrace it, the better off we will be.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

BEST PRACTICES

Time to Challenge Ourselves to Create a World of Inclusivity and Gender Parity Shweta Sastri, Managing Director, Canadian International School, Bangalore

K12 Digest March - April 2021

Motivating students of all genders to think about career paths that meet their own personal goals rather than community stereotypes is incredibly important

t’s hard to believe that in 2021, we are still discussing how women today continue to struggle against inequality on a global scale. To think that as we are about to celebrate International Women’s Day, 2021, millions of girl children are still not allowed to attend school, thousands of young women are forced into marriage or labor at an early age, and the list goes on. “Choose to Challenge”, this year’s theme for International Women’s Day, is a call to action for all global citizens to call out gender bias and continue to move toward a world where gender parity is real. This call to action needs to be ongoing and we can each do our own part to support this important cause and endeavor. Whether it is ensuring that girl students are able to stay in school or it is supporting your fellow female colleagues to rise above the gender stereotypes within your organization or community. Education is a means to an end when it comes to helping increase gender parity and decrease gender biases. Motivating students of all genders to think about career paths that meet their own

personal goals rather than community stereotypes is incredibly important. Creating and fostering programs of study that encourage girls to step into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math beyond the typical city limits will further this effort. Making STEM education available in rural schools and increasing the connectivity and digital access to all students and women in India, will help us as a country rise to be the truly powerhouse of knowledge we aim to achieve. This past year has shown us how wide the digital divide is in India. The global pandemic created a crisis in education for girls living in India who didn’t have access to a remote education. According to UNESCO, the lockdown has impacted 158 million girl students and their ability to access education since March 2020. This is apparent across states and in rural communities where education for girls is of a lower priority for many families, the differences in access between boys and girls can be even larger. As a female leader in education, I know how important it is that we serve as role models for all of the girls and young women around us. Modelling

K12 Digest March - April 2021

We need to step beyond our normal lives and challenge ourselves and those around us to create a world of inclusivity and gender parity

Shweta Sastri is the Managing Director of Canadian International School, Bangalore (CIS) – a Sterling Developers group venture. Shweta joined CIS in 2006 to further accelerate academic and fiscal performance, leading to significant infrastructural expansion and multiple awards, including CIS being ranked amongst the top 3 international schools in the country. Shweta primarily focuses on visioning and performance across all aspects of the school. Her expertise lies in education management, finance, strategy, leadership, and governance.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

confidence and achievement is not enough. We need to step beyond our normal lives and challenge ourselves and those around us to create a world of inclusivity and gender parity. We as women also need to support each other in a mutual effort to help each other reach our individual goals both personally and professionally as well as reach our collective goals as a gender. We as mothers, must teach our sons how important it is to respect women be it their friends, teachers, colleagues, bosses or even a waitress at a restaurant. For our daughters, we need to remember that we model independence and resilience on a daily basis. Whether we go to an office job, or choose to be a stay-at-home mom, we can communicate that this was a conscious choice and not the product of societal expectations. As women, we are sometimes our own worst enemies. We tend to second guess ourselves, or better yet, give in to the social pressures of our female peers. Instead of fighting for our own individual success, if we can collectively challenge and support each other, we will make a larger impact as a whole. It is our duty to strive for this for the coming generation of girls and women, and generations to come.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

MOST INNOVATIVE

K12 Digest March - April 2021

he Indian Education system has seen a gigantic transformation over the past decades. Starting with the ancient Educational system comprising the Gurukula system of education in which the pupils stayed at the guru’s (teacher) place and were taught everything that a guru could teach, to the modern education system where technology integration is the major component in every school, the education system in India had witnessed a revolution in terms of technology involvement. With the revolutionary impact that the introduction of technology has caused in the educational realm, there was the inception of new modes of education. One of them is K-12 education, which is an educational system involving more teacher-student communication. Shaping out some of the sharpest minds year after year, South India has the highest literacy rates and has played a huge role in reforming the education system in our country. It not only introduced technology to the classrooms but also changed the mode of teaching, resources, and syllabus. With the K-12 education system improving its pace in the current education system, schools are adopting the platform contributing their best to the growth and improvement of the education system in the country. The southern states outperform most of their counterparts elsewhere in the country in terms of human development, making significant progress in the global education industry. An educational hub for India, K12 Education Institutes in the South have been instilling various qualities along with textbook education to pursue overall excellence. Keeping up with the rapid changes in the education sector, K12 Digest brings to you “10 Most Innovative Schools in South India” to show the various feats these schools have achieved and made a mark for themselves in the K12 Education Sector.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

MOST INNOVATIVE

Name American International School

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

CHIREC International School

Hyderabad, Telangana

GEMS Modern Academy

Good Shepherd International School

L’école Chempaka International

Kochi, Kerala

Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Oakridge International School

Hyderabad, Telangana

Sarvodaya Central Vidyalaya

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Silver Hills Public School

VIBGYOR High

Yuvabharathi Public School

Location

K12 Digest March - April 2021

Kozhikode, Kerala

Bangalore, Karnataka

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

K12 Digest March - April 2021

MOST INNOVATIVE

GEMS MODERN ACADEMY, KOCHI DEVELOPING THE GEMS OF TOMORROW

rowing technology has left no industry untouched, and the education sector is also no different. The revolutionary digitization has given birth to new modes in our incessant education system. India is making significant progress with its 1.4 million schools and 230 million students participating in the modern K-12 education

K12 Digest March - April 2021

concept. “By now, everyone has understood how the education sector is going to operate in the future. We are fine-tuning our students and teachers with the technical acumen along with our stakeholders. We are all set to adopt a blended learning system, i.e., if the government says to open the school, we open the school along with conducting online classes for the next coming years,” opines Hillary Clare Hinchliff, Principal, GEMS Modern Academy, Kochi.

GEMS Modern Academy, Kochi, has been thoughtfully constructed to provide a learning environment that’s filled with opportunities to discover, explore and have fun

K12 Digest March - April 2021

About

Hillary Clare Hinchliff, Principal Hillary Clare Hinchliff is a personable, creative, resilient school leader with experience in mainstream, special and international schools. In her long career in education, she has turned a failing school around through reinventing the curriculum, building a highly skilled workforce and designing a new school building. Hinchliff has a passion for curriculum design and has implemented a systematic and pedagogical change in the schools she has led. She has a Bachelor of Education Honors Degree and Postgraduate qualifications in Special Educational Needs. Hinchliff has achieved the National Professional Qualification for Headship and has recently been honoured to accept a Fellowship with the Chartered College for Teaching in the UK in recognition of her 30 years of service to education.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

Providing a conducive learning environment for students to achieve intellectual, emotional, academic, and personal excellence, GEMS Modern Academy is meaningfully participating and responsibly contributing to the global world through education. The school has been thoughtfully constructed to provide a learning environment filled with opportunities to discover, explore and have fun. “Our learning experience is also aided with a state of the art facility that enables students to prepare themselves for an increasingly globalized technology-driven world,” adds Hillary. GEMS Modern Academy is built on four core values; Care (I respect the needs of my stakeholders. I ensure they feel listened to and cared for), Excellence (I dream big, setting ambitious goals, delivering the highest quality and aiming to be the best at what I do), One Team (I am a team player. I work with the bigger picture in mind. I put the team’s needs above my own) and Always Learning (My open minded curiosity fuels my love for learning. I ask questions and listen so that I continuously learn and

improve). These are helping GEMS Modern Academy students to become not just great students but great people too. “We are educating our students to become outstanding contributors to society and foster global learning through our academic curriculum and diverse school activities in a technologically progressive environment,” opines Hillary. Promoting Student Supporters – Teachers and Parents Teachers across the country made adjustments and devised new teaching strategies during the coronavirus-induced lockdown. Among the most common changes adopted by teachers are the use of multimedia content, reduction of pen-and-paper usage during classes, changes in what and how homework is assigned, and use of mind mapping tools for assessment in class. Helping teachers update according to the needs of the education sector, GEMS Education has TELLAL, a training academy for teachers where we conduct various training courses in order to upskill our staff. They also undergo training from the IB and the

K12 Digest March - April 2021

IGCSE Board to continue to help them provide the best quality education. The best predictor of student success is the extent to which families encourage learning at home and involve themselves in their child’s education. Encouraging parent engagement is more than common courtesy. It’s one of the best ways to create a positive learning environment for every student. Educating, training, and discussing with parents, GEMS Modern Academy has a solid relationship with the parents of their students. “They are a huge part of our success as we take care of their views before we frame or come up with new initiatives,” says Hillary. When schools closed in March, this traditional system, built around person-to-person contact, suddenly had to depend on virtual connections. Schools were not prepared, and many families

K12 Digest March - April 2021

did not have access to the necessary technology, but distance learning was seen as a temporary measure. Disrupting various activities of the institution, GEMS Modern Academy had to go entirely online, which happened quite seamlessly. Having the capability of their online set, it was for the school to conduct online classes from June 1st, 2020. The Pheonix Classroom at the academy has synchronized learning, helping them manage remote learning better than other schools as they were all set with technical know-how and glitches. “During this period, we updated our IT team and parent relations executive. We connected with all the parents and gave them proper training regarding the online classes. We put precautionary measures in place so that the parents and students were aware of how the online classes were going to be conducted,” adds Hillary. Encouraging Innovative Global Leaders Creativity is more skill than inborn talent. It is an ability that both parents and teachers can facilitate among the kids by giving an outlet. Being creative allows one to be more flexible and emerge as better problem solvers, making them more capable of adapting to technological advances and making the most of new opportunities. The teachers identify the students’ skills, and they are encouraged to practice and be more creative and innovative. The children exhibit their capabilities both in their day to day lessons and during extracurricular activities.

The school also hosted an exhibition called ‘Postcards from the Pandemic’, an art and photographic exhibition, out of which the artwork of 30 of our students was exhibited at the London Art Gallery for Children. “We hosted the International Literature Festival, where the children showcased their poetry, creative writing, and all forms of art. Dignitaries from all over the world attended and gave lectures at this festival. We also had an online National Chess Championship where Koneru Humpy played with our children and we won the overall trophy,” Hillary proudly shares. With an excellent global reputation, the acceptance rate of GEMS students at colleges worldwide is very high. The students have been accepted in well-known universities like Penn University, University of Oxford, Harvard, Berkeley, Imperial College London, Yale University, University of Cambridge, University of Chicago, Massachusetts University, and Stanford University. The global economy is changing the nature of work, and the kinds of careers children will pursue. It is more important than ever that students have the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in an ever-more competitive global environment. The only school in Kochi, Kerala, to be authorized by both the International Baccalaureate for the Primary Years Programme and Cambridge Assessment International Curriculum in Senior School, Gems Modern Academy is planning many activities internationally.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

ACADEMIC VIEW

Going beyond Academics, Preparing for the World beyond School Dr. Madhuri Sagale Principal, Orchids - The International School, Thane

K12 Digest March - April 2021

Twenty-first-century learning refers to developing knowledge, and life skills as a part of the classroom experience

cademic education has traditionally been restricted to the teaching-learning process wherein a set pattern of the curriculum is followed along with few co-curricular and extracurricular activities. The ratio of which has always been skewed heavily towards academics. All-round development of students is essential, wherein academics do play a vital role in shaping the future of the child. It lays the foundation of a future for children by equipping them with skill sets to face the world and make a mark for themselves. Modern education focuses on the intellectual and emotional quotient of the child. Hence academic education must be supplemented with a generous dose of co-curricular and extracurricular activities. Twenty-first-century learning refers to developing knowledge, and life skills as a part of the classroom experience. It encompasses critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication, all of which are identified as essential tools to adapt to the

modern work environments outside of the educational institutes. Some ways to incorporate co-curricular activities which not just help relax, but also help promote life skills include reading with expressions, debate sessions, workshops, conference presentations, group discussions, creative writing, music, and drama. The best way students can learn is through involvement. • Dramatization of lessons: Using theatre in education is a new method that many teachers are employing to help students grasp lessons better. Not only does the dramatization help, but it also involves students as actors and playwrights. • Exhibitions and live experiments: Schools can also organise exhibitions as yet another way to have students demonstrate experiments before a live audience. It helps with practical learning and supports in boosting the confidence of children to speak/perform to a live audience. • Learning and training: Playing a musical instrument has been known to help develop the musical intelligence of a child. Music and

K12 Digest March - April 2021

Dr. Sagale graduated with a Bachelor in Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery and went on to pursue medicine for a brief period. However, she was more inclined towards the field of education so pursued her Masters in Psychology, and then eventually completed her B.Ed to get into the profession of teaching. She was felicitated with Orchids Annual Star Award for Innovation and Team Building and Marketing among all the schools. Dr.Madhuri was nominated as Secretary for Vasa Virar Sahodaya CBSE schools. In her career as an academician for over 15 years she has been felicitated with numerous awards, notably is the Award of Excellence from EBS Women Achievers by Ms. Kiran Bedi (ExIPS officer) for the contribution in the field of education for special needs students (2016). She presently serves as the Principal, Orchids – The International School, Thane.

musical instruments help children deal with stress, and can be a great way to relax. Not everything has to be about benefits, sometimes children also have to be taught how to relax. • Robotics: Robotics has recently picked up the pace and has been a big hit with students who are good with visual-spatial intelligence and love to play with machines. Children learn to assemble different parts and build a moving robot. No one can deny that experiential learning plays a big role in the development of a child. Apart from

K12 Digest March - April 2021

specific activities, field trips, educational tours, and industrial visits leave long term memories and develop social skills. Outdoor sporting activities are also loved by students and helps develop their kinaesthetic skills and importantly, team-work and sportsman spirit. Holistic development is a natural outcome if students are encouraged to indulge in them in the right amount. A little bit of encouragement will help students get involved in a variety of activities and get hands-on experience day in and day out.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

INDUSTRY VIEWS

Top E-learning Trends to Watch Out for in 2021 Yogesh Makkar, Founder, Kapdec

K12 Digest March - April 2021

The increasing significance and usage of e-learning are evident from MASSCOM’s updated estimates for the ed-tech market’s growth by 2022 – from an earlier predicted range of $2.8- $3.2 bn to a new prediction of $3.5 bn

he year 2020 has been an inflection point for the education industry where technology has caused fundamental changes in the way educators to teach and learners consume knowledge. Also, the year has been a catalyst in enhancing the development of a few sectors, ed-tech being one of them. While most industries have struggled to survive the pandemic’s challenges, ed-tech has been experiencing unprecedented growth ever since the coronavirus outbreak. Though e-learning existed even before the pandemic, it was always restricted to course material, e-books, and a few coaching platforms. Now, students have easy access to various live classes, online courses, language apps, video conferencing tools, immersive learning material, entrepreneurship courses, up-skilling courses, etc. In this article, we look at top e-Learning trends that are likely to dominate the industry in 2021 and beyond.

E-learning in 2020 As the education system leaders come forward to make online education work for the masses, e-learning is flexing its muscles. The pandemic has been an opportunity for educational institutions to permanently incorporate the long due digital technology into their education delivery model. The increasing significance and usage of e-learning are evident from MASSCOM’s updated estimates for the ed-tech market’s growth by 2022 – from an earlier predicted range of $2.8- $3.2 bn to a new prediction of $3.5 bn. Though the initial phase of the pandemic outbreak was challenging for educators over how well equipped they are with technology; they successfully adapted to the evolving landscape of teaching in a short span. Top E-learning Trends in 2021 Learning is rapidly expanding beyond the traditional classroom setting, and the adoption of e-learning is

K12 Digest March - April 2021

Yogesh Makkar founded Kapdec with a mission of making education possible for everyone. Yogesh, an engineer and an innovator holds an honors degree in Mechanical Engineering from NITKurukshetra, a Master’s in Engineering from the UNL &amp; an MBA from Kelley School of Business. Yogesh is committed to making a difference in a student’s life by providing unique methods, with a global team’s help, to help students learn more and be comfortable with the learning process for lifelong learning. What keeps Yogesh awake at night is only his passion, that is, to deliver a unique platform – that, indeed every student anywhere on the globe should be able to use.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

becoming increasingly popular as educational institutions explore innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Educational institutes are tapping on social media as a medium of communication to enable students to interact with their peers and faculty members after school. By providing an opportunity to share opinions, projects, and study materials, social media helps students connect with different people, build networks and enhance their learning experience. Further, e-learning plays a significant role in doing away with the onesize-fits-all approach of the education system by promoting open-source learning, which enables students to work in partnership with teachers and develop their own learning experiences. Also, it provisions students to connect beyond the classroom by participating in online communities and virtual networks. Based on its popularity and growth trajectory, here are top trends expected to influence the industry in 2021: • Immersive Learning Video-based and immersive learning mediums that popularised in 2020 are going to be one of the significant influencers in the e-learning space in 2021. Though story-based learning is not a novel concept, it was never as advanced as it is now with integrating advanced technologies that give an immersive experience to learners. Video-based education focuses on conceptual learning rather than traditional learning approaches that focus on bookish knowledge. The production and consumption of video content will continue to grow as students and teachers realize its significant role in enhancing education quality. The content will range from the production of dedicated videos on educational concepts to streaming of live classrooms.

• Personalized Learning The growing adoption of e-learning has increased personalized learning instances, allowing educators to customize learning basis the needs of each student. It also includes a personalized recommendation system where students get an individualized list of recommended assessment tests, lectures, short courses, etc. Personalized learning will continue to be one of the top trends in 2021, where we will see it being used in conjunction with assessment engines, AI, and other tools to make learning exciting and effective. • Gamification Gamification will continue to hold the attention of educators to provide the right learning. Many e-learning platforms and apps have already integrated some of the most popular techniques into their teaching approaches to make learning an interesting experience. This includes an achievement system, tracking users’ streaks, competitions, and a reward system. It keeps students engaged while ensuring they learn. • Micro-Learning Learners today are searching for highly targeted content. If they want to refine a particular concept or learn a new one, they want an easily accessible and valuable resource. It is similar to YouTube, which gives a list of videos against a specific subject or input. In 2021, we will see more companies creating highly targeted content in the form of quizzes, videos, games, podcasts, etc., to maximize learners’ learning efficiency. • Rise of Advanced Technologies Developing technologies like AI, AR and VR will completely transform the e-learning space in the years to come. These technologies can understand and assess students’ learning abilities, personalize learning

experiences, build more robust educational programs, provide the right environment for students to learn various concepts of science by watching experiments, etc. Further, there will be an advancement in tracking learning to make data tracking and analysis efficient. • Quality of Content As technology evolves, so will the quality of content to deliver high fidelity learning. In e-learning, the quality of content is majorly driven by 3 factors – meaningful interactions, visual storytelling, and highquality graphic design. In 2021, we will witness the increased creation and curation of indigenous content by e-learning experts. Moreover, content curation will become one of the best ways to create high learner engagement. • Social And Collaborative Learning Social learning is becoming an essential form of education. Learners collaborate through various modes, such as informal chat sessions, forums, e-learning platforms, and learning circles to upgrade their knowledge, gain new skills and compete with fellow learners. The learning is transparent and encourages students to overcome their fears of gaining unique experience. Summing Up! As technology continues to challenge traditional learning methods, the e-learning industry keeps on growing. This growth is justified as it makes education easily accessible, affordable, and dynamic, in addition to facilitating students to study at any given time and place. The above-mentioned e-learning trends will continue to impact the way teachers teach, learners learn, and educational institutions benefit from these interventions. Education will become more efficient and effective if educational institutions adapt to these emerging trends.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

INDUSTRY VIEWS

Startups from EdTech go beyond school lessons, children are more attracted to eduentertainment Ashish Gupta, CO-Founder and CEO of Bambinos.live

K12 Digest March - April 2021

Edutainment platforms help children in building confidence and development of their personality, which are amongst the most important factors in professional lives today

he process of education has seen an irreversible change in the past decade and has been continuously evolving with the needs of consumers changing rapidly than ever before. It wasn’t long back when education was limited to the four walls of a classroom. A decade ago, it was next to impossible to imagine online education, but the niche Covid-19 pandemic created in the online industry for education is enduring. Edtech platforms have compelled the educators to redesign the curriculum for children. Earlier the idea of learning was only perceived with books and edtechs were only about preparing children for exams and few recorded videos, but as the industry is growing and evolving they have moved towards learning different skills that go beyond academic subjects. According to the Global Education Census, almost two third of Indian students take extra tuitions after school. The need of the hour is not just memorising concepts from syllabus, but the ability to think out of the box, quick problem solving,logical reasoning and more. Children are now able to explore their interests in co curricular activities without hampering their academics. 64.67 percent children said that it was job prospects which motivated them to join the vocational course while 27.49 percent said that they wanted to

acquire skills needed for self employment according to a survey conducted by the government. Parents are taking an equal interest in providing their children with the best edu-entertainment platforms available. These education platforms that go beyond academics and are making children future ready. The courses offered in Edutainment platforms are focused towards holistic development of children.Children later use the real time information in their everyday life and problem solving assessments.Edutainment platforms help children in building confidence and development of their personality, which are amongst the most important factors in professional lives today. In today’s world overall development of children which includes confidence,communication skills and creative ability holds more value than educational qualifications than just bookish knowledge. With technology taking over the world in most sectors , it has now marked its presence in the education sector as well. Edutainment platforms are also introducing technology to children at an early age making them more informed and used to it. With the use of AI and ML in the sector they are now more fluid and accessible to all.The new wave of education lets children explore their interest with freedom which allows them to pursue careers later in their respective fields of choice.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

Ashish, co-founder and CEO Bambinos is determined to build a multi-category digital academy for extracurricular learning with a vision to make children futureready and help them to explore their true potential.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

The online platforms have also made the interaction amongst students and teachers from across the globe more easy, giving them an opportunity to learn from every nook and corner and learn smartly. Earlier the purpose of education was only to train students for academic success, but with changing scenarios around the world, it is also responsible for cultivating responsibility, sincerity, maturity as a part of their personality and learning through experience. As per the scholar Yuval Noah Harari outlines in his book, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century he states how schools continue to focus on traditional academic skills and rote learning, rather than on skills such as critical thinking and adaptability, which will be more important for success in the future. Subjective and theoretical knowledge can never be enough to build all these within children, and hence edu-entertainment bridges this gap. The competition right now is like never before, skill learning in the 21st century weighs more than memorising and cramming bookish knowledge. . Edu entertainment opens doors for children to explore activities that interest them. It also makes learning more fun, creative and enthusiastic unlike boring school class rooms. Skill based learning gives children an opportunity for real time learning experience and allows them to groom accordingly. Further, education in independent India has witnessed a sea change in terms of content, curriculum, quality and modes of teaching. New fields like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics, Coding, Creative writing, Yoga and Meditation and a variety of para-medical courses and many others have been introduced in recent years. Apart from formal education, correspondence courses, distance education, open education, home study, etc., have found wide acceptance in the society, as per report by Ministry of Statics and Programme Implementation India. When children are involved in skill based activity, they not only practice and learn but also are more happy,enthusiastic and willing to perform.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

INDUSTRY VIEWS

How are Global Universities scouting for the right talent and how can Indian students stay ahead in the race? Ashish Fernando, Founder and CEO, iSchoolConnect

K12 Digest March - April 2021

Universities across the globe have made changes in their curriculums to help students adapt to the new normal

etween remote learning options and adaptive curriculums, university admissions across the globe have certainly changed after 2020. But what do universities expect from students and how can Indian students stay ahead of the race? After the initial months of COVID-19, top universities across the globe rapidly updated their teaching methods and admission processes. Legacy institutions such Harvard, Yale, ISB, IIM Ahmedabad are still looking at factors like perfect academics, excellent student profiles, test scores, and lastly great Letter of Intents. But, which other out-of-the-box factors can you consider to boost your chances? Here are 5 such factors:

best possible manner with impressive Statements of Purpose will be preferred.

Your Test Score are no longer important Due to the limitation of resources during COVID-19, many universities are now waiving off test scores and other admission requirements. Even top institutions like the University of Oxford, California Institute of Technology, University of Illinois, etc. are waiving off prominent tests like the GRE exam for their Master’s programs. Since those qualifying criteria are gone, students who present their profiles in the

Knowing your university can increase your chances One of the lesser-known methods of gaining benefit is to network with the right university officials using social media platforms such as LinkedIn. It can increase students’ chances of admission. With university education going digital, professors and officials are more active on these social media platforms than ever. When institutions go through all the applications, students who

Perfect your profile Just like the admission requirements, universities are also offering waivers for certain documentation and extending the application deadlines for students. If you have your letters of recommendation, work experience certificates, and other prominent documents in order, it gives more credence to your profile. Not only that but, study abroad experts state that with the excess of applications pouring in, universities are also likely to pay more attention to the initial applications. Remember, the early bird gets the worm.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

have focused on outreach stand out more than ever. Not only that but institutions such as the University of North Carolina, USA have created virtual apps such as GEAR UP VR that allow students to get campus tours and connect with the university.

Ashish started his career as a Software Engineer with Thomson Reuters Inc., building their flagship investment research solution – Thomson One. He then went on to take multiple executive roles in Program Management and AI before managing the Data Science and Engineering business in the Insurance vertical. Ashish is a university gold medalist in Biotechnology and later went on to study Bentley University’s flagship MBA in 2014 with a 100% scholarship. Ashish founded iSchoolConnect in 2017 to solve the pain point of many parents and children: getting unbiased, hassle-free admission in foreign colleges. Through the effective use of artificial intelligence, iSchoolConnect aims at being the most cost-effective and advanced solution for connecting students and schools worldwide.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

Adapt to the flexible study options It’s important to demonstrate your ability to adapt to the new changes universities are undergoing. Universities across the globe have made changes in their curriculums to help students adapt to the new normal. While many would hesitate to apply for these changed curriculums, other students have the chance to take advantage of these unique changes and indicate their ability to adapt. This list of universities not only includes universities overseas but also top Indian institutions like the Indian School of Business. ISB implemented new modules into their Post Graduation Programs(PGP) through the use of blended learning. They declared that this new format will be a 52-week format and will include many new value-added elements and projects. Sounds like a golden opportunity for all students. Upskill technically In most countries, only 20-30% of companies have their employees coming into the offices physically. All other industries have gone digital and employees are working from home. This, in turn, indicates that those who show their proficiency in several digital skills would automatically have an edge over the other applicants. Apart from these skills, more than 73% of university admissions officials have said they look for evidence of a students’ ability to work well in groups, soft skills as well as the Higher Education landscape may be changing but students must stay ahead of the game and improve their own chances of admission.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

INDUSTRY VIEWS

5 Reasons Why Online Dance Classes are Better than Offline Divanshi Gupta, Founder, Ucanji

K12 Digest March - April 2021

While learning online offers convenience of pace, it also helps develop a focused approach towards practising dance

he intensity of competition in today’s time has built a certain kind of pressure not just amongst the parents but also in children, who are growing to become more mature and aware of their surroundings, choices, and future. Amidst the ongoing pandemic, the children have suffered a huge deal of loss in experience and classes, that helped them explore and develop their true nature and potential as a person and dancer. However, the introduction of Online/ Zoom dance classes have helped press the accelerator pedal in staying updated and not become obsolete. Over the last year, online dance classes have not only gained mammoth popularity but have replaced offline classes for several reasons. Here we have enlisted 5 reasons to enable the readers to make a choice of selecting online over offline: • Flexibility: With school/college classes all day and no physical activity in sight, having the opportunity to select when to practice

offers a great deal of comfort. The online dance classes offer flexibility that one needs all the time, especially during the pandemic when one’s daily schedule has gone haywire. Online dance classes enable users to be versatile with their time while learning at their own pace and comfort. Further, the learners can make time for education, related-assignments, family, etc. and also practice dance online as and when possible throughout the day, which offline classes do not allow them. • Access to Expert Professionals: The opportunity to learn from the best dance experts inspires people from all around the world to travel to their place of the studio, however, digital transformation has changed the course to offer enhanced accessibility. Now, one can learn to dance from anywhere from the best of best in the world at any time and not feel stuck. With the online dance classes, expert dance professionals can reach, engage and uplift the lives of millions of people who are eager to improve their skills.

K12 Digest March - April 2021

With more than 16+ years of dancing, choreographing and teaching experience, Divanshi is set to redefine the way of upskilling, and most importantly, make it accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Divanshi is a Prabhakar Degree holder in Kathak from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, and she wants to extend the experience, magic, and energy to scores of people with her latest entrepreneurial endeavour. Divanshi has been on an entrepreneurial journey since 2012, first with Dance Helpline, and now Ucanji. She has organised several on-ground talent hunts for Dance India Dance, Dance+, So You Think You Can Dance, and more, while also organising workshops with International as well as National artists across India. She singlehandedly launched and managed 13+ Dance Centres across Delhi NCR, and is again on a similar streak with Ucanji.

• Improved Focus, Self-Discipline & Motivation: Choosing to practice at your own time motivates people to become self-disciplined. While learning online offers convenience of pace, it also helps develop a focused approach towards practising dance. It also pushes the learners out of their comfort zone to get ready for the classes they have enrolled themselves in. Hence, improving focus, self-discipline and motivation as you are free from external interruptions that are usually the case in classroom learning. • No geographical limit: The biggest barrier to learning dancing is not distance but the intention. Online dance classes available on leading platforms have brought in-classroom learning experience to your smartphone, laptop and television. In fact, over the internet classes are enabling learners to choose

K12 Digest March - April 2021

the teachers they prefer to learn from, even from international artists. • Safety: One cannot deny the necessity of being safe and secure amidst the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Learning and evolving is as necessary as eating every day to keep abreast with the industry trends, information and more. And, online classes have shut down the fear of the deadly virus as it enables learners to lead their lives on their own terms while being safe at home. Traditional learning methodologies have been part of the education system for several years, but the need to evolve has arrived with the changing times. Choosing online dance classes over offline can put the learner’s growth in the 6th gear, especially as they get to practice with experts, anywhere, anytime.

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K12 Digest March - April 2021