EDUCATION THROUGH SERVICE TO COMMUNITY
ARVIND K CHALASANI Principal Indus International School, Hyderabad
What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child� George Bernard Shaw
IB philosophy
Educating the whole person: “To develop to their fullest the powers of each individual to understand, to modify and to enjoy his or her environment, both inner and outer , in its physical, social, moral, aesthetic and spiritual aspects.� [Alec Peterson]
Mission IB: • The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect • To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment • These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right (Source: www.ibo.org)
Kurt Hahn: • Kurt Hahn was a key figure in the development of experiential education. He was the founder of the Atlantic College, the first United World College, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Gordonstoun, Outward Bound, and Salem. In addition, many other institutions, such as the Atlantic Challenge, the Kurt Hahn Trust, and Round Square, were initiated by others who were inspired by his ideas.
IDEALS:
Learner Profile: Inquirers
• Internationalism • Democracy
Knowledgeable Thinkers Communicators
• Environment
Principled
• Adventure
Open-minded
• Leadership
Caring
• Service
Risk-takers Balanced Reflective
IDEALS:
Learner Profile: Knowledgeable
• Internationalism Open-minded
IDEALS:
Learner Profile: Communicators
• Democracy
Open-minded
IDEALS:
Learner Profile: Caring
• Environment
Open - minded
IDEALS:
Learner Profile: Risk-takers
• Adventure Balanced
IDEALS:
Learner Profile: Inquirers
• Leadership
Knowledgeable Thinkers Principled Balanced Reflective
IDEALS:
Learner Profile: Caring
• Service
Open - minded Communicators
Principled Reflective
Service: • Community service has taught me all kinds of skills and increased my confidence. You go out there and think on your feet, work with others and create something from nothing. That's what life's all about - Project participant • Service can be in many forms – Service to the community – Local & Global – Service to the underprivileged – Service to one’s self – Service to peers
Empathy: “The capacity to know emotionally what another is experiencing from within the frame of reference of that other person, the capacity to sample the feelings of another or to put one’s self in another’s shoes” D.M. Berger
Courtesy : The Doon School, Dehradun
How can we impart good education by service to community: • Experiential learning • Life in its real color • Value system • Dignity of labour • Love and respect for others
Courtesy : The Doon School, Dehradun
What are the values that we learn and respect: • Sharing and Caring • Respect • Understanding
Courtesy : The Doon School, Dehradun
How does these values form part of good education: • Whole education through experiential learning • Value based education LOVE EMPATHY
RESPECT • Integrated approach to learning
Modern day education:
Traditional education:
• Modern day education focuses on materialistic learning aimed at securing good grades • Modern day education prepares the student for a career • Character. Physique and intellect are neglected
• Traditional education focused on learning through experiences • Traditional education prepares the student for life • Character. Physique and intellect are essential ingredients of education
Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand Chinese proverb
How can we make it effective in our schools: • Schools must focus on serving the community through various service projects • Association with likeminded organizations • A motivated staff and student body to make the program effective • Schools must ensure that the students are moved out of their comfort zone and are exposed to the hardships of life
Tsunami
Ladakh Courtesy : The Doon School, Dehradun
Medical Camp
Courtesy : The Doon School, Dehradun
At what age: • Starting from Primary to DP • This will become a habit for the students if started young
What will be the impact: • A culture of service in schools • Bridging gaps • An effective student body who can think for themselves and for others • Achieving the objective of whole education
•Students writing that the ‘most interesting part of the project was when
we went down to the city market/ went to watch a movie/had our first burger in days…’ This is disheartening, but it is comforting to know that the ‘real learning’ has taken place without the student even realizing it, only to manifest itself in some future situation •One of the greatest fears that anyone dealing with young students in their service endeavors is the fear of condescension creeping in towards those who these students are in a position to help.
•The wrong impression that service is unidirectional, i.e, one can expect help to only flow from “us” to “them”
Possible hindrances: • • • • •
Finances Calendar Time constraints Parental pressure Political situations (Localised)
Courtesy : The Doon School, Dehradun
Solutions: • • • • •
Fund raisers Budgetary allocations Use of vacations Open forums with the parents Parent volunteers
• Guidance by empathetic teachers
Courtesy : The Doon School, Dehradun
Clean & Green
Charity run
Bake sale Courtesy : Indus international school, Hyderabad
Indus International Community School
Courtesy : Indus international community school, Bangalore
Indus International Community School
Courtesy : Indus international community school, Bangalore
Opportunities • Asia Pacific • Association with like minded schools and organizations • Large school / student base • Wealth of experience from schools
He was so learned that he could name a horse in nine languages; so ignorant that he bought a cow to ride on Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Discussion arvindchalasani@gmail.com