CFAL, ELC Kindergarten and TLC PU College celebrates ‘The Learning Centre Day’
Centre for Advanced Learning (CFAL), Early Learning Centre (ELC Kindergarten) and The Learning Centre (TLC PU College) organized ‘The Learning Centre Day’ at Bejai-Kapikad, Mangaluru
Mangaluru: The DC of Mangaluru Sasikanth Senthil, IAS, felicitated CFAL student Prathyush Poduval for his outstanding accomplishment of securing a silver medal for India in the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad. There were lots of activities, demonstrations and contests organized for children. Through maker-space, tinkering labs, video simulations and other activities, the team at TLC demonstrated various avenues to build an interest and strong foundation in math, science, GMAT and other subjects that required logical reasoning.
Math and Science are often perceived as difficult subjects. It is generally believed that premier institutions like IITs, NITs, IISc, BIT’s, IISERs etc. only admit geniuses into their institutions. Are these assumptions true? Is it possible that an alternative approach towards teaching and learning can change these circumstances? Instead of a textbook-based, exam-based approach, would an inquiry based, self-learning approach change outcomes?
CFAL Mangalore and the team at the newly established TLC PU College have been working towards changing the paradigms of learning in the region and has been breaking record after record in some of the most difficult examinations in the country including Olympiads, NTSE, KVPY, JEE. How are these extraordinary results, that have never been seen in the region before, being achieved?
Good results are mostly a byproduct of a strong foundational understanding of a subject. School marks that can be achieved by merely memorizing a textbook and solving older question papers is not an indicator of such an understanding. Deep understanding happens when a subject is studied through observation, analysis, asking questions, trying to figure out answers by hands-on work, tinkering, making things, working with patterns, observing outcomes, peer discussions and self-learning. An environment where enquiry and exploration are made possible is where the most learning happens. Time and again, research studies have shown that children learn the most when they figure things out themselves instead of being told what to do. Yet, even as early as Kindergarten, we see a textbook based, teacher-centric, standardized approach for all children.
Besides this, the children at ELC Kindergarten celebrated grandparent’s day and Christmas carnival with lots of stories, games, stalls, pottery, food and fun. There were stalls by women entrepreneurs and local businesses. NITK students and alumni volunteered at various counters. Grandparents were requested to record their favorite stories and were felicitated by the DC. The creativity and spirit of community was showcased by all participants