Have you noticed that the way you learnt things at school is vastly different from the way your child learns things at school? No, you are not falling behind; the educational landscape is indeed a lot more complex today than it used to be back then. But, this does not necessarily mean a bad thing. Contemporary education in India has opened up interesting opportunities for students to learn flexibly via collaboration and innovation.
Contemporary learning focuses on creating a new generation of young individuals who are well-equipped to thrive in a dynamic global space. The days of rote learning and only theoretical knowledge are gone; it is now time to learn practically while fostering innovation. Let’s understand the nuances of contemporary learning, especially in India and how it affects the future generation.
Contemporary Education in India
India’s education system is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional methods still hold sway in many areas, there’s a growing appreciation for contemporary learning principles. For instance, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 documents the government’s emphasis on experiential learning and interdisciplinary studies. It underlines the need for institutions to adapt to global trends and improve focus on holistic and student-centric learning and teaching methods.
The scope of contemporary education in India is vast. Our new policies also hold a lot of potential for our education system and students. Let us understand more about contemporary education and what features distinguish it from existing, traditional systems.
Features of Contemporary Education
Contemporary education revolves around three core pillars that build its foundation. Below, we have explained these key features in detail.
- Flexibility – Contemporary education moves away from the one-size-fits-all approach. It recognises that each student has different learning needs and encourages teachers to adapt their teaching methods accordingly. It also encourages students to learn at their own pace by introducing online and blended ways of learning. In India, this flexibility is crucial given the diversity in learning styles, languages, and access to resources across the country.
- Collaboration – As our world is becoming more and more interconnected, teamwork and strong interpersonal skills have become indispensable. Contemporary learning facilitates this by involving collaborative projects, group discussions, and peer-to-peer learning in the curriculum. IB curriculum subjects have always focused on such activities to foster communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Innovation – Contemporary education is not just about learning, it is about acquiring knowledge to generate new ideas. Innovation is at the core of this learning style, and it encourages students to question, explore, and create new concepts and ideas. This is a valuable skill that is needed to adapt to the future.
Benefits of Contemporary Education in India
The IB curriculum schools in Bangalore have tried to incorporate the principles of contemporary education in India and have succeeded a fair bit as well. The adoption of these principles has had a positive impact on students. As this approach becomes a norm, the following effects are sure to positively impact students.
- Improved Learning Outcomes – Contemporary education caters to individual learning styles, which creates a more engaging learning environment. This significantly improves the way students understand and retain information.
- Greater Equity and Inclusion – As education becomes flexible and more accessible, it is sure to bridge the social and economic gaps. Contemporary education offers access to quality education for all, regardless of location or socio-economic background.
- Enhanced Employability – As students learn practical skills and develop an innovative mindset, they become more competent as employees and more sought after by employers.
Contemporary Teaching Methods
Now that we have gained an understanding of contemporary education, let us look at some of its teaching methods that are the foundation of what it seeks to achieve.
- Blended Learning – This method combines traditional teaching methods with digital aids to make learning more interactive and accessible. For example, a teacher might post a discussion topic on a forum, and students can share their opinions or questions based on what they have learnt in class. This method also allows students to access classes in cases where they cannot be physically present in the classroom.
- Student-Centred Learning – This method places the student right in the middle of the learning process. The student’s needs are met by teachers through a number of assignments that foster important skills.
- Project-Based Learning – Students learn more when they work on projects and engage in real-life problems to find solutions. This approach also fosters teamwork and problem-solving skills.
- Gamification – Students learn as they engage in games and quizzes, where they can earn points or badges. Teachers use apps like Kahoot to turn study material into educational games.
To Sum Up
Contemporary education in India is a step towards making learning and teaching more efficient. At OWIS, one of the top IB schools in Bangalore, India, we welcome this paradigm shift in education. We do our best to embrace the principles of contemporary education to offer our students the best. Contact us today to learn how our learning methods help in the holistic development of your child.
