Date: Mar 19–21 & 23, 2015 Location: Sri Aurobindo Centre of New Education, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Monica Kochar of India Council for Integral Education (ICIE), an initiative of Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry, conducted four workshops with the teachers at Sri Aurobindo Centre of New Education, Jodhpur, on March 19, 20, 21 & 23, 2015.
Three of them were with the teachers of maths grades 6 to 12. These focused on making maths classes a space for integrated learning. Teachers worked on turning simple activities into integrated experiences. They also worked on generating experiences in the class in order to bring in attitudes. They focused on communication, thinking deeply, and collaboration. Finally they worked on bringing all of this learning into their lesson plans for the coming months.
The 4th workshop was on Integral Education for a mix of new and old teachers. The focus was on understanding the meaning of integration in life and in education. Subsequently the teachers worked on opening the class environment by bringing in multiple methods of teaching. We wrapped up the sessions by bringing in two values ‘collaboration’ and ‘peace within in times of turmoil’.In brief, the topics covered were:
Workshop 1
• Goal setting
• Integrating life around the goals
• Analyzing one’s own life
• The goal of integral education – blossoming
Workshop 2
Qualities of an integral educator. Focus on:
• Teacher is a gardener
• Multiple tools of teaching and evaluating in class
• Connect strategies with syllabus
Workshop 3Value education – collaboration
• Through game, discussion and reflection
• Strategies to teach collaboration to students through classroom structures
Workshop 4
Value education – peace
• Through simple exercises to bring peace in our lives
• Looking after oneself is to bring peace in our system so we can take clearer decisions
Several teachers also approached the facilitator for individual consultation on issues professional and personal.