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India: instead of memory in education, the support of interesting forms – eSHOP24X7
The days of memory and monotonous conferences in the Vijayawada schools have already passed. Atal tinkering labs (ATL) laboratories have become a platform for students, where their ability to imagination and innovation is flying.
Before now, for students like Revlla Archana, textbooks meant, only they used to get them stagnate. But, under the Mission of Innovation Atal, the ATL initiative of the Government of India has changed this thought. These laboratories have been established in schools throughout the country, for students from classes 6 to 12.
Here students, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) are obtained in a practical way. Students experiment with equipment and tools, which develops their ability to solve logical thinking and problem.
They work on projects together with their classmates, forming prototypes, which promotes their creativity and entrepreneurship.
The ninth grade students of the High School of the District Council, R Archana (left) and S Tarun (right) are working on the railway accident prevention system in ATAL LAB.
Creativity in innovation
Instead of learning memory, this change is the real power of these laboratories, towards experimentation and search. Archana’s story is a living example of this.
The pain of losing his mother could affect his studies and his future, but through the ATL initiative he saw a ray of hope.
Archana, after receiving the orientation of his teacher, gave a positive address to his suffering. His interest in science increased, and today he is developing a train accident prevention system with his team.
Archana’s history is proof of how these tinking laboratories can also make pain the strength of positive change. He said that “before ATL, science was just a subject to be in memory the facts written in books. But here, in these laboratories, it is taught to solve real world problems.”
“My teacher and this laboratory helped me focus my pain towards a positive, creative and productive direction. Now, I am not only learning, but with my partner, creating a train accident prevention system, which can save people’s lives!”
The eighth and sixth grade students of the High School of the District Council, B supraja (right) and a Dilip Kumar (left), are working on a password -based door lock system, in which the door can be opened with a safe password.
Initial challenges
However, this trip has not been easy. This scheme, made with good intentions, faced many challenges during implementation. Due to the lack of coordination with the Department of Education, the training and monitoring of the teachers were minimal.
There were no changes in the course, so activities related to it were isolated from the main subjects. Some schools considered diverting the attention of studies and could not understand their ability.
However, a new chapter began in 2021. UNICEF was associated with the Andhra Pradesh and Vicean Ashram education department to strengthen this initiative. Together, these three resolved to burn a new life in this initiative in Vijayawada.
New learning method
This network backed by UNICEF provides technical experience to develop training modules and resources for teachers and students. This network promotes these laboratories so that children can have an opportunity for practical education.
“Our role was to close the gap between the government and schools,” says UNICEF education expert Shygiri Madhusudan. We provide technical assistance, training programs organized for teachers and, most importantly, we advocate integrating ATL into the school curriculum. “
Great results of this initiative have come out. Schools have begun to establish a special time for ATL activities, through the active participation of the Department of Education.
Teachers are now incorporating design thinking and problems in their classrooms. This new synergy has changed the ATL of isolated workshops to such important educational centers, which have now become an integral part of school life.
Some challenges
Ensuring ATL access to all Vijayawada children is still an important objective. For this, cooperation between the government, schools and non -governmental organizations is necessary, so that resources can be properly assigned and this program can be expanded.
It is very important to invest in the continuous training of teachers. It is necessary to equip teachers with such skills and knowledge, so that ATL can easily include in the course. This is the key to the long -term success of this program.
In Vijayawada, an educational model is encouraged through ATL, which arouses curiosity and empowers young minds.
Investing in ATL is similar to future investment. Through this, it can help prepare a generation that will not be limited to mold only in the next time, but will shape that future in itself.
