Aug 2021
It’s six months since we started the learning centre. Around 6 students completed or made significant progress on the Digital Skills Learning Path. Three students also managed to complete the What is Programming learning capsule and moved on to learning Python/Java.
Around 15+ children benefited from the worksheets shared to them. We tried a simple process where children come and collect some worksheets. An assorted set of worksheets like colouring mandalas, english comprehension, math fun, science experiments etc from Twinkl, Education.com, HP Print and Learn Centre and other online resources were used. Once they submit completed worksheets, they were corrected and recorded using a document camera (for future reference). And another set of worksheets were handed out. While this model may not have taught them new concepts, it surely helped reinforce what they know. And it served as a welcome break from no-school during Covid lockdown times. Some well wishers also helped create some customized worksheets which helped much.
The gift-a-kindle program to help rub in reading for pleasure habit should kick-off this month. Will post more updates on this soon.
Jun 2022
Counselling Class 11 and Class 12 students to make good under-graduate choices is a new opportunity we are exploring. They will need few good bridge courses to improve their Digital skills, English & Communication skills. Coupled with getting them access to some online courses and some 1-1 mentoring, most could make progress.
While 4 Kindle’s were gifted to local children with some pre-loaded books written by Indian authors, very few came back asking for more books. It remains to be seen if this is a failed effort.
We also started buying NCERT Math-Magic Text Books from Class 1 to Class 6 and distributing to children around. Even a Class 6 student is given Class 1 Text book first. And he/she is expected to show their work before taking next level book. Given the good quality of these books, one hopes this will also improve their English!
Feb 2023
Counselling Class 11 and 12 students and helping them with College Admissions seems to be the largest contribution of the Learning Space for now. These students need help with finalizing colleges, filing application forms online, support for paying exam fees, and quiet space to take online exams and interviews.
Many students are also able to learn and appreciate Programming by using Activity Cards with Dash Robot. Some continue to learn Processing language to create Digital Art and some even move onto Python. Happy we figured out a workable learning path for Programming Skills or just an appreciation of what entails programming.
Providing art supplies, NCERT Math-Magic books are also proving to be useful for the few younger age children who drop by during their school holidays. Something that did not work so well is supplying Kindles to children to improve reading for pleasure. We need to reflect on improving the idea given that inculcating reading for pleasure in rural children is still a nice thing to happen!
Apr 2024
Counselling Class 11 and 12 students and helping them with College Admissions continues to be a significant contribution of the Learning Space. These students need help with finalising colleges, filing application forms online, support for paying exam fees, and quiet space to take online exams and interviews.
2023 also opened our eyes to the void many students from rural areas face after finishing professional degrees like BE, MCA or B.Com Computers. They and their parents spend significant resources to acquire these degrees with a naive confidence that this is all they need to settle in life. The often poorly run colleges do little except for making sure both the students and parents are happy with just passing their exams. We took a couple of such students last year and ended up spending 6+ months preparing them with job skills and helping them get WFH internships and subsequently paying jobs.
We continue to procure printed NCERT Books covering English, Maths, Environmental Science and Science from Class 1 to Class 6. These well designed workbook-like books continue to work well for children who throng our farm for books and art supplies during their holidays. With these books now in place we stopped providing printed worksheets – which proved to be a hassle – given we have at least 30+ nearby children visiting the Learning Space. The NCERT books are relatively cheap (around INR 150-200 per book), and printed in colour!
altLearners.com continues to be a anchor for helping us quickly get many under-grads and grads learn important skills – whatever their dreams.
sadhana.farm 