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#ABOUTME
As a child I grew up in my mom’s self – owned kindergarten where, I would often pretend to be a teacher during play time. I would use an easel in the play room to teach younger children to trace alphabets or numbers. Looking back at these times, I realize that my desire to bring out the best in others and assisting them to develop and grow has fueled my passion to pursue an education in Human Resource Management and now in Adult Learning & Teaching.
A recent article titled“The damage done by Indian Schools” published by the Huffington Post resonated with me a few days ago. The author spoke about the Indian educational system which uses a "One size fits all strategy" which means they don't see students as individuals with different needs, aspirations & interests rather, they are forced to become human robots where they memorize information to pass an exam. A student who is not able to do that is criticized, and frowned upon by teachers who regard them as failures in the system. In the end, we have students who finish high school but, their innate curiosity, creativity and interest in learning has died even before they begin college or university!
I was one of these students. I remember on my first day in college, I just wanted to get out of there! So, I went to the meet the career counselor. After we had been speaking for about 45 minutes, discussing prospective universities & careers, he asked, "So, which year of college are you in?" I replied saying, "Well, this is my first day!" I will never forget the look on his face! Then he said, “Please go have fun & come back after a year or two!"
It was at college where, I became a learner for life. My whole perspective on learning changed. For the first time, I didn't study to get a grade or just finish off with at least a college diploma but, I understood how my learning and education would help me contribute to the lives of those around me. It was because of the environment my instructors created within the classroom where I felt inspired to learn, encouraged to speak up, and valued for my contributions that reignited my passion and led me to work towards developing more learners for life.
As it was rightly said by Carl Rogers, who wrote that an educated person is one "who has learned how to learn and how to adapt to change" and realizes that no knowledge is secure, that only the process of seeking knowledge gives a basis of security."
A recent article titled“The damage done by Indian Schools” published by the Huffington Post resonated with me a few days ago. The author spoke about the Indian educational system which uses a "One size fits all strategy" which means they don't see students as individuals with different needs, aspirations & interests rather, they are forced to become human robots where they memorize information to pass an exam. A student who is not able to do that is criticized, and frowned upon by teachers who regard them as failures in the system. In the end, we have students who finish high school but, their innate curiosity, creativity and interest in learning has died even before they begin college or university!
I was one of these students. I remember on my first day in college, I just wanted to get out of there! So, I went to the meet the career counselor. After we had been speaking for about 45 minutes, discussing prospective universities & careers, he asked, "So, which year of college are you in?" I replied saying, "Well, this is my first day!" I will never forget the look on his face! Then he said, “Please go have fun & come back after a year or two!"
It was at college where, I became a learner for life. My whole perspective on learning changed. For the first time, I didn't study to get a grade or just finish off with at least a college diploma but, I understood how my learning and education would help me contribute to the lives of those around me. It was because of the environment my instructors created within the classroom where I felt inspired to learn, encouraged to speak up, and valued for my contributions that reignited my passion and led me to work towards developing more learners for life.
As it was rightly said by Carl Rogers, who wrote that an educated person is one "who has learned how to learn and how to adapt to change" and realizes that no knowledge is secure, that only the process of seeking knowledge gives a basis of security."
#BACKSTAGE
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