Use of projects as a teaching tool is gaining traction around the world and is creating a revolution in how children learn. Brain research and metacognitive research supports PBL as a powerful pedagogy to enable deep learning.
Doing PBL with integrity is a complex process. Often, children are engaged in projects at a recall level which does not involve creating, problem-solving or critical analysis.
Learning is messy, it involves trial and error, it takes many paths and is unique to each learner. When one looks at the skills needed to thrive today, tomorrow and even beyond that, the learning methodology needs to match the demands of the real world.
Here’s a look at some of the projects that learners at Vega have put together, learning step by step, under the guidance of our talented Learning Leaders.
If this doesn’t impress you, nothing will.
At Vega we subscribe to the fact that future work environments will demand a different skills set from young people. These skills include leadership, teamwork, strong communication skills, problem-solving, and positive work ethics, amongst many others.
Vega schools’ building and infrastructure was designed by FNI, USA (education architecture researchers and authors of ‘Blueprint for Tomorrow’ – Harvard University Press) bearing in mind its unique problem based learning pedagogy.
Its circular shape ensures that there are no dark corners and its many brightly colored panels let in natural light while keeping out the heat.
There is a seamless fusion between work and play areas and a centralized air purification system which creates a comfortable learning environment.
We have replaced traditional classrooms with open learning hubs, individual quiet zones, large spaces for immersive learning and small hubs for individual assistance.
These architectural innovations not only create an optimal learning environment and enable ‘real-life learning’ but also help our learners actively imbibe life skills such as collaboration and teamwork.
The best companies in the world have made the shift towards open and collaborative learning spaces.
Research has established that schools also need to make the shift to open learning hubs in order to help develop 21st century skills in their learners.
We help them internalise it.
Curiosity is the cornerstone of innovation. The world is full of examples of people who went against the grain, challenging status quo resulting in pathbreaking and paradigm shifting discoveries and inventions.
Unfortunately, traditional schooling kills curiosity among children, teaching them to conform, blend in and never question the way things are, because ‘that’s how it has always been done’.
At Vega Schools we are changing that, by encouraging children to be curious and questioning, challenging the way things are done and learning, by personally experiencing the truth.
The real world doesn’t rely on textbooks. In most cases the ability to find a solution rests more with the mindset and thinking of the person, rather than the rote knowledge they possess.
Entrepreneurial Thinking is the ability to look at any problem, with the intention of finding a solution. A constant process of gaining knowledge from different real world sources and combining them to address the issue.
At Vega, we inculcate Entrepreneurial Thinking as a part of our pedagogy. Because we firmly believe that our children can change the world. If we’d only let them.
