Month: April 2020

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One of the very common phrases heard in context of schooling is student-centered classroom. Developing a student-centered classroom has slowly become necessary than a luxury. It is no longer another new and innovative technique adopted in schools. Rather it should slowly become a norm in schools. Even though most schools and school leaders realize the importance of developing student-centered classrooms, not all are able to do so. The leading chain of Millennium Schools in Indiais a perfect example of how student-centered classrooms are developed in schools.

The unique curriculum, Millennium Learning System, followed by The Millennium Schools and Millennium World Schools across India, is based on thorough research of more than a decade. Through this in depth research, they have been able to develop a curriculum that promotes student-centered learning. Most CBSE schools in India are shifting their focus from teaching to learning which means teacher-centric classrooms to student-centric classrooms. The traditional method or teacher-centric classroom believed that the teacher will pour out knowledge and wisdom and fill the empty minds of students. Students were considered merely like sponges that will absorb the knowledge imparted by teachers. However, scientific research studies have proven that children’s brains are much beyond than sponges or empty buckets. In fact, maximum learning happens till the age of 8. Therefore, the kind of education we provide to our younger children plays a critical role in shaping their personality, attitude and skills.

At Millennium schools, classrooms and learning revolve around students and not teachers. They strongly believe that every child is unique which means that children have varied learning styles and levels. Every child has a different method and pace to learn. Therefore, differentiated learning is followed in the best CBSE schools in India. Student-centered classrooms at Millennium Schools engage all types of students and encourage them to participate actively. Student-centric learning is said to be one of the most effective ways to develop skills of independent learning and problem-solving and attitude for life-long learning in students.

In the traditional method, the teacher is at centre of teaching–learning process. The communication is more or less one-way. Students sit passively and listen to their teacher and respond only when asked a question. Students passively receive information from teachers and do not really question it. However, in the student-centric classroom, two-way communication happens. Students are actively engaged in the process of teaching and learning. Students independently construct their learning and teachers facilitate this process. Students engage with the information and question the content to develop their skills. Teacher-centric classrooms usually promote rote learning while student-centric classrooms promote conceptual understanding and skill –based learning.

Part of the leading chain of K-12 school franchises in India, Millennium Schools believe in student-centered learning. Rated as the top CBSE schools in India, they focus on giving meaningful and relevant educational experiences to children to engage them and develop their skills. Emphasis on holistic development is given in all Millennium schools, situated in more than 40 locations pan India. Being the top schools in India, they promote the millennial way of learning for the new age millennial childrenwith the goal to make learners future-ready through student-centric learning.

When we think about schooling and learning, many questions pop up in the mind. What is the ultimate purpose of schooling? In the age of information technology and freely available information on the internet, are schools still relevant? Do we need teachers for schooling and learning? Can’t learning happen at home? Is homeschooling better than formal schooling? Well, the list of questions can go on and on. There are different schools of thought when we try to find answers to each of these questions. The fact is that formal schooling is still an essential part of our lives and a school in incomplete without teachers. So, rather than thinking about the future as of now, let’s focus on the present.

One of the most critical questions regarding teachers and schools is, ‘what value does a teacher add to the school or the learning process?’ While, many will roll their eyeballs on this question and say the obvious answer – a school is not a school without teachers! Rightly so, but do any type of teachers will make the schooling experience meaningful for children? The straight forward answer to this question is NO. Teachers are much beyond giving lectures in the class, reading from a book and using chalk and talk method to teach students. Mostly everyone must have noticed some time or the other that when children start going to school, they begin to listen to their teachers more than their parents. Teachers have a great influence on children and their words are set in stone for children. Not even their parents can change anything about it. Children start idolizing their teachers from a very young age. And this is a huge opportunity for schools to lay the foundation for learning for children.

If schools recruit the right kind of teachers, more than half of their battle is won in every aspect. Dynamic and compassionate teachers will nurture children like them. Children imitate adults around them and imbibe behavioral traits from their surroundings. Therefore, it becomes our responsibility to give a safe and healthy environment to children at home and especially in schools that nurture compassion and responsibility in children. The role of tecahers in a school is way beyond just teaching academics subjects. They become the role models and trendsetters for children. They can inspire children beyond imagination. Thus, empowered teachers mean empowered children. Schools must realize this and make efforts to empower their teachers.

Millennium Schoolscall their teachers as facilitators because they believe that teachers facilitate the process of learning. The Millennium Schools and Millennium World Schools pay close attention to development of their teachers. Continuous training programs, workshops, online and offline courses and other ways are adopted by these top CBSE schools in India for developing their teachers’ skills. One of thebest CBSE schools in India, Millennium Schools believe in empowering their teachers to empower their students. They want to create life-long learners and responsible citizens in their teachers as well as students who ready to face challenges of the unknown future that lies ahead.

The year 2020 brought with it a new virus that has shaken up the entire world. The Coronavirus has hit all major countries of the world, including India. The pandemic is taking a toll on people’s health across the globe. COVID-19 is a contagious disease and therefore different countries around the world, are left with no other option than to enforce lockdown with only bare minimum essential services operational. With such a health scare, social distancing seems to be the only way to beat this virus as the world is still struggling to make medicine or vaccine for the disease.

As a result of this entire lockdown and prevention from spreading the disease further, all schools were shut in early March 2020. Children as you know are highly energetic and with all the time in the world without having to go to school and unable to go outside to play, are struggling quite a bit. Asking children to sit at home is a huge task in itself. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, children are being deprived of their childhood. Caging them indoors is not good for their childhood and development; however it is necessary and unavoidable in such circumstances. Here, where the role of the schools, teachers, and parents comes in.

Millennium Schools, having presence in over 40 cities across India, are doing every bit to connect with their students and keep them engaged. Thank God for the advancement in technology, several exciting things are being possible. Teachers at The Millennium Schools and Millennium World Schools pan India are conducting virtual classes for their students. Daily morning SMS with tips and measures to stay safe in this health pandemic time connects students and educators of all Millennium Schools across India.

Facilitators of the Millennium Schools are sending worksheets and video notes to students who have just entered classes X and XII. Skype sessions are being conducted for discussions and assignments. Many Millennium school leaders are writing poems and curating interesting activities that can be done at home to engage children and develop their skills at the same time. Different online tools and social media platforms are being used for enhancing the virtual teaching learning processes at the Millennium Schools.

The focus is not only on academics as is the philosophy of one of the best CBSE schools in India. To help children take care of their physical fitness, videos and activities on exercise and healthy eating are also being shared on a regular basis. The Millennium Schools also emphasize on social and emotional well-being for which different stories and videos for meditation are being shared with students too. To nurture the talents of students, videos and activities related to arts and crafts, and other talents are also being shared by educators at the Millennium Schools. Teachers’ professional development is a regular feature of the Millennium World Schools and The Millennium Schools and with the use of technology, it is still continuing. Teachers too need motivation at this time and training and support to handle the online world of teaching and learning. The Millennium Schools family is doing its best and making the best use of technology to meet all its objectives. Millennium Schools are truly one of the top CBSE schools in India.