Education beyond Classrooms

by Anoop Bishnoi Promoter - Bisco Limited

We’ve progressed from the days when education just meant memorising topics and taking exams. The world around us is constantly changing, as are our survival skills in this dynamic environment. Jobs of yesterday will not be jobs of tomorrow, thanks to technological advancements such as the Internet of Things and AI.

So, how should students be prepared to thrive in today’s complex world? What education will be most important in their lives if they want to lead in the future? Some may argue that schools should prepare students to be active and compassionate citizens. Others may foster complex reasoning or creativity. Some may also argue that students should be tech-savvy and knowledgeable about the digital world.

However, none of them will be effective if they operate in silos. To prepare individuals who can thrive and grow in the future, we need progressive visions of educators who can critically reflect on the purposes of education in this ever-changing world, encourage practices that enrich essential thinking and learning for today and tomorrow’s worlds, engage in community discussions about the content and skills needed to achieve those purposes, and consider adopting examples of those who have demonstrated such achievements.

“The need of the hour is to investigate tools, strategies, and frameworks and use them to prepare students for the challenges of the present and future. Schools should pilot projects that help students develop dispositions that promote thoughtful learning across all subjects. Value-based education should be the norm, and children should be taught to be strong individuals who are deeply rooted in their culture and heritage. Schools should educate students about the moral, ethical, and civil opportunities and challenges that the digital age presents. Students should be aware of both the benefits and drawbacks of the internet,” says Anoop Singh Bishnoi, Chairman of the Doon School, Dehradun.

Real-world learning connects students and teachers to people in the community who work in different environments and have different perspectives, as well as to the skills that adults use every day. “Real-world learning is about outcomes that go beyond what is typically tested in schools, not just partnerships, It’s about developing whole people,” Anoop adds.

However, expecting schools to do all of this work on their own is neither reasonable nor feasible. The fact that “the majority of teachers went to school to be teachers” is one reason why young people need access to learning experiences outside of school. They should not be expected to be experts in every field in order to prepare students for every career and opportunity. Anoop believes that “schools must ensure that all students have access to support for navigating education, work, and life, including meaningful connections to a diverse range of adults from various industries and careers. This type of social interaction is one of the most effective methods for increasing student exposure and reach.”

Experience in real and diverse situations is essential for agency, and educators and youth advocates must assist students in accessing and utilizing a variety of real-world situations to help them grow. Real-world learning can also help young people develop their identities by showing them what is possible for their futures.