Education Beyond Classroom Learning

September 29, 2022

I remember, when I was in class 5 at St Aloysius Higher Primary School, Mangaluru, our Kannada teacher would take us to the playground (then known as ‘Sand Pit’) and take up classes there. As young students, the experience was unique as we were made to sit under a tree for our Kannada lessons. We always looked forward to this kind of learning that took us beyond the four walls of our classroom. As years progressed, various historical places, parks and museums occasionally became our classroom and I remember each of these vividly. We enjoyed learning when we were taken outside the classroom. I was indeed blessed and at the same time I am thankful to my school and my teachers for making this process of learning an enriching one. This method of learning can be termed as ‘Education Beyond Classroom Learning’.

Education Beyond Classroom happens when a student learns a new theory outside the classroom with the benefit of procuring additional knowledge. In simple terms, Education Beyond Classroom is when a child is taken outside the school with the purpose of learning in mind. Here the Educational Institution or the School plays a major role in taking students to various places/sites. It benefits the children with rich experiences, helps them to solve various problems, develops interest in learning, builds curiosity in the child and promotes self-learning.

Education is known to be one of the powerful tools to enhance an individual's knowledge. In order to acquire knowledge, one has to learn constantly because learning is a continuous process and it has no end to itself. At the end of the day if you reflect, you will find at least one new thing that you have learned. True learning is much beyond obtaining certificates and degrees. The traditional method of teaching and learning focused more on the subject and the teacher rather than the ‘child’. The current system of education follows ‘Child-Centered Learning’. This is indeed true because in the B.Ed. colleges aspiring teachers are taught different methods of teaching that considers the ‘child’ or the ‘learner’ as the priority. Even the text books prescribed by the Karnataka State Board encourage children to do various activities on their own as a part of self-learning. For example: Prepare a list of the different industrial units in your district. Visit a nearby industrial unit and find out what it produces. These activities are to be done by a student not in the classroom but outside the classroom.

Parents are regarded as a child’s first teacher and ‘home’ is considered to be the first school. Parents teach children, they often advise and correct them too. So ‘teaching and learning’ are not just limited to schools alone, rather it also happens at our homes. More often, teaching and learning becomes a joint exercise or a combined effort of both the parents and the school. One cannot function efficiently without the other. Hence, learning is a process that cannot to restricted to one place or an institution in itself

Rabindranath Tagore's, a great educationalist and a philosopher too believed in ‘Education beyond Classroom Learning’. He wanted learning to take place amidst nature. He also affirmed that a child learns more when she/he is surrounded by nature. That is the reason why he emphasized on learning to take place under the shade of trees, while taking a walk in parks and so on. He found the fulfillment of his dreams on education by implementing his ideas in ‘Santiniketan’ in West Bengal, India an educational center which was founded by his father Maharshi Devendranath Tagore.

What are the types of learning beyond/outside the classroom?

There are several ways where a teacher can make a child learn outside the classroom. I would like to suggest three major types which I personally felt would promote education beyond classroom learning. They are as follows:

1) Project Work/Activity Based Learning:

In the present system of education, children are assigned projects or activities at school level under various subjects. These activities are given based on the child’s age and level of understanding. Children are expected to work on these projects outside the four walls of the classroom. As a matter of fact, these assignments are designed in such a way that children can do them independently, without the help of elders.

On the one hand, Teachers/Lecturers, who are the architects of these projects, must be smart enough to assess and assign the activities. Parents, on the other hand, must understand the importance of these projects and encourage their wards to complete them on their own. Often, there is a misconception among the parents that activities are burdensome for the children. One must know that a child gets to learn a new concept when she/he is assigned with a project and a new knowledge is created within the child. In addition it encourages the child to think out of the box and it also brings out the creativity of the child. Hence a note to both the parents and the students - Never consider a project work or an activity as a burden but take it as a chance to learn something new.

2) Co-Curricular/Club Activities:

Apart from academics a child has various hidden talents. To bring them to light, the school or the college provides various platforms as an opportunity. Singing, dancing, music, drama, sports, drawing and painting are a few examples for co-curricular activities. All these activities, as we know, take shape and grow outside the classroom. There is an enhancement of learning when a child actively participates in these activities.

Many schools and college come up with various clubs such Eco Club, Drawing Club, Science Club, Literary Club, Music Club and so on. A student has to join any one of the given clubs. These clubs conduct various activities and programmes during the academic year. These clubs help in all round development of a child. To cite an instance from my life, I had joined the Drawing Club and today I have developed a very good skill in pencil shading. Most of my art have been selected and displayed at exhibitions during School Day programmes. Hence a child’s involvement in these clubs and activities clearly shows that learning takes place even when a child is taken out of the classroom.

3) Field Trips/Tour:

Children love to go on a tour or on field trips. They get excited to view various places. A field trip is a trip where the students are taken to visit places which are a part of their syllabus. For example, when a teacher teaches about animals and birds it is good that a teacher takes the students to Pilikula in Mangaluru or any other zoo that is nearby, so that the child physically visits the place and learns more about the animal kingdom. This kind of learning is one of the most favoured among children.

Now that we are aware of the fact that learning can take place anywhere, we must not put a limit on a child to study only within the four walls. Rather we must always create opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. When we create an atmosphere where a child can learn with the help of various activities outside the classroom, we give them a chance to face challenges and find out the solution all by themselves. Thus, the teachers and the parents should only be facilitators and allow the child to take a step ahead and promote learning beyond classroom.



 

By Ashish Joseph Carvalho
Ashish Joseph Carvalho hails from Derebail, Mangaluru, Karnataka. He has completed his BCom and MCom. He is pursuing his Bachelor of Education from St Aloysius Institute of Education, Mangaluru at present.
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Comment on this article

  • Leera Lobo, Mangalore

    Thu, Oct 20 2022

    Very well written Ashish. Keep it up.

  • Preema, Mangalore/U.S.A

    Wed, Oct 05 2022

    Well written Ashish.....Keep writing

  • Loretta, Mangalore

    Mon, Oct 03 2022

    Very nice article. God bless you.

  • Daphney, Derebail

    Mon, Oct 03 2022

    Good article Ashish! Very thoughtful.

  • Liliann Benjamin, Surathkal

    Sun, Oct 02 2022

    An informative article Ashish. Keep up the good work.

  • Derick, Ireland

    Sun, Oct 02 2022

    Nicely written. Good job Ashish. Keep up the good work. Kudos.!

  • Sr.M. Shubha A.C., Mangalore

    Sun, Oct 02 2022

    A good article ,well written. As I was going through this article I remembered (now retired) my students of Std VII (Kannada Med.) to whom I taught the Science lesson on " Soil " through Project method. Every student was involved in this project. They learnt the various concepts, sub concepts of Soil through this activity. This was designed by the students under the guidance of their teacher and carried out by them in the school premises and at the end was evaluated and documented the work done. It was a joyful learning experience for both, teacher and students. I had other topics too in other subjects where learning took place outside the classroom. I am remembered to this day by my students (specially the low achievers) for the wonderful learning experience they had during their school days. It is true that all topics cannot be taught beyond classroom but teacher can plan very well and provide learning experience to the students.

  • Dr.Alfreeda, Mangalore

    Sun, Oct 02 2022

    Well penned by Ashish . It's said that the NEP focuses mainly on child centred education. As of now it's only in the policy. I hope it becomes a reality very soon.

  • Demcy Dsouza, Mangalore

    Sun, Oct 02 2022

    Very Informative article...... Appreciate your hard work

  • Yashaswi. U, Mangalore

    Sun, Oct 02 2022

    Beautifully explained about education beyond classrooms. Very informative article.

  • Prabha, Hubli

    Sun, Oct 02 2022

    Good article, Well written Ashish 👍

  • Mrs Sarika Rodrigues, Mangalore

    Sat, Oct 01 2022

    Informative Article. I really appreciate your hard work God bless all your endeavors

  • Avinash Daniel DSouza, Mangalore

    Sat, Oct 01 2022

    I recollected my primary days in St Aloysius Higher Primary school. It's a good article that helped me cherish my childhood days. Good work Ashish

  • Deveena, Mangalore

    Sat, Oct 01 2022

    Good one 👍

  • Preetham, Dubai

    Sat, Oct 01 2022

    While reading this article I remembered my primary school days. My teacher is to take us under the tree to teach us . Those were happy learning days during our school days sitting under the trees and having some of the activities, games ,fun etc. Good article Ashish. Seeking more articles from you. All the best.

  • Jasmine, Mangalore

    Sat, Oct 01 2022

    Keep up the good work..

  • Liza Lobo, Kulshekar, Mangalore

    Sat, Oct 01 2022

    Well written article. Hope to see more such articles in the future too.. Keep up the good work.

  • Amish Carvalho, Mangalore

    Sat, Oct 01 2022

    Wonderfully written Ashish. Hope to see more of your articles getting published

  • Farita Viegas, Falnir Mangalore

    Sat, Oct 01 2022

    A good read. Well written. Keep up the good work Ashish. Make your Alma Mater proud

  • Aloma Lasrado, Mangalore

    Sat, Oct 01 2022

    Well written Ashish. Awaiting many more articles like this.... All the best

  • Diana, Mangalore

    Sat, Oct 01 2022

    Children are filled with wonder and curiosity. Each child is unique and so is the learning style. Education beyond classroom is equally important because it will help them develop their understanding, creativity and concept formation better as they experience practically what's taught or explained in a classroom. Good article and well written Ashish!

  • Adolf Carvalho kundapura/Bombay, Kundapura

    Sat, Oct 01 2022

    Very nice 💓 article Similarly i studied the same Keep up the good work

  • Deora Fernandes, Mangalore

    Sat, Oct 01 2022

    Very well written Ashish. Such a great Piece.

  • Preemal Maria D Almeida, Karkala

    Sat, Oct 01 2022

    I admire the excellence of the content! Well written! Truly Education beyond the classroom takes the child out of educational 'closet'. Its more authentic and productive which is seen in th present system of education. Keep going and inspire more people so that everybody can contribute to the same.

  • Sakshi Ramachandran, Mangalore

    Fri, Sep 30 2022

    Very well written... Keep up the good work .

  • Melita, Mangalore

    Fri, Sep 30 2022

    Well written Ashish!! Good Concept.. Easy to understand

  • Anusha Jane Dsouza, Mangalore, Karnataka

    Fri, Sep 30 2022

    Nice one Ashish! Well written. Your article gives more information especially for those who are teachers and would be teacher in the near future. Keep writing some more articles on education.

  • Selvita Joyline Dsouza, Allipade

    Fri, Sep 30 2022

    Very well written. Good content

  • Pratap Naik, SJ, Kundapura/Gangolli/ Miramar, Goa

    Fri, Sep 30 2022

    Your article is really good. Congratulations. As a teacher and researcher of Konknni, i have been forcefully advocating child centred approach. Schools, teachers, textbooks, teaching materials should exist for child and not vice versa. I studied at Gangolli village of now Udupi district in a Kannada medium school upto tenth standard. Those days no kindergarten. We joined to first standard directly. We carried to school a cloth bag with a slate, chalk and one Kannada textbook for the first standard. Mathematics text book was from second standard onwards. Whole day was the school with the lunch break of one hour. Before the school and after the school we played on the ground. Every day we had games period. We had more classes under the tree and in the garden. We were guided to observe, to right our observations in our own words. Our only home work was to write a page of Kannada tect in neat handwriting. From third standard we were asked to write on a exercise book with pencil. Ink pen was allowed from the fifth standard. This helped us to improve our handwriting. No tuition. Our teachers our always ready to help us in and outside the school. There was a close bond of affinity between teachers and students. They were interested in our holistic growth and not mere bookish knowledge. They were telling us moral stories and asking us to read in the library children's literature. I enjoyed it. Now-a-days primary children are given homework and assignments to do at home. It mostly done by parents or tuition teacher and not by students. The very purpose of assignment is defeated. I advocate projects to be done by students in groups in school and not at home. Then the teacher can really assess the strength and weakness of students and guide them for progress. According to me in India, most of the English medium schools are not education centres but commercial ventures. Teachers have lost the sense of vocation to teach. It has become a profession for them to earn money.

  • Leston, Kuwait

    Fri, Sep 30 2022

    Great Article Ashish. Hopefully this kind of learning gains pace in days to come and may your Article inspire more teachers to adopt and unleash the mindset of learning for students beyond the walls of the classroom. Keep writing...

  • Leston, Kuwait

    Fri, Sep 30 2022

    Great Article Ashish. Hopefully this kind of learning gains pace in days to come and may your Article inspire more teachers to adopt and unleash the mindset of learning for students beyond the walls of the classroom. Keep writing...

  • Spandana N R, Puttur

    Fri, Sep 30 2022

    Ashish, you have indeed written well. This article will help the teachers, parents and the students. Great work in promoting education beyond classroom learning. The concept suits the present system of education. Keep writing more....

  • Sinchana, Puttur

    Fri, Sep 30 2022

    Wonderfully written. A good concept and easy to understand. Keep up the good work Ashish!....😇

  • Preethi Pais, Mangalore

    Fri, Sep 30 2022

    Good content. Keep up the writing skill.

  • Vinitha priya, Kasaragod

    Fri, Sep 30 2022

    Excellent Keep up the good work

  • Rishel, Mangalore

    Fri, Sep 30 2022

    Well written Ashish...

  • Reon Sylvester DCunha, Derebail/ Hyderabad

    Fri, Sep 30 2022

    Good one Ashish. You have included those things which are well appreciated. Truly education isn't restricted to just classes but in our lives as well. Wonderful.

  • Sharmila Colaco, Derebail/Bondel

    Thu, Sep 29 2022

    Well written Ashish. Keep up the writing habit

  • Ashish Joseph Carvalho, Derebail, Mangaluru

    Thu, Sep 29 2022

    Thank you so much Ms Anitha Rkp, Mangalore and Rita, Germany for going through my article and giving your valuable feedback.

  • Anita Rkp, Mangalore

    Thu, Sep 29 2022

    Well written article.Keep up the good work

  • Rita, Germany

    Thu, Sep 29 2022

    Sure as you say education beyond classroom learning is fine and valueable.Only if a student with heart and mind there is.It is the fresh air that makes mind fresh and ready to pick up the subject immediately.But always and everyday ,all classrooms to do is not possible.As a change now and then can be done.like PT:classes.Nice subject.Keep on writing.


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