What is a Learning Pod?
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” — Benjamin Franklin According to a study conducted, it has been found that the schooling system in India has an outdated education system. It relies on an old curriculum that focuses on a coarse irrelevant syllabus which is not useful now. But, We as parents want the best for our children to make their learning more interesting. So, the next question is “What is a flexible way for children to learn?” Imagine a learning environment designed to their needs, led by someone who understands their unique strengths. But worry not, because, with the introduction of many alternatives to traditional schooling, you can choose the mode of education that suits best for your child. Among these alternatives, Learning Pods have emerged to become a popular alternative to traditional schooling. What Exactly Is a Learning Pod? A learning pod, in simple terms, is a focused group of children in relatively small institutions to focus on the overall development of every child studying there, serving their unique needs and helping them get better. A learning pod operates on the principle of small, focused groups. Students receive focused attention and support, which is often missing in larger classrooms. The environment encourages active participation in classes. This setup allows students to learn at their own speed and dive into subjects deeply. Take, for example, a student in a large classroom with hundreds of students who will not feel appreciated or seen in a huge crowd as he is not being singled out or being looked at enough to see his or her mistakes. This leads to a decline in the self-esteem of students who feel that they are not good enough and will go on to have this lack of self-esteem in college or their work life. Similarly, a teacher of a large classroom cannot give individual attention to 50 students at once, help them all fix their mistakes as well teach them equally at the same time. They also have to catch up with the large syllabus. This leads to some students being left behind on the syllabus or stuck on mistakes with the teacher unable to help them. You must be thinking that you need to send your kid to school, right? Yes that’s where learning pods come in. Why Are Learning Pods Gaining Popularity? The appeal of learning pods is growing for several reasons. One of the reasons is attention to every student. The curriculum is also designed for the special needs of every student attending the pod. How Does a Learning Pod Work? A learning pod doesn’t need a traditional classroom. It can be set up in various spaces, such as a home, community centre, or a local library. The focus is on creating a comfortable and lively learning environment in which students can receive education and learn. The curriculum in a learning pod is often designed to meet the student’s needs. Educators or facilitators create lessons that focus on the group’s interests and learning goals. This might include hands-on activities, project-based learning, and interactive discussions. For instance, imagine a passionate and responsible individual who starts a learning pod near your locality. Not only will he have a focused smaller group of students to teach, but each of the students will receive individual attention to work on their mistakes and have a personalized learning experience that suits their learning style and their pace of learning. Real-Life Success Stories Many learning pods have already made a positive impact. For instance, more than 1,000 students across 8+ cities have enrolled in Apnipathshala pod, pods run by community leaders. Apni Pathshala has many such stories of success.. One such motivating story is of 14-year-old Ritesh, earning more than college students in the 9th class with help and support from the Narayana Chandra Trust Fund. You can read his success story here. How does Apni Pathshala help in Learning Pods? Apni Pathshala is an educational initiative to encourage teachers, community leaders and individuals who care about providing better education with the help of technology. We help passionate individuals with resources so that they can start small schools, homeschools or other types of learning spaces in their communities in the form of PODs. This helps children get a focused education that suits their needs. Apni Pathshala works by helping community leaders, teachers and educators set up a lively learning environment where children can have proper education for growth by creating small schools in the form of homeschools or other such learning spaces as well as providing resources. How can you start your Learning Pod with Apni Pathshala? Are you excited about the idea of starting a learning pod? Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started. Step 1: Understand the Needs of the Community Start by understanding the educational needs in your community. Talk to parents, teachers, and community leaders. What gaps exist in the current educational system? What are the specific needs of students in your area? Step 2: Gather a Group of Passionate Individuals A learning pod stands on dedication. Connect with individuals who are passionate about education and eager to contribute. This could include teachers, parents, or community volunteers. Step 3: Design Your Learning Pod Decide on the structure of your pod. How many students will it serve? What subjects or skills will it focus on? Will you operate from a specific location or be mobile? Planning these details will help you create a clear vision for your pod. Step 4: Develop a System Create a curriculum that meets the needs of your students. This should include engaging activities, interactive lessons, and assessments. Remember, flexibility is key. Be ready to change the curriculum based on the student’s interests. Step 5: Set Up Your Space Prepare your learning environment. It should be inviting and well-organized. Make sure you have the necessary resources and materials. Whether you are using a dedicated classroom or a shared space, ensure it supports a positive learning experience. Step 6:
