Imagine a world where children are more than excited to study. A world where they don’t get burned out due to academic stress. A world where they wait for mondays more than the usual sundays. Well, with the arrival of learning pods, this may now be a reality. This is the magic of learning pods- a system that breaks the shackles of traditional classrooms and invites students into a nurturing learning environment making study fun and interesting. 

You must have heard a lot about learning pods, especially after Covid-19, but what are they exactly, how do they work and why do we need them? 

What is a learning pod?

Before we understand “why do we need learning pods?”, it’s essential to clear the basics. So, a learning pod is basically a small group of students (‘micro school’) who study together outside of a regular school, often in someone’s home or a local community space. These groups are alternative education methods, usually led by a tutor, teacher, or even a parent, offering a more personalised learning experience. Learning pods are smaller than traditional classrooms. There are n number of benefits of small group learning. Children who might feel ignored or lost in the traditional classrooms of 50-60 students, get proper guidance and attention here. Also, this allows the lessons to be more specific to their individual learning styles. And these pods are just not limited to bookish knowledge and academics, they go beyond it by focusing on students’ emotional and social growth.

 Why do we need learning pods?

Now that you have a clear idea of what are learning pods, it’s time to understand the “why” behind the idea.

1. Personalised Learning Experience 

In a traditional classroom with 30-40 students, it’s tough for teachers to give everyone the attention they need. Let’s be honest, it’s not even possible. Some students excel, while others may feel left out. This is where learning pods stand out. With only 5 to 10 students in a group, learning pods offer a much more personalised and focused environment- providing them the benefits of small group learning.

In these smaller settings, teachers can give lessons as per child’s learning pace, strengths, weakness etc. If one student is great at maths but struggles with reading, the teacher can adjust the course and content to help them grow in both areas. Similarly, if a child loves arts more than science, they can explore their interests more freely. Learning pods make sure that every student can learn in their own way, without the pressure of keeping up with an entire class. I bet this is what we all desperately wanted when we were kids. But, nonetheless- better late than never!

2. Bridging the Gaps in Traditional Education

Secondly, learning pods help in closing those gaps that are left in traditional schooling. How? Let’s see. Being completely honest, traditional schools, with their strict schedules and rigid course structure, don’t always work for every child. And, that is the reason why this notion of schools being the villain was born. Because, it’s very obvious that some kids learn best by doing practical activities like games, while others prefer in smaller and quieter settings. And a normal traditional school cannot do that. But, learning pods? They are way ahead in this game.

Here, learning isn’t rushed or limited  to a rigid schedule. It’s flexible, engaging, and moves at the pace of each child. Instead of just quickly going through the course material to prepare for the test, kids get to explore subjects that genuinely interest them. Most importantly, they have the freedom to study more about the topics they like. In an interview with people managing learning pods at different locations, one thing that was almost the same every time- kids staying longer than usual hours to study because of their passion and love for that subject/ topic. You wouldn’t see things like this happening in a traditional school setup.

3. Emotional Well-being and Social Connections

As per a report, about one-thirds (32.6%) of the students were symptomatic of psychiatric caseness and 81.6% reported examination-related anxiety. Your child could be one of these. Is it now scary enough to grab your attention? We have to understand that mental health is real. And children too get exhausted and tired. We just cannot talk about education without addressing the emotional well-being of our children.The feeling of studying with a large group (like the crowd at Kota and famous coaching centres) makes a child overwhelmed and an environment like that can lead to children feeling disconnected or even anxious. Learning pods, however, offer a close community, where children can bond on a deeper level with both fellow students and teachers. 

It is no lie that the emotional support that comes from a small group setting is invaluable. Emotional backing is one of those many benefits of small group learning. When children feel seen and heard, they grow in confidence. They learn to express themselves, ask questions without fear, and build lasting friendships. It’s not just their academic skills that develop; their emotional intelligence and social skills grow beautifully as well- which gives them an all round personality development.

4. A Safe Learning Environment 

We all know what happened in 2020. Lives were changed! The COVID-19 pandemic shook the foundations of traditional education. Schools closed their doors, and millions of students had to shift to online learning. During this time, many parents realised that virtual classes just weren’t enough. They lacked the personal connection and real life engagement that kids truly require. That’s when organisations like ApniPathshala came forward with learning pods. That’s when learning pods became a lifeline for many families!

With learning pods, parents and teachers could create a safe, small group setting where children continued to learn without the risks of larger classrooms. With lesser students, proper distance and hygiene- learning pods leveraged the benefits of small group learning in a great way. These pods gave parents more involvement in their child’s education, while also giving kids a sense of routine and discipline -something they desperately missed during the pandemic.

5. The Flexible Approach

At last, let’s just pause for a bit and ask ourselves some questions. What if learning wasn’t just about memorising facts from textbooks? What if it was about exploring passions, solving real-world problems? What if it was about engaging in projects that actually matter? Will the kids see school as their ultimate enemy then as well? No, of course not! And this “what if” was turned to reality via Learning Pods!

Learning pods truly offer this kind of great educational experience. Teachers in pods often go beyond the curriculum to introduce students to practical activities, collaborative projects, and creative exploration. For instance, at Yusuf Meherally Centre, children are also taught about social issues like ill effects of substance abuse and domestic violence. Was this written in their course books? No. But, at that learning pod, their aim is not to raise kids in a bookish way but as responsible and smart citizens of society.

Apni Pathshala’s Learning Pods

It’s 2024 and some 32 million students have no access to education, especially in rural areas. Around 80% of the people from backward and underprivileged communities don’t attend schools. That’s not just another random number, it’s research!  

So you see, in India, where educational inequality is still a pressing issue, ApniPathshala has decided to be the flag bearer of change! They have taken the lead in bringing the benefits of learning pods to underserved communities. Their learning pods are not just about academic excellence,  they’re about empowering children who might not otherwise have access to quality education.

Apni Pathshala provides these children with tools for digital literacy, access to technology, and a space where they can dream big. These pods are more than classrooms- a space where you can hope, where the children of today can prepare to become the leaders of tomorrow. The organisation provides everything needed, from computers and internet access to mentors and support staff. With the kind of work they are doing presently, ApniPathshala is in no mood to stop.

The Real Impact!

When you hear the stories of students who have been through Apni Pathshala’s learning pods, you begin to see just how life-changing this initiative is. May it be Abhinav from NalaSopara who changed his life at ApniPathshala and is now working in Delhi or Ritesh, a 14 year old who is earning more than college going students- ApniPathshala is reaching new heights everyday. 

These stories are just a few examples of how learning pods can change lives- not just academically but emotionally and socially. If you are interested in knowing about how learning pods are working at ApniPathshala, you are just one click away!

What is the future of Learning Pods?

As our world becomes more fast-paced and uncertain, learning pods offer an exciting solution to today’s education challenges. They give kids an overall experience and approach that’s hard to find in traditional schools.

Know this that the future of education isn’t about getting rid of schools. It’s about making learning better and helping every child grow to their fullest potential. Learning pods are the key to making that happen. Whether through programs like ApniPathshala or smaller community efforts, the positive impact of learning pods is clear.In the end, learning pods are not just about academic success, they are about building stronger, more resilient learners who are prepared for whatever the world throws their way. This is why we need learning pods, now and for generations to come.