Good Schools of India
Joy of Learning Weekly #41
“Brewing Knowledge” truly embodies the spirit of community by highlighting the significance of literature and authors. It transcends the role of a mere newsletter, becoming a nurturing environment that promotes lifelong learning and personal development. We sincerely appreciate your unwavering commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering such a supportive atmosphere. Let us unite to celebrate “Brewing Knowledge” and empower others by sharing valuable insights. We are pleased to announce the brand’s new look, which is prominently displayed at The English Book Depot in Dehradun. The brand signifies its dedication to fostering the joy of reading in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Jugaad meets Productive Failure.
Discussing the principles and application of Productive Failure with author Dr Manu Kapur.
Key Takeaways
Productive Failure (PF) is a design philosophy, not a student trait. It prepares the mind for instruction by activating prior knowledge and revealing gaps through initial struggle, leading to deeper learning and transfer.
Teacher design is the primary challenge. The two hardest phases are Activation (creating tasks that invite intuitive ideas from all learners) and Assembly (deconstructing student ideas to build the correct canonical solution).
AI is a tool, not a replacement for effort. For novices, AI can create an illusion of performance without learning. It is most effective for experts who can critically evaluate its output.
PF uses safe, low-stakes failure to prevent high-stakes failure. The goal is to build deep capabilities through initial struggle, thereby reducing the risk of failure when it truly matters (e.g., a surgeon on a patient).
Books of the Week
When It All Began: The Secret Archives of the Underworld (1920 – 1980) | True Stories of Gang Leaders, Crime Syndicates & the Birth of India’s Underworld by Rakesh Maria
Learning Forward Saturday
Review recent teaching experiences and introduce a new, immersive activity.
Key Takeaways
Active learning is effective: Teachers shared successful activities using manipulatives (math balls), real-world objects (English wrappers), and spontaneous “teacher moments” (a butterfly for Hindi).
Behaviour management requires empathy: understanding a child’s home environment (e.g., a grandfather’s language) is key to addressing disruptive behaviour constructively rather than through punishment.
“The Shop” activity integrates subjects: A new role-play activity was introduced to teach math (money), English (vocabulary), and Hindi (writing) through a single, engaging experience.
A Child Alone with a Screen
“I often think of my distant relative’s son in Bengaluru, a four-year-old whose first words came late and whose sentences still arrive haltingly. Both parents work in the IT sector, often from home but always on calls. They love him fiercely. Yet their days are a relay of meetings, spreadsheets, and deadlines. The tablet fills the silence. What began as a distraction became a dependency. He now needs speech therapy twice a week. The therapist explains that his comprehension is intact, but his social mimicry, the instinct to repeat tones, gestures, and rhythms, is blunted. He listens but does not respond. The device speaks for him.”
Freedom and Interpersonal Relationships
Read And Lead
To read and discuss Adlerian psychology concepts from The Courage to Be Disliked.
Key Takeaways
New Reading Process: Screen-sharing the book via read.amazon.com is now standard. This ensures everyone is on the same page, eliminates the need for physical books, and improves focus.
Adler’s Three Tasks: Life’s core challenges are Work, Friendship, and Love. Love is the most difficult, requiring treating partners as “equal personalities” to avoid the distrust and control that destroy relationships.
The “Life Lie”: People create excuses (e.g., disliking someone) to avoid these tasks. This is a failure of courage, not a moral flaw, and is rooted in a self-chosen lifestyle rather than past trauma (teleology vs. aetiology).
Rejecting Recognition: Seeking external validation is a trap that forces one to live for others’ expectations, suppressing one’s “I-ness.” True freedom comes from self-validation and the “separation of tasks.”
How High-Confidence Error Correction Leads to Improved Learning Outcomes – A Critical Review - Amit Mittal
Error correction is an essential part of the learning process. However, the way errors are corrected can significantly impact learning outcomes. This review explores the concept of correction–awareness error learning, which involves fixing errors with high confidence. We discuss the theoretical framework, empirical evidence, and practical implications of this approach.
Teachers emerging for one thing - joy!
This Saturday, a teacher had a baby in a milk bottle on her lap while she talked about her pedagogy to the group. Are we aware of the different contexts our teachers come from? A lot of teachers in the country are most likely waking up hours before school to cook for the family, wake their children up for school, have a tiffin ready for their spouse, deal with 2-3 tantrums, and then make their way to school. She might get to school late, arrive a bit tired, and not be motivated enough to be herself in class. There has to be more space for teachers in our education system, for their well-being and for them to express themselves.
My Good School
Screening of Episode 23: Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak’s travels covered teachings on leadership and spirituality. The group watched a video about his life, his interactions with religious figures, and the significance of the Kartarpur corridor. They discussed his principles, their modern relevance, the evolution of historical accounts, and collaborative filmmaking in documenting spiritual journeys.
Guru Nanak Documentary Series Discussion
The meeting discussed a documentary series on Guru Nanak’s travels, with Amardeep sharing his background as an engineer and MBA who worked at American Express in Asia Pacific. Jugjiv introduced episode 23, praising Amardeep’s work for improving their understanding of Sikhism.
Guru Nanak’s Leadership and Spirituality
Amardeep introduced the 23rd episode, concluding with the 24th next month. It explores Guru Nanak’s teachings on leadership and spirituality, focusing on experiential learning and introspection. It details Guru Nanak’s journey, settlement in Kartarpur, and founding three principles: honest earning, sharing, and growth. The episode covers his interactions with religious figures and his travels across Punjab, Rajasthan, and beyond, culminating in a discussion of the interconnectedness of life and the unity of the creator and creation.
Learning, Connection, and Growth - Sunbeam School Lahartara
A Sunday morning becomes truly enriching when spent reading, reflecting, and nurturing meaningful relationships. The students of Sunbeam School, Lahartara, embody this beautifully as they take time to think deeply about their Sunday School experiences. Through stories, thoughtful discussions, and shared moments, they not only strengthen their understanding but also build stronger bonds with one another. Their reflections show that learning becomes more fulfilling when guided by empathy, curiosity, and companionship—transforming each Sunday into a powerful step toward personal growth.