Student Agency
The Making Of My Good School
Most of us are oblivious to our inner voice, so we do not find the Element (taking the word from Sir Ken Robinson's book). Here is the story, where passion meets education. When students take charge of their learning, magic happens. Learning must be a 360-degree experience—top-down, sideways, and bottom-up. It takes a village to educate a child, an old saying and this is very true.
Learning Forward India
We commenced with a pilot Professional Learning Program (PLP) at a rural school in Rajasthan and soon discovered that focusing on teachers alone was perhaps not the ideal way to build a culture of trust and learning. There was the need to involve all stakeholds - teachers, students and the community. From working with teachers, which involved students taking the lead, we grew from The Professional Learning Association to My Good School, a school where students take charge of learning and even manage The Teacher’s Academy established by the Good Schools Alliance.
Since its inception in 2015, the Learning Forward India Foundation has had a dedicated #HappyTeachers program, which the World Bank Education Group in association with HundrEd of Finland recognised as a global innovation in 2019. The onset of COVID-19 led to a surge in teacher participation, with 380 teachers joining us in their quest for learning forward.
“I am very pleased to discuss about Learning Forward India, a school culture transformation agency, and I congratulate you for your efforts in this regard.” India’s former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
In 2020, the pandemic challenged us to adapt. As a result, the "Learning Forward" podcast was born. It features conversations with educators worldwide and has almost 300 episodes. It gives a voice to students, teachers, and passionate educators spreading the #JoyOfLearning. It is available on YouTube and all podcast channels.
The Making Of My Good School
In October 2021, we witnessed a turning point, with teachers focusing on other priorities of returning to school post the COVID19 pandemic, we turned our attention to the students and set up My Good School.
The students took charge of their learning, leading to a crescendo of #JoyOfLearning. 12 years old Rishona, our School Captain is a shining example of student agency. She manages My Good School with remarkable skill, making her the perfect mascot for the student agency.
In 2023, the challenges of fatigue and work pressure for teachers brought us back to a new normal at schools. Teacher’s needed to adapt and learn, the Schools formed an association and we started the Masterclass 2024 for Teachers.
Today, we feel a sense of fulfilment and joy, as interns and fellows take the lead in strengthening The Teacher’s Academy learning programs. Anoushka, helps manage The Teacher’s Academy. In addition, Kunal heads The Impact Project and monitors the learning and assessment process. We thank Rishona, Anoushka and Kunal, they significantly help manage the operations and offer online support to our community of passionate educators.
Our Fellows and Interns are true entrepreneurs. If you're seeking a school that prioritises real-world preparation and personal and social development for every individual, My Good School is the perfect fit.
Good Schools Alliance
My Good School and The Teacher’s Academy have garnered global acclaim. At the Good Schools Alliance, we understand that every student has unique abilities, and we aspire to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.
Our unique approach fosters the #JoyOfLearning by immersing students in Guru Nanak's journeys by reading and watching episodes of Allegory, A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels. Our experiential learning model imparts valuable cultural, historical, geographical, scientific, and artistic knowledge. At our once-a-week school, we deeply respect students' agency, making My Good School a truly unique educational experience.
We infuse the thrill of learning into our programs through interactive teaching techniques, practical activities, and an encouraging atmosphere.
We invite you to explore our curriculum and unite to propagate the #JoyOfLearning. Your engagement is crucial in our mission to create a joyful learning experience for all.
GSA is an association of schools that believes in student-led learning, an acclaimed initiative to improve the quality of education in India. Its programs run in multiple schools nationwide and have positively changed the education system. The programs focus on individuals' personal and social development through service, skill development, sports, and study, with the objective of holistic growth.
One of the major impacts of this program has been a significant improvement in students' academic performance. The program focuses on a holistic approach to education, which considers academic performance and the child's overall development.
Another positive impact is the development of critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills in students. Students are encouraged to think outside the box and develop innovative solutions to problems, an essential skill for success in today's world.
Furthermore, the programs have helped to promote inclusivity and diversity in the classroom. By emphasising the importance of tolerance and respect for others, students experience different cultures and perspectives, which helps to broaden their horizons and promote understanding.
To unlock your full potential and achieve your dreams, students should visit My Good School's YouTube Channel to experience the joy of learning. Teachers can benefit from The Teacher's Academy's engaging content. Join us online every Saturday and Sunday, at GSA everyone quickly discovers the pleasure and enjoyment of learning in an open and adaptable environment. #JoyOfLearning #HappyTeachers #MyGoodSchool.
References: Zhang, X., Cui, L., & Jiang, Z. (2023). Research on Talent Cultivating Pattern of Industrial Engineering Considering Smart Manufacturing. Sustainability, 15(14), 11213.
How to UNLOCK Your Full Potential and Achieve Your DREAMS! - How To Start A Business In 2024. https://stopdoingnothingtv.com/how-to-unlock-your-full-potential-and-achieve-your-dreams/
On the Learning Forward India Foundation website, www.SchoolEducation.com, you can read the original letter from Dr Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India.
Student agency is critical the journey toward independent and lifelong learning! Thank you for sharing this.