| CREATIVE LEARNING GROUP NEWS |
Creativity basically refers to the mental attribute to add something new in terms of an idea, process or product. Let us clarify that creativity is the skill to add something new. Each one is just an addition of something new to the existing one. A flower remains a flower in the forest until it is recognised as a piece to by used for floration decoration of Deities or to be used in a bouquette. The identification of an area such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, etc. have led to development in the area. Read this article by Shri Vijoy Prakash at Dainik Jagran.
Learners of School of Creative Learning bagged 5 prizes in the Philately Competition organised by Department of Post and Telegraph, Government of India.
Our Executive President Vijoy Prakash made a presentation in the Aaj Ke Vichar on E TV Bihar from 6.1.2003 to 15.1.2003 every day at 6.05 A.M.
APCL has decided to extend Creative Learning technology to revamp village education system in Bihar. In this connection, initially Tajpur and Pusa block have been chosen. On 3rd December, 2002, a meeting was organised in Pusa, in which about a hundred teachers participated.
In the meeting, Mr. Akhil from "Action Aid" informed that Tajpur and Pusa block in the Samastipur district has been chosen to revamp the rural education system through government schools. For last two years, Gram Vikas Samiti is working for total enrollment in school. After this has been achieved it is high time that the quality of education should improve so that enrolled children are retained in the school system.
In the meeting, Mr. Ali Imam, Principal, DIET Vikram, stressed the need of making education joyful to retain children in schools. Mr. Vijoy Prakash emphasised the need of making education effective and relevant. He gave a lot of new suggestion to teachers to make education system useful so that child may find greater opportunity of success.
Young children interviewed our Executive President Vijoy Prakash in the programme HASTI KE SAATH MASTI on 28.11.2002 shown on ETV Bihar. They asked him interesting questions about his personal and official life. The children were excited to learn about his innovation in developing concentration and visualisation particularly Vriksha yoga.
Mr. Vijoy Prakash, Executive President and Dr. Shaileshwar Sati Prasad, Vice- President participated in National Consultative Meet on the 'Education for Life' from 27.11.2002 to 29.11.2002 organised by Govt of India and NCERT at New Delhi. The meet was important in the context of making education system relevant. In the meet Mr Prakash presented a paper on 'Development of Concentration-A primary condition for Education for life'. Mr Prasad made a presentation on 'Communication for Life'.
Prof R.H. DAVE, Director, Institute of Education, Germany, inaugurated the Meet. In the inaugural address he laid emphasis on bringing education closer to life so that people may solve their day-to-day problems with better efficiency.
Learners of School of Creative Learning compeered the programme of "Indradhanush" shown on Doordarshan in the month of November'02.
APCL has submitted a scheme to Ministry of Human Resources for developing poor boys fund in every school to provide quality education to poor and talented boys of the country.
Executive President Vijoy Prakash called for making complete change in the approach towards teaching underprivileged people of the country. He was making a presentation in the Bihar Vidhan Parishad Annexe on educating underprivileged. Some of the critical concerns, he raised are as follows:
He advocated that the present learning system is not suitable to the Multiple Intelligence spectrum of our underprivileged section of society. The present education system does not provide enough opportunity for their success. So gradually they are disenchanted and their achievement level remains low. So if we have to make relevant education system then we must change the content and style of teaching to suit the psychological make up of underprivileged. The function was also addressed by Harsh Mander on the communal situation in the country.
Dr. Zabir Hussain, eminent educationist and Chairman, Bihar Vidhan Parshad presided the function. He
laid great stress on changing the educational scenario so that the communal virus in the country can be effectively curbed.
The function was organised on 20th September, 2002 under the aegis of SAMVAD in Vidhan Parishad Annexe. It was attended by a large number of legislators, professors and other intellectuals of the state.
Nitin (std VIII) won 2nd prize in a inter school debate competition (seniorgroup) organised by Netarhat Old Boys Association ,Patna Branch at L.N.Mishra Institute of Management and Economic Growth,Patna on 4th May 2002. The topic of the debate was "Kashmir Evam Atankvad Samasya Ka Ek Matra Nidan Yuddha Hi Hai". He was given a cash award of Rs 500. About 18 schools participated in the function. Congrats to Nitin. Keep it up.
Children are under terrible stress these days. High expectation from Parents, Te
achers and Schools are putting so much pressure that children have started suffe ring from several psychological disorders.
In a workshop "Managing the Child" or
ganised by APCL (Association for Promotion of Creative Learning), School of Crea
tive Learning, Shastrinagar, Patna on 24.4.2002, Eminent Psychologist and Ex-Cha
irman University Service Commission Prof. Shamsad Hussain stressed the need of h
aving holistic management of child for proper personality development. This woul
d require large-scale parental, teachers and students counseling so that a condu
cive environment for proper growth of children could be established.
Participants in the workshop felt that each child is psychologically unique. They also have different intelligence structure. So the uniform examination system may not be the right approach to assess the abilities and growth of children. In the present examination system only a small percentage of children having developed verbal and logical intelligence have opportunity to succeed. Others having Spatial, Kinesthetic, Rhythmic, Interpersonal and Interpersonal Intelligence do not get chance to succeed. Thus, gradually they get de-motivated and their performance at School and home is deteriorates. If proper care is not taken, the children start suffering from severe psychological disorders. The problem is becoming so acute that the cases of suicide among young adolescents are also on increase.
It was also felt that we should organize parents and teacher's workshop so that we may develop proper strategy for tackling the problem. The workshop also recommended that each school should have a counselor and if due to financial reasons it is not possible to have separate counselor at least one teacher from each school should be trained in the art of counseling. Awareness at the level of Principals and educational administrators can make a lot of change in the scenario.
Noted psychologists Prof. Jyoti Verma, Prof. Suraiya Praveen, Prof. Priyadarshini Narain, Dr Mukesh and Dr Mridula Prakash, Principal, School of Creative Learning also participated in the workshop.
There is no need to shy away from Mathematics. It can be made great fun if it is linked with song, music, dance, drama, puzzles, riddles, stories and magic. There is a need to reorient teaching of mathematics so that students may achieve more and more. This was amply demonstrated at the workshop organised by School of Creative Learning, Shastrinagar, Patna at DNS Co-operative Training Institute on 20th Jan. 2002.
Addressing the participants Prof K K Jha, Vice Chancellor, Patna University said that Teachers must use modern techniques to make mathematics education more interesting and effective. Contrary to common perception, mathematics is not a boring subject. Appreciating the innovative teaching method used at the School of Creative Learning, he said that such methods should be used on larger scale in different schools.
Dr Ajay Kumar, President, APCL narrated his experience of Netarhat School and said that the school had adopted many new techniques of teaching mathematics which resulted in the higher achievement in Mathematics. He outlined that School of Creative Learning has improved upon the teaching techniques of Netarhat School.
Mr Vijoy Prakash, Secretary, Minority Welfare and Registration Department and Executive President, APCL emphasized that there is a need to link the teaching of Mathematics with multiple intelligence of children. Our present Mathematics teaching caters to only verbal and logical intelligence. So children of other intelligence such as rhythmic, spatial and kinesthetic are not able to achieve more. They start having poor grades in examination. If the teaching method is properly designed to suit their needs and examination system is suitably reorganized all children would have good achievement at Mathematics.
The drama MUNAFE KA SAUDA(Profitable Bargain), ADBHUT VYAPAR(Wonderful Business), Magical Stump, VEERATA KA PURASKAR( GallantryAward), MUFT ME CHAND KI SAIR( Free journey to Moon) based on sound techniques involving Mathematical Principles were the main show of attraction. Particularly the acting of Saurabh, Bhaskar, Prateek and Akshat were appreciated.
Tiny tots demonstrated how complex Mathematical tables could be learnt easily through songs. The performance of Neelima, Rakshita, Raina, Shruti and Pragya in various Pahara Dances enthralled the audience.
Mathematics can be learnt through magic also. Children demonstrated various magical skills based on Mathematical Principles. Particularly Supriya and Saurabh mesmerized the audience with their mathematical magic show.
Prof Azhar Hussain, Member, Bihar College Service Commission demonstrated various simple techniques of solving Mathematical Problems. More than 250 participants participated in the workshop from different parts of Bihar.
An interesting exhibition was also put up on Joyful Mathematical Practices. The exhibits on different ways of learning mathematical tables were appreciated by all.
Dr. Mridula Prakash, Principal, School of Creative Learning welcomed the guests and informed that the innovative Mathematical Practices of the School has produced good results. She also informed that a separate Math's Laboratory is being set up at the school to have hands-on experience on learning Mathematics.
Mr. Vijoy Prakash, Executive President, APCL delivered a lecture on "Improving Your Learning/Performance" on Jan 9h, 2002 evening to students and others in DA-IICT (Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Gandhinagar(Gujarat)). The talk explained to the students the career options based on their learning style. More than 250 participants (most of them students of engineering) were very excited with the talk and interaction continued for long time after the talk for more than one hour. Many of them procured materials for concentration development for personal use.
"Concentration is the most important aspect in the learning process. Children must be asked to do regular exercises to develop concentration right from early childhood", said Mr Vijoy Prakash ( Secretary, Registration and Minority welfare and author of the book The Art of developing Concentration), while delivering the keynote address on Concentration development organised by School of Creative Learning, Shastrinagar at IMA Hall. In the workshop various simple inexpensive tehniques were demonstrated alongwith different simple gadgets to develop concentration in daily life. It is not necessary to purchase costly gadgets or go to forests to develop concentration. In fact, it can be developed in any condition anywhere. There are many simple folk techniques already popular in villages, which a person can do to develop his/her concentration.
Dr Ajay Kumar, President Indian Medical Association, Bihar and APCL stressed the need of popularizing the techniques developed at School of Creative Learning for concentration development so that general public may use them effectively. He said that the exercises are extremely useful for proper mental health of children. They are extremely useful even for mentally retarded and special children.
Mr Gopaljee, Deputy Director, Secondary Education, Bihar highlighted the important role of Concentration in Gita and said that the teachings of Gita can help us in in developing proper attitudinal change to developand maintain concentration.
More than 150 learners from various organisations including teachers, parents and students participated in this workshop. Various posters depicting importance of cocentraion were also demonstrated at the workshop.
Dr Mridula Prakash, Principal, School of Creative Learning welcomed the participants and informed that researches have shown that Madhubani Paintings were used for development of Concentration in Mithila area. She said that seeing the popularity of the Concentration Development materials at National Book Fair it has been decided to organize training workshops at different places so that larger number of people can avail of these techniques. These techniques are used at School of Creative Learning for more than five years now and have proven very effective.
Great rush was seen at the bookstall of School of Creative Learning at National Book Fair, organised by National Book Trust with the help of Bihar Govt. at Gandhi Maidan, Patna. The stall was so popular that it always remained occupied with book lovers. Many people found it difficult to enter the stall and suggested that seeing the popularity of the stall bigger space should be taken in the future. Among the books The art of developing Concentration by Vijoy Prakash, the Geo-charts related to Concentration Development, Concentration Development Cards, was in great demand. Cassettes related to Mental visualisation Aadrishti is also on great sale. The demand was such that Geo-charts had to be reprinted.
Media has also highlighted prominently the importance of innovative books at the Stall. The Hindustan Times (6th Dec. 2001) picked up the book The art of developing concentration by Vijoy Prakash for special mention at the top place in the Off the shelf column in the special supplement on book fair. Some of the media comments are worth noting.
"Creativity is not necessarily an inborn talent. It can be inculcated even at a later stage. This is best demonstrated at the stall put up by School of Creative Learning. Various innovative and scientific methods are at display to develop the concentration, Memory, thinking, imagination, emotional management and managerial abilities of the kids. These pioneering methods could even provide ways to manage office fatigues and mental hassles. And best part of it is that it all comes at low price. A book on 'Art of Developing Concentration' by Vijoy Prakash could be key to your numerous dilemmas. Even 'Adrishti' the pre recorded audio-cassettes, on the ways to ease mental tension could be worth buying. Those wanting quick and easy remedies must go for concentration improvement charts, priced at Rs 8 only."
Hindustan Times (6th Dec. 2001)
"The books available at the stall of Patna based School of Creative Learning are unique."
Times of India (7th Dec. 2001)
A workshop for Mathematics Olympiad was organised at School of Creative Learning on 27th Nov. 2001. Prof K.C. Prasad, Head, Department of Mathematics, Ranchi University, who is also a member of the National Board on Higher Mathematics, conducted the workshop along with Dr Azhar Hussain, Member, Bihar College Service Commission. While exhorting children to solve more and more Mathematical Problems, he outlined simple methods to solve difficult problems. He asked children not to be overawed by technical terms and try to understand the basic concept of mathematical relations. In his brilliant exposition he gave detailed exposure of interesting techniques when simple change in the basic concepts related to remainders may help children in solving extremely difficult problems.
Ms Lisa Heydlauff, USA national with her teammate of Go 2 School team Mr. Nitin Upadhye visited SCL on 8th and 9th Nov. 2001. They were at Patna in connection with writing a book on Indian schools to be published by Penguin Book Company. The book would be released on 14 Nov., 2002 at New Delhi. They had selected School of Creative Learning for their visit at the instance of UNICEF for the innovative works being done at the school. Here is what they had to say after the visit
"It was nice to see so many activities. Your children were very expressive and open. We had enjoyable few hours. Please see the book to be launched on November 14, 2002."
-Lisa Heydlauff
"It was very pleasantly surprising to see and hear children so involved and evolved. Certainly a learning and inspiring experience."
-Nitin Upadhye
On 12.7.2001 learners of School of Creative Learning prepared human chain in favor of
Supreme Court Judgment of having restricted use of crackers. SCL Learners took out a procession from
the School premises and went to Bailey Road at Patna and formed a human chain. All of them were
carrying slogan on placards carrying messages, slogans, charts, etc. related to banning crackers. These
materials were prepared by the learners themselves as home/class assignments. Learners had also composed
poems for the occasions. It would be important to mention that SCL has introduced composition of
poems, stories, slogans, etc. as an imagination building exercise right from nursery classes. The function
is a part of the ongoing program of PRAKRITI JORO ABHIYAN (Link to nature campaign)
being undertaken by APCL. A big program of Prakriti
Mela was undertaken on 28-29 January 2001 in the Sanjay Gandhi Zoological park, Patna.
Mr Madan Mohan Singh, Agriculture Production Commissioner, Bihar, our President Dr Ajay
Kumar, Executive President Mr Vijoy Prakash and Principal Dr Mridula Prakash also participated in the
rally. Mr. Sunil Kumar Das, Joint Commissioner, Customs and Central Excise, Patna was also present
at the function.
Learners of SCL Sushmita (Std I) and Vishal (Std III) bagged first and third prizes respectively in
the Junior section of Stamp Designing Competition organized by Post and Telegraph department of Govt
of India. The program was organized at GPO main building on 11.10.2001. More than thousand
students from about sixty schools of Patna participated in the competition.
SCL Quiz Team comprising of Roshan(Std IX), Anjali(Std IX) and Saurabh (Std VIII) bagged
third prize in the Philately Quiz Competition organized during Philately Promotion Week. The
competition was organized by Post and Telegraph department of Govt of India on 12.10.2001. 30 Schools of
Patna participated in the function. Mr Anil Kumar, Chief Post master, Post and Telegraph department,
Patna specially lauded the teaching/learning method of School of Creative Learning and asked other
Schools to follow similar techniques.
A workshop was organized on 13.10.2001 in the School premises to promote report writing,
newspaper layout planning, editing, etc. Mr. Satish Chandra Mishra, a noted writer conducted the workshop
along with his teammates. More than 100 learners participated in the workshop.
As part of PRAKRITI JORO ABHIYAN learners of SCHOOL OF CREATIVE LEARNING took
out rally for wildlife protection at Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan, Patna on Oct 7th,
2001. Several other organization also participated in the function. The rally was sponsored by the Department of Forest and
Environment, Govt of Bihar on the occasion of Wildlife Protection week.
Mr Vijoy Prakash, Executive President delivered lecture on
Theory of Multiple Intelligence and Mathematics
Education to a group of about 300 mathematicians from all over the country at Ranchi. In
his address he stressed the need of taking a fresh look at the mathematics education particularly for
children having non mathematical learning style. he also exhibited new simple low-cost and no-cost
teaching tools to be used for teaching mathematics at elementary level. The function was organized by
Chhotanagpur Mathematical Society on 25.8.2001. The function was also addressed by Mr. Babulal Marandi,
Chief Minister, Jharkhand. VC, Vinoba Bhave University presided the meeting.
Creative Learning Manual: Activities and Learner Evaluation has been prepared for effective
transaction of creative learning curricula and syllabi. It contains the details of competency based activities
and method of evaluation being adopted at School of Creative Learning. It would be used by teachers of
the school.It would also help in extending the Creative Learning Methodology to other schools
and organizations.
Mahatma Gandhi had opened the first Basic School at Barharawa Lakhasen, East Champaran on
November, 13th, 1917. To commemorate the event a meeting was organized on November 13th, 2001
at Gandhi Sangrahalaya, Gandhi Maidan, Patna. Initiating discussion in the meeting Mr. Ramchandra
Purvey, Minister, Primary Education, Bihar outlined the significant role of Basic education in the
Independence Movement and informed that there are 397 basic schools in the state of Bihar. He stressed that
the Basic School System has unfortunately not been very popular although the system as such has
ingredients of an ideal school system. There is need to have a re-look at the whole system and make it
an important tool of social change. Mr Vijoy Prakash, Executive President, APCL pointed out that
Basic School system had all the ingredients of promoting creativity and creative learning in society. It
did not become popular as the present education system is heavily dominated by middle class mentality
of having government job oriented learning system. He stressed that in the emerging scenario when
the govt. jobs are shrinking basic school system with proper modification can play an important role
in preparing people for self-employment. In this context he referred to the teaching/learning methodology
developed by APCL which are very close to Basic School Philosophy. If Basic School system can
re-tune its curricula and syllabi on the pattern of Creative Learning Methodology, it would become major
of change of education in Bihar. He also stressed the need to have a campaign to remove the
misconception that basic school system is a second rate education system. It has the ingredients of most modern
system and should be recognized as such by the society.
To develop the framework for revamping Basic
Education a committee was constituted in which Executive President, APCL Mr Vijoy Prakash has also
been associated. Other members are Mr I.C. Kumar, IAS(Retd), Sri S.K. Negi, IAS, Project Director,
Bihar education Project, Mr Arun Kumar Singh, IAS, Director, Primary Education, Bihar , Mr. M.D.
Mishra, IAS, Special Secretary, Primary Education, Bihar, Mr. Vinay Kumar Kanth, Patna University and
Mr. Sanjeev Suman, Assistant Director, Primary Education, Bihar
©2001-2009 APCL
Creative Learning Campaign for Stopping Crackers
Sushmita bags Top prize in Stamp designing
SCL team bags Philately Quiz prize
Workshop to promote Child Journalism
SCL Rally for wildlife protection
Executive-President addresses Mathematicians
Creative Learning Manual: Activities and Learner Evaluation prepared
Revamping Basic Education in Bihar
Last changed:
Mon Oct 5 05:04:51 2009