Is there a difference between ‘School’ and ‘Learning’: A perspective

- I am writing this reflection after reading an article by Ashwin Mahesh, published in Deccan Herald Newspaper on 28^th June 2020 (Page number 9).

The author has tried to open up a discussion, is schooling the only way to learn?

Many of us think learning to be attached only to the school. Albeit schools do give a lot of learning to our children, at the same time ‘schools only’ is not the source of entire human learning. In this misconception of attaching learning to ‘only schools’, we have limited the domain of knowledge to few specific areas- like Maths, Science, Technology etc.

The other concern is limiting the merit of children only with the academic exam. The panic of the exam was very much visible when the circular of cancellation of the exam was issued. People started thinking, ‘how education can happen without exam’. When so many state education boards in India cancelled their annual board exam, it’s time for us to understand that exam is only a learning outcome measurement tool. But the real education is which happened the entire 365 days, not just 6 days of exam.

I call it ‘Schoolization’, where the large institutions were designed not just to impart knowledge, but also to control what is been learnt. As we attached ourselves with the process of schoolization, we started connecting ‘learning’ only with schools. The one consequence of which resulted in an increase in the importance of exams. As a result of this situation, the 'process of learning' started getting lower attention in the entire process. But now in the 21st century, the situations are getting drastic positive turnaround, as people have started looking at progressive education, hands-on learning, self-made curriculum, inclusive education etc.

When it comes to the aftermath of formal education, Graduation and certificates are considered to be only legitimate proof of knowledge. And this became the basis of the job market. The story is not the same always, there is a change in the perspective of companies and industry, as the 21st-century industries have started recognising practical skills, learning ability, expertise and teamwork to be foremost necessary aptitudes for employability. This is pushing educators and schools to think about these aspects.

The convention method of learning is completely doing a turnaround after COVID19 situation has emerged. People are looking at ways to keep the lamp of learning glowing, with many alternative learning methods, ex: Flip teaching- Flipped teaching is the process of moving lecture content from face-to-face class time to before class by assigning it as homework. This allows for more interactive forms of learning to take place during class. Flipped teaching often involves students watching lecture videos as homework (teaching.usask.ca).

In flip learning children get an opportunity to read, watch and understand the concepts before the lecture starts. This gives ample opportunity for children to explore more in terms of particular concepts before they enter the class.

Thus as educators we have to believe whatever children sense, feel, think, analyse, decide in their 24 hours and 365 days of life is also ‘education’ and ‘learning’. If we do not limit education and learning only within the four walls of the class, then we will be able to do justice to the domain of knowledge and lead our children to true wisdom.

Reflection by:

Maaz Mohammed AQ

Learning strategist @ CLF India.1

An alumnus of Azim Premji University (MA Education- 2014-16)

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