Experiential learning boosts student performance and teacher engagement

0
Experiential learning boosts student performance and teacher engagement

A recent study shows a rapid increase in homeschooling and virtual schooling across the globe. Most homeschoolers join virtual or online schools, which are gradually emerging as viable alternatives to traditional schooling methods. A survey found that around 80% of parents reported improvements in their child’s grades, and 83% observed a slight improvement in their child’s quality of life.

 

A survey conducted by Vikalp India found that online schooling positively impacts students’ quality of life. This is primarily due to the teaching method; unlike traditional schools, there are no lectures. Concepts are not introduced as given facts; instead, each new concept is presented using learning tools that promote experiential learning. Moreover, homeschoolers learn at their own pace with continuity in their education. Once students grasp a concept, books are introduced, allowing them to apply their understanding through exercises and project work. As a result, students become more interested in their studies and gradually start scoring better.

 

Furthermore, the survey analysed that 100% of homeschooling teachers experienced an improvement in students’ interest levels and their ability to grasp concepts. Sixty-two percent of teachers reported improved grades among their students, and 95% observed an increase in students’ ability to retain concepts. Teachers are increasingly becoming advocates for this teaching and learning method, which works best in online schools. Consequently, the Net Promoter Score (NPS) is 62%, indicating that not only do teachers appreciate this approach, but more than 60% are actively promoting it.

 

This method of teaching, popularly known as experiential learning, does not function well in traditional schools where classes typically contain 40 to 50 students. “Handling all the students along with so many learning tools is not possible. If you want students to discover learning and develop critical thinking, online school is the only way. This is not feasible in a traditional school setup due to numerous operational difficulties. Moreover, it is not financially viable to have only 5 or 6 students in a public school class. Traditional schools are suitable for average students but not for those above or below average. Above-average students often find the class boring due to excessive repetition, while below-average students struggle to keep up. All these factors are contributing to the growing popularity of online schools. Schools are no longer the only option; consequently, many parents are opting for homeschooling and enrolling their children in online schools,” said Neha Choudhry, co-founder and Chief Idea Officer (CIO) of Vikalp India.

 

In these classes, there are only 5 or 6 students. Teachers guide them through activities, project work, and probing questions. This approach encourages students to reflect on and think critically about the concepts they are learning. “In this teaching and learning method, students not only learn to remember and understand but also to analyse, evaluate, apply, and create. All these skills and abilities are vital for the job market, which will soon be largely driven by AI. Students who rely solely on memorisation and repetitive tasks may struggle to find jobs in the next decade,” said Dinesh Gupta, founder and CEO of Vikalp India.

 

According to the latest data collected in October 2023, 11.1% of US households with school-aged children reported that at least one child was homeschooled. Supporting this trend, data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicates a decline in student enrolment in US public schools, with 49.6 million students enrolled in 2022—down by approximately 1.2 million since 2019.

 

This phenomenon is observed worldwide, and India is no exception. However, there is no reliable data on the number of homeschoolers in India. The more important questions are: What is happening to those students who are opting for homeschooling? Is the teaching methodology effective for them? Are they able to score better? Is the quality of life for teachers and students improving? Are online schools preparing their students for future jobs? To find the answers, a US-based nonprofit organisation, Acumen, conducted a lean data study, interviewing parents of students from a popular online school named Vikalp India.

link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *