Source: Catch News

Gone are the days when learning was restricted to classrooms alone, where students would learn from the textbooks. The method of teaching and learning has changed over a period of time. To empower children and to introduce innovative ways to improve their path of learning, schools across the globe have adopted interesting and innovative ways. Schools have started emphasizing more on the environment, thus shattering gender stereotype. Focusing on innovative ways and methods to reach out to children of all ages is the main agenda of these schools. While some focus on three-dimensional technology, others focus on providing a holistic approach to students through environment and flexible schedule.

SHIDHULAI SWANIVAR SANGSTHA, BANGLADESH

Have you ever heard about floating school for children and women? As, one-third of Bangladesh is covered up with floods during the monsoon season. Due to this reason, thousands of children miss school days and parents there are not financially sound to send their children to the school. Shidhulai Swanivar Sangstha a non-profit organization in Bangladesh has served more than 70,000 children in one area by creating 20 floating schools. The classes are conducted in a wooden boat which has all the necessary things such as a laptop, books, lights with solar panels. Along with this, they also have doctors and paramedics in the floating boat. This non-profit organization works mostly for children and women as they are not allowed to go outside. They are also planning to come up with 100 more boats to reach more and more people in Bangladesh.

SEVENOAKS, UK

Technology has made its ways in the classroom where children learn through VR in the classrooms for a range of subjects such as art, history, and geography. It is an exceptional way to teach children through innovative, thinking approach to education. They also provide a strong pastoral and co-curricular foundation. The campus is located just half an hour from Central London. Students use technology to learn subjects virtually, they also experience field trips and three-dimensional things that move.

THE GREEN SCHOOL, BALI

We are surrounded by technology from everywhere, to teach children about new ideas we always look forward to spaces which have the equipments. The Green School in Bali has everything made from bamboo, located across the Ayung river on a bamboo bridge. The school creates a beautiful and strong symbol of the transition from the realm of an idea to reality. Students from nursery to high school learn how to be environmentally conscious as it provides children a holistic approach to everything. This school functions on three simple ideas: be local, let the environment lead and think about next generation.

EMPOWER PLAYGROUNDS, GHANA

Children in rural Ghana support their families by working on farms or chores after school until the sun goes down. Most of these children do not have access to electricity at home or in their villages.Empower Playgrounds, Inc. enhances educational opportunities for children in deprived villages in Ghana, West Africa through providing light and learning in innovative ways. This playground has established 52 merry-go-rounds at schools all over Ghana, these merry-go-rounds generate renewable energy that charges lanterns which children can use in their classrooms and homes to study at night.

THINK GLOBAL SCHOOL

Most of us imagine traveling and learning together. To make this possible, THINK Global School does world exploration meet an academically rigorous curriculum with small classes, cutting-edge technology, and infinite opportunities to pursue your passions. Living and learning in a new country about their culture and geography provide a strong medium to enhance our knowledge. It has also created a platform to get out of their comfort zone and learn about the environment, native lands. The experience is more than a classroom and also provides a platform to document the world around you.

PRESCHOOL, DENMARK

All of us get tired while sitting in a classroom, Preschools in Denmark has created a platform where children can learn everything and anything with the help of environment. This school not only provide fresh air to the children but also entice them to work with nature-based themes and learn about the natural world. Not many schools are located in a forest or natural settings. The children at this school grow organic food, indulge in adventurous activities which develops their motor skills.

EGALIA, STOCKHOLM

This preschool is one of its kind, as they don’t practice specific gender roles. Words like ‘he’, ‘she’ are not used or rather avoided as they don’t have fixed roles for children. A boy can play with dolls and girls with firetrucks. This school specializes in gender equality and also the educational environment. They follow three things: Respect, Responsibility, and professionalism. The mutual exchange of information between the teachers and parents helps in the growth of children.

PERSONALIZED LEARNING, NETHERLANDS

They aim at encouraging personalized learning in the school, with all the students and age plays no role in that. Students choose what subject they want to study and at what place. Here, teachers are referred as coaches and students are not grouped by their age but by their strengths and interest. Their timing is flexible and each student is given an iPad. Initially, the school was only in Netherland but now it also there in Johannesburg.

PORTFOLIO SCHOOL, NEW YORK

Portfolio School focuses more on the interdisciplinary model of learning. Portfolio School is a project-based start-up school in New York’s Tribeca neighborhood, which emphasizes guided choice and a personalized education.They also aim to broaden child’s creativity and also an emphasis on mixing technology with learning activities. They make sure children engage in intellectual, creative and inquiry mode by providing them powerful tools such as 3D printers, drills, etc. Currently, the school has 19 students but they are planning to grow in number in next two years.

ROBOT TEACHERS, SINGAPORE

Singapore started a pilot project last year, where they introduced pepper robots who will interact and answer the students. Pepper helped teachers deliver lessons and narrated stories to children. Robots helped students who were introvert to come out of their comfort zone and make learning a fun and interactive experience.