Innovative Teaching Pedagogies – Need of the hour

Dear Teachers Greetings!

We all are aware of the fact that under the NEP-2020, CBSE lays great emphasis on implementing innovative teaching pedagogies in our schools to enhance students' learning experiences. Here, I would like to share with you some ideas and suggestions for incorporating four very important pedagogies namely experiential learning, storytelling, art-integrated learning, and sports-integrated learning in your day to day teaching practices:

1. Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is an engaged learning process whereby the students ‘learn by doing’ and by reflecting on the experience. Experiential learning activities can include, but are not limited to, hands-on laboratory experiments, simulations, internships, field trips, research based projects and performances.

Learning that is considered ‘experiential’ contains the following elements -

1. Reflection, critical analysis and synthesis.

2. Opportunities for students to take initiative, make decisions, and be accountable for the results.

3. Opportunities for students to engage intellectually, creatively, emotionally, socially, or physically.

4. A designed learning experience that includes the possibility to learn from natural consequences, mistakes, and successes.

Experiential learning can be defined as learning through action, learning by doing, learning through experience, and learning through discovery and exploration, all which are clearly defined by the well-known maxims -

I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand. ~ Confucius, 450 BC

Tell me and I forget, Teach me and I remember, Involve me and I will learn. ~ Benjamin Franklin

There is an intimate and necessary relation between the process of actual experience and education. ~ John Dewey

Few ideas and suggestions for implementing experiential learning in the classes are given below –

  • Field trips: Plan educational field trips that align with your curriculum. For example, when you are teaching a topic of history, visit historical sites like Doraha Fort or a museum to provide students with a hands-on learning experience.
  • Organize a visit to a farm in a nearby village or in PAU for students learning about some topic on crops or agriculture. Make sure they interact with farmers, observe farming techniques, and understand the process of food production first hand.
  • Role-playing: Encourage students to act out scenarios related to the topic being taught. This helps them understand concepts better and promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Simulations and experiments: Design simulations or conduct experiments in the classroom to engage students actively in the learning process. This approach allows them to explore concepts and draw conclusions through first hand experiences.
2. Storytelling

“Storytelling as a pedagogical tool can provide a way to transform an ordinary classroom full of diverse learners into an inclusive classroom where students understand each other and appreciate and celebrate the diversity,” it said, adding that storytelling changes the atmosphere of classrooms and enhances the learning.


Some suggestions for using story telling as a pedagogical tool -

  • Narrative-based lessons: Incorporate stories into your lessons to make them more engaging and relatable. Use relevant anecdotes, personal experiences, or fictional narratives that connect with the topic and capture students' attention. It enhances their attention span, interest in the subject and helps develop the grip on the language being used.
  • Introduce a History event, such as the Indian Independence Movement, through the perspective of a fictional character who played a significant role during that period. This allows students to empathize and gain a deeper understanding of the historical context. Make them create stories with fictional characters for understanding the topics of Civics, Economics or Chemistry.
  • Guest speakers: You can plan to invite parents/grandparents as guest speakers, to share their experiences and stories with students. This not only enhances learning but also exposes students to real-world perspectives and career opportunities.
  • Taking a cue from the Literature Conclave we organised last year, you may even plan to invite some renowned author to speak to the students about their writing process, inspiration, and the power of storytelling. The author can share personal anecdotes and engage students in a discussion about the impact of literature on society.
  • Story-based assessments: Instead of routine written tests, you can consider using storytelling as an assessment tool as well. Ask students to create and present stories/comic strips that demonstrate their understanding of the subject matter.

3. Art-Integrated Learning (AIL)

Art Integrated Learning (AIL) is a teaching-learning model which is based on learning 'through the arts' and 'with the arts'. It is a process where art becomes the medium of teaching-learning, a key to understanding concepts within any subject of the curriculum.



  • Visual aids: Use visual art such as drawings, diagrams, or infographics to represent and explain complex concepts. This helps students visualize abstract ideas and strengthens their concept clarity and understanding.
  • Use visual art to teach geometry by asking students to create colourful geometric shapes using various art materials. This helps students visualize different shapes and understand their properties.
  • Creative projects: Assign creative projects that incorporate art forms like drawing, painting, sculpture, or music. For example, ask students to create a model or a piece of artwork that reflects a particular scientific concept.
  • Drama and theatre: Integrate drama and theatre techniques into lessons to bring subjects to life. Students can act out historical events, literary works, or scientific processes to deepen their comprehension and foster creativity.
  • Assign students a project where they need to create a collage or a painting that represents a specific scientific concept, such as the water cycle or the solar system. This encourages creativity while reinforcing scientific understanding.
4. Sports-Integrated Learning

  • Sports integration is another cross curricular pedagogical approach that utilizes physical activities including indigenous sports, in pedagogical practices to help in developing skills such as collaboration, self-discipline, self-initiative, self-direction, teamwork, responsibility, etc.
  • Sports-themed lessons: Design lessons that revolve around sports, incorporating relevant concepts from various subjects. For instance, explore Science principles through sports-related activities or teach history by examining the evolution of different sports.
  • Teach Physics by analysing the Mechanics of a basketball shot, exploring concepts like force, trajectory, and energy transfer. Students can perform experiments and calculations to understand the science behind the game.
  • Interdisciplinary sports projects: Encourage students to work on interdisciplinary projects that combine sports with other subjects like Mathematics, Biology, or Social Science. This promotes holistic learning and shows the interconnectedness of knowledge domains.
  • Ask students to research the history, culture, and societal impact of a traditional sport in India, such as kabaddi or kho-kho. They can present their findings through a multimedia presentation, showcasing their knowledge from various subjects like history, sociology, and physical education.
  • Collaborative sports events: Teachers of all the Houses must take interest in organizing Inter-House Sports events or competitions that involve teamwork, strategy, and problem-solving skills. These events can help foster a sense of camaraderie among students while developing their physical and mental abilities.
These examples/suggestions can serve as starting points for implementing the new-age teaching pedagogies in the classroom. Adapt and tailor them to suit your students' grade level, curriculum, and interests for the best learning outcomes.

Remember, when implementing these pedagogies, consider the diverse learning styles and abilities of your students. Adapt and modify the activities to cater to individual needs and provide inclusive learning experiences. Last but not the least, be open to seek feedback from students to evaluate the effectiveness of these approaches and make improvements accordingly.

Keep evolving, enjoy teaching and make learning enjoyable for your students! 

Educationally yours

JK Sidhu 
Principal

Dated: 19/07/2023

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