The Heritage School

If you are familiar with the STEM education approach then you already know the basics of STEAM. The Heritage School, among the top 5 schools in Dehradun, would like to update your knowledge related to STEM education.

STEM + Art = STEAM

STEAM vs STEM

STEAM is an advanced application of STEM Education. STEAM refers to education in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. It is a way through which students can experience scientific as well as creative aspects of this vast field of education.

STEAM is a process to take all the benefits of STEM to the next level by including the artistic part as well in education. It has removed all the restrictions and replaced them with curiosity, vision, and innovation.

It’s Importance

The main aim of STEAM is to strengthen the basic foundation of STEM. A creative and artistic approach is always required in life to develop new ideas. It adds to one’s problem-solving ability as well. Integrating these scientific studies with art is a powerful way to make students understand and process things better. It helps to make students more open-minded to explore new fields and environments.

Benefits

STEAM includes projects that revolve around teamwork, a way through which students share and discuss their ideas with one another. Activities like these teach students how to listen to one another, understand each other, handle responsibilities, etc. It helps them to become more confident about themselves and makes them always ready to try new endeavors.

Critical thinking and problem-solving ability are some of the most important things required in the 21st century. You have to think out of the box to accomplish your goals in life. You can learn how to solve a math problem, how to perform a science experiment, or how to write code, but how to solve real-life problems cannot be taught. It varies from individual to individual and from situation to situation.

It takes time for us to realize how different this world is outside the school boundaries. That’s where STEAM education is required. It is better to be prepared for the life coming ahead of us, as life takes an exam first then teaches a lesson.

Research in educational science validates that students make significant learning gains when instructors cultivate a social classroom environment. Social Learning Theory provides a basis upon which one can evaluate learning through the lens of social interactions with others. Instructor-to-student interactions are necessarily limited; a social approach offers a dynamic space of “joint negotiation for discovery” where students can spend more time articulating, understanding, recognizing misconceptions, and learning to communicate. It is increasingly emphasized on the ways that inclusivity and diversity issues impact students’ experiences with the social learning environment. The ICSE school in Dehradun, The Heritage School, is discussing four ways by which social learning can be incorporated in the classroom.

Attention and the Flipped Classroom

Social learning is based on the behavior modeling theory, where students learn new things by observing others. The first step of this learning is that students have to pay attention; otherwise, they aren’t observing anything. One of the best ways to enhance attention span is by transforming regular classes into the flipped classrooms method where a group of students pays attention by putting them in control of the discussion and allowing the learners to determine the agenda.

Retention

Do you know 80% of learning occurs through interactions with peers, teammates, and group members? Another way to incorporate social learning is to inculcate peers teaching peers and peer coaching. To model behavior, the learners must retain what they observed.

Imitation through Real Plays

Next comes the modeling behavior through performing and practicing the positive behavior that is observed. Social learning modeling behavior requires a necessary adjustment of transforming the role play into a ‘real play’.

Reinforcement and Motivation through Simulation and Gamification

Simulation and gamification is the final way to incorporate social learning into the classroom. Gamification, when combined with simulation, can bring social learning theory to life. There is a higher likelihood for learning and behavior change when participants see a person taking action and being rewarded for the same (or conversely, punished for an inappropriate action or inaction).

Giving your child the best education possible comes with choosing the right board of education system. The Heritage School is the top school in Dehradun that comprises of ICSE education-based system that gives every child a strong foundation, and enough flexibility to choose a path that allows them to maximize their strengths and talents. Let’s look at five perks of the ICSE education-based system.

Nationally and Globally Recognized

The ICSE certification issued on completion of passing Grade 10 stands at par. Several foreign institutions recognize it as it is equivalent to high school examination in other foreign countries.

Balanced and Wholesome Content

ICSE education enables students not only for entrance exams by focusing on Math and Science but also offers an equal weightage to languages, arts, and humanities which allows for a vibrant, balanced, and inclusive education.

Practical Engagement and Assessment

The structure of ICSE education is designed in such a way that the students look beyond textbooks, an enriching experience that is not limited to learning by rote alone. They venture into the labs and gather hands-on experience to get a practical insight into concepts learned in the classroom. A heavy weightage is given to project work and research assignments allowing students to prove their mettle besides faring well in examinations.

Strong Basics and Foundation

Students in ICSE education are encouraged to diversify their interests and develop a curious, questioning, and analytical approach towards learning, giving students a strong foundation for whatever career option they choose in the future.

Immense Future Potential

In ICSE education-based system, the English language is used as a medium for education, providing a good base and stronghold in the English language among students. This helps students who want to pursue higher studies abroad, in humanities, science, and technology or management studies.

Scientific brain research shows that by teaching kids about “Growth Mindset”, we, as teachers, can help them become better learners, and more persistent, intelligent, and resilient. Developing the right mindset early on is crucial to get better at things, feel more empowered, and trying harder. So, what exactly is the growth mindset? A person with a growth mindset thrives on challenges and sees failure not as evidence of unintelligence but as an opportunity for growth and stretching his existing abilities. What makes the “growth mindset” so winsome is that it creates a passion for learning throughout life rather than a hunger for approval. The Heritage School is the top school in Dehradun that prepares the kids ready to tackle their big, beautiful life ahead with a growth mindset.

Kids With a Fixed Mindset

Every teacher and parent needs to understand that some kids face more challenges and setbacks than other kids that may lead them to have more of a fixed mindset about their difficulties. Often, these kids feel judged and criticized, which makes them insecure or defensive that inhibits their growth. The mindset of the adults around them can also affect their thinking and learning. Asking the kids to just “try harder” doesn’t work, and doing that isn’t going to make kids feel good about the effort they’re putting in.

How Can We Help Children Develop a Growth Mindset?

Parents and teachers need to understand that setbacks can provide a way forward to the kids. Tell your children it’s OK to speak up when something isn’t working; encourage self-advocacy and asking for help. Kids need to know that the people around them believe they can find ways to fix mistakes. It is better to have a conversation about the next steps by talking about what your child learned from the experience: “How would you study next time? Would a study guide help?” Rather than making them feel like giving up on subjects in which they aren’t performing well, please encourage them by constructive conversation and taking feedback.

Developing a growth mindset is an ongoing process, and that kids can improve by working on things differently. Getting and taking feedback from others, learning from mistakes, and finding new ways to perform the tasks can help them learn that talent can be developed. The best ICSE school in Dehradun, The Heritage School, encourages every teacher to go beyond and make the growth mindset a cornerstone of a child’s learning.

What do we mean by future-focused learning? It’s related to students' learning activities and the curriculum/knowledge content they engage with, that are structured in ways that reflect the input and interests of students, and also what teachers know to be important knowledge.

The Heritage School, which is counted amongst the best ICSE schools in Dehradun, explains that the environment our children learn in has to be more flexible with the inventive integration of new technology and better opportunities for student and teacher collaboration.

Individualized Learning – An educator must use technologies to build the school curriculum around the learner and be more flexible to meet the learners’ needs effectively. The focus is going to be on each learner.

Building an Inclusive Learning Environment – How does one incorporate technologies to:

-Engage learners, their families, and communities in co-shaping education to address students’ needs,  strengths, and interests?

-Provide access to anytime and anywhere learning?

-Assist assessment and evaluation processes so that these are dynamic and receptive to information about students?

Establishing a School Curriculum that uses knowledge to develop learning capacity. It means how can an educator utilize technology to enable students to create and apply new knowledge to solve problems and search solutions to questions on a “just-in-time” basis?

Revising Learners’ and Teachers’ Roles – How can a teacher use technologies to generate a “knowledge-building” learning atmosphere where learners and teachers team up together?

Increased digital connectivity for schools will lead to study spaces transforming to incorporate a unique style of interaction between those who are locally and physically present and those who connect remotely.

The Heritage School, a pioneering ICSE school in Dehradun, believes that learning spaces will be modified to meet the needs of creative and critical thinkers in devising roles in the workforce that are yet to be created in the future.

Yoga asana is an effective tool to enhance brain function leading us towards a positive outlook. Cultural influencers have religiously studied the impact of yoga asanas on our life and interestingly, all the forms of asanas are interconnected to nature, holding great significance and a way of healing and channelizing the human body.

The Heritage School, the top school in Dehradun, highlights some most valuable yoga asanas that have been followed since generation for better results in concentration.

Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breathing)

Helping you get rid of frustration and agitation caused due to constant exposure towards the computer screens as a part of online learning, Bhramari Pranayam helps balance memory and boost your concentration. This yoga asana is vital in building confidence and reducing blood pressure caused due to stress.

Vrikshasan (The Tree Pose)

This most organic form of yoga improvises your body balance. Altering fatigue of the body entirely, Vrikshasan increases flexibility as well as stamina. Boosting the active level of hormones, this yoga asanas will make your nervous system tension free. It will surely prepare you to handle situations with patience.

Shavasana (Corpse Pose)

Shavasana is one of the easiest yet effective forms of yoga asanas. It promotes good mental health by enhancing your concentration and sleep quality. Releasing all the stress and depression, this posture helps you relax your mind for efficient working of the brain resulting in a higher level of focus.

Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend)

Paschimottanasana is practiced only on an empty stomach. This yoga asanas reduces irritability and soothes the mind. It also strengthens your back and hip that prepares you for long hours of studies. It also boosts your appetite that leads to better health.

Yog Mudra (Salutation Seal)

Helping you escalate concentration levels, Yog Mudra is the most convenient posture of yoga to perform anywhere and anytime. Bestowing you with the utmost comfort, this yoga asanas soothes your nervous system and stimulates the functioning of the brain and heart. It also enhances the flexibility of wrists and hands.

The concept of learning a foreign language is productive in all ways as it not just improves linguistic skills but enables students to explore and learn about different cultures and lifestyles.

The top school in Dehradun, The Heritage School, is sharing some of the benefits of learning a foreign language:

Makes You Smarter

Acquiring a foreign language improves your memory and increases your attention span. The process of becoming bilingual is like an exercise for your brain and challenges you to concentrate and study more efficiently.

Multi-tasking Skills

Multilingual children are skilled at switching between their speech, writing, and structure. All this juggling makes them goof multi-taskers. As a bilingual, the child gets the practice to choose the vital information and ignore the extraneous details. This is how students who learn a foreign language are efficient at multi-tasking. It improves your skills in divergent thinking, which is the ability to identify multiple solutions to find a single problem.

Boosts Creativity

Learning a second language not only improves your ability to solve problems and think more logically but also makes you experiment with new words and phrases. Brushing up your foreign language skills forces you to think of other words when you can’t quite remember the original one you wanted to use. This enables you to form new sentences and experiment with concepts. 

Builds Self Confidence

Confidence automatically increases as you master a new skill. Learning a foreign language is no exception. If your child begins to learn all about a new language, they will feel empowered and will develop a curiosity to learn more languages and cultures.

Foreign Language Makes You Stand Out

There is no doubt that learning a foreign language has countless benefits. It is the reason why parents are looking for schools that provide inclusive foreign language learning. It helps in students’ cognitive development and transformation. It has become crucial that young students engage in learning a new language, considering the scope of it internationally. 

Independent thinking skills are important as it not only builds a great thinker but also a great leader. This also helps in knowing how to make sense of the world through observation and experience. Students learn to think and take decisions critically. They gain confidence and build successful and productive lives.

We at The Heritage School, listed as one of the top school in Dehradun, focus and motivate students on self-learning. We have come up with some tips as to how to encourage students to learn on their own:

Create an Open Environment Teachers should encourage independent learning and make students understand that there will be less passive learning, which will help students to boost confidence.

Trying Creative Things Push students to try something new every time. This will broaden their mind and open their mind to new things, which will make their mind creative.

Let the Students Teach Allow students to share the information they have learned which will bring an advantage to everyone. The student gets the opportunity to increase their communication skills. When students teach each other, it will naturally benefit them as different points can be explained in the way they are more comfortable with.

Focus on Positive Risk-taking should be praised and let them focus on thinking about the validity of their ideas. Let them make an effort to take steps to increase their communication skills and correct their mistakes on their own.

Every child is born unique, and so is his or her learning style. Before we dive deep into the types of learning styles, let’s understand what learning style means and why it is essential to determine your child’s learning style. Learning styles refer to the understanding that every student processes, comprehends, retains information, and learns differently. By understanding your child’s learning style, you can make use of effective study methods that would complement his strengths rather than work against him.

The top school in Dehradun, The Heritage School, is sharing four different learning styles that the child uses to learn effectively.

Visual

Children who excel at visual activities like art and enjoy reading that includes images, maps, and diagrams to assess and understand new information are typically visual learners.

Study Tip: Encourage your child to create study notes by using different colors and create mind maps when studying.

 Auditory

 An auditory learner is the one who excels at auditory activities like music, enjoys talking and having conversations with others.

Study Tip: Auditory learners learn best when they recite study notes out loud, and one can enhance the child’s learning areas by talking or discussing the areas in which he/she is lacking.

Reading/Writing

The child who is a reading/writing learner writes things down or takes notes when working on a task and enjoys reading books and writing stories. Also, the child is good at remembering what he/she has learned.

Study Tip: Reading/Writing Learners should organize study notes using headings and lists, and write study notes out by hand.

Kinesthetic

A Kinesthetic Learner excels at physical activities such as sports, is full of energy, is more likely to move around while learning and enjoys getting more actively involved in the learning process.

Study Tip: Kinesthetic Learners perform better when they turn studying into a fun activity or game and work on practice tests while studying.

Times have rapidly and drastically changed as we are in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially the school learning approach. Before the pandemic, it was a common sight to see students in school buses early in the mornings. However, with the lockdown demanding social distancing, the way education is imparted changed its course with the introduction of online classes.

With online school classes at home, students are facing a drastic change in their schedule. Previously, children would spend most of their time at school. Now, the tables have turned, and virtual classes have become popular. The Heritage School is one of the best ICSE schools in Dehradun that nurtures independent virtual learners in the best possible way.

Here are some ways in which online classes are transforming education for children:

Impact of Technology The recent changes have considerably increased the importance of technology. With efficient video calling applications, schools are now conducting online lessons successfully. Hence, students can continue their syllabus at home as scheduled.

Online Classrooms Many teachers from different schools believe that online teaching has turned out to be productive. Students can learn the necessary skills and knowledge at home through videos and online platforms.

Online Classes: The New Normal Before the pandemic, technology in school was put into use only when teachers required an extra helping hand for a better understanding. Now, online classes have become a part of daily life. With the inception of an online teaching system, schools are still running, different in many ways and identical in others.

To ensure that the children make the best use of online learning, ICSE school in Dehradun, The Heritage School is sharing four ways to make virtual learning more interactive and smooth.

Today children have many things going on in their lives. Education, managing time, and the usage of free time have changed drastically as compared to the times of their parents. At The Heritage School, one of the best ICSE schools in Dehradun, we prepare students to manage their time and make the most of it. Mentioned below are a few tips for students:-

Prioritize your work

A mental state called ‘flow’ is, when you are completely immersed and involved in an activity. Flow actually makes you feel energized and motivated and increases enjoyment of the activity. To achieve it, find a challenge, develop your skills, eliminate distractions, set aside enough time, chase for clear goals and focus completely on the task.

Use a calendar

A calendar is an easier way to schedule your appointments and remember your obligations. It can also help you to study blocks wise and devote time to different subjects. Set up a calendar on your phone or computer and always stick to it.

Use a checklist

A checklist is a perfect way to ensure you stick on task, by listing your tasks and checking them one by one, once completed. It also gives you a sense of accomplishment to mark off tasks when completed.

Get organized

You should be well on your way to be better organized once you have your calendar and checklist set up. Being organized will help you save a lot of time and allow you to allocate and manage your time better.

Virtual learning or online learning is one of the best ways and methods to make the most out of learning experience in a student’s life, especially when the schools are closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The most effective way to create one's virtual learning experience more engaging is by making it more interactive.

To ensure that the children make the best use of online learning, ICSE school in Dehradun, The Heritage School is sharing four ways to make virtual learning more interactive and smooth.

1. Feedback

Ask for feedback at the end of each lesson or course material online. Responding to the feedback helps in streamlining programs and making them more relevant. Leaving feedback is an excellent opportunity for interaction.

2. Make It Social

Allowing users to share and comment on content is a great way of communicating. Making use of social functions combined with gamification makes the course more interactive filled with the fun learning experience.

3. Encourage Peer Evaluation

Enable the learners to review each other’s work as it will reinforce their understanding of what they are doing. Also, it encourages a culture of shared learning, which is valuable in spreading best-practices.

4. Invite Learners to Contribute

Task-based learning can provide learners with an opportunity to increase their knowledge. Inviting the learners to contribute by hosting online group study sessions is another great way to empower the learning. Learners who are a little behind in the learning journey feel inspired when they see other learners' work which in turn helps them with their studies too.

COVID-19 has forced many schools to shut down and has disrupted the education of school-going children. Many schools have shifted their teaching process to virtual classes to educate children even while sitting at home. Virtual learning is an effective and the cheapest way to increase one’s knowledge and skills in a unique, flexible environment. There are few areas to consider while trying online classes for the first time to set yourself up for success and take full advantage of learning online.

The ICSE school in Dehradun, The Heritage School, is sharing four powerful tips and strategies for online learners that would help them succeed in the online learning journey.

Self-care

Self-care is crucial for successful online learning. For learning effectively, a healthy mind and body should work in sync. Take short breaks in between either by walking around or having a cup of tea or coffee, make sure that the screen is turned off during that period. Get good sleep, keep your body hydrated, and eat a healthy diet.

Time Management

The biggest benefit of virtual learning is the flexibility of time. Find out ways at which time you learn best or the brain’s peak level is high, and schedule your time for learning accordingly. Track your deadlines of learning material and minimize distractions such as closing unnecessary tabs open in the browser or switching to social media channels.

Community Learning

Virtual learning provides an opportunity to connect with world-class professors and a community of like-minded people working on the same project or learning a course. Make the best use of these communities by participating in forums or networking with peers.

Learning Strategies

Get the most out of virtual learning by sticking with the learning process and jotting down the main points you have learned in the video sessions. Repeatedly apply knowledge in different contexts, practice skills, and reinforce your learning outside of a class by connecting it to your everyday life.

The Heritage School is one of the best ICSE schools in Dehradun that thrives on making every student’s learning experience one of a kind. We hope that you would apply these tips to reap the best benefits of online learning at home during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many of us to stay inside at home and sit down more than people usually do, which has impacted the regular physical activity or movement of the people. The Heritage School, which is the top school in Dehradun, believes that it is crucial to be active as much as possible, especially at a time like this. Take a short break in the middle of the day or after every 2 hours if you are sitting continuously for a more extended period. Do a light intensity physical activity or movement such as walking or stretching for better blood circulation and muscle activity. Doing regular physical activity improves bone and muscle strength, whereas, in the case of older people, regular exercise has proved to help in preventing falls and injuries.

Exercising reduces blood pressure, proves beneficial for type 2 diabetic patients, stroke, helps manage weight, and reduces the risk of heart disease – the conditions that can increase the susceptibility to COVID-19. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends physical activity for all the age groups as per the following specifics.

Infants Under One Year of Age: Infants should be physically active several times a day, and for those, not yet mobile, include at least 30 minutes in a prone position.

Children Under Five Years of Age: All young children should devote 180 minutes a day to exercise, and 3-4 years old children should spend at least 60 minutes of this time in moderate to high-intensity physical activity.

Children and Adolescents Aged 5-17 Years: The people in this age group should do at least 60 minutes a day of moderate to high-intensity physical activity for at least three days per week. Doing more than 60 minutes of physical activity per day provides additional health benefits.

Adults Aged Over 18 Years: People over 18 years of age should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-high intensity exercise or physical activity, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity throughout the week.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many of us to stay inside at home and sit down more than people usually do, which has impacted the regular physical activity or movement of the people. The Heritage School, which is the top school in Dehradun, believes that it is crucial to be active as much as possible, especially at a time like this. Take a short break in the middle of the day or after every 2 hours if you are sitting continuously for a more extended period. Do a light intensity physical activity or movement such as walking or stretching for better blood circulation and muscle activity. Doing regular physical activity improves bone and muscle strength, whereas, in the case of older people, regular exercise has proved to help in preventing falls and injuries.

Exercising reduces blood pressure, proves beneficial for type 2 diabetic patients, stroke, helps manage weight, and reduces the risk of heart disease – the conditions that can increase the susceptibility to COVID-19. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends physical activity for all the age groups as per the following specifics.

Infants Under One Year of Age: Infants should be physically active several times a day, and for those, not yet mobile, include at least 30 minutes in a prone position.

Children Under Five Years of Age: All young children should devote 180 minutes a day to exercise, and 3-4 years old children should spend at least 60 minutes of this time in moderate to high-intensity physical activity.

Children and Adolescents Aged 5-17 Years: The people in this age group should do at least 60 minutes a day of moderate to high-intensity physical activity for at least three days per week. Doing more than 60 minutes of physical activity per day provides additional health benefits.

Adults Aged Over 18 Years: People over 18 years of age should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-high intensity exercise or physical activity, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity throughout the week.

Your kids are hearing about COVID-19 more and more every day. The parents should be willing to talk and should make sure that they receive reliable information. The probability is that they must have already heard something. It’s essential to know that being silent and keeping secrets from your children about the current situation is not going to be good for them. So The Heritage School, ICSE school in Dehradun, shows you simple ways how to talk about it with your kids.

Be Open and Listen Allow your child to express his views and statements on the subject without any interference. Then, ask them questions to check how much do they already know and whether the information they know is correct and reliable. 

Be Honest Your child is growing and he is intrigued by every single thing happening around him, and will supposedly have a lot of questions. As parents, you need to sit down and answer the questions honestly. Always share information based on the age of your children and how much information can they possibly digest.

Be Supportive Build such a rapport with your kid which makes him/her comfortable talking to you when they are scared or frustrated or simply going through some stress. Always show support by giving them that much-needed space to share how are they coping with stuff happening around and let them know you are there for them.

Share Reliable Information There are a lot of stories going around, and it is easy to get caught up in every piece of information you hear or see. Some might not even be true. Pick information from trustworthy sites like WHO and UNICEF.

Concentrate on the Positive Rather than scaring off your children by telling them the current mortality rate, share with them the data of the people who are recovering from this pandemic. They will cause less stress as you shift their focus to the positive side of things.

End on a Good Note Check up on your kids if they are fine and coping with the situation well. Remind them that you are there to talk and motivate them to talk about whatever is putting them off emotionally. Engage your kid in fun activities like cooking, playing, gardening, etc.

The last few weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak has witnessed a tremendous shift in the education system in India. As the virus spreads around the world, many countries are implementing measures from a ban on mass gatherings to the temporary closing down of schools. According to UNESCO monitoring, many countries have closed down the schools to minimize the transmission of coronavirus, which has impacted 1.5 billion students across the globe.

While schools are temporarily closed for the safety of the children, schooling continues as students are being educated remotely using technology. Online learning tutorials and massive open online courses are becoming the need of the hour. From an educational perspective, students could benefit from technology at home, provided that they are spending their time productively and using tech for good.

Delivering education to every student across the country would require the states to overcome the significant challenges such as providing digital learning resources in teaching, sound capabilities in distance education, or curriculum-linked online resources for teaching and learning, regardless of place and time. The Heritage School, ICSE School in Dehradun, is sharing a few ideas that countries should focus on.

1. Designing programs and policies to include the most vulnerable, or students belonging to the economically weaker sections with equipment and connectivity. 2. Providing internet connectivity to schools that need it the most. 3. Reimbursement in the finances of the digital curriculum and learning materials for students. 4. Improvements in digital communication technologies for schools to deliver education online effectively.