learning network asha 18, dallas, 5/23/09. background asha seattle pioneering the support of...
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Learning Network
Asha 18, Dallas, 5/23/09
Background Asha Seattle pioneering the support of
holistic education
Visits to Asha Seattle partners by Shanmuga as a part of Asha 2K
The diversity and qualitative difference of these efforts.
Commitment of Asha Seattle towards supporting holistic education
Suggested the idea of a network for Asha Seattle's consideration
Beginning
Initial Team: Jayashree and Anita (Seattle), Reshma (Chicago), Sriranjani (Princeton), Ravi Aluganti (Asha Partner)
Initial proposal for a network in 2002 (funded by Asha Seattle)
First conference in January 2003 Group presentations, Exhibits,
Discussions, Session on DPEP efforts in Karnataka
Building the network
Core team of volunteers Chiguru, Revive, Website, Conference,
Workshops, Identifying new members New volunteers – Asha and NGO Support for the network
Financial – Asha, Individual In kind – Tulika publishers, Hosts of
different conferences
The Learning Network Now
6 Conferences and Revive, 12 issues of Chiguru, teacher workshops, website, email list, ~ 300 individuals and groups
Do not explicitly advocate a specific educational approach or agenda.
Diverse backgrounds & viewpoints grassroots, government, alternative,
teachers, parents, organizations, administrative and so on.
The Learning Network Now
Spun off from Asha Engaging with groups/individuals not
necessarily involved with Asha Networking distinct from funding
Highly subsidized running & participation cost no membership fee, low fee for workshops,
conferences and publications Low infrastructure and mostly voluntary
Benefits
Small organizations have got exposure, nourishment and visibility.
Individual resource persons have expanded and grown their work.
Government teachers and teachers from rural NGOs have had deeper experience and exploration of holistic education approaches.
Tremendous outreach and learning for hosts of conferences
Benefits Spin-offs, exchanges and collaborations
not coordinated by the network Active Maths, workshops, visits, school
exchanges, etc. Volunteer growth and learnings A forum to recharge
Reflect, grow in new directions, build confidence, develop new relations, go beyond barriers, flavor of the diversity in India
Learnings
A lot of networking and receiving feedback created this space.
Improvements to Revive, Chiguru, conferences, workshops.
Supporting diverse voices Consistent and persistent efforts,
personal contact and communication for building ownership and encouraging participation.
Learnings
• Educate ourselves about the complexity of education & live with it.
• How children learn, what supports and hinders learning, what teachers need to know to teach
• “Teaching is a complex act” - what, why and how - Getting specific
• Interconnections between philosophy, curriculum, learning environment, pedagogy, assessment, social and political contexts.
Some future directions Organizational structure
Registration in India Membership and subscription fee Networking with other networking
efforts Activities
Youth mentoring and internship Long term teacher development Mini conferences to discuss current
educational issues, for e.g. new ncert textbooks and teacher support
Participate
Web management and development Database management Conference and workshops Revive and Chiguru editing, layout and
publishing Sign up for network mailing list, receive
Revive, and Chiguru here or email info@learningnet-
india.org
