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Coming up:

Two 3-day teacher training workshops of 25 teachers each. 

What is this workshop?

One of the activities taken up by the network is disseminating information about good educational methodologies. As part of this Ravi Aluganti (of Akshara, an Asha fellow) and Chitra Krishnamurthy (Vikasana) will be conducting a 3 day teacher workshop on integrating arts and crafts in the curriculum. The workshop will cover not just arts and crafts in isolation but also its use in teaching/learning more conventional subjects.

Two more follow-up workshops to this one will be conducted between Oct and Dec 2003 to ensure that the teachers have had sufficient time to learn from and also clarify any doubts they may have.  Chitra akka and Ravi are also ready to visit the groups to help at the venue if the necessity arises.

When/Where will it be conducted?

In the states of Karnataka (1st week of May 2003) and Tamil Nadu (3rd week of May 2003). This workshop may be attended by  teachers from groups in  Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and AP or those familiar with Kannada or Tamil or Telugu or English. The exact dates and location are being finalized. They will most probably be Bangalore and Chennai. We are going to request Asha chapters sponsoring their groups to chip in $15/- per teacher. The teachers will have to take care of their own transportation costs to the venue.

Why art and craft in schools?
Art and craft is an activity, there is an element of play in this activity. Children learn best when they participate in activity and are encouraged in what they do naturally.  Through arts and crafts children get an opportunity to explore and experiment with a wide variety of material, pattern, colour, texture and so on. The teacher needs to only facilitate the process, make the required material available and initially help the children master a few skills. The children then very easily get involved in what they are doing and almost always initiate the activity on their own. When an activity is self - directed the children do not get bored. This also helps improve concentration. The activities are conducted in groups which helps the child feel as a responsible part of the group and cuts across differences in age and ability. There is a sense of sharing and co-operation rather than competition.
Art and craft is an essential part of learning that fosters creativity, co-operation, empathy, sensitivity, stability and values, which are often not measurable. Many traditional subjects can be taught more effectively using arts and crafts. By giving importance to art and craft we are communicating to the child that values other than academic achievement are recognized.   

What do Ravi Aluganti and Chitra Krishnamurthy plan to do?
During the three-day workshop on Art and Craft the participants will be given an opportunity to: