Intergenerational Learning Centre

Progress report from 15th July- 15th August, 2017

Submitted to – Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti

Rajghat, New Delhi

Since the conception of Intergenerational Learning Centre as an idea, it has been in a

constant dynamic process of reinvigorating into a reality. Citing the objectives and

goals set under Intergenerational learning centre (IGLC) project for the month from

15th July to 15th August, Healthy aging India is successful in fulfilling its commitments.

Below are the challenges / goals –

Challenge 1 - Hiring manpower to execute project

Challenge 2 - Searching a place for setting up IGLC in Noida

Challenge 3 -Assessment and Selection of students based on Aspiration,

Knowledge, Attitude and Perception (AKAP) questionnaire

Challenge 4 - Assessment of Elderly educators

Challenge 5 - Building capacity of selected Educators

Meeting Challenges and achievements so far-

Challenge 1- Hiring manpower to execute project

Meeting challenges and achievements - A proper advertisement was placed on

website and other alternative media sources. Applications were invited from interested

candidates for all posts (Project coordinator, Project Assistant, Educators/Mentors,

etc). Eligible candidates were called for interviews and committed potential

candidates were selected. All posts were filled except of a computer expert, which we

expect to fill before the commencement of IGLC classes.

Dissolving each “I” into “WE”

Dr. Prasun Chatterjee, Founder President HAI & IGLC Project Invigilator

Mr. Abhijit Ganguly, HAI representative

Ms. Pushplata , Researcher & IGLC Project Cordinator

Mrs. Sudesh Lakshi, B.Ed & NET, IGLC Project Assistant

Emerging living legends for Existing & Generations to come- Our educators

Mrs. Uma Chaudhary Mr. Gulshan Naveen Mr. Ashok Ahuja

Served- St. Xaviers, Teacher Served- IFFCO, Quality Auditor & Trainer Served – PNB Bank , Manager

Mr. D.D.Sharma Mr. Chander shekhar Rai Mrs. Saroj

Mathematician and Author served- NTPC & FCI , Engineer Social worker

Living for a Cause- We are IGLC Team believes in collective efforts for

Intergenerational solidarity & transforming education

Challenge 2 – Searching a place for setting up IGLC in Noida

Meeting the challenges and achievements- There was a lot of discussion among Healthy

aging India team on which place (Government schools or rented private place) would be more

suitable to start an IGLC centre. At last all agreed that if norms permit, we should search for

government school which can allow us to begin IGLC. This would also supports the project

rationale as proposed target group is underprivileged students from government schools. We

approached many schools in Noida and received mixed responses. Finally, we decided to move

ahead with Purva Madhaymik Vidyalaya, Government school Noida sector 12, Gautam Buddha

Nagar. Reason being the School authority and staff was very supportive and has progressive

mindset. They have shown faith in us and believed in our noble cause of Intergenerational

empowerment and co-evolution.

Still in progress- Application is submitted to Basic Shiksha Adhikari office seeking permission

to set up IGLC in Purva Madhyamik Vidyalaya, Noida sector 12. Response is still awaited.

Regular follow up is undergoing on actions and update on application.

C-Classroom 6th standard- Lively interaction with students & Staff from Purva

Madhayamik Vidyalaya, Noida Sector 12

Challenge 3 – Assessment and Selection of students based on Aspiration,

Knowledge, Attitude and Perception (AKAP) questionnaire

Meeting challenges and achievements- Need and demand based easy short version of

questionnaire was prepared from already available internationally validated scientific

questionnaire to assess AKAP of students. For the initial phase, 6th standard was selected as

intervention class with consent from School principle. Total strength of class was 120 students.

Out of these, in our first screening based on their performance and scores in questionnaire 50

students were selected.

In the overall process, curiosity, enthusiasm and patience to participate was clearly visible in

the eyes and approach of students. School authority and staff of Purva Madhyamik Vidyalaya

was very helpful and supportive.

Still in progress- Depending on response and consent from parents of identified potential

student’s parents, final list of 30 students will be prepared.

Purva Madhyamik Vidyalaya 6th standard Students appearing for KAP study

Challenge 4- Assessment of Elderly educators

Meeting challenge and achievements- A validated scientific questionnaire was used to

assess the overall health and cognitive abilities of our elderly educators. This gave us a Pre-

intervention data of their overall well being. After evaluation, they were found average and

satisfactory on most of the parameters. Such data is collected to monitor post intervention

changes and responses.

Elderly Educators appearing for basic assessment study

Challenge 5 - Building capacity of selected Educators

Meeting challenges and achievements- As our educators are educated senior citizens

retired from various professional backgrounds well accustomed to life course management

skills, but an orientation and capacity building was required to align them with new patterns

of education system and academics. Training of educators was planned to get them familiarize

with ongoing academic courses, activities and teaching methodologies in schools. A series of

training session were conducted every week. We invited experienced faculties and field

experts from various institutions and organisations (Schools, Govt institutions, private

institutions, etc). In total 5 sessions were successfully concluded on varied but specific issues

to avoid duplicity and repetitions.

Organised series of training session for Training of Educators

On 26th of July training of trainers began with Ms. Bhupinder singh, faculty from Guru

Harkishan School, Punjabi Bagh. As an introduction, she delivered a talk in TED Talk and had

worked with Doordarshan as an anchor. She is also a writer and a theatre artist. She advocates

“Right to Smile” and proactively involved to spread this message with slum children behind

Hauz Khas village.

During training session, she initiated activities with our educators that revived their old

childhood memories. She asked them to make paper boats/aeroplanes, writing messages on

them and colour it with their favourite colours. Through informal interactions she touched

upon the social, behavioural, psychological understanding, perceptions and receptivity part of

our elderly educators and children. She interestingly suggested ways on how to create an aura

in classroom. Most interesting exercise she gave was “Control Z” and mindfully doing the

opposite of what you have been told to do. Undergoing the process, Educators opened up and

shared their feeling with others. Session was concluded in Prayer and cheerful laughter

Aura of a Classroom- Moments of togetherness and cheerfulness of IGLC educators with Ms. Bhupinder Singh

Impact and feedback- Session facilitated educators to identify themselves with the positive

quality they possess, which defines their personality. Process lead to a foundation of team

building, knowing better of each other, breaking interactive barriers, co-learning, co-

operation, motivation, mutual respect and acceptance.

Second training session on 30th July, 2017 by Dr. Shikha Dixit from International Inclen Trust. She is PhD is Medical geography and worked as senior program coordinator in many Government projects focussing on environmental issues and successfully accomplished them. She discussed fundamental concepts of ecology, pollution, ecosystem degradation, bio fuels, energy etc with the help of Power point presentation. She put light on how to build scientific temper in students and how eco-culture can be integrated into education system and habits of school children and senior citizens to achieve sustainability at behavioural level.

Our Honorary Expert Dr. Pamposh Kumar, Scientist F from National Council of Science

and Technology (NCSTC), Department of Science and Technology simplified the concepts and

explained the practicality, need and relevance to nurture community eco-resilience. His inputs

made the discussion vibrant, interesting and impactful. His explanations satisfied the curious

mind of our elderly educators.

IGLC educators in discussion on environment with Dr.Shikha Dixit and Dr. Pamosh Kumar

Impact and feedback- Training process raised curiosity, information and awareness level in

Educators towards environments. As a matter of interest educators highlighted how Habitat

fragmentation, degradation and radiations have lead to disappearance of species like sparrow

from Delhi.

On 4th August Dr. Anuradha, faculty for Hindi from Sardar patel school, Lodhi Road

joined us. She is PhD and has 35 years of teaching experience. She is truly a soulful passionate

person spirited with practical approach, experimentative mind and elevating aura. She drawn

attention of trainee-educators towards mostly undervalued skill, i.e, skill of listening. She

played audios, read out some stories and asked to fill worksheets based on them as Hands on

activity learning method. She suggested many ways and highlighted subtle points on modes of

instructions to students in classroom especially- How to correct mistakes of students without

saying/proving him wrong, Ways on make learning easy and interesting through Shabad laddi,

shabbad siddhi, Shabad mala, etc, making process of teaching and studying enjoyable, etc.

Dr. Prasun Chatterjee monitored, evaluated and invigilated the whole process on training

session. In the end he gave his inputs and expressed happiness on the way training session was

conducted.

L- Learning & Listening activity in real time practical teaching assessment session with Mrs. Anuradha

Impact and feedback- Enthusiasm was clearly visible in the attitude of our elderly Educators.

They participated in discussion deeply and very attentive till the last of session. They enjoyed

so much that 2 hour session extend for another half an hour. It was experimentative activity

based fun oriented learning session.

On 8th August Mrs. Shalini, faculty for Science from Delhi Public School, Mathura road

conducted training session. She has 15 years experience of teaching science. She is also

associated with an NGO working with economically weaker sections enrolled with Delhi

Public School. In person, She is very kind, compassionate, supportive, helpful and pleasant

personality.

As a master trainer she focussed on skills of observation, classification, differentiation,

identification, interpretation, conclusion etc., she provided worksheets as hands on learning

for these skills. She engaged educators in simplified methods of teaching science- how lunch

box activity can be used to teach ingredients and importance of balance diet, how knowledge

about organ systems can be given by participatory play way flow chart, taxonomically

identification and classification of things by looking around in nature on simple

characteristics, etc.

IGLC educators understanding art of science & memories with Mrs. Shalini during training

session

Impact and feedback- Educators learnt that science is all around us and we just need to be

more observant, curious and keen to know what prevails in our surrounding. There was a

change of perspective toward more scientific approach in educators. Session helped in

understanding scientific concepts without involving much technicality.

On 13th August Mr. Manjul Bhardwaj, an International thinker and philosopher of

“Theatre of Relevance conducted training session on – “Theatre in education” and

“Conventional & Unconventional modes of Learning”. The most extraordinary achievement of

Manjul Sir is liberating more than 50,000 child labours from Mumbai slums and integrating

them into education system using theatre as medium of social change. He is awarded with

UNFPA Laadli Media award and recognised with many accomplishments. He had given

training and conducted enormous workshops at national and international level for many

organisations, multinational companies, Mini or Maharatna status govt companies, etc.

As a Master trainer, his method was unique. The way he involved and took the educators from

start to conclusion of training was unconventional. Most interesting points he made was to

taking into account holistic picture of societal background that shape our thoughts, build our

perception and form our personality. Without breaking the barriers of mindset and

encouraging rational thinking of existing situation, it is hard to bring a sustainable change. To

make a deep impact at ground level in children every involved stakeholder form parents,

teachers, nature, surrounding, government etc, should be considered as contributing factor

and sensitized. He asked every participant to describe procedure to make a tea and with such

a simple example, he pointed out how we forget mentioning most obvious and general details

when we describe or present our subject, undervaluing our own strength and uniqueness by

generalising them. He stressed on how can processes of learning, expression and involvement

can vary from individual to individual, how demarcated the line through practicality how

conventional mode can be authoritative and unconventional mode of learning is participatory

and inclusive, etc. Through all these exercises he touched on often less attractive but vital

subtle points of teaching methodologies which we know but often don’t pay attention,

addressing an issue with holistic perspective and concluding with definition and

understanding of convention and unconventional modes of learning as observer was not

participant but practical live experimentative model undergoing churning of thoughts. Whole

process was practical in which observer was the observed.

IGLC educators feeling happy, thoughtful and reviving memories of their childhood with Mr.

Manjul Bhardwaj

Impact and feedback- Session was unconventionally meaningful. Unusual in a sense no

definition of subject is provided in the beginning and participants struggled through whole

process to find meaning and breaking conventionality on their own with guidance of Manjul

sir. Overall the response was constructive, positive and with a sense of self discovery. It

revived memories of teachers who taught our elderly educators and how they used

unconventional modes of learning which is still imprinted and tagged in the memories of our

educators. It was session of revival, refreshment and self discovery.

Our Master Trainers successfully conducted Training of Educators

Ms. Bhupinder Singh Dr. Shikha Dikshit Mrs. Shalini

Guru Harkishan Public School International Inclen Trust Delhi Public School

Punjabi Bagh Mathura Road

Dr. Anuradha Mr. Manjul Bhardwaj

Sardar Patel School , Lodhi Road The Experimental Theatre Foundation, Mumbai

Conclusions of monthly report-

Given the substantial evidences of our activities, Healthy aging India feels proud to stand by

its commitment in the initial first month of implementation of Intergenerational learning

centre project.