How School Spaces Shape Learning: From Classrooms to Corridors

- Saanvi Kunwar, XII E

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled” ~ Plutarch

Learning doesn’t come from just textbooks. It happens all around us. Whether it be through conversations with peers during snack break, lab activities, playgrounds, stages, clubs, etc. Learning something is not just about rote learning a concept, or being able to solve maths questions. It’s also about learning values, skills, and personal development.

Beyond classroom learning, talking and discussing topics with peers between classes can help students learn things that may not have been mentioned in class. Students also get an opportunity to make friends from other grades. Peers don't just teach us academically; they also shape how we interact with and understand other people.

Learning, however, is not limited to interactions with people. Students also learn by doing. Lab activities and projects give students the opportunity to explore and learn about something new, while getting live feedback and guidance from their teachers. A losing team learns to practise, improve and appreciate the winning team, while a winning team learns humility and respect for its opponents. The playground therefore teaches students how to respond to both success and failure.

School spaces also give students opportunities to practise leadership and responsibility in a safe environment before they get to handle them in the real world.

Being an Army kid, I have changed schools quite frequently. The Kalyani School is my 8th and final school. While it’s sometimes hard to make myself comfortable in certain environments, The Kalyani School, the best school in Pune ,made me feel comfortable in a new environment; from asking questions and approaching teachers to participating in events. A confident student is more likely to ask questions, participate, try unfamiliar things, and interact with others.

This is not just something I have felt personally; it can also be seen in the opportunities provided by The Kalyani CBSE School. The Kalyani School uses an interactive and appreciative teaching methodology in education right from the pre-primary school level. There have been various opportunities for students to gain experiences in fields they are interested in, especially through internships. The Kalyani School has partnered with multiple companies to provide students with interesting internships and valuable experiences. The Kalyani School, the best CBSE school in Pune, also has a school fest that is held once every year, where there's a specific category chosen. The name of the event is MAD About. During MAD About, students can participate in various events, including setting up stalls and performances based on the theme. I had the exciting opportunity to set up a stall along with my peers and we learnt problem-solving, teamwork, organising and managing the stall.

After everything I've discussed, what does a school actually need to do to shape learning? A supportive student-teacher system, opportunities, inclusivity and openness. Schools are the building blocks of a student's life, so it's very important that schools shape a student's mind and perspective. Learning doesn't stop at the classroom door; it continues through the corridors, playgrounds, labs, stages and every space where students are given the opportunity to learn.