Access-School in collaboration with Pearson’s Teacher Education and Leadership Academy Organised Virtual Event

Delhi, October 06, 2020: Pearson’s Teacher Education and Leadership Academy and Access-School, an ed-tech start-up launching India’s 1st Hybrid-Flexible Learning Ecosystem hosted a 2-part online event series from 28^th September – 2^nd October. Day 1 commenced with a webinar and panel discussion on the topic ‘Expanding the Teacher’s horizon: The Future for Educators’. Days 2 and 3 focussed on developing teachers’ skills in teaching online through two professional teacher training sessions with an international trainer. More than 200 school educators, leaders, teachers and trainers took part in the event.

The honourable speakers were Dr G Balasubramanian – Former Director (Academics), CBSE; Mrs. Seshni Naicker – Director, Teacher Education and Leadership Academy Pearson; Mrs. Manju Gupta – Principal, Kothari International School. The webinar delved in detail on the present challenges and opportunities for educators as well as on future skills required to stay relevant; trends and changes that are taking place globally in the education industry; and the new landscape for schools and teachers.

In the words of Dr. G. Balasubramanian – Former Director (Academics), CBSE, “Education in India has been waiting for disruption for a long time. While the industrial revolution scaled to 4.0 generation, the education sector largely remained at 2.0. This long overdue disruption received impetus from the new NEP 2020; naysayers have accepted the reality and value of technology in education during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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He further elaborated on new forms of learning – both formal and informal. “The very definition of schools is likely to change. Access-School is a kind of school which I am looking forward to in the future.

Mrs Seshni Naicker – Director, Teacher Education and Learning Academy, Pearson talked about preparing teachers for educating learners of the future. She emphasized that irrespective of technology and acquisition of digital skills, teachers would always be the heart and soul of teaching. These essentials skills of empathy, cooperation, confidence, growth which are the skills of the future would come from the teachers as models. Mrs. Naicker said that teachers would need to provide literacy and numeracy curriculum knowledge on the one hand and develop skills, attitudes and values on the other hand to enable students to become global citizens.

Mrs Manju Gupta – Principal, Kothari International School said, “A Change in mindset and attitude of a teacher is a must, and a necessity in order to stay relevant to the needs of the students. Human education must be more emphasised in today’s schools. We need to remember that education is for growth and development of a learner, not for competition. I look forward to a tomorrow where the teacher connects with the child and not the book.”

Amit Mathur Co-Founder, Access-School set the tone for the future with these insights.

“Basis the pan India survey we conducted last year, three critical areas in the Indian Education System that require focus are Accessibility, Adaptability and Flexibility. We at Access-School leverage technology to cater to these 3 areas and create a HyFlex school which offers blended learning opportunities for students. “

 At the end of 1^st part of the online event series, an open panel session was held, moderated by Ms. Ruvneet Bains, Chief Learning Officer, Access-School These panellists included Mrs. Kaadambari Muttoo – Ex-teacher The British School, Ex-Director Academics for GEMS India, Author; Mrs. Neerja Bhasin – Innovative Science Teacher, Ex-Systems & Design Analyst and Mrs. Shoma Lahiri – English Teacher and Cambridge Coordinator, Ex-The Shri Ram School.

This event series ended on 2^nd October with online teaching pedagogy training sessions for teachers by Sarah White, International Teacher Trainer with Pearson Teacher Education and Leadership Academy (TELA).

About Pearson Teacher Education and Leadership Academy (TELA)

The Teacher Education and Leadership Academy develops Pearson’s professional learning courses and resources for teacher. These courses adhere to a rigorous evidence-based design, ensuring they’re learner-centred, connected to practice and promote teacher ownership. Further, every course offered by TELA contains practical, downloadable tools and resources ready to be implemented.

About Access-School

Access-School is an ed-tech start-up providing India’s 1st Hybrid-Flexible Learning Ecosystem. Access-School provides quality education for a wide variety of students by offering alternate solutions to traditional schooling by utilizing the best technology and proven teaching practices implemented by a team of qualified and experienced teachers.

It provides students with the option to learn at their own pace, when it best fits each individual student’s schedule. The students develop the independent study skills that will benefit them throughout their academic careers.

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