Day 8: A Visit to Shikha Academy – Innovation, Learning & New Connections 🎭📚✨
📅 Date: 17th February 2025
👤 Participant: Chande Kasita
🏛 Department/Unit: Information Systems and Technologies – Instructional Designer
🌟 Key Insights – Exploring the Shikha Ecosystem
Our visit to Shikha Academy was a fascinating experience, giving us a glimpse into a dynamic and innovative learning environment. The academy is part of the Shikha Ecosystem, which includes Shikha Academy, Shikha Institute, and Shikha Lab, all dedicated to transforming education through creativity, critical thinking, and technology. (Visit Website)
We explored curriculum development strategies, engaged with students, and learned about the MAT Model, a framework designed to enhance motivation, ability, and knowledge transfer in education.
🎭 The Jungle Book – A Sneak Peek into Creativity
Though I didn’t get to watch the actual play, the students enthusiastically shared a synopsis of their performance, inspired by The Jungle Book. Their storytelling and passion brought the story to life, making me appreciate the effort and creativity they put into it. It was clear that they were fully immersed in their roles and excited about their upcoming show.
📖 The MAT Model – Motivation, Ability, Transfer
At the core of Shikha Academy’s teaching philosophy is the MAT Model, which focuses on:
1️⃣ Motivation 💡
Engaging learners through interactive activities, storytelling, and real-world applications to spark curiosity and enthusiasm.
2️⃣ Ability 🎯
Developing strong skills and competencies through structured lessons, hands-on exercises, and collaborative learning.
3️⃣ Transfer 🔄
Ensuring students can apply their knowledge in real-life situations through practical projects, discussions, and reflection.
🛠 Curriculum Development – Big Questions & Lesson Templates
Shikha Academy follows a learner-centered approach, using big questions to guide learning and encourage critical thinking. Their structured lesson templates provide a framework for creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences.
We had valuable discussions on curriculum development, exchanging ideas on how to adapt these strategies to different educational contexts, including at UDOM.
🤝 New Connections—A Warm Welcome
One of the highlights of the visit was interacting with the students. They were eager to share their experiences, ideas, and projects, making it a truly engaging experience. While I may not remember all their names, one stood out—Veer (if I’m not mistaken). His enthusiasm and curiosity reflected the spirit of Shikha Academy’s learning culture.
💡 Practical Applications – Bringing Innovation to UDOM
🚀 Immediate Applications
✔ Incorporate the MAT Model into instructional design at UDOM’s Center for Learning.
✔ Use lesson templates and big questions in course planning.
🌍 Long-Term Goals
✔ Strengthen the ICT4E Research Group with cutting-edge education technology projects.
✔ Exchange more insights on curriculum design and innovation with global partners.
📌 Final Thoughts
The visit to Shikha Academy was both insightful and inspiring. Their approach to education, creativity, and student engagement left a strong impression on me. I look forward to exploring ways to integrate these ideas into my work at UDOM and beyond. 🚀✨
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