BLOG 1: LET’S BROADEN BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES

 Let’s Broaden Beyond the Boundaries!!!

An Experience in Experiential Learning

It happened so in the year 2010, I was supposed to coordinate a 10 Day Soft Skill Development Programme. Everyday a Resource Person was supposed to deliver the session on a new Soft Skill such as Time Management, Public Speaking, Goal Setting, Creativity etc. Among those ten days, one day early morning I received a call from the Resource Person stating that she won’t be able to conduct that day’s session due to some emergency. The moment I ended the call; I started sweating and palpitating because it would be difficult to manage without a resource person. Moreover, the students had also developed keen interest in learning the Soft Skills. So, they were already present in the seminar hall. That day was a big challenge for me. But you know as the saying goes: “Adversity brings out the best in you.” I started thinking of some activity to engage the students somehow. The moment I entered the class, believe me, my legs were literally shivering. Around 30 to 35 students were there. Thoughts started pouring in. How will I engage this class? I decided to form the group of these students and give them a task. I looked in my purse, I saw, around 500 to 600 cash was there. I formed four groups and then gave them 100 Rs each as their capital amount and asked them to make maximum out of it till 4.00pm. I told them that all the groups will meet me at Saras Baug at 4.00 pm. Like those students, I was also keen to know about what happened to those 400 hundred Rupees. As decided, I reached Saras Baug at 4.00 pm. Two groups had already reached there. I started asking them about others and they said one more group has reached but they are with two foreigners. We waited till all came. Then shortly all arrived and started narrating their own experience of earning money. I was listening to each group with great curiosity.

First group: They saw that in the next building of the college Traditional Day was being celebrated and many girls were in Saree. Immediately they bought a bundle of “Gajaras”: the flowers and sold it at double the price of the regular. They sold it for Rs 20 to 40 each. This made them earn more money in less time.

Second Group:  They purchased the stationery items like pen, pencil, eraser etc of 100 Rs and sold it at the road signal. As soon as the stock used to get over the other team used to supply the stock of stationery items.  While buying the stationery items, they saw the Mehendi Cones which they thought can help to earn more money. The girls of this group started drawing mehendi on the hand, each hand for Rs 10. And this group was busy with the foreigners in Saras Baug. I asked them about their interaction with the foreigners. They said, nothing special but they were drawing Mehendi on the Foreigner’s hand because they charged Rs 50 for each hand as they knew that the foreign students pay five times double the fees than regular students. So, they applied the same rule here also. It was really very exciting and enlightening to me as well as for these students…… turning Learning into application.

Third Group: This group made their money by providing their services in a saree shop as it was owned by one of the girls’ relative. She requested him to allow her group to work in the Saree shop for a few hours and then he can pay as much as they deserve for those services. Thus, this helped in selling the sarees and those girls earned money out of their services.

 Fourth Group:  The Fourth Group went on looking for some activity. They visited the bungalow on Sinhgad Road and looking at the dry waste near the bunglow, they requested the old couple in the bunglow that their group will clean the surroundings of their bungalow and in return they can pay whatever they wished for the cleaning services.  Thus, this group helped to clean the bungalow and earned the money.

Finally, after all the calculations, it was found that these students have earned a remarkable profit. Quite surprisingly, the amount these groups earned was three and half times more than the capital given to them. They made 1452/-out of only 400/-

But along with this Profit they had earned and learned a lot of other things and values such as respect and value for money, hard work, and innovativeness in earning money, Time Management, working in Team, Leadership and many more. I am sure students learn many lessons in the class and forget over a period of time but this lesson they will remember forever in life. So let’s broaden our teaching beyond the boundaries.

Dr Charusheela Patil

Associate Professor and Programme Coordinator

Department of English, FEU

School of Liberal Arts and Social Science

JSPM University Pune

BLOG 2: EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING TRANSFORMS PASSIVE LEARNERS TO ENGAGED LEARNERS

Civil duty are responsibilities that citizens take to contribute towards the well-being of the community and society. It comprises of actions and attitudes related to democratic values and in exchange the citizens receive the benefit of living in a good society.

There are various duties that we can perform beyond classroom such as volunteering, voting, advocating, educating, respecting others, protecting environment, staying informed, participating in government initiatives, donating and following public health orders. These civic duties can be performed individually or in a group.  

They can include political and non-political actions. Student or faculty can contribute to civic duties on roads and in public places by learning and following the rules, and by educating others. 

For example: - learning and following the rules such as, follow the rules on the road, even when no one is watching obey the traffic rules, practice good manners, educate others by teaching others about the rule. Use your talent and other ways to contribute such as doing community services and nurture ethical values. 

Through experiential learning, individuals can better understand and practice the following civic duties that is experience in mock elections or voting simulations, highlights the importance of informed decision-making, obeying Laws: Understanding the significance of following laws through activities like community discussions or legal awareness workshops, Paying Taxes: Engaging in simulations about budgeting or taxation to comprehend how taxes contribute to public welfare. Experiencing activities like disaster relief drills or NCC (National Cadet Corps) programs can encourage national pride and the feeling of fraternity.

Civic duties not only ensure societal order but also foster unity, equality, and mutual respect among citizens. Embracing these responsibilities through both understanding and action empowers individuals to be active participants in shaping a better future for their community and nation.

The fulfilment of civic duties is essential for building a harmonious, prosperous, and sustainable society. Experiential learning shifts civic duty from abstract ideas to actionable realities. With resources like community projects, internships, and service-learning, students don't just study civics—they live it. Through active participation, they develop a deeper understanding of societal issues, foster empathy, and cultivate leadership qualities essential for driving change. Ultimately, this hands-on approach bridges the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world application, empowering students to contribute meaningfully to their communities. In this way, experiential learning truly transforms passive learners into engaged citizens.

Srushti Tupe & Samiksha Satav

BA Political Science

JSPM University Pune

BLOG 3: EXPLORING CIVIC DUTY THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

In today's rapidly changing world, it's no longer enough to confine learning within the four walls of a classroom. To truly prepare students for active and engaged citizenship, we need to provide them with opportunities to experience civic duty firsthand. This is where experiential learning comes in.

Experiential learning, in the context of civic education, involves learning by doing. It's about engaging students in real-world activities that allow them to develop a deeper understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens. By stepping outside the traditional classroom setting, students can gain valuable insights into how their communities’ function and how they can contribute to positive change.

Advantages of Experiential Learning for Civic Duty: 

Enhanced Understanding: Textbooks and lectures can provide a foundation of knowledge, but experiential learning brings concepts to life. By participating in activities like volunteering, community projects, or mock trials, students gain a more nuanced understanding of civic issues and the impact of their actions.

Development of Essential Skills: Civic engagement requires a range of skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. Experiential learning provides a platform for students to develop and hone these skills in a practical setting.

Increased Civic Engagement: When students experience the rewards of civic participation firsthand, they are more likely to become active and engaged citizens in the future. Experiential learning can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility towards their communities.

Personal Growth: Experiential learning can be a transformative experience for students. It can help them develop a stronger sense of self, build confidence, and discover their passion for making a difference.

Examples of Experiential Learning Activities:

Community Volunteering: Partnering with local organizations to address community needs, such as environmental cleanup, food drives, or assisting at shelters.

Mock Trials and Debates: Engaging in simulated legal proceedings or debates on current issues to develop critical thinking and argumentation skills.

Student Government: Participating in student government to learn about leadership, decision-making, and representation.

Civic Action Projects: Identifying a local issue and developing a plan to address it, such as advocating for policy changes or raising awareness through campaigns.

Visits to Government Institutions: Touring local government offices or attending public hearings to gain firsthand knowledge of how government functions.By incorporating experiential learning into civic education, we can empower students to become informed, engaged, and responsible citizens who are ready to shape a better future for their communities and the world.

Dr.Pushpalata S.Patil
Assistant Professor , SOBM

JSPM University, Pune

BLOG 4: EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING BEYOND CLASSROOM

Experiential learning takes students beyond the classroom, helping them understand the importance of civic duty.

Understanding Civic Duty Through Real-World Engagement By introducing students in real-world scenarios, such as contributing to social movements, participating in activism to bring valuable social changes, students get firsthand experience on how to make meaningful contributions to society.

As John F. Kennedy once said, "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country." This mindset encourages students to take initiative in social movements.

Also, it enhances the communication skills of students and helps them form connections with new people of higher social status. In the future, those connections will benefit those students at personal and professional levels.

Building Essential Skills Through Experience

The student will get the courage to take actions in order to contribute to solutions for greater social and environmental problems like climate change. Through his/her own experience and practical knowledge, the student develops communication skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

Developing Personal and Social Responsibility

Ultimately, the student matures in terms of personal and social responsibility.

Nishant Tapkir 

FY BSc CS

JSPM University Pune