Learning Network Asha 18, Dallas, 5/23/09

Background Asha Seattle pioneering the support of holistic education Visits to Asha Seattle partners by Shanmuga as a part of Asha 2K  The diversity and qualitative difference of these efforts.  Commitment of Asha Seattle towards supporting holistic education  Suggested the idea of a network for Asha Seattle's consideration

Beginning Initial Team: Jayashree and Anita (Seattle), Reshma (Chicago), Sriranjani (Princeton), Ravi Aluganti (Asha Partner) Initial proposal for a network in 2002 (funded by Asha Seattle) First conference in January 2003  Group presentations, Exhibits, Discussions, Session on DPEP efforts in Karnataka

Building the network Core team of volunteers  Chiguru, Revive, Website, Conference, Workshops, Identifying new members New volunteers – Asha and NGO Support for the network  Financial – Asha, Individual  In kind – Tulika publishers, Hosts of different conferences

The Learning Network Now 6 Conferences and Revive, 12 issues of Chiguru, teacher workshops, website, list, ~ 300 individuals and groups Do not explicitly advocate a specific educational approach or agenda. Diverse backgrounds & viewpoints  grassroots, government, alternative, teachers, parents, organizations, administrative and so on.

The Learning Network Now Spun off from Asha  Engaging with groups/individuals not necessarily involved with Asha  Networking distinct from funding Highly subsidized running & participation cost  no membership fee, low fee for workshops, conferences and publications Low infrastructure and mostly voluntary

Benefits Small organizations have got exposure, nourishment and visibility. Individual resource persons have expanded and grown their work. Government teachers and teachers from rural NGOs have had deeper experience and exploration of holistic education approaches. Tremendous outreach and learning for hosts of conferences

Benefits Spin-offs, exchanges and collaborations not coordinated by the network  Active Maths, workshops, visits, school exchanges, etc. Volunteer growth and learnings A forum to recharge  Reflect, grow in new directions, build confidence, develop new relations, go beyond barriers, flavor of the diversity in India

Learnings A lot of networking and receiving feedback created this space. Improvements to Revive, Chiguru, conferences, workshops. Supporting diverse voices Consistent and persistent efforts, personal contact and communication for building ownership and encouraging participation.

Learnings Educate ourselves about the complexity of education & live with it. How children learn, what supports and hinders learning, what teachers need to know to teach “Teaching is a complex act” - what, why and how - Getting specific Interconnections between philosophy, curriculum, learning environment, pedagogy, assessment, social and political contexts.

Some future directions Organizational structure  Registration in India  Membership and subscription fee  Networking with other networking efforts Activities  Youth mentoring and internship  Long term teacher development  Mini conferences to discuss current educational issues, for e.g. new ncert textbooks and teacher support

Participate Web management and development Database management Conference and workshops Revive and Chiguru editing, layout and publishing Sign up for network mailing list, receive Revive, and Chiguru  here or india.org