Learnscape🌍 #3 - Lessons Beyond the Lesson Plan!

 

“When Lessons Beyond the Lesson Plan!…”

What exactly is research? I was looking for a very simple answer to this question… something that slowly processed as I kept thinking.

Research means studying a subject carefully to gain new information, solve problems, or verify whether the information is correct.

In simple words, research is a systematic effort to find answers.

That’s it… is it?

While writing a theory paper, we can expand this with many points. But when it comes to actual learning and doing a practical case study, how can this really be applied? This simple thought came to my mind, and this not-so-simple thought taught me a lot. This is the real learning process… something we need to recognize.

While thinking about what a case study could look like, I experienced a completely different frequency of thoughts today.

Often, we do research, collect information, and look for reasons… yet, while searching, it feels like we reach the root of the question and return from the same point. We understand something, we observe something, but we are not able to connect it completely.

So, what can be considered while thinking of this as a case study?

Let us assume a student from Grade 8 who feels bored with the Marathi subject. He does not like reading, writing, or grammar. But the same student shows some level of enthusiasm while learning Hindi or French.

The same child, the same brain… then where does the difference lie?

This question is not just about the student; as a teacher, it is also about me.

I ask myself…

Is my teaching method reaching him?

Am I making the subject come alive?

Or is there an invisible gap forming somewhere between me and the student?

It is not always the teacher who falls short. Students’ mindset, their interests, and their exposure are equally important. Yet, something still remains… something that is visible, something that is felt, but not fully connected.

Now the question is, what should be my first step in this case study?

Perhaps, first of all… to stop doubting myself.

Never doubt yourself. Right?

This is not only important for teachers, but equally important for students.

To stop thinking about who will judge me and how. Because some things take time.

Back to our case study…

We teach a poem in class, but students do not find it interesting. Often, they are in their own world of imagination. And once again, a learning gap is created.

So, what is the solution?

Let them begin from their own world. Let them think.

“What is your favorite poem?”

“What was your grandparents’ favorite poem?”

“A lullaby your mother used to sing?”

“Any childhood memory?”

Through such small things, students slowly begin to open up… and from there, the bridge starts forming.

But… while teaching, teachers are expected to follow a lesson plan. And along with that, the biggest factor, time management. That itself can be a separate topic.

Again, a question arises…

We create the lesson plan ourselves, then why don’t these ideas come to us at that time? Why does it not happen as per the plan? Where are we going wrong?

Nowhere. Absolutely right.

Because teaching is not just planning… it is a live process.

Every time we enter a classroom, the situation is different.

In that moment, instant action, decision-making, and presence of mind become very important.

Then we keep asking ourselves again and again…

“I have my lesson plan, my scenario is clear… then why does this still happen?”

Maybe the answer is simple…

Always tell yourself:

Just forget… and focus on actively bridging the gap.

Someone is observing,

Someone is judging,

this will always continue, 

and it’s important for sustainable progress.

But when we truly begin to live both our roles, as a teacher and as a learner, things start falling into place.

Maybe teaching is not about being perfect…

But about making an honest effort to connect, even in imperfection, every single time.

And maybe… that is where real learning begins.

                                                     - Anupriya Sawant