Integration of the Arts in the Mainstream(Webinar Series by Propel Thy Learning)

On 21 November 2020, Propel Thy Learning continued with the 3rd session of their webinar series, Making NEP Happen, ‘Integration of Arts in the Mainstream’.  Teachers from The Indian School-Second Shift attended this session.

The webinar was led by Mr Vishnu Kant, Founder, Propel Curriculum and Ms Supriti Chauhan, Principal, Raghav Global School and was moderated by Mr Nikhil Juneja, Leadership Coach. As an introduction, Mr Vishnu Kant shared his thoughts on how NEP focuses on the holistic development of a child. 

Ms Supriti Chauhan addressed the participants and explained the meaning of Art Education, that it is a tool or a bridge to give life skills for any child to succeed, not only in academics, but in life as well. With the help of an example of Project Based Learning, she explained how the integration of art in the cross-curricular pedagogical approach is beneficial. One example of Project Based Learning shared was about thr Compost Pit. Here students were asked to drop fruit peel in a pit to be later converted to compost. The speaker  shared various other examples as well, for example,  while folding an origami paper boat or an airplane, the teacher can talk about the various geometrical shapes formed while folding the paper. Similarly when teaching leaf venation is much easier explained with the help of leaf impression art. The focus was on how art education should be included during the planning level of the school curriculum.  

Ms Chauhan elaborated on how we can measure the efficiency of the art integrated in a class or curriculum and its impact on a child’s learning. By including the concept of Design Thinking in lesson plans and annual progression, teachers can come up with innovative ideas which will help every child. Mr Vishnu summarised the session by a presentation of pictures shared by teachers from across India, demonstrating the art integration being attenpted in mainstream subjects.

The webinar was informative and fruitful. It helped us understand not only the importance of the integration of art in the mainstream but also evoke ideas on how to make this approach successful to cater to the child’s holistic development.

Click here to view more pictures.