When the guests come home
In the first Part of this series on Inquiry, we looked into what is Inquiry, how Inquiry is more a mindset that encompasses several instructional practices; rather than one specific instructional practice. Today, we will look into one particular instructional practice and delve a little more into how this could be an important part of learning through inquiry.
Over the past 8 weeks, our classroom doors opened yet again to receive guests. Grade 2 had a series of guests, as students listened to a variety of adults share their interests and abilities. This was part of their unit of inquiry on how developing an awareness of one’s personal interest and abilities would help one learn and grow. The sessions with guests ranged from story-telling, to music, dance and taking care of pets! Each story was different and children enjoyed discovering some previously unknown things about their teachers. Grade 5 experienced the joy, the pain, the triumph, the successes; all through the eyes of their class guest. Shortly, Grade 1 will have their families coming along to share their stories, along with their children. There may be a surprise visitor or two in Grade 3, as well!
As we opened doors virtually, and classes began, conversations have been abuzz! Over the last few weeks, our classroom doors opened yet again, to the community! As we began to pour over our plans, and look into how we could continue to retain the essence of who we are and what we do, across the School, some classes began, yet again, to invite guests into their classrooms. That took me to thinking about how having guest speakers in a classroom is a very powerful; however, often overlooked pedagogical practice.
Why is it powerful? For many reasons!
Firstly, the excitement of having someone else, inside a class, is irreplaceable. It breaks the monotony, brings in the excitement of the unknown and builds a heightened sense of anticipation – all very important to be tuned into learning. I am reminded of the time when our students in IB DP Years 1 & 2 (mind you – there is very little that excites teenagers!) were thrilled to have Dr. L.S Ganesh, from IIT Madras amidst them for an engaging power-packed discussion on Business Management and it’s applicability in the work world. It gave them a real-world insight into various aspects of the subject, from HRM to Finances and Operations Management; while keeping the enthusiasm towards learning at a high.
Secondly, a guest brings in perspectives that can never be obtained through the study of a book, the reading of an article, the absorption of a video or the hearing of a lecture. When guests share their experiences, it makes it real to the listeners. We have often been part of these experiences, when children (and us, as teachers) have rejoiced, laughed, been terrified, felt empathy and cried; as we listened to the stories that guests brought into our classrooms. In this past week, Grade 5 has a visitor to their class – Ms Radhah, who shared her experiences as a forced migrant out of Sri Lanka, in the 80’s. Children rejoiced when she began her story, as a young child in a happy family; they were stunned to hear of the misfortunes the befell the family, during the war times; their heart leapt in fear, as she narrated stories of her life in a refugee camp and sighed with relief when she told them how she moved to Japan and began a new life there. The emotions that each child went through as they heard her out, is not something that can ever be replicated, through the reading of a story, of an unknown character, by an unknown author, however well written the story might be. Hearing it from the horse’s mouth; interacting with her directly, asking those questions, feeling for her, and with her are important lessons to build empathy, open-mindedness, perseverance. These are not formulaic procedures to learn from a textbook! Here is what one child wrote after this interaction.
Thirdly, guest speakers help support and strengthen the learning, with their deep expertise. We often acknowledge that, as teachers, we are not experts at everything! Guests bring in an expertise and a knowledge base that helps students deepen their learning, make connections and strengthen their conceptual understanding . I can think of numerous occasions here, from Dr. Chitra Madhavan, who took us back in time and told us stories of how the sculptures speak, to Ms Parvathy Nayar, who shared with us important learnings from art history and her own personal responses, as an artist and a poet. From Mr. Raghuraman, who ‘grew’ a garden in front of us, with his knowledge of indoor plants and how we could grow and nurture them; to the ‘Parai-attam’ artistes who performed for us, while sharing stories of nuanced elements of this art form and how it has changed meaning over the centuries; the list here is endless.
Fourthly, guests initiate a spark in students and may help them discover a hidden interest or talent. Most often, we have developed an interest only because we were provided with an exposure to something. Having a variety of guests in class, over a period of time, helps students understand the range of interests and expertise. Somewhere along the way, they might discover a lifelong interest for themselves!
Lastly, having guests in a classroom fosters a sense of community. It brings students, teachers, parents and the community together. After all, as we often say “Vasudeiva-kutumbakam”! It takes a village to raise a child!
As we plan for who visits our classrooms, we carefully think about what learning does this bring in for our students?
How does this relate to what they already know and are exploring as part of their current unit of study?
How could this guest’s experience further build on that knowledge, helping them reach conceptual understandings?
What skills and attributes could students possibly develop through this interaction?
What are possible ways in which the interactions with the guest, be taken further?
All these form part of our planning process, as teachers. I repeat myself here – Having guest speakers are a powerful pedagogical practice, when the experience is planned for carefully, as a scaffold; or to further learning. It generates curiosity, allows for questioning, thinking, making connections and furthering learning – all very important aspects of learning through inquiry.
So, we welcome the guests home. Athithi devo Bhava.
Do you have an idea for a guest speaker? Do you know someone who can be a guest in one of our classrooms? Would you like to volunteer your time as a guest? Do leave a comment below or get in touch with us on…
Stay tuned for the final part of the series!
