Name of Project: "Exploring Community Learning Spaces"

Brief one-sentence description of project:

The project will help us in identifying various forms and spaces of learning across the globe, many of which are not considered valuable or are forgotten in recent times.
Full description of project:

Today, the word learning is associated with schooling. Whenever the term learning or education is used in any part of the world, it is directly associated with schools. Students, teachers, parents, community members are not aware of the indigenous knowledge and learning systems and cultures because there seems no discussion or debate being carried out in schools. The notions of knowledge and learning are associated with textbook and teacher. Nowadays, even home has lost its meaning as an effective learning space. The diversity, local knowledge base, reflective practices, language learning, collaboration, problem solving, and child rearing practices have their own uniqueness which is an excellent but undermined resource. The situation becomes worse when it comes to rural communities, as there is no acknowledgement of their learning traditions at any forum.

This project is aimed at helping explore the types and nature of the learning communities across the globe. It also helps us to know how traditions of learning are carried out in different communities with or without school. It will help us in knowing and documenting these traditions, learning from them, regenerating a dialogue on how to sustain learning communities and traditions and engaging students, teachers and every member of learning community to value it with confidence. It is also essential for our younger generation to acknowledge these traditions and figure out ways to keep them alive.

Age/level of project participants: ageas 10-21

Research through reading

Interactions with local communities and community based institutions through interviews

Pictures with descriptions and narrative

Video documentation

Writing pieces

Online dialogue

 

A Website

Publication

Videos

Pictorials

Slide Shows

Project contribution to others and the planet:

We believe learning happens everywhere, anywhere and at anytime. It is very important to explore avenues for learning which helps us understanding ourselves, our communities and generating respect for learning. In past, there were lots of learning communities and traditions of learning around the world, which had a great impact on societies and communities. In present times, these learning communities exist but are not visible and recognize. This project will bring forth these practices and traditions of learning from all around the world.

Project language(s):

English - Arabic

Curriculum area: Social Sciences, Languages, Art, Theatre and Media

Aga Khan Education Service-Karachi

Aga Khan Education Service-Hyderabad and Rural Sind-

Cardinal School-Lahore

Alif Laila Book Bus Society-Lahore

Name of facilitator(s): Nooruddin Merchant (nbmerchant@akesp.org)

Naushad Khalique: nkbachani@gmail.com

Kalsoom: shani_aziz@hotmail.com

Naila Saad Khan: nsk_76@yahoo.com

iEARN Forum: Education Issues