Holistic Development

The focus of education has been on information and data assimilation rather than on the development of a holistic individual. To quote the Dalai Lama “ When we look at the educational system itself, what children are getting is just information. They are learning how to read, and getting more and more information that will enable them to eventually get a job…. But where is education going in really developing the mind…we must raise questions about exactly how children should be educated, not to learn mathematics and so forth but to be able to counteract destructive emotions and cultivate wholesome or positive emotions”.

Most educators agree that personalized education is undoubtedly the best form of learning. However this has not been practical in the traditional classroom setting. In his book ‘A Mind at a Time’, Dr. Mel Levine says, “Planet Earth is inhabited by all kinds of people who have all kinds of minds. The brain of each human is unique... The growth of our society and the progress of the world are dependent on our commitment to fostering in our children, and among ourselves, the coexistence and mutual respect of these many kinds of minds”.

The final objective of education should be to create a thinking, caring and innovative individual who is self-confident. This can only happen if we transfer the responsibility and desire to learn back in the hands of the student through experiential learning, self direction and an adaptable and flexible teaching methodology.

Fostering Individual Creativity in the Digital Environment

The digital environment offers an ideal platform to meet this objective. The digital environment offers a plethora of media in which one can learn, create and innovate. An individual’s inner world can now find external expression with ease. Its multifaceted capabilities and interactivity enhances the creative process and allows for individualistic solutions within a contextual framework.

In a single interface students can move seamlessly between various media. It is also possible for the teacher to interact with individual learning styles, interests and preferences in one environment.

Technology has democratized the educational process, giving people, of any age group, geographical location, and even with special needs, the opportunity to participate and become part of the learning process. My experience validates that the design process integrated with the digital medium presents an ideal platform to stimulate an individual’s creativity and enhance the learning curve. Effectively designed, it can be an ideal platform for critical thinking, discovery and innovation.

Copyright – Elizabeth Tilak

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