On 29th September, 2016 the students of Grade 3 had a video call around 1.30 p.m. with the De Bohun Primary School in London, U.K. initiated by our Principal Ms. Preeta Pillai, who persistently strives to provide the best to her learners in their sojourn towards achieving global citizenship. The video call was conducted by the respective Class teacher of Grade 3, Ms. Vidula Vyas under all the technical guidance offered by Ms. Rani the Senior Computer teacher.

Soon after the introductory talk on Podar World School by Ms. Vidula Vyas, the students of both Podar World School and the De Bohun Primary school introduced themselves.

The U. K School shared about their school timings, the days of weekend off (on Saturday and Sunday) and about their favorite subjects, Art and Craft. Our students shared that they liked English and Mathematics besides Visual (Art & Craft) and Performing Arts (Music and Dance). There was a lot of excitement as it seemed to be their first video conferencing along with their peer group at school though many did share of having Skype talk with their near and dear ones during weekends at home. The students of both the schools were at the height of their enthusiasm to share as much information as they could within the stipulated time. As it was the best part of our students academic session with celebrations of ‘Joy of Giving Week’, Navaratri, followed by a short break for Dussehra and the long awaited Diwali break, the students were highly vociferous sharing the activities carried out as a part of each of these celebrations and festivals. The students of Podar World School, Sherkhi showed samples of their art and craft work like pen – stands, wall hangings, festoons and Navratri props such as decorated dandias, pots and decorative lanterns made out of coloured papers. Besides talking about the significance of Navratri celebrations, the students even performed Dandia raas on one of the popular garba songs to add to their knowledge regarding our rich and variegated culture. The De Bohun Primary School having impressed with the details of Diwali celebrations shared that they would be working on a project ‘Diwali, an Indian festival’ in the ensuing session of their academic year.

The collaborative learning affected through video conferencing would certainly benefit our learners to have an insight of the kind of schooling their counterparts have, their likes and dislikes and the kinds of projects taken up by them. It was like having a live London classroom within the four walls of an Indian classroom. Such experiences when shared by our learners who are the future citizens of our country which is progressing at a fast pace, will go a long way in bridging the gap between nations and thereby evolving themselves as global citizens in every aspect of human life. Eventually the students of the De Bohun School sang a song in chorus and our students too sang a song for them. Thanks to Management and to our Principal, Ms. Preeta Pillai for engaging both the teachers and the pupils in such pedagogical practices which guarantees maximum exposure so that they become confident and ever willing to take up challenging tasks without any sort of inhibitions in future.

Thus it was a great session and indeed a great learning experience for our learners interacting with children across the globe oblivious of any kind of discriminations if ever that existed between them.