_PNG.png)
Kriya Research Project
Kriya is a science education research project and social initiative, aimed at understanding & improving Science learning at the school level. It is a multi-year engagement project involving Prayoga, partner schools & their students.
The Kriya project is an attempt to shift the paradigm from a teacher-centric to a learner-centric model that allows learners to move from being passive observers to active learners. Experiential learning is believed to one of the most effective ways of learning science. Kriya is an integration of school-level science content built with the intent of offering experiential learning of science.
Purpose of Kriya
Research in science education over the years clearly indicate that the key objectives of science learning are:
-
To know about the products of science i.e., to know the facts and principles of science and its applications
-
To know about the process of science i.e., to acquire the skills and understand the methods of processes that lead to generation and validation of scientific knowledge
-
To develop a scientific bent of mind i.e., to cultivate scientific temper, objectivity, scepticism, critical thinking, logical thinking, respect for evidence and freedom from fear and prejudice
A good science curriculum needs to teach not only the products of science but also the process of science, while building a scientific temperament in learners.
​
Science is learnt best by doing, as against listening or seeing, seems intuitively true. This way of learning, termed the Experiential Learning, promises not only to enhance conceptual understanding but also to develop abilities associated with Science, such as observation, identifying cause and effect association, hypothesising, verifying etc.
​
The present Science curriculum in our country over-emphasizes on teaching the products, and undermines the teaching of the process of science. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 shifts the focus from the traditionally used system of rote-learning to experiential learning and conceptual understanding, which would help students apply their knowledge in real world situations.
Kriya is designed to make science learning happen completely through experiential learning.
Features of Kriya
Kriya Pedagogy
Kriya pedagogy urges less emphasis on rote learning and more emphasis on developing students' thinking and investigative skills. To achieve substantial improvement in students’ performances, Kriya program facilitates the learner-centered environment rather than a teacher-centered one in the classroom which helps students to understand better from their inquiries. This inquiry-based approach in teaching requires students to collaborate with peers, think deeply about complex concepts, relate new science content to their lives inside and outside the classroom, and self-regulate their behavior and thinking across their science learning.
What is Experiential Learning?
​
Experiential learning is learning through direct experience or learning by doing. It is an approach which offers the learners the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge through first-hand experiences, reflect upon those experiences to develop new skills, new attitudes, new ways of thinking and allowing them to develop a better understanding of the concepts at hand.
​
Real-world experiential learning can be truly transformative for the youth of the 21st century where children spend much of their education cooped up in small boxes called classrooms. As famously said by Albert Einstein, "Knowledge is experience, everything else is just information".
Kriya Research
Kriya research will seek to understand the impact of experiential learning on students from a cross-section of schools in India’s societal context.
A study of learning behavior, learning outcomes, learning assessment, teacher participation, teacher development and pedagogical design is part of the scope of research of the Kriya project. The outcomes of this study will form the basis for transforming science learning in our country.
Social Initiative
Prayoga intends to support schools interested in transforming themselves to help their students learn Science through an experiential way.
Prayoga intends to 'Kriya-enable' schools catering to the Economically weaker section (EWS) of society, and those deprived of access to good learning resources - at near zero cost. For deserving EWS schools, Prayoga will help in finding funding partners.
Kriya, for the future of India
Be a part of Prayoga’s journey and dream of contributing to the national progress. We are on a mammoth journey in search of the answers to the future of learning for school children in India. Walk with us today.
Advisor
Prayoga is fortunate to be associated with Prof. Nayana Tara, whose guidance and direction to the Kriya projects will help Prayoga immensely by strengthening the Kriya project.
Prof. Nayana Tara
Prayoga is fortunate to be associated with Prof. Nayana Tara, whose guidance and direction to the Kriya projects will help Prayoga immensely by strengthening the Kriya project. Prof. Nayana Tara’s extensive experience, guidance and direction will help the Kriya project immensely.
She is a recipient of Fulbright Post-Doctoral Fellowship, a member of the Knowledge Commission of Government of Karnataka, and associate editor of the journal of the UK-based Taylor & Francis. She specializes in large-scale research studies and has been a consultant to the World Bank, British High Commission, National Literacy Mission, and MHRD, to name a few. She has authored several books and research publications.