Taking learning outside the classroom

At Qatar Academy Doha, we have always connected our students’ learning to real-life experiences. We recognize that young people are captivated by knowing they can make a difference to humanity. The “BackPack project for Afghan Refugees” and the drive to save PAWS the Animal Rescue Centre in Doha are a few of the initiatives pioneered by Grade 5 students this year. The successes of our experiential learning opportunities throughout the year, which are all locally rooted and globally connected, lead us effortlessly to continue our service work internationally.

We believe in our students learning the benefits of lessons taught outside the classroom. Experiential learning activities provide students with opportunities for immersive hands-on learning which enhance personal development, develop independence and self-confidence, and encourage students to upskill themselves.

Experiential learning encourages students to develop international mindedness, empathy and compassion and empowers them to become students of change. They recognize that collectively they can make a difference.

This was demonstrated on their recent trip to Tanzania.

The idea of the trip to Tanzania came from a passion of facilitating children’s learning by immersing children in real-life experiences, and enabling them to connect their culture and identity with the local and global community.

Our students have been prolific in their community service?throughout the academic year within Doha, and they have demonstrated that they were ready to take this to an international level.?

A collaborative approach and supportive network between teaching staff, parents, and PUE contributed to this trip materializing and becoming a huge success.?Although this was the inaugural trip, families and all stakeholders placed a tremendous amount of trust in the team and provided a safe supportive network to facilitate the trip.

For anyone looking to implement out-of-the-box teaching and learning, my advice would be to take risks – calculate risks, of course.

Trust your students and empower them to pursue their passions, and they will surprise you. Build on their knowledge and experiences, value their contributions, recognize their identities and allow them to connect this to their learning in their own unique ways. Promote unity and collaboration immersed in a strong sense of respect for one another. You will reap the rewards beyond what you expect.

Hanifa Rahman, teacher from Qatar Foundation school