Unlocking Student Potential: The Success Story of a Daily DT Activation Hour

Hello connections I'm happy to share an article about DT activation Hour experience #snsinstitutions #snsdesignthinkers #designthinking

In our class, we have implemented a daily DT Activation hour, a unique and engaging way to promote mindfulness, moral values, and confidence-building among our students. This Minute session is divided into 5 minutes of meditation/yoga and 10 minutes of sharing moral stories.

Part I: Meditation/Yoga (5 minutes)

The benefits of meditation are numerous, and I took the initiative to introduce them to my students. I instructed them to sit comfortably with their hands on their laps and closed their eyes as we listened to calming music from YouTube. To my surprise, even the most restless students stayed focused and attentive throughout the 5-minute session. I observed the students and gently reminded those who seemed distracted to focus. Latecomers were welcomed with a gentle nod and invited to join the meditation session. Initially, we started with a 3-minute meditation, but later increased it to 5 minutes as students became more comfortable with the practice.

To make this activity successful, it's essential to arrange for a speaker or play calming music in advance. To keep the sessions engaging, we vary the method of meditation every two weeks.

Part II: Sharing Moral/Value-Based Stories (10 minutes)

I emphasized the importance of sharing moral/value-based stories in class to foster empathy, understanding, and critical thinking among my students. Each day, three students are assigned to share stories based on the nominal roll and informed beforehand. The next day, the assigned student stands on the dias and delivers their prepared moral/value story.

Initially, the first student struggled with stage fright, but instead of scolding or discouraging them, I provided motivation and support. I asked all students to listen attentively and support their classmates during the storytelling session. The applause and motivation before sharing the story boosted the student's confidence, making them eager to share their own stories.

With the help of my students, we created a lively and engaging storytelling session. The other two students shared their stories confidently without requiring much motivation. My role during this session was to motivate and encourage all students to participate actively.

The success of this DT Activation hour can be attributed to effective communication and motivation. By creating a supportive environment where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas, we have seen a significant improvement in their confidence and engagement in class. This daily routine has become an essential part of our classroom culture, promoting a sense of community and values-based learning.

We are thankful to Dr.S.N Subramanian (Chairman), Nalin SNS (Technical Director), Sumathy Raja (Principal), Jagadeesh Balasubramanian Sir