Ei and Open Door Education: A partnership for deeper learning

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has placed strong emphasis on making education joyful, experiential, and competency-based through the integration of digital tools, mobile applications, and game-based approaches. In line with this vision, the Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET), NCERT, New Delhi organized a four-day workshop on the Development of Handbook on Techno-Pedagogy Integration from 16–19 September 2025 at CIET, New Delhi. https://lnkd.in/dia5_j4v

Two Classrooms. Two Systems. One Lesson. In middle school in the UK, I once spent an entire week debating whether an orange should be taxed differently from orange juice. We didn’t reach a clear conclusion. That wasn’t the point. When I moved back to India for high school, the contrast hit hard. There was little room for debate. You learned what the textbook said, and then you proved it in the exam. But over time, I’ve come to see that this isn’t just a question of good vs bad. It’s about what the system is trying to solve for. In the UK, private schools had the luxury of scale, smaller classrooms, more resources, and the flexibility to let students explore. The Indian system, by contrast, faces the daunting challenge of educating millions. Standardisation becomes a necessity. Marks, a proxy for fairness. It's not ideal, but it's functional. And yet, in both systems, I saw something striking: 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎 𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎. They found ways to go beyond it: whether it was starting a side project, asking better questions, or seeking out mentors. That’s a big part of why I started CollegeLab Because no matter where you study, you deserve to be seen as more than a number. And if the system doesn’t give you the space, sometimes you have to carve it out yourself. #SaturdayReflections #EducationInsights #CollegeLab #StudentVoices

In maths, spotting a gap is just the beginning. The real craft lies in understanding why the gap exists and choosing the right next step. The Ready to Progress criteria give us a clear map of the priority knowledge pupils need for secure foundations. But to use that map well, we have to: Pinpoint the exact misconception or missing step Track back to the knowledge that underpins it Rebuild carefully so we’re not stacking new learning on sand More practice won’t shift a pupil who’s missing core understanding. Effective teaching means matching the treatment to the diagnosis: clarity, scaffolding, targeted fluency and carefully sequenced reasoning. When we get the diagnosis right, every intervention is sharper, learning sticks and understanding deepens. www.mrbeeteach.com 🐝

AI - is everywhere! This report covers the Challenges, Opportunities, and the Future of Education in the Age of AI 2025

NEW on Wonkhe: There's something for everyone in the latest rethink of the Teaching Excellence Framework, but - as David Kernohan suggests - bringing disparate approaches together can highlight fundamental weaknesses https://lnkd.in/eijdDgJS "If we want to assess and control the risks of modular provision, transnational education, rapid expansion, and a growing number of innovations in delivery we need providers as active partners in the process. If we want to let universities try new things we need to start from a position that we can trust universities to have a focus on the quality of the student experience that is robust and transparent. We are reaching the limits of the current approach. Bad actors will continue to get away with poor quality provision – students won’t see timely regulatory action to prevent this – and eventually someone is going to get hurt."

New on Wonkhe: There's something for everyone in the latest rethink of the Teaching Excellence Framework, but - as David Kernohan suggests - bringing disparate approaches together can highlight fundamental weaknesses https://lnkd.in/e-Nxh7V2 "If we want to assess and control the risks of modular provision, transnational education, rapid expansion, and a growing number of innovations in delivery we need providers as active partners in the process. If we want to let universities try new things we need to start from a position that we can trust universities to have a focus on the quality of the student experience that is robust and transparent. We are reaching the limits of the current approach. Bad actors will continue to get away with poor quality provision – students won’t see timely regulatory action to prevent this – and eventually someone is going to get hurt."

Beyond the classroom, data is pointing us toward the future of work—and it’s clear that so-called “soft skills” are actually the power skills driving career success. Communication, customer service, leadership, project management, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability—are not just helpful, they’re mission-critical. Each is rooted in social and emotional skill development, reminding us that the human side of learning is what equips us for the evolving workplace of tomorrow.

NEP 2020 & NCF: From Vision to Classroom Reality India’s NEP 2020 and NCF frameworks are - a.Competency over rote b.Skills over memorization c.Flexibility over rigidity d.Holistic learning over exam obsession Yet, the ground reality is far behind. Rote learning, syllabus pressure, and exam-centric teaching dominate classrooms. So, how do we bridge the vision-reality gap? 1. Empower Teachers – Continuous training in pedagogy, not just subject delivery. 2. Shift Assessments – From marks to competencies and real-life application. 3. Parental Alignment – Parents must see growth beyond grades. 4. Accountability Systems – Policies must translate into measurable classroom practices. 5.Collaborative Innovation – Schools must learn from each other, not operate in silos. The NEP and NCF will only succeed when classrooms breathe their spirit daily. The question is not whether the policies are strong. The real question is: Do we have the courage and will to implement them in spirit, not just in paperwork?

International students do not just make physical journeys but digital ones. Shanton Chang will be talking about the complexities of these digital journeys - which always have implications for student study, support and everyday living.

NEW on Wonkhe: Mature student numbers have seen more than a decade of decline. For Rachel Hewitt, it’s high time this was turned around https://lnkd.in/eXMBDfci "The decline in mature students is more than a higher education story. It’s a warning sign for our economy and for our ability to adapt to change. The LLE offers a chance to reverse the trend – but only if universities, employers, and policymakers work together to make lifelong learning a reality."