Workshop on Classroom Dynamics

The Department of B.Ed., Loreto College, organized a two-day Workshop on Classroom Dynamics on August 18th and 19th, 2025, with Ms. Sonali Lahiri as the distinguished resource person. The workshop aimed at deepening the trainee teachers' understanding of the evolving role of educators in contemporary classrooms, encouraging them to reconnect with their own roots as learners while developing new perspectives on inclusivity, creativity, and instructional strategies. Right from the opening session, Ms. Lahiri created a thought-provoking and enlightening atmosphere, guiding students to engage actively with the social and cognitive aspects of adult learning. The first day commenced with a craft-based introductory activity which, though simple in execution, was designed to emphasize the importance of collaboration, inclusivity, and creativity in teaching and learning. This exercise allowed the participants to recognize the significance of approaching classroom dynamics with open-mindedness and sensitivity, while also setting the tone for a holistic understanding of the educator's role. As the session progressed, Ms. Lahiri highlighted the structural importance of classroom instruction in fostering aural responses, underlining how thoughtful planning of lessons and classroom interactions can enhance listening, attention, and engagement among students. With interdisciplinary approaches becoming increasingly central in today's educational framework, she encouraged the trainee teachers to broaden their horizons by integrating creativity and cross-disciplinary knowledge into their pedagogy. The day concluded with a lively group activity in which students were invited to present their learnings through collaborative and colourful ideas, bridging theoretical insights with practical application and reinforcing the understanding that classroom dynamics are best grasped through interactive and shared experiences.

The second day of the workshop extended these learnings through group presentations, where participants took the lead in articulating their insights from the previous day. A recurring theme that emerged during these sessions was the acronym KISS (Keep It Short and Simple), which served as a guiding principle for the importance of clarity, brevity, and precision in school-level education. Many groups underscored the essential roles of leadership and creativity, often drawing parallels between real-life challenges and curriculum objectives, thereby reinforcing the need for teachers to be not just conveyors of knowledge but also facilitators of meaningful connections between classroom lessons and the larger world. The inclusion of case study discussions proved to be particularly enriching, as it engaged the trainee teachers in critically analyzing diverse classroom scenarios and identifying the parameters that require diligence, adaptability, and reflective practice on the part of educators. These exercises fostered awareness of the nuanced responsibilities that shape effective teaching and equipped the students with practical insights into addressing real classroom challenges. The workshop concluded with a light-hearted yet meaningful activity-What's in the Bag?-where groups took turns to identify and describe hidden objects. This fun-filled game served to highlight the importance of observation, communication, and spontaneity, qualities that lie at the heart of engaging teaching. Ending on a positive and reflective note, Ms. Lahiri reiterated that teaching is a profession that builds a nation, creates humanitarian spaces, and nurtures learners to grow intellectually and emotionally. The two-day workshop thus left the participants with a renewed sense of purpose, practical tools for instruction, and a reaffirmed understanding that classroom dynamics involve not only pedagogy but also the cultivation of inclusive, creative, and compassionate learning environments.