Empathy learning Driven Through Peer-to-Peer Experiment: Experiment at The Orchid School, Pune, India

Introduction to The Orchid School:

The Orchid School, located in Pune, is dedicated to fostering a holistic and progressive learning environment where students are empowered to take ownership of their education. The school’s learning framework emphasizes experiential learning, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence, which align with their core philosophy of preparing students to navigate the complexities of the modern world. Orchid School encourages students to develop into independent, socially conscious individuals, equipped to face both academic and life challenges.

RealLives, an immersive life simulation game, adds significant value to Orchid School’s learning framework by complementing these educational goals. The game provides a platform for students to experience diverse socio-economic realities, helping them develop essential skills like empathy, critical decision-making, and global awareness. Through this simulation, students are not just passive learners but active participants in understanding the human condition, which directly aligns with Orchid’s focus on nurturing emotionally intelligent and globally aware citizens. RealLives seamlessly integrates into the school’s philosophy of life-relevant education, enriching both the intellectual and emotional development of the students.

The peer-to-peer learning experiment at Orchid School was made possible through the vision and leadership of the school's dedicated team. At the helm was Lakshmi Kumar , the school’s Director and one of India’s most respected educationists, known for her progressive and student-centered approach. She was supported by Principal Sangeeta Kapoor , whose open-door policy symbolizes her commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming learning environment. With her approachable demeanor, she encourages students and teachers to engage freely, promoting transparency and collaboration within the school community.

Vice-Principal Atreyi Saha , a dynamic educator with a tech background, brought her unique expertise to the experiment, ensuring that the innovative teaching methods were seamlessly integrated with modern technology. Their collective willingness to embrace new ideas and conduct this experiment reflects their commitment to educational innovation. Together, they created the ideal environment for the peer-to-peer learning initiative to flourish, the details of which are elaborated in the following sections of this report.

Introduction to RealLives @ The Orchid School:

At Orchid School, a groundbreaking experiment was conducted by RealLives Foundation, aiming to reshape classroom dynamics through immersive simulations and peer-led learning. By integrating the RealLives simulation game into the curriculum and empowering students to step into teaching roles, this experiment introduced a new model of education. It not only deepened students' understanding of global challenges but also enhanced critical 21st-century skills such as empathy, leadership, and global awareness.

This report captures how this unique approach has transformed learning at Orchid School and highlights the significance of empowering students to take the lead in their educational journey.

RealLives: A Tool for Immersive Global Learning

RealLives is more than just a game—it’s a tool for experiencing life through the eyes of individuals from diverse socio-economic, geographic, and cultural backgrounds. At Orchid School, the game has been successfully integrated into the curriculum to offer students a real-world perspective on global issues such as poverty, healthcare access, economic mobility, and education inequality.

Characters lived by Students at The Orchid School and the Learning:

Character Journeys: A Window into Global Realities

1. Character 1 (Born India and migrated to U.S.)

• Story: Born into poverty in India, this character experienced financial hardship before emigrating to the U.S., where they invested in land and achieved upward mobility.
• Learning Outcome: Students gained an appreciation for economic challenges and the importance of perseverance.

2. Character 2 (Born in Madagascar)

• Story: This character, born into a poor family in Madagascar, faced significant health challenges and eventually died due to malnutrition.
• Learning Outcome: The student learned about the harsh realities of healthcare and educational disparities in poverty-stricken regions.

3. Character 3 (Born in Canada)

• Story: This character’s family’s economic status improved as their mother completed higher education, demonstrating the transformative power of education.
• Learning Outcome: The student realized how access to education and healthcare can alter economic outcomes.

The Peer-to-Peer Teaching Experiment: A Revolutionary Approach

In a bold experiment led by the RealLives Foundation and Orchid School’s leadership, two students— @Arva Jagtap and @Revaa Dhavase —were given the opportunity to lead their classmates as RealLives teachers. This peer-to-peer learning model introduced a fresh approach to education, wherein students became the facilitators of learning, while teachers took on a supporting role as guides and facilitators.

Key Highlights of the Experiment:

• Peer-Led Success: Students were able to connect with their peers more effectively, creating an engaging and collaborative learning environment.
• Empowering the Next Generation: The experiment highlighted that Gen Z and Gen Alpha students are adept at using simulations and can excel in leadership roles, particularly in facilitating learning for others.
• Addressing Teacher Anxiety: By allowing students to take the lead, the experiment addressed potential anxieties that teachers might face when using unfamiliar tools like simulations in the classroom. Teachers were able to step back, guide the process, and allow students to take charge.

Unique Contributions of The Orchid School

Orchid School’s willingness to embrace such an innovative model underscores its leadership in the educational space. The management’s decision to empower students as educators reflects a forward-thinking approach that acknowledges the strengths of the younger generation in using technology and simulations as learning tools.

Impact of RealLives and the Peer-to-Peer Experiment:

• Empathy Building: RealLives allowed students to experience life through the eyes of characters facing real-world challenges, fostering deeper empathy and understanding.
• Leadership Development: By stepping into teaching roles, students gained valuable leadership skills and demonstrated the potential for peer-led learning in modern classrooms.
• Real-World Awareness: Through the immersive simulation, students developed a strong understanding of global socio-economic conditions, preparing them for a world that requires both knowledge and empathy.

Epilogue: A New Era in Education

The integration of RealLives and the peer-led teaching experiment at Orchid School has paved the way for a new model of education. This approach, where students lead learning experiences and teachers facilitate, creates a dynamic and engaging environment that builds essential skills like empathy, decision-making, and leadership.

The success of this experiment highlights the potential for peer-to-peer learning to be more widely adopted, especially in contexts where innovative tools like simulations are used. Orchid School’s leadership and openness to experimentation have set a new standard in education, one where students are not only learners but also leaders and changemakers, equipped to navigate and positively impact the world.