Our Methodology
The age-old adage of ‘I do and I understand’ is the philosophy driving our training methodology which guides students to find meaning and discover their own answers from their experiences. With the use of experiential learning and the power of a playful atmosphere, the sessions have the power to inspire children not only to retain learning, but to apply it with conviction and pass
ion to their real life. The Guide 'n' Seek Learning Cycle
In each session, Children are led through the five stages of exploring, reflecting, imbibing, extrapolating and demonstrating thereby completing the ‘cycle of learning’. Exploring – Where children are free to explore the different facets of a subject. Through a process of deduction, the facilitator subtly steers the discussion thereby discovering the meaning of the subject and the behavioural attributes that go with it. Reflecting – Children then explore the subject in relation to themselves and the skills they possess. For example, when discussing a value like self-respect, students are asked to think about their own qualities and fill in a questionnarie to determine their ‘Self-Respect’ quotient. Imbibing – During this stage, the children experience the subject in a fun, interesting manner. The theory related to the subject is taught and imbibed creatively using the arts. For example, children may be asked to describe what ‘Peace’ means to them on a canvas. At the end of the activity, every artistic representation is discussed in detail thereby enabling the children to truly understand and imbibe the subject
Extrapolating – Children are asked to dig into their lives and narrate stories and experiences that showcase the subject. They are then thrown in hypothetical situations to encourage the use of the subject in futuristic real-life scenarios
Demonstrating – The last step to complete the cycle includes expressing what they have understood of the subject. Students may put up a skit, have a debate or role play in a simulated environment to demonstrate how the learning will be carried into their everyday life. Students are encouraged to come together as a team and use their own creativity during the demonstration, the facilitator only guides the process. The Creative Tools:
Creative training tools have the power to thrill, move and inspire participants. By using tools like theatre, film, art, craft, sports, adventure, simulation and the like, one can capture participant’s whole-hearted attention and interest such that even serious ideas can be conveyed effortlessly. Lasting learning happens through involvement, and when we ‘play’, we are open to embracing new possibilities, insights, thoughts, learnings and even un-learning set patterns of behaviour. Experiential activities, creative challenges, outdoor exercises and simulations encourage children to discover and express themselves, awaken to fresh possibilities, imbibe new learning, break self-imposed barriers, appreciate their inherent potential and stretch out of their comfort zones with confidence. Customized experiential activities encourage children to be curious – to jump in with confidence, reflect, make meaning and derive their own answers from the activities, so the learning is truly impactful. Reflective and visualization activities encourage students to implement peaceful social skills. Artistic activities, music and movement inspire students to express themselves while experiencing the attributes like love, peace, humility, gratitude, etc. Gamelike activities are thought-provoking and fun; the discussion that follows those activities help students explore the different attitudes and behaviours of their peers. Other activities stimulate awareness of personal and social responsibilities while the development of self-esteem, tolerance and team spirit continue throughout the exercises. The Guide 'n' Seek Team
Acceptance is at the very core of all of the values we impart. Our faculty follows a golden rule of accepting every student, every response, every demonstration and every suggestion. Resilient children may initially test the acceptance of their responses by giving non-standard responses. For example: when asked about a peaceful world they might say “war is required in a peaceful world”. In such instances, faculty are asked to respond verbally by restating the content of the students message in a more positive and effective method thereby giving the student due respect. Consistently receiving respect from an adult in this manner, encourages students to accept their own emotions and process their insecurities in a healthy manner. We look at our programs as augmenting the education provided in schools, thereby facilitating overall growth and development and helping young adults make positive choices so they can integrate themselves into the community and the world at large with respect, confidence and purpose.
1. Under the guidance and mentorship of Shri Jaidev Ji
Shri Jaidevji is a distinguished and respected personality - a senior educationist and Vedic scholar, he currently holds the following positions:
o Secretary – Tamil Nadu Arya Samaj Educational Society & DAV Group of Schools
o President – DAV BHEL School, Ranipet
o Vice President – Arya Samaj Schools, Sowcarpet & Vyasarpadi [For the economically disadvantaged sections of the society]; Arya Samaj Medical Society
o Managing Trustee – Arya Samaj [Central] Trust Board
2. J. Rajiv Choudhry
Founder and CEO – ATBM Holdings
Current Divisions:
• E-Factor – Experiential solutions that address serious learning and serious fun|Consulting in Media Academics
• Guide ‘n’ Seek – Higher learning for young adults
Former Divisions:
• Academy for Transformational Learning – Corporate training
• Eventful – TeamBuilds, Employee engagement initiatives, Events & launches
• iSearch - Leaders in the placement of creative resources in the Media and Entertainment field for over ten years
Board Member, Tamil Nadu Arya Samaj Educational Society [DAV Group of Schools]
Vice President, Dayanand College of Commerce [DAV Group]
Project Consultant – FICCI’s Best Animated Frames Award [2004 to present]
Member – Board of Studies [Media], Manipal University – 2007-09
Madras Players – Committee member, Actor, Director: 1980 – to the present
Madras Motor Sports Club – Committee member, Director of the Races, Steward – 1985-2000
Madras Heritage Round Table 124–Charter Chairman-1993, Other executive positions–upto 2000
DAV Alumni Association: Founder President –1995
Vivekananda College: Secretary, College Union -1977-78
Over three decades of management, business and entrepreneurial experience
Trained over 25,000 participants through experiential learning methodologies using creative tools like theatre, art, simulations and the like. Moderator - Several business, education and media panel discussions & conferences. Forerunner in creating larger-than-life ‘people engagement initiatives’ for corporates - projects included a large-scale human formation involving 20,000 school children and the ‘Cognizant Express’ which entertained a literal ‘trainload’ of participants. Actively involved with academia to provide direction for constant improvement and innovation.
30 plus years of experience in the Media & Entertainment industry. Counselling - Mentored numerous creative youngsters, media students and budding M&E professionals to find their bearings in the M&E Industry
Actor & Director - involved in over 300 assignments – including commercials, corporate films, print ads, theatre productions & feature films.
3. Aksh*ta Mahtani
A rebel with a cause and a good one at that – to augment learning beyond the school system by truly empowering and shaping children to become empowered young adults and be responsible citizens of the world. Be it the concept for a camp, experiential content for a workshop or a session to teach core human values, Aksh*ta has the passion to do it with a difference and a zeal to make it real and impactful. Armed with a masters in Event Management from the University of Salford UK, ‘Aku’ started out some years ago organising a variety of corporate events such as conference, store launches, award function, retreats and celebrations. An unexpected opportunity to facilitate sessions at one of the camps led to a realisation that the dots can indeed be connected – the coming together of her love for facilitating and teaching children while organising and running fully themed camps for them. She has also been a key member in creating learning material for several of the camps offered at Guide ‘n’ Seek and by virtue of this, fuels her inherent interest in psychology and human behaviour. She is passionate, intense and fiercely independent, finds working with children extremely fulfilling and rewarding and is grateful to be in her chosen field!
4. Prashant Bothra
SME: Financial & General Management
5. Shyam Sunder
SME: Film Making
6. Mathivanan Rajendran
SME: Theatre
7. Sukrit Choudhry
SME: Gaming
8. Srilatha Subramaniyam
SME: Academic Consultant Guide ‘n’ Seek enables higher learning for young adults through a variety of sessions, workshops, residential camps and fun escapades that make learning a fun, engrossing experience. Our programs recognize the need for children to have a safe and secure environment while still providing a cool ambiance for them to open up, drop inhibitions and assert their opinions. A fine-tuned balance of cerebral, creative, physical and fun activities designed to actively involve, inspire and enable children to effortlessly acquire new knowledge and skills in a pressure-free nurturing environment. We ensure every child has an equal opportunity for self-expression and learning regardless of academic or physical capability.
