Teachers explore higher-order thinking skills at a workshop

As classrooms continue to move beyond rote learning, schools are increasingly focusing on assessment methods that encourage critical thinking and conceptual understanding. Keeping this larger shift in mind, Apeejay School, Sector 15, Faridabad, organised a brainstorming session for teachers, centred on competency-based questions and assessment practices aligned with higher-order thinking skills.

The session brought together teachers from different departments to reflect on how classroom assessments can better measure understanding, application, and analytical thinking instead of memorisation alone. Discussions during the session focused on designing question papers that encourage students to think independently and engage more deeply with concepts.

Teachers collaboratively shared examples of competency-based questions across subjects. These examples became the starting point for wider conversations around competency-based teaching, learning outcomes, and meaningful assessment practices. The interaction allowed educators to exchange practical classroom experiences and understand how assessment patterns are gradually evolving within the education system.

What stood out during the session was the emphasis on collective learning. Teachers participated actively in discussions around framing questions that test interpretation, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities. The session also highlighted the growing importance of aligning classroom teaching with student-centric learning approaches.

The brainstorming session served as a professional learning platform where educators could revisit existing practices and explore more effective ways of engaging students academically. It also encouraged teachers to look at assessments not merely as evaluation tools but as opportunities to strengthen conceptual clarity and critical thinking among learners.

As schools continue adapting to changing educational expectations, such initiatives reflect a broader effort to prepare students for deeper learning and real-world application of knowledge. For educators, these conversations remain important in shaping classrooms that value understanding, curiosity, and independent thought.