Thematic learning is an instructional method of teaching in which emphasis is given on choosing a specific theme for teaching one or many concepts . It is based on integrating various information and use it to demonstrate the topic. Pedagogy

Pedagogy

Pedagogy is the study of being a teacher or the process of teaching. The term generally refers to strategies of instruction, or a style of instruction....

 of thematic learning is based on its exploration of broad areas in one theme.

Basics of Thematic learning

Thematic learning is based on the idea that knowledge acquisition

Knowledge acquisition

Knowledge acquisition is a method of learning, first proposed by Aristotle in his seminal work "Organon". Aristotle proposed that the mind at birth is a blank slate, or tabula rasa...

 is efficient among students when they learn in the context

Context

Context may refer to:* Context , the relevant constraints of the communicative situation that influence language use, language variation, and discourse summary...

 of a coherent and holistic way and when they can associate whatever they learn to their surrounding and real life examples. Thematic instruction seeks to put the cognitive skills such as reading, thinking, memorizing, and writing in the context of a real life situation under the broad aim to allow creative exploration.

Steps of Thematic learning

Under the thematic learning instruction, organization of curriculum can be based on Macro or Micro theme depending upon the topic to be covered. Main steps includes.

• Deciding a theme: Theme can be decided by teacher and sometimes by students and it can be a smaller concept (e.g. village, mother, climate etc.) to a large and integrated system (e.g. ecosystem, atmosphere etc.)
• Integration of theme with existing curriculum: Next step of thematic learning is designing the theme in an integrative ways to existing curricula keeping the skill and content knowledge in mind.
• Designing Instructions and co-curricular plans: This step include organizing other resources and extra-curricular activities for demonstrating the theme (e.g. field trip or visit to botanical garden).
• Group Activities and discussion: Group activities and discussion enable students to participate and reach on a shared perspective of the theme. This also helps in creative exploration of the subject.

Significance of thematic learning

Thematic learning is a newer concept in pedagogy. It is proved to be a powerful instructional method for integrating various concepts in curriculum by daily life examples and experiences.Thematic learning helps in promoting learning with understanding and discourage rote learning

Rote learning

Rote learning is a learning technique which focuses on memorization. The major practice involved in rote learning is learning by repetition by which students commit information to memory in a highly structured way. The idea is that one will be able to quickly recall the meaning of the material the...

.