Altering Program Delivery Process to Motivate Student Interest and Participation: JA India

To effectively connect with students in Bangalore, India, JA staff made JA More than Money more fun and easily understood by local 8- and 9-year-old participants. Initial program feedback indicated that the students appeared disinterested and that classroom conditions were not conducive to playing the board game or learning new concepts. As a result, program delivery was moved out of the classroom into an open area that provided adequate space, lighting and fresh air.

Also, JA staff increased the number of volunteers from three to six, so that each volunteer could spend at least half an hour with each group of students. (There were approximately 50 students in groups of four). The volunteers played the Community Game along with the students, explaining concepts as play progressed. Consequently, the students enjoyed the whole experience and had the opportunity to ask questions and learn more.

After the implementation of these changes, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The students’ outlook had drastically changed; they were enthusiastic, happy to learn new concepts, and also willing to spend more time in the program. A more tangible outcome of this practice was continued program attendance and that other students requested to participate in Junior Achievement.

Contact: Kamal Kiran, kamalk.ja@gmail.com