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The monthly publication on ICT and Education

RNI No. UPENG/2008/25311

digitalLEARNING
Volume V Issue 1 January 2009    ISSN 0973-4139  Rs 75
INDIA
www.digitalLEARNING.in

Celebrating the

3 Anniversary
rd

Bringing together
Academia, Government and
Technology providers
Striving To Make India a
Contents
Knowledge Society
Smt D Purandeswari
Minister of State for Higher
Volume V Issue I, January 2009

Education, Ministry of HRD,


Government of India

‘We Have To Be In Sync


With Technology To Bridge
Digital Divide’
Subhash C Khuntia

Positive Stroke: Centre School Track


8 Interveiw: Subhash C Khuntia
Joint Secretary, Ministry of HRD
44 NUEPA Report

47 ASER Report

10 Interview: Shakila Shamsu


Joint Advisor (Education), Planning Commission
Power School: perspective
Positive Stroke: state 52 Interview: V L Balasubramanian
Principal, JNV, Kasaragod, Kerala

11 Interveiw: Anita Karwal


Secretary, Primary Education, Gujarat 62 Interview: Sita Umamaheshwaran
Principal, PSBB Millennium School, Chennai

12 Interview: Shambhu Singh Education Commissioner(Schools), Manipur Corporate diary


Development Agenda Leader’s Speak (Page 67 - 86)

14 Perspective: Dr Jyrki Pulkkinen


68 Dr Manmohan Sharma, Educo International

CEO, Global eSchools & Communities Initiative (GeSCI)


71 Navyug Mohnot, QAI

16 Commentary: James Tooley 78 Shantanu Prakash, Educomp Solutions


President, The Education Fund, Orient Global
83 Stephen Dukker, NComputing

Higher Education: perspective Case Study (Page 90 - 103)

22 Interview: Prof. Dayanand Dongaonkar 90 Case Study: Edurite


Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities
94 Innovation: SMART Technologies

25 Interview: Dr Rajendra Prasad Rector & Professor, School of Life Sciences, JNU 96 Innovation: Microsoft

All the articles are available online at www.digitalLearning.in


Editorial
digital LEARNING INDIA
Volume V, Issue 1 | January 2008

President
M P Narayanan

Editor-in-Chief
Ravi Gupta

Group Directors
Maneesh Prasad, Sanjay Kumar

Programme Co-ordinator
The year that was 2008!
Jayalakshmi Chittoor
As we prepare to usher in a New Year, the year that we bid adieu will go down in history as
Assistant Editor one of the most eventful phases in the past decade or so. Its impact on the coming years
Manjushree Reddy will be significant and defining. The world slipped into the grip of a financial crisis with the
email: manjushree@digitallearning.in world’s top economy, the US taking a severe battering with its credit crisis. The financial
Research Associates markets have nosedived. The market demands and production are running low.
Rachita Jha, Dr Rajeshree Dutta Kumar,
N. Samungou Singh But so much for the bad news; a fresh start also requires revisiting the core strengths and
solid fundamentals. We turn three with the onset of 2009. In this anniversary issue of
Research Assistants Digital Learning we share such moments.
Angela S Nath, Yukti Pahwa

Marketing Some numbers to start with. In 2007 around hundred authors gave content for the magazine;
Siddharth Verma (+91-9811561645) this grew to 130 authors sharing their ideas through our magazine in 2008. We have in the
email: siddharth@digitallearning.in past year carried forward the mission of forging alliances for ICT content showcasing growth
in the education sector.
Sales Executives
Rudra Ghosh, Fahimul Haque We received contributions from India, Malaysia, USA, UK, Philippines, China, Thailand,
Indonesia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Singapore, China, Pakistan, Canada and Turkey. To
Subscription & Circulation
add to the list we received additional contributions in 2008 from Russia, Israel, Kenya,
Lipika Dutta (+91-9871481708)
Ghana, New York and Australia. This showcases Digital Learning expanding global reach.
Manoj Kumar (+91-9971404484)

Sr Graphic Designer Digital Learning delivered total of 778 pages of content in its twelve issues of 2008, out of
Bishwajeet Kumar Singh which 228 were generated in-house articles. In 2008, the themes that featured included
‘a futuristic outlook on ICT, education planning, distance education, Asian scenario on e-
Graphic Designers
Education, and Malaysian scenario.
Om Prakash Thakur,
Chandrakesh Bihari Lal (James)
This anniversary issue brings together a composite outlook, spanning across government
Web and private, schools and universities, from India’s education sector and the role that ICT is
Zia Salahuddin, Amit Pal already playing in making quality education possible for millions.
Editorial & Marketing Correspondence
digitalLearning
We hope you will enjoy reading the new-look Digital Learning.
G-4 Sector 39, NOIDA 201301, India
Phone: +91 120 2502181-85 Fax: +91 120 2500060 We wish you all a very happy new year!
Email: info@digitalLearning.in

digitalLEARNING is published in technical


collaboration with Centre for Science, Development
and Media Studies.
Ravi Gupta
Editor-in-Chief
Ravi.Gupta@csdms.in
Owner, Publisher, Printer, Ravi Gupta Printed at
Vinayak Print Media D-320, Sector 10, Noida, U.P.
and published from 710, Vasto Mahagun Manor,
F-30,Learning
Digital Sector - 50, Noida,
| Vol UP 11 November 2008
4 Issue 
Editor: Ravi Gupta
Message
Date: January 1, 2009

Striving To Make India a Knowledge Society


India’s education sector today faces multiple challenges of access, equity and quality. Over the past five years, Ministry of Human Resource
Development has been busy in attaining the goal of making education accessible to every child, particularly among the marginalised sections
in the rural areas. We are also addressing the gap that exists between the market demands and the available skill sets among professionals
through the participation of private sector in the curriculum framework.
Coming to the aspect of quality, infrastructure and faculty are two major concerns that need to be focused on. We are roping in as many colleges
as possible under the ambit of the University Grants Commission (UGC) to upgrade their quality. The UGC and AICTE are also pursuing various
measures to lure fresh graduates into research and teaching profession.
The government alone cannot address all these challenges. The private sector needs to play a proactive role to supplement the efforts of the
government. A PPP model is to be developed with the active participation of stakeholders at the central and state level.
The 11th Five Year Plan has kept a target of raising the gross enrollment ratio to 15% by the end of the plan year. This is where ICT steps in.
Integration of ICT in education will give an impetus to our efforts to attain our target of increasing our gross enrollment ratio by widening the reach
of education to the remote and marginalised areas of our country.
With a large percentage of our population constituting the workforce, ICT also gives them space to pursue education at their own convenient pace
and time. The role of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) systems, which have accepted and integrated ICT in their functioning and outreach,
particularly finds mention here.
As we all know education is what ultimately decides the position of a country in the comity of nations, we should all strive to make India a
knowledge society. This is what my ministry aspires for and I hope all the stakeholders put in their best in achieving this.
I also take this opportunity to wish ‘digital Learning’, a leading magazine on ICT and education, on the occasion of its third anniversary.
The magazine has played a key role in providing a platform to all the stakeholders to voice their views and opinions. I hope it carries
on this role for many more years to come!
I am also happy to know that the publishers of digital LEARNING magazine are organising the eINDIA 2009 on 4-6 August 2009 in the National
Capital Region of Delhi. I congratulate the organisers on this endeavour. I am pleased to know that my Ministry is actively participating and
supporting this path-breaking event. I wish this event a great success.

(D Purandeswari)
MOS - HRD (HE)
Positive Stroke | Centre
‘We Have To Be In Sync With
Technology To Bridge Digital Divide’
For a country of our size, it is difficult to implement all the
technology solutions at one go in all the schools. So it has to be
done in a graded manner
Subhash C Khuntia, Joint Secretary, Department of School Education &
Literacy, Ministry of HRD, , Government of India

The 11th Five Year Plan focuses on gap in enrollment and also to reduce the process enjoyable for the children. The
education in a big way. What are the gap in enrollment for weaker sections of old schools would require upgradation
key milestones that the government is society. as far as technology is concerned.
looking at as far as school education is There is a centrally sponsored scheme
concerned in the coming year? Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called ‘ICT at Schools’ through which
Since a large part of India’s population has made an announcement about every secondary or higher secondary
constitutes the youth, education ‘model schools’. Can you elaborate school will be facilitated with ICT
occupies a prime position in the 11th on it? infrastructure and connectivity. The
Five Year Plan. If you see the Plan The ‘model school’ scheme involves idea is to have effective ICT integration
allocation, more than 19% of the total setting up of one model school in every in all secondary schools by the end of
outlay is devoted to education, whereas block in the country. It will comprise the 11th Five Year Plan.
it was 9.5% in the 10th Plan. And again of 3500 government schools and
school education gets high priority 2500 schools through Public Private There is a huge disparity in
here. With Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Partnership. The model school would quality as well as IT integration in
being a great success, large number of basically serve as a demonstration unit schools maintained by the Central
students will soon be knocking at the and as a focal point to network with government and those of states. How
doors of secondary education and that other schools in the block to build up does the Centre plan to reduce this
is why we are planning to ensure that a synergy to enhance the quality of disparity?
these children get adequate access to education in all secondary schools. The The ‘ICT at Schools’ scheme seeks to
secondary education. Similarly those much needed educational technology remove such disparity. Through the
who complete secondary education and connectivity would be available in scheme we plan to equip each and
should be able to move to higher these model schools so that an every school with the required ICT
education. Right now the enrollment ideal environment is created for teaching infrastructure. This will hopefully start
ratio in higher education is 11%, and the and learning. a kind of chain reaction. The states can
Ministry has plans to increase it to 15% further reinforce this infrastructure as
during the Plan period. This can only In the new scheme where there is a per requirements. Schools maintained by
be achieved if elementary as well as talk of upgradation and maintenance the Central government, like Kendriya
secondary education is given the of old and new schools, how is the role Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas,
pre-eminence. of ICT envisaged? have been successful in IT integration as
Of course, for the new schools we well as in provision of other resources.
We have also set some ambitious targets would like to have Information State governments having larger number
like increasing the gross enrollment ratio and Communication Technologies of schools need to emulate them.
in secondary education (9th and 10th) incorporated right into the structure of Needless to say, all schools should
from 53% to 75% in the next five years. schools so that the paradigm of teaching maintain a minimum standard in all
Another target is to reduce the gender and learning can be different, making the aspects including ICT.

>> Continued on page 49


 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in
Positive Stroke | Centre
Pro-Active Role Required For
Facilitating Reforms In Education
Among the many limitations and bottlenecks which India
faces is the attitudinal factor, where there is a built in resistance
to use technology
Shakila Shamsu, Joint Advisor (Education), Planning Commission

What objectives have been laid down ICT can produce optimal results only if technology usage in school education?
in the 11th FiveYear Plan for catering both the receiver and sender are trained I strongly believe that there is great need
to quality education in India? for its proper usage and attuned towards to nurture public private partnerships
The 11th Plan is an investment plan a common goal. for implementing ICT in school
for Education and Health sectors. The education. Majority of schools in our
education sector covering elementary, Among the many limitations and country are not equipped to effectively
secondary, higher and technical bottlenecks which India faces is the integrate ICTs in their activities. Private
education will greatly benefit from attitudinal factor, where there is a built enterprise can do a great deal not only
the thrust given in the current Plan in resistance to use technology. There is by supplying hardware and maintenance,
period. The problems affecting quality also a bias that greater use of technology but also help in developing content for
of education - such as inadequate will increase the existing digital divide. teaching various subjects, especially in
infrastructure, poor quality of faculty, Another danger is of top down approach regional languages. Another area where
outmoded teaching methods, outdated which results in adopting technologies private sector initiatives can contribute
curriculum, lack of linkages between unsuitable for our national or regional is teacher training by developing proper
knowledge and skills - have been taken needs. Appropriateness of technology training modules.
cognizance and appropriate corrective is crucial to the success of ICT
steps have been suggested. The Plan applications. Lastly, what would be your message
includes a coherent ICT based education for stakeholders in the education
both at the secondary and higher In your opinion, how can we create sector regarding an ICT policy on
education. an enabling environment for effective education in India?
and efficient use of technologies in Each one of us directly or indirectly
All these can be achieved only if schools? is a stake holder in the education
the States adopt a pro-active role in There is a general acceptance of the sector. Students, teachers, parents,
facilitating these reforms. States will need to create technology enabled educational administrators, heads of
have to protect the interests of the schooling environment. IT enabled educational institutions, technology
marginalised sections of the society learning would perhaps provide providers, all have a stake in education.
through appropriate strategies as new directions in pedagogy and The greatest stumbling block in the
educational loans, scholarships, hostel affect students achievement level. way of implementing an ICT policy in
facilities and other material assistance. Technology seems to be the answer education is the attitudinal bias which is
to several problems in educational technology resistant. We need to correct
What role do you foresee for ICT in settings, provided basic infrastructure our perspectives and ensure a blended
education? According to you, what such as computers and computer labs, and balanced use of technology along
are the reasons for India still lagging multimedia labs, internet connectivity, with the human capital to extend the
behind in ICT integration? power backup, etc, are ensured. In frontiers of education in a global
The buzzword today is ICT in education. addition, human capital in the form of setting. <<
But we need to assess the needs, trained teachers competent to use ICT is
usage and benefits of ICT in achieving also required. Note: Views expressed by the author
educational objectives in a more realistic in the interview are her own and
manner. Given my experience in What role does public private in no way represent the Planning
Distance Education and Open Learning, partnership play in enhancing Commission’s views.

10 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Positive Stroke | state 3rd anniversary special issue

ICT Integration in Schools Slow


Due To Sheer Numbers
technology in school education?
PPP is the only way out for PPP in my view is the only way out
for introducing, implementing and
introducing, implementing and sustaining use of technology in school
sustaining use of technology in education. The precious resources of
the government cannot be utilised for
school education sustaining every new development in
technology.

Please specify the challenges faced


in integration of ICT in education?
Anita Karwal, Secretary
Also, according to you what are the
solutions to these challenges?
Primary Education, Gujarat Some of the major challenges are:
Procurement; Capacity limitations;
Scale; Remoteness; Language issues;
How can the quality of education Please mention the initiatives taken by Quickly changing technology; Useless
delivery be enhanced through ICT the Gujarat Education Department or ad-hoc software; Connectivity; and
integration in school education? in enhancing the quality of state Lack of proper operating systems.
As far as primary education is education.
concerned, the scale of operation at Some of the major initiatives undertaken And possible solutions to these are:
the state level is so huge that it is near by the Gujarat government are: Guidelines at the national level on ICT
impossible to ensure 100% results in any • Five thousand schools covered in integration in schools; Standardising the
intervention. With ICT one is sure of the Phase 1 of the computerisation pro- procurements; Exploring various con-
reach to the farthest corner and also the gramme of upper primary schools nectivity options; Constant monitoring
quality being relayed out from a central (Classes 5,6 and 7). Phase 2 of the of expected outcomes under CAL pro-
communication unit. programme has been tendered and gramme; Constant review of guidelines
rest of the upper primary schools to ensure availability of latest technol-
What role do you foresee for ICT will be covered by mid 2009; ogy; Using ICT for enabling individual
in education? What are the reasons • The facility of BISAG child tracking, monitoring drop outs, etc
for India still lagging behind in ICT (Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space under universalisation of education; and
integration? Applications and Geomatics) Funding under SSA of computer labs,
As the world is shrinking and extensively used for relaying service oriented CAL programme.
future employments will need some educational inputs and for teacher
background in it, ICT will have to training; Lastly, what would be your message
become an integral part of school • Syllabus related teaching and for the stakeholders in the education
education. Ours is a huge country in learning software prepared and used sector regarding building up an ICT
terms of population to be serviced in in upper primary schools; policy on education in India?
schools. In Gujarat itself, we have over • We are in the process of developing I do not believe in piecemeal policies
60 lakh children studying in about an education mamagement and in education. After all we are dealing
32,000 primary schools across the state. information system (EMIS) for the with the lives of our future. The Sarva
Population is not really an issue in most state; Shiksha Abhiyaan has shown us the
of the western part of the world, while • Software being developed for refur- way as an all encompassing policy. My
here we are talking about a single state! bishing knowledge acquired during personal view is that there is no need
Therefore, we need to comprehend the academic year at the end. for a separate ICT policy in school
the reality that we are slow on the ICT education. It could simply form a part
uptake in school education due to sheer Should public private partnerships be of the SSA guidelines and subjected to
numbers. built for enhancing proper usage of periodic revision. <<
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 11
Positive Stroke | state
Access, Quality And Inclusive Education
Mantra For Manipur
Manipur is a small but highly sensitive
Model schools are being set up wherein the resources of the and complicated society. While
generating content for e-Learning one
Government would be committed to deliver quality education has to take all sensibilities into account.
exclusively The amalgamation of various tribes and
the population of the Imphal valley
have all different sensibilities and a
Shambhu Singh, Education Commissioner(Schools), Manipur balance has to be struck before virtual
classes can start. As a result, we can
depend on outside content providers
What role do you foresee for ICT in is making an attempt to review and re- only for pure sciences and possibly
enhancing quality education? assess the efficiency and effectiveness some languages.
Information and Communication of its present policies and strategies and
Technologies have a critical role in adopt such policies and strategies which In your opinion, should Public Private
enhancing quality of education. Though will address the issue of access and Partnerships be built for enhancing
the teacher continues to be pivotal quality separately. Model schools are proper usage of technology in school
in delivering education to students, being set up to deliver quality education education?
amongst the various enabling factors exclusively. ICT per-se does not constitute the core
which ultimately ensure delivery of activity of teaching-learning process
quality education, scope of ICT is e-Learning in various schools is also and wherever feasible the supply and
unparalleled. For example, it facilitates being taken up to broaden the horizon maintenance of its infrastructures could
better comprehension and understanding of the students. Efforts are also afoot to be outsource/privatised. There is no
of various complex phenomena with establish an MIS Cell in the Directorate harm in the private sector providing the
ease. It also provides access to the of School Education with a dedicated soft skills also, to the extent that it takes
unlimited source of digital information website for dissemination of information into account the local issues. Any public
available through Internet. It can also to the public, with special focus on private partnership can however be
play an important role in planning and teachers and students. made functional only when there is rule
administration, tracking the performance of law and contractual obligations can
of individual teacher/student and Specify the challenges faced in be enforced.
prompt collection and dissemination of integration of ICT in education in
information. your state? According to you, what How do you envision your state school
are the solutions to these challenges? system with respect to implementation
Please mention some initiatives To harness the benefits of ICT in of ICT tools in the coming years?
undertaken by the education education it is imperative that the In the present scenario of globalisation
department in enhancing the quality capacity building amongst the and rapid pace of changes taking
of education in your state. administrators, teachers as well as place in terms of knowledge,
Broadly speaking, the State government students takes place. Knowledge of employment opportunities etc, ICT has
endeavours to provide access, quality computer with abundant hands-on to become an integral part of education
and inclusive education. It is committed practice is a pre-requisite. Hence, ICT in the coming years. The Department
to ‘education for all’. While addressing in education has to be introduced in a envisions a school system in the
the issue of access and quality, it is phased manner by first giving adequate future wherein the students would be
apparent that the two goals are divergent exposure and training to all concerned. empowered to access the unlimited
in nature and hence wherever the State Specifically the teachers should be source of WWW, shift from a memory-
government has adopted the policy of encouraged to adopt computer enabled based to skill-based test, availability of
‘one size fits all’, it has not been able to teaching. A unique problem associated lectures/notes on the web and
deliver quality effectively. with Manipur is the non-availability/ also interaction between the teachers
irregular power supply which is and students, parents and teachers
In brief, the State Education Department compounded by law and order problems. through ICT. <<

12 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Developement Agenda | Perspective
Strategising Management
of ICT Resources in
School Education
GeSCI gives strategic advice to Education
ministries world over on better management of ICT
resources in school education

Dr Jyrki Pulkkinen
CEO, Global eSchools & Communities Initiative (GeSCI)

Please tell us about your journey with How did you get other universities on- How was this model of networking
the development of ICT in education. board, within Finland, for furthering and decentralising of ICT educational
My background is that of an the early ideas on ICT into learning training different from other
educationist, as a researcher, research and practice? contemporary models?
manager and an Assistant Professor Previously, if you had one year We never established a virtual university
of education, with over 20 years of curriculum you had your students at one university in Finland. We came
experience. In the 1990’s, we lived in over there in the classroom, used up with a network of universities, and
pioneering times, when it came to the technologies for teaching them, this finally grew into a national network
use of Information Communication sometimes assessing or video of Finland. There was a Secretariat or
Technology (ICT). When I came conferencing, and you paid all the costs a development unit at the Ministry of
across ICT, I started programming for and developed all the curriculum. We Education.
educational needs. We experienced tried to change that. We decided among
many new technologies and applied three universities – Helsinki University In UK, they established one university
these for training teachers. We of Technology, University of Jyvaskyla and tried to run it as a business, which
facilitated skill development not and University of Oulu - to share ultimately went bankrupt. Many of
only for the primary and secondary all the costs and implementation of the virtual universities met this fate in
school teachers, but also for the adult ideas. We decided to have one study the late 80s and early 90s. The Finnish
educators, university teachers, lecturers group in each of these universities. Virtual university model has survived so
in education. At that time we also The three universities constituted a long and is still functioning because of
wanted to understand what will be the network and contributed money, ideas their network model.
impact of ICT for the school education for developing curriculum through a
system, not only as a tool in your own year long programme. With this network Can you share some of your critical
classroom, but how it will reform the and idea of sharing costs of training introspection about ICT in education,
whole education system. As an Assistant we managed to have large-scale impact particularly in the context of
Professor in the University of Oulu in in terms of the number of students we developing countries?
1996, I established a research unit of covered. We used technology as a tool, In 2000, I went to South Africa as a
educational technology. It was the first but it also provided a platform for us to consultant for the National Department
of its kind in Finland, and was totally train more teachers in more of Education for capacity building
dedicated to educational technology. product areas. model of African teachers. In Finland

14 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


3rd anniversary special issue

traditional classroom of chalk and board. proper plan. This is where a visionary
So in India it is not a technical problem, strategy comes in, and the need for a
but a pedagogical one. This is my sub- country-specific ICT policy.
stantive evaluation at the moment.
India is challenging, because it has a
What kind of model do you suggest third world economy and at the same,
for the Indian environment? a developed country’s problems. So
Research has shown the world over that you have a variety of problems and
people learn the best through a flexible challenges here. Basically, the Indian
and collaborative mode of learning. experience has been a good exercise
Children are learning together, they can for GeSCI and hopefully a useful
communicate together via Internet or one for the Indian government as
face-to-face. They have to collaborate, well. However, in the coming years
not memorise. They have to study, GeSCI would like to contribute to
solve problems, make conclusions, and other countries in South Asia. We are
develop something new. developing regional activities in other
countries in the region also. We are
I was surprised to hear that in state- serving India from a different angle,
owned schools, every child learns the not as a bilateral country programme
same thing, same day, in a same manner. but inviting it to be part of the larger
This is not at all innovative. We have community of ICT in education and
everything was online, but in South other methods too, like the ‘blended GeSCI community in South Asia. We
Africa, I asked for offline content as mode learning’, where various children want India to share their experiences in
it was too expensive to be online. The learn different things at the same time in policy making and ICT in education,
economic environment was absolutely a classroom. with other South Asian nations.
different. Even where technologies were
available, teachers could not be using A school is like a social system, which The Asian scenario is different from,
it constantly as it proved too expensive has to be changed on the whole. We say, Africa. That is why we are not
for the schools. Even the teachers there have to address the school management developing any country programmes
lacked proper training. So we had to and also the educational system at all in Asia but rather going for facilitation
develop a different model. I was in a levels, from the ministers to teachers. If of knowledge sharing activities in the
state of confusion and getting critical. you want to use technology efficiently region. In Africa, we have country
with minimum investment and have the programmes because they don’t have
How do you view the specific case of best results too, you should invest in the the same level of knowledge base or
India? educational management system. That expertise as in India.
I have been attending many global is the best way of introducing ICT in
workshops on ICT and innovations, education. The government and the private
saying that everybody should copy the sector have an engagement in India’s
Indian model. Even Africa wants to copy After management comes the teachers. education sector. How do you view
Indian model! I assumed its because we The teachers should know how to the coming together of different
have a booming outsourcing business implement technology in their pedagogy. stakeholders?
in ICT and high-tech in Chennai and Otherwise the investments made by the Every stakeholder has a point of view
Bangalore. school will go waste. and interest. They have different entry
points to the same issue.
Coming to application of ICT in educa- How do you see the role of GeSCI in
tion, I haven’t seen enough to make any India in the context of current global But the government cannot provide all
evaluation about the situation in India. education? services and infrastructure, they need
During my visits to couple of schools, GeSCI gives strategic advice to private sector for that. The idea is to
I saw children looking at computer Education ministries world over on create a kind of partnership where there
screens and copying everything on to better management of ICT resources is a confluence of two sides to bring in
notebooks and memorising what they in school education. We advocate all round development. But at the same
have seen. Then I felt the problem was the importance of having an ICT time, the private sector should not be
not technology, but the methodology infrastructure in education as it is given a free hand as then it goes on an
adopted by the teachers in the learning needed for development of the social easy profit making mode. This kind of
process. They were repeating the same and economic parameters of a nation. participatory policy making may be new
mode of teaching which they did in the But to accomplish it there has to be a in India, but back home it is a norm. <<

Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 15


Development Agenda | Commentary
Private Schools For Poor

New Frontier For ICT Investment

and either Hindi (Delhi) or Urdu


Private schools are blossoming in the slums (Hyderabad). Questionnaires were
given to children and their parents to
and low-income areas of India. These low-cost elicit data to control for a wide range of
background variables.
private schools are run by entrepreneurs from the
James Tooley
President
communities. Visit these schools and you’ll find a What we found was remarkable. In
the poor urban areas surveyed, private
The Education Fund, vibrant atmosphere of learning taking place education made up the majority of
Orient Global provision. In the slums of East Delhi,
we found fully 65% of schools were
private unaided, and that there were

I
’ve come to India because something the communities. Perhaps a woman has more private unrecognised schools than
remarkable is happening in started a nursery, then been persuaded to government schools (28% compared to
education for the poor and I want extend it further when parents report that 27%). In the slums of the Old City of
to be a part of it. There’s a private their children are happy with her. Or a Hyderabad, fully 64% of school children
education revolution taking place – and young man starts an after-school tuition were enrolled in private school, and
it opens up extraordinary opportunities class, then realizes he can do a better there were roughly the same percentage
for those engaged in digital learning. job for his students than their current of children in private unrecognised
schools during the day too. Visit these schools as there were in government
The accepted wisdom says that the schools, and you’ll find the vast majority schools (24% compared to 23%).
poor need governments to provide their of teachers present and teaching, and a
education. But government education vibrant atmosphere of learning taking Moreover, the low cost private
for the poor doesn’t seem to be working place. schools dramatically outperformed
well. Visiting a government school in For the last five years or so, I’ve been the government schools. In Delhi, for
poor parts of urban India, for instance, studying the phenomenon, ever since mathematics, mean scores of children
can be sobering. Where there should I first stumbled across my first budget in government schools were 24.5%,
be ten teachers, there will be only two private school in the slums behind the whereas they were 42.17% in private
or three present. And they won’t all be 16th century Charminar in Hyderabad’s unrecognised schools and 43.9% in
teaching either. Children – bright-eyed, Old City. My research teams have private recognised. In English, the
eager young children – will often be combed the slums of East Delhi and performance difference was much
seating on the floor, doing nothing. I’m of the Old City of Hyderabad, looking greater (children in unrecognised
sure that I’m not the only one to feel that for all schools, public and private – not schools enjoyed a 35 percentage
the poor deserve much more than what depending on official data, as many of point advantage over their public
government education has to offer. the private schools were unrecognised, school counterparts, whereas children
off the official radar. The research in recognised schools scored 41
It would all be deeply depressing if teams found large numbers of schools percentage points more). However,
it wasn’t for the fact that the poor, in in the areas selected – 918 in the slums these differences might be expected,
huge numbers, are already embracing of Hyderabad, for instance. We tested given that government schools are not
an alternative. Private schools are around 10,000 children in India, taken in general English medium. However,
blossoming in the slums and low-income from a stratified random sample of we didn’t find any government
areas of India. These low-cost private schools within these poor communities. school advantage in Hindi – and most
schools are run by entrepreneurs from Children were tested in English, maths government schools were Hindi-

16 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


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Better, however, but perhaps not good
enough. For whatever the advantages
of the low cost private schools, clearly
their educational quality (as well as
their infrastructure) could be improved
– and no-one acknowledges this more in
my experience than the private school
entrepreneurs themselves.

This is where the challenge arises for


the digital learning ICT community.
Can learning materials be created that
can enhance the educational experience
of children in these private schools for
the poor, at an affordable cost? The
technologists who come up with these
solutions will be assured of a huge
market for their products – I estimate
that there are 300,000 low cost private
schools across India. And they can be
assured that if their offerings work to
raise educational standards and enhance
children’s enjoyment of learning, they’ll
medium. Again, in Hindi, we found that a private unrecognised school would be be taken up by entrepreneurs, not
children in private unrecognised schools predicted to gain 16.1 percentage points ignored or neglected as often
achieved on average 22% points higher more in mathematics than the same child happens to innovations in government
than children in government schools (an attending a government school. In a schools. Why? Because the
83% advantage). In recognised private private recognised school, the difference entrepreneurs are hungry for new
schools, children scored on average in scores would be 17.3 percentage ideas. Partly, this is simply because
24% points more (an 89% advantage). points. In English, the advantages would they desire to improve children’s
be even greater—16.9 percentage points education. But there’s also another
In Hyderabad, similar results were found more in an unrecognised school and powerful incentive: The majority
for mathematics and English. However, 18.9 percentage points in a recognized of these private schools are run as
in Urdu, the results for government and school. Interestingly, in Urdu, after businesses, not charities, dependent
private schools were roughly similar- controlling for the background variables, on fee income and often making a
although private unrecognised schools there was no statistically significant reasonable profit. But the market in
had the highest average score (30.5%), difference between government and which they operate is increasingly
followed by government (29.1%); either type of private school. competitive. From the roof terrace of
private recognised had the lowest one private school in Hyderabad, I can
(25.4%). Are these better results because the see five or six other schools, all vying
private schools are better resourced than for the same customers. Entrepreneurs
These raw scores are indicative, but the government schools? Not a bit of it. urgently need to differentiate themselves
not the end of the story—for it may be Looking at the largest input in schools, in this market. They need parents to
that there are simply brighter children teacher salaries, we find that private know that their school is special, to
from slightly wealthier backgrounds school teachers are paid considerably maintain or increase market share. If
(although all parents were of course lower than government teachers. In school improvements seem to have
quite poor) going to private schools, and Delhi, the average monthly salary for demonstrably better outcomes, they’ll
hence the private schools have an unfair full-time fourth-grade teacher was seven want them for their schools.
advantage over government schools. times higher in the government schools
Controlling for the range of background than in unrecognised private schools. There’s a huge market awaiting ICT
variables, including education and professionals here. I can’t wait to see
wealth of parents, students’ IQs, and More market, less government in how those involved in digital learning
peer-group effects, the differences were education – this is how poor parents see engage with the low cost private school
usually slightly reduced but generally the way forward. And they are doing it sector. When they do, we’ll truly see the
still large and still favoured both types for a good reason – the low cost private educational revolution emerging. Which
of private schools in each study. For schools are better than the government is why, as I say, I’ve moved to India to
instance, in Hyderabad, a child attending alternative. be a part of it all. <<

18 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Development Agenda | Commentary
Use of ICT in Education

Five Lessons from


International Experience
Lesson number one is that those who
The mere presence of computers and other seek to introduce ICTs into education
should be firstly and primarily
new technologies in the classroom is not sufficient; concerned with the kind of education
they are trying to deliver. In particular,
ICT interventions need to be designed and they should start by clarifying education
Michael Ward
Sr. Education Advisor
implemented strategically in order to be effective goals and curriculum objectives and
not begin by asking what (and how
Department For
International Development,
and live up to their full potential much) technology should be introduced
to the schooling system. For example,
New Delhi
is the educational aim to reach more
learners or to help students learn more

I
nformation and Communication are now being used increasingly in and better? Is the aim to help teachers
Technologies (ICT) have great developing countries for “e-learning” to improve their practice or to help
potential to develop access, quality applications. At the same time there make work in the school easier and
and equity in education at all levels is some scepticism towards ICTs in more productive? Or perhaps the aim
– early childhood, primary, secondary education because the impact on student is simply to introduce teachers and
and tertiary. For example: achievement and the cost effectiveness students to 21st century technology.
• radio/audio can be used in place of a of what are often expensive applications
teacher to deliver highly structured are unclear. What is certain is that the The second lesson is to know when
lessons with pauses for learners to mere presence of computers and other a technology-based solution to the
respond, or as a supplement with a new technologies in the classroom is not education problem you have identified
teacher present; sufficient; ICT interventions need to be is the right solution. This is not always
• television provides visual effects designed and implemented strategically so. To understand what the right solution
which can illustrate complex in order to be effective and live up to to their education problem is, education
or abstract concepts; it can be their full potential. While the impact managers need firstly to know their
supplemented by workbooks or of ICT on learning outcomes is still needs and the resources available at
other materials; debatable, there seems to be a consensus present or can mobilise in the future. In
• computers/internet can be used as that ICTs in education can be useful for thinking these issues through education
teaching tools (simulations, online increasing access to information managers should ask themselves: how
learning communities, professional as well as motivation in the and to what extent can technology help
development of teachers), content classroom and efficiency throughout me achieve my goals and objectives
delivery tools (online libraries, the education system. given my current state? It is important to
journals, books), and management note that different types of technologies
tools (assessment, record keeping); The following are five “lessons” that offer different advantages – as well as
can also be used to form community have been drawn from international challenges – depending on how these
telecentres and virtual schools. experience with ICTs in education technologies are deployed.
• multi-media integrates radio, over the last decade or so. There are
television and or computers. undoubtedly other lessons that can be The third lesson is to understand that
drawn from the international experience training of teachers is the means,
Already widespread in the schools and but these five strike me as being the not the end. The experience is that
colleges of developed countries, ICTs most important for educators in India. training teachers does not always

20 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


3rd anniversary special issue

make a difference in terms of changed how to build on the


practice in the classrooms. Teachers existing strengths
need time and an enabling environment of teachers and,
to develop technological pedagogical thirdly, to know
content knowledge. By this I mean the how to use
teacher’s knowledge of how to represent technology to
concepts using technologies; strategies create, animate
to teach content using technologies in and sustain
a constructive way; knowing how to an education
use technologies to address learning community.
difficulties; how technologies can be In addition,
used to build on existing knowledge; sustainability of
and how to use technologies to develop any innovation
new ways of knowing and learning or regarding ICT and
to strengthen existing ones. Managers education will only
of education systems should ask succeed if there is
themselves whether they provide sufficient financial
teachers with the necessary support resource to meet
– institutional, administrative, technical the total cost of
and financial – after a training event the technology
to ensure effective change in teaching introduced,
practice. How well are teachers’ particularly the
performances and progress with maintenance of machinery, replacement schools must ask themselves how ICTs
new techniques, methodologies and parts, availability of technical support support and enable school activities,
approaches monitored by the education and the updating of software. There particularly the teaching and learning
systems? How does an education are also issues regarding the extent process.
manager know when an innovation is to which the community is involved
working? To what extent are new ways and the acceptance of ICT by the end All of these lessons have been learned
of teaching being assessed in terms users, namely the teachers and learners. by developed and developing countries
of the impact they have on student Experience shows us that political and over the last twenty years or so, often
learning? technical leadership is also important at great cost, and it is clear that some
for the necessary policy support and the countries have been better able to apply
The fourth lesson is that the effectiveness of change management. ICT in education than others. In the
sustainability of innovations in respect developing world, for example, the
of ICT and education, and, of course, The fifth and perhaps most important Philippines appears to have done well
other educational innovations, depends lesson of all is that planning for ICT in terms of technology planning for
on establishing a critical mass of should be part of and not separate from schools and Laos has demonstrated
innovators that reinforce and enrich general education and school planning. some good practice of developing an
each others’ changed practice within The biggest mistake is to think of ICT approach to ICT in education in a rural
schools and across schools. The keys and its use as an ‘add on’, an extra context. In all cases it has been found
to success are for the managers of aspect of the curriculum. The people that the transformative power of ICT in
education systems to firstly know involved in planning for ICT must be education is more likely to be realised
where the pockets of experimentation, fully integrated into broader education when technology is introduced
innovation and creativity are in their and school reform efforts. Ultimately, within the context of radical institution-
education community, secondly, to know the managers of education systems and wide reform. <<

Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 21


Higher Education | Perspective
Ensuring Quality
in Higher Education
What are the guiding objectives a provision of granting of Associate
behind setting up of Association of Membership to universities of
Indian Universities. Please elaborate neighbouring countries.
on AIU’s role in the current education
scenario? How does AIU plays a role in ensuring
The core objective or function of the quality in higher education?
Association is to serve as an inter- We offer regular membership of this
university organisation. To play this Association only after a stringent
role, we have to engage in a wide range inspection of the university, that
of activities. For instance, we act as a has sought membership, in areas of
bureau of information and to facilitate infrastructure, manpower, academic
communication. It coordinates mutual programmes, etc. Such an inspection
consultation amongst universities and in turn helps ensure quality in these
liaisons between them and government institutions. Besides this, we train both
on matters of common interest. It the administrative and teaching through
also acts as a representative of Indian research methodology workshops,
universities in international forums. administrative management workshops
Prof. Dayanand Dongaonkar and examination reforms seminars
Secretary General, Association of Please share with our readers AIU’s etc. This helps build capacity of the
Indian Universities organisational history? academic and non-academic human
The idea of bringing together all the resource in university system which
universities on a common platform ultimately helps in improving the quality
emerged from the deliberations of of education.
With the new economic a Conference of the Vice Chancellors
of Universities convened by Lord How do you reach out to the students
order, the disparity between Reading, the then Viceroy of India at engage in higher education, by the
Shimla in 1924. The Inter-University way of providing information?
rich and poor will widen, Board (IUB) of India was subsequently Students Information Services Division
formed on March 23, 1925, with the of the Association of Indian Universities
particularly in the area view of promoting university activities, serves the students, academics, parents,

of higher education. The especially by way of sharing information


and co-operation in the field of
other stakeholders and visitors to AIU
House by providing them information
quality of education in the education, culture, sports and
allied areas.
on the status of Indian Institutions
of higher education, professional
rural areas is far below The Inter-University Board acquired
bodies etc. and on the courses offered
by Indian universities and other
than that being offered in a legal status with its registration in institutions recognized by statutory
1967 as a Society under the Societies bodies like AICTE, NCTE and MCI. It
urban India Registration Act, 1860. In 1973, it provides extensive information through
assumed its present name - Association Universities Handbook regarding
of Indian Universities (AIU). The accredited courses conducted by Central
membership includes traditional and State Agencies, teaching staff of
universities, open universities, university department, constituent/
professional universities, institutes of affiliated colleges, etc. It also brings
national importance and deemed-to- out other professional handbooks like
be universities. In addition, there is Handbook on Engineering Education,

22 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


AIU has initiated a very ambitious programme, the is a problem both in terms of quality
and drop out rates. A study in Punjab
Students Research conventions – Anveshan. The purpose of indicates that against 67% of the rural
population only 4% of the rural school
this is to identify the best talent in research at all levels of the students are represented in higher educa-

students – undergraduate, postgraduate, researchers – then tion system that too in non-competitive
degree courses. The pilot study done by
promote them as researchers our own Association, local professional
university in the management course,
there is not a single student who is the
Management Education, Medical students. What according to you are first generation learner or below poverty
Education, Computer Education and the reasons for this? line. These are our indicators that we
Distance Education. India has expanded its higher education need to upgrade the quality of education
system from 18 universities to 440 both in schools and colleges in rural set
What role do you play in evaluating universities, over the last 60 years; the up and urban poor.
degrees from across the spectrum of student strength has also risen from 2.8
educational institutions? million to 13 million. We are the third What is the role of ICT, vis-a-vis
The Evaluation Division deals with the largest higher education system in the higher education? How has ICT
work of evaluation and equivalence world. In India, 80% higher education enhanced the teaching-learning
of degrees and diplomas awarded by institutions are managed by the public experience?
the accredited universities in India and funds and the most reputed institutions ICT definitely has a role to play in
abroad for admission to higher courses are still in the public domain, where the higher education but it is not substitute
at Indian Universities. The Division entry for foreign students is limited. We for good quality teachers. ICT can
provides expert assistance on the status attract around 18,000 to 20,000 students give maximum information but does
of foreign qualifications to the students, per year towards higher education. not cultivate the mind of the students
universities, central and state agencies These are mainly from the Asian and and to use ICT you need good quality
including ministries of the Government African countries. infrastructure, constant upgradation
of India.  and available teachers who can utilize
Government has got over 1800 scholar- these modes for teaching purpose. ICT
The Division also provides assistance ships for students from the developing as a independent mode of learning has
to evaluation agencies of the foreign countries. The demand today is largely definite limitations.
countries. The Division examines the for the professional courses and that
proposals received from the Institutions too in government institutions, as there Tell us about AIU initiative for
outside the purview of the Indian are very limited opening for overseas aspiring researchers – Anveshan. Any
universities, for granting academic students for professional admissions. other initiatives in the offing?
equivalence to Postgraduate Diploma These are mostly taken care by the pri- AIU has initiated a very ambitious
courses in the area of Management. vate institutions where the fee is higher programme, the Students Research
and restricted to 15% of the total seats. conventions – Anveshan. By this we
Does AIU also has any foreign Probably these restrictive policies do have created a platform for the young
institutions as members. What criteria not attract more foreign students. By researchers. The purpose of this is to
does AIU follow while evaluating installation of some scholarships, we identify the best talent in research at all
degrees given by foreign institutions? will be able to attract international talent levels of the students – undergraduate,
We have three Associate Members in professional courses. postgraduate, researchers – then promote
– Kathmandu University, Kathmandu, them as researchers. In the first phase,
Nepal; University of Mauritius, Please comment on the education we recognize their merit by awarding
Mauritius; Royal University of Bhutan, scenario in the new economic order, certificates and cash prize. Then we are
Thimpu, Bhutan. Evaluation mechanism particularly higher education. How exploring the possibility of giving them
takes into consideration the following successful has it been in giving a exposure in the best research centres in
points: Educational framework of thrust to socio-economic development the country and around world. We are
the country; eligibility criteria for in the country in process of negotiating with national
admission for a particular degree course; With the new economic order, the and international agencies. We are quite
course content; duration of the course; disparity between rich and poor will confident, we will make breakthrough
evaluation modalities and accreditation widen, particularly in the area of higher for this requirement. There is
in the home country. education. The quality of education overwhelming response by different
in the rural areas is far below than that international agencies, but it will
In the era of globalisation of being offered in urban India. Govern- take sometime to settle the mechanism
education,India is yet to evolve as ment of India is taking efforts but still of absorbing these students for
favourite destination of foreign the school education in rural set up research careers. <<

24 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Higher education | Perspective 3rd anniversary special issue

PPP Essential For Quality


Higher Education
various novel innovative programmes; education engaged in research activities
developing a meaningful and purposeful to facilitate availability of latest
inter-face between the universities, sophisticated equipment.
National Research Laboratories,
industries, government and society, etc. Please tell us about the JNU’s recent
ICT in higher education policy may not Memorandum of Understanding
be able to completely overcome all these (MoU) and Agreement of Cooperation
challenges though it may play a role in (AoC) with two universities from
information and resource sharing. Germany and United Kingdom.
JNU has entered into an AoC with the
What initiatives have been taken by University of Cologne in Germany. Ini-
your university for integrating ICT in tially, the cooperation is going to be in
its framework? the areas of Tamil Studies and German
Jawaharlal Nehru University set up Studies with possibility of expanding
Dr Rajendra Prasad a Communication and Information to other areas. JNU has also entered
Rector & Professor, School of Services (CIS) in the year 1997 to into an MoU with Queen’s University,
facilitate communications-wide Belfast, UK with cooperation focusing
Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru networking. As of now, there are 20 on social sciences, especially in GAS
University academic buildings integrated through and Geography and also Biotechnol-
Fiber Optic Cable back bone of 1 ogy. Under these collaboration, research
Gbps bandwidth. In addition, four students of JNU, depending upon the
PPP is most essential to buildings are integrated through wireless research topic, will be in a position to
bring in quality in the higher connectivity and there are more than
2000 network connections. The network
spend some period in these respective
institutions to facilitate their Ph.D work.
education system. Governments is being used for different academic
can ensure PPP through an purposes such as web access of other
academic institutions, e-mail, on-line
Students go abroad after completing
Ph.D. for post-doctoral studies. The
appropriate policy. However, journals, and video conferencing and retention capacity is low in India and
PPP should not impose academic also for e-governance. this has to be enhanced. What is your
observation on this?
restrictions Do you think Public- Private The international recognition of any
Partnership model will help in institution is achieved due to high
effective integration of technology in quality of teaching and research. In
What are the challenges confronting higher education? India, there are not many opportunities
India’s higher education system PPP is most essential to bring in for post-doctoral research work in the
today? quality in the higher education system. university system. UGC and MHRD
Some of the leading challenges before Governments can ensure PPP through should be providing specific funding
the higher education system are an appropriate policy. However, PPP for the creation of large number of
continuous upgradation of curriculum should not impose academic restrictions. post-doctoral research fellowship so
to keep in pace with rapid growth of University Grants Commission and that best students can look for these
science and technology; globalisation Ministry of HRD should play a major institutions for advance research. Some
and the resultant challenges from the role in developing a purposeful interface of the other requirements for retaining
international universities; grooming of between the Universities, Industries and talent in India are quality infrastructure
many private institutions without any National Research Laboratories (NRLs) and facilities, well equipped laboratories
method of ensuring maintenance of as a step towards PPP. Funding to NRLs with sustained financial support
quality and standard; need for adequate by the government should ensure the for consumables and also periodic
funding to meet the demands of involvement of institutions of higher upgradation of equipment. <<
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 25
Higher Education | Perspective

Anna University On The ICT Pathway


What are the new ways in which Anna direct entry. We also want to support
University is using ICT to address vocational students, many of whom
similar challenges? are poor and cannot afford education.
When a new engineering college comes We plan to introduce a separate
up, one the first challenges one faces curriculum for the vocational students
is the shortage of faculty. Considering and are also introducing engineering in
this, we have introduced measures like English and Tamil medium from this
connecting the colleges, using Internet, academic year.
intranet, digital access to all and so on.
How do you plan to increase
We have provided our students with enrollment from marginalised and
an online question bank, interactive rural areas?
classrooms and quality education for Anna University has come up with the
which Anna University Coimbatore is idea of starting engineering colleges
now setting up a Technical Academic with Public Private Partnership (PPP)
Dr R Radhakrishnan Staff College (TASC). We plan to invite under which a private player will be
Vice Chancellor, Anna University eminent experts and academicians aiding the University by providing
for faculty development programmes infrastructure to run the programme. Our
Coimbatore at TASC. University will look after curriculum
and maintenance of the colleges.
What do you think about the entry The recurring expenditures will be met
We are introducing various of private players in the higher
education segment? Is there a need
through fees collected from the students
by the University. The private player
new measures to increase for stringent monitoring to enforce will be given 20% donor seats and 80%
enrollment ratio. We are first ones quality?
There should be a monitoring
of the seats will be kept for recurring
expenditure. And 10% of the total seats
to introduce a three year B.Tech mechanism to keep a control over the will be free.
programme with direct entry. We private players. AICTE is the only
statutary body which is responsible for How do you plan to increase
also want to support vocational keeping a quality at an all India level. employability of those who graduate
students, many of whom are poor Such bodies are required at the state
level too.
from the Anna University?
We are tying up with Sun Microsystems,
and cannot afford education CISCO and other leading key IT
Universities should be given a free hand players to provide latest training in the
and state government should also be curriculum itself. Therefore, the student
What are the main challenges that involved in the monitoring mechanism. gets trained in exactly what the industry
confront India’s higher education Just giving approval and maintaining needs, including foreign language
today? standards is not sufficient. There are training and soft skills.
India’s higher education sector faces local issues which need to be addressed.
many challenges. These include low The private players will have to meet the Anna University is also the first to tie
enrollment, memory-based teaching as norms of the state government as well as up with the University of Cambridge,
opposed to a more engaging and creative the university. and the Indian partner for the same is
learning process, excessive focus on E-BEC (Business English Certificates).
degrees and lack of exposure to the What measures are underway and in The way we outsource exams, we also
emerging and latest trends in the field of pipeline to increase the enrollment outsource English language training.
education. These are the reason behind a ratio at the Anna University? So Cambridge syllabus is being taught
high rejection rate of candidates by the We are introducing various new through E-BEC in many of our colleges.
industry, which is as high as 80% of measures to increase enrollment The examination is conducted by the
the students, with only 20% finally ratio. We are first ones to introduce University of Cambridge, which also
getting jobs. a three year B.Tech programme with gives an international certification. <<

26 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Higher Education | Perspective
Mumbai University on Expansion
Drive With ICT
Unfortunately, currently we universities and some thousand colleges. initiatives. As the older staff are not very
Unfortunately, we cannot fulfill the
cannot fulfill the infrastructural current infrastructural needs and provide
computer savvy, we regularly organise
training and orientation programmes to
needs and provide quality quality education in true sense. Leave facilitate the process. All our colleges
aside instruments and high profile are connected through the Maharashtra
education in true sense. Leave laboratories, even a good reference book Knowledge Corporation Limited’s IT
aside instruments and high is not affordable for small colleges.
The cost of education also needs to be
programme; the state government has
asked the University to be stakeholders
profile laboratories, even a good revised as it is a major hurdle in the in the company and we have taken up
establishment of good infrastructure and the programme for connectivity between
reference book is not affordable delivery of quality education. students, college, university and inter-
for small colleges Physical structure, along with internal
universities.

infrastructure, is further challenged What are current focus areas in the


by lack of funds. It is difficult to pay field of vocational courses and what
attractive salaries to teachers particularly new initiatives are on the anvil?
in non-professional colleges where We have the Garware Institute, which
the fees is not based on the cost of offers over 45 vocational courses, and
education. we are also coming up with a new
Centre of JJ Applied Arts. We have 300-
Access to education is another major plus certificate and diploma courses.
issue, as it is not keeping pace with the We are planning new courses for the
increasing population. Service industry. Many industries now
have research and development centres
What initiatives have been taken by affiliated with the MU. We have industry
MU as far as ICT is concerned? representation even in the board of
We have been on an expansion drive and management in the university. So it’s
have started many distance education a symbiotic relationship. We have an
programmes based on IT. e-Governance MDP programme, where we train their
Dr. Arun D Sawant has been set up with SAP programme for executives in management courses.
speedy disposal of administrative issue. We also have a collaboration with
Pro-Vice Chancellor, Mumbai We have a scheme for laptops to every NASSCOM. We are also in touch with
University faculty and have WiFi connectivity. We international universities for student
use the website for all practical purposes exchange and short term programmes
including programme schedule, syllabi for exposure and interaction between
What are the key challenges that are and examination schedules and now students from various cultures.
in face of delivering quality higher online admissions in distance
education in India? education. Enrollment of students to Do you think we need IT benchmarks
We have moved into the 11th Five colleges using IT application has in Higher Education?
Year Plan and the focus now is on the started. We have a centralised computer IT benchmarks is definitely required.
need to increase the access of higher unit for examination processes and a We need an IT rating agency right from
education. But this is a formidable Computer Centre for maintaining the students, teachers and curriculum,
challenge. Our current national target our website. to assess and rank each college. It’s
objective is to raise it from 9% to 15%. very important. There are enough funds
This will require a herculean effort and Our young staff is technology savvy for education; we need to use it for
a massive infrastructure like hundred and has easily taken onboard new improving the quality of delivery. <<

28 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Higher Education | Perspective 3rd anniversary special issue

ODL For Uniformity And Quality


of Delivery
Continuing Education was established. Long Learning where teachers are
Another measure taken earlier by DU creating content and online assignments.
was establishing the Non-Collegiate Blended Learning will have significant
Women’s Education Board, way back in role to play in classrooms and science
1948 whereby women candidates living laboratories when the number of seats
in Delhi were allowed to attend classes increase by 54% in the coming years.
on Sundays and holidays and were
examined and awarded degrees by DU. It will not be possible to appoint
From our experience in all these suitable faculty or raise infrastructures
initiatives, we know that some face to overnight. As a pilot project with the
face contact and physical examination Open University, UK, DU has created
and evaluation of scripts is a must and video CD’s and e-instructions for the
is not humanly possible without having labs, which are really being appreciated
sufficient faculty in place. Therefore, by the students. The students can see
introduction of new technology is the videos and read instructions before
a must. There is a need not only to coming to the lab. They are better
Savita Datta, Principal Maitreyi deliver lessons online but also have aware of the experiment because of the
College & Director, Campus of Open examinations online to overcome these visual effects and one teacher instead of
Learning, Delhi University challenges. handling a class of 20 can handle many
more students at the same time. This
What role does Open and Distance also gives some spare time to the faculty
Open and Distance Learning Learning (ODL) institutions play
in dissemination of information to
to update themselves and also to create
more content for other classes.
is a scalable model, the only socially disadvantaged groups or
people in inaccessible areas? Do you think a Public Private
model which ensures uniformity Open and Distance Learning is a Partnership model will help in
and quality of delivery. Moreover, scalable model, the only model which
ensures uniformity and quality of
effective integration of technology in
higher education?
technology ensures that the delivery. ODL institutions are invariably The university teachers invariably are
using technology and the expenditure experienced in their own fields and
lessons delivered reach far on students, infrastructure and faculty is teaching methodologies but there is a lot
and wide relatively less as compared to a regular
institution. The socially disadvantaged
of variation as there are 7,000 teachers
across over 68 colleges of DU. Use of
groups have limited places in regular technology will ensure uniformity and
What are the challenges confronting institutions. The percentage of seats quality in delivery of content, but most
India’s higher education system assigned to them is fixed whereas of the teachers are not technology savvy.
today? How do you see your ODL institutions ensure no ceiling on Moreover, this may shift the focus of
institution deploying new technologies the number or any other condition for the teachers from the actual content
for ensuring quality distance entry into the institutions. Moreover, of their discipline to the formatting
education? technology ensures that the lessons and designing of the web, which is
Two major challenges confronting delivered reach far and wide even not desired. On the other hand, if we
India’s higher education system are the to the remotest areas with the help hire services of private vendors who
lack of good faculty and insufficient of computers, DVD Players and are experts in technology and allow
places for students in the existing televisions. them to convert the knowledge of the
higher educational institutions. The teachers to e-platforms, the integration
University of Delhi has always What initiatives have been taken by of technology will speed up which is
believed in expansion and in 1962, your university for integrating ICT in the need of the hour. Necessary funding
on the recommendations of Kothari its framework? should be provided by the funding
Commission, the School of Distance and We established an Institute of Life agencies for this. <<
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 29
Higher Education | Perspective
Leading The Way in IT and
Management Education
through quality instruction or resource existing curriculum by giving more
material. Delivering it through web and hands-on experiments and enhancing
thereby enhancing the reach and making laboratory skills, incorporating soft
the content interesting and motivating skills in curriculum, making industry
for learners. projects (at final year) mandatory,
inviting speakers/guest faculty from
What initiatives have been taken by industry in various courses and
your institute for integrating ICT in encouraging alumni to interact with
its framework? students, etc.
ABV-IIITM Gwalior is the foremost
institution providing technical and In your opinion, what measures
managerial education in the areas are required to increase the higher
of Information Technology and education enrollment ratio to meet
Management in India. Our class rooms the 11th Plan target?
are net enabled. We make extensive use The higher education enrollment
Dr S G Deshmukh of LCD projectors in the class rooms. ratio can be increased through
Director, ABV-Indian Institute We have Digital Library through which measures like making higher
students can access journals/books. education attractive by offering
of Information Technology and incentives in terms of assistantships,
Management, Gwalior We are planning to set up a studio loans and incentives to faculty,
through which satellite link can be es- facilitating industry-institute
The current employment tablished.The institute has more than 11
laboratories. All the labs are connected
partnerships, encouraging industry
sponsored R & D, facilitating
quotient among graduates is to the campus wide networking back- networking of institutes and enter
very low! This can be enhanced bone for 24 hours Internet connection.
We also have the facility to share faculty
into MoU with various institutes from
abroad and make use of technology for
through strengthening the existing resources of other institutes such as IIT enhancing quality of education
curriculum Delhi and Mumbai through Skypak and
web casting. Do you think India’s higher education
system can be compared to the best in
What are the challenges confronting Do you think a Public Private the world, especially the UK and US?
India’s higher education system Partnership model will help in At present, IITs, IISc and IIMs can
today? effective integration of technology in be compared to the best in the world.
The challenges confronting India’s higher education? However, the same thing cannot be said
higher education system are on account Yes, public and private partnership can about other institutes/universities. This
of both quantity and quality. That is, definitely be a mode of interaction. could be due to mistaken emphasis on
increased intake (look at the number of Through this, one can think of: (a) large regulatory bodies, absence of self-
IITs, IIMs, IISERs and IIITs that have investment, and (b) quality service regulatory mechanism, lack of respect
been added in last few years) coupled which will enable customer satisfaction. for higher education in society, lack of
with increase in private engineering/ confidence in industry circles about our
management colleges. The challenge What do you think of the current Science and Technology, and inadequate
is to manage these numbers without employability quotient among support mechanisms.
compromising quality. There is also graduates? In what ways can it be
an acute shortage of quality faculty enhanced? If we remove these barriers, we can see
members who can deliver. The current employment quotient a bright future as we are endowed with
among graduates is very low! This can good basic education and our students
ICT can help overcome these challenges be enhanced through strengthening the are strong in quantitative skills. <<

30 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Higher Education | Perspective
Institutional Steering For
Sustenance of DLE
What strikes to be the best approach in vast institutes of higher learning
is the top down approach with continuous institutional steering - well blended
Dr Seema M Parihar
with the existing -traditional teaching set-up
smparihar@gmail.com

and also vast sphere of influence.

A
ll this while being a student and in the traditional learning space of
a teacher of Natural Resource Though, the maximum success stories higher education existing by then for
Management what appeared have been guided by the institutional around 50 years. This happened for
an apt management strategy for an support including infrastructure and innumerable reasons albeit effectively
optimal resource use, development and support mechanisms (CRE report 2000, experimenting with it academically for
sustenance was the grass-root approach Liber 1998). However, there have been four years as pilot.
or a micro level approach. But in the pitfalls too in last few years and many
Digital learning environment (DLE) reports and articles have highlighted this Now with the University of Delhi
somewhere it doesn’t appear to work while embedding learning technologies introducing ICT through Institute of Life
more than a pilot. What strikes to be the across an institution. Long Learning (ILLL) at the Centralised
best approach in vast institutes of higher Level along with the existing conviction
learning is the top down approach with Background has ignited the hope of furthering the
continuous institutional steering - well The article is based on the experience use of digital learning environment
blended with the existing -traditional of the author with digital learning tools in a big way. At present ILLL has a
teaching set-up. This paper traverses in the portals of higher education since major responsibility in teacher training,
through the necessary challenges 2002, with a first exposure towards developing e-Learning materials and
that any traditional institute of well- it at department of Geo –Information delivery system, developing courses,
established repute still faces, if use of Processing, ITC, The Netherlands as a curricula and content. Presently ILLL
ICT in Higher Education is its genuine Post-Doc Fellow. With a background is developing courseware and building
agenda. Maintaining academics, the of a traditional teacher since 1987 in a question bank for varied courses. All
pedagogy per se and the transformation Higher Education , establishing digital along what is important is to remember
of the correct knowledge whereby learning environment in the portals is that the University of Delhi is the
shifting emphasis, sharing successful of Kirori Mal College, University largest and one of the best central
practices along with student, teacher of Delhi along with a portal team universities in India with more than
and the institutional interactions are came naturally. Five enthusiastic team 3, 00,000 students and around 8,000
discussed. members - Dr O P Gupta (Physics), faculty members with more than 60
Dr J L Sharma (Chemistry), Dr M colleges and some colleges established
Global Experience C Nahar (Commerce), Dr Ranjana even before 1922.
In recent years, the use of ICT in higher Gupta (Mathematics) and Dr Seema M
education has increased enormously but Parihar (Geography) - coordinated the Sustainability demands Shift in
with varied levels of scaling from the experimentation from the Netherlands Emphasis
state of art wireless to the limited use of successfully. The team moved ahead The KMC model had technological
ICT tools only in creating or developing by designing and developing teaching- prerequisites in place but what appeared
study without being holistically learning infrastructure almost at par missing was the top-down shift in
embedded in the system. What struck is with the Black Board Environment emphasis, community acceptance and
the anomaly even in otherwise state of with the support of a private service certain additional form of credits. What
the art universities, with modern vision provider led by Ajay and Sandeep. becomes imminent is the reallocations
albeit maintaining traditional wisdom But they just simply could not sustain required in traditional classroom

32 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


3rd anniversary special issue

teaching methods all in terms of will, encompassing templates with in every attached college and
resources and interactions in order to simplified guidelines and directions department should subsequently aim
secure the sustainability of innovations. on funding, rewards and leadership towards creating blended learning
The experience guided that any ICT environment:
driven course necessarily needs to shift Access Auditing • enhancing student- centred learning;
the emphasis : Hence before the implementation of • making faculty more accessible to
• From idiosyncratic approaches and any ICT driven teaching –learning students
solutions to institutional as well technology in any college or the • increasing the potential for
as inter-institutional technological department, what is primarily required innovative forms and apt
standards, norms and forms of is just on the pattern of the access visualization
cooperation. reports for enhancing the infrastructure • providing flexibility of study mode
• Uniform standardisation of for the Physically challenged students is • providing thematic question banks.
platforms, software and tools prepared by the University of Delhi an • remaining competitive
• Linking technological innovations ICT access auditing be undertaken for • providing timely credits
to overall institutional strategy different colleges and departments. With • Sustaining cost effectiveness at all
• Collectively overcoming the ICT faculty, students and administration levels.
related issues and problems being differently abled in different
• From a bottom up orientation
of course designing and
development, driven by individual
research interest to a process
of organisational reform and
institutional planning initiated and
supported top-down.
• From project based research
oriented forms of “establishing
new courseware” to find ways of
evolving course ware of existing
well established courseware with
support from faculty and staff
in a broader infrastructural and
institutional context
• From technology-driven initiatives
to the use of technology based
on comprehensive pedagogical
concepts
• Introduction of certain incentives
or credits for the anchors – faculty,
student and administration colleges and departments, the access Convincing Faculty
reports would direct on the capacity While evolving on-line learning
Institutional Approach - A requirements in each college or the mechanisms teachers role have to be
driving mechanism department. well understood.Certain bottlenecks
Institutional approaches are needed have to be overcome even after the
with a clear focus on the strategic Top-down Accepted Policy availability of the required technology
issues involved following three phase directions and in traditional academic set-up like
technology –adoption model : Certainly, ready availability of the University of Delhi they include
• Hardware and system support technology in institute of higher (Parihar,2004):
including common driven digital education may not necessarily propel • teachers have to make a move to
learning platform ICT integration in traditional academic new education, but they lack time;
• Motivating the culture of e- set-up. KMC model substantiates this. • teachers fear that ICT will dislocate
learning through staff development Despite ready availability of fitness for them;
workshops, seminars and purpose technological availability, the • teachers are unsure of the security
documentation and enhancing the real success could not be achieved if it provisions for their study material
capacity of faculty coupled with does not provide any clear direction for • perceived unreliability of networked
incentives using ICT. The policy after services and local computing
• Production support and assistance ready availability of hardware services.
with a well defined policy all and networking with good bandwidth
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 33
This is despite the fact that in most almost becomes as essential as creating issues. Security solutions definitely
cases the faculty in higher education digital courseware. Mapping the need to protect students, faculty and
are hardworking people with consistent students with high learning goals and administration from viruses, guard
good academic records and are the high self worth along with the needs information assets and strengthen
ones who enjoy reading and studying. of the students who are simply guided data security to meet compliance
The learning strategies need to include by structured performance driven requirements of university systems and
`just in time support’, flexible learning expectations and even at times low retain and secure the appropriate data
modules, some shared material and self worth becomes essential in the while submitting any reports.
links,certain incentives and flexible context. Assessing students in terms
support (Parihar 2004) of their nature while participating Tension Between Local and
in an online learning experience - Central Initiatives and Support
Sharing and dissemination of exploratory or controlling; collaborative In a vast set- up like the University
good Practice or competitive; motivated either of Delhi an academic discourse on
Sharing and dissemination of good by curiosity or anxiety; creative or the relevance of centralized or the
Practice is a very popular term with mechanical or may be able to embrace decentralised model of operation
the staff developers. But what is failure or defends against failure too definitely is required if sustenance
important is to remember that what a becomes critical (Parihar,2002). is the aim. Saunders (2002) finds
good practice in one situation is not in a decentralize model of operation
necessarily true for another. As for Till now two ways- interaction with the -a major potential disadvantage being
instance there are more than 60 colleges students in the virtual space is almost that local disparate local groups will
and more than 100 post graduate non-existent in the University of Delhi separate develop systems and tools that
departments in the University of , though lot of useful information will overlap and lead to a cost-time
Delhi and with many streams in offing (admission lists, results, syllabus, misuse. In a model like DU where the
ranging from literature, social sciences, facilities, etc) other than content course curriculum is centrally driven
mathematical sciences, commerce and learning is placed at www.du.ac.in. Even with centrally held examination system
economics to subjects with physical during admission process when this and the degree allotment schema, the
and life sciences , comprehending the site gets maximum hits should facilitate Centralized system promises more
contextual understanding and variations online admissions. In 2008-2009 for acceptance and uniformity. Even KMC
is actually mandatory. Moreover, Under Graduation alone 93,300 X 642 experience suggests this. Sharing of
exclusive computer science is too a X 63 choices were opted by 93,300 the Black board Environment through
subject along with applied science students for 642 courses in 63 colleges . a centralized system too has shown
courses. So generalisation has to steer Scope for expanding the use of digital/ positive driven results in few European
away from pedagogic principles in real audio medium for Visually Challenge experiences. Even online supporting
time operational on-line tasks. As a students too is immense. Another way system becomes easier. Above all the
consequence it can be hypothesised that could be by making newly constituted credits given to the students and teachers
in staff training courses the emphasis Centralised Placement Cell (CPC) of will have more value and acceptance.
should be on the technology and not on the University of Delhi with both its
pedagogy. offshoots: the Core Competency Unit Conclusion
(CCU) and the Corporate Interaction Digital Learning environments even
Motivating Students towards Unit (CIU) web-enabled in a blended in traditional educational set-up of
Online Learning way. At present there are around 4000 higher education are here to stay. But
Institutional strategies have to aptly students registered with it from 50 implementations of DLE depends
find ways and means of integrating colleges. DU- CPC Information System entirely on your execution strategy.
students. However, there is a very little may be developed and maintained Top-down directions in initial years in
evidence that institutions at present making students dynamically active and traditional set-up will automatically
are giving enough consideration to the getting all placement related information pave way in grassroots performance
student perspective. In the University through it. Further, the soft skill courses with long-term sustenance. Blended
of Delhi with around 3 lac students, too can be posted there and students teaching-learning environment have to
this dimension too needs apt attention. can get flavour of it in their required be embedded in the traditional system
Crucial is to overcome the hyped format in a flexible way. All these may along with academic independence.
assumption that present generation is be directly posted at http://placement. A large institute of Higher Education
digital savvy and will automatically be du.ac.in. The two way interaction with of repute like the University of Delhi
motivated or alternatively the coercion the students has already started (plate 1) would certainly have to find ways of
would be enough in structured portals of and is showing positive results. overcoming this challenge.For dynamic
higher learning. Observing and talking steering -teachers will always be needed
to students, adhering to their differently Security Concerns and the centralized driven institutional
abled nature , evolving Colleges and Universities cannot afford system will hold the key towards
new theoretical and practical tools today not to be concerned about security success. <<

34 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Higher education | Case study 3rd anniversary special issue

Developing Leaders

Driving the future of business Integrating expertise into the classroom also uses Adobe Acrobat Connect
Three main programmes comprise the In Darden’s Executive Education Professional for a variety of marketing
Darden School of Business – Executive Programme, the faculty rely on Adobe and administrative projects. Darden
Education which offers open- tools in their work with corporate offers targeted recruiting and marketing
enrollment and custom programmes; clients. In addition to this, Adobe presentations so that potential students
the MBA program is built around the Acrobat Connect Professional is used can learn more about its programmes.
Case Method of instruction and involves for faculty office hour sessions. Early Since candidates are often working
discussion-based learning; the MBA for on in the implementation, the ability full-time, last year the Darden School
Executives programme combines offers to record sessions within Acrobat offered live in-person sessions in various
a schedule suited for working executives Connect Professional became a critical cities, as well as virtual sessions.
to fast-track an MBA degree. component for students unable to attend
office hours. It was utilised in the MBA Quick response time increases brand
The Darden School of Business was management communications class to awareness
an early adopter of Adobe Acrobat help critique student presentations. As The school’s admissions office utilises
Connect Professional technology in the course focuses on communication Adobe Acrobat Connect Professional for
enterprise education and relies on the skills, participants’ presentations are last-minute sessions with potential stu-
same to deliver educational content, often videotaped for peer-review. dents who might have questions about
increase business-process efficiencies, Darden and its programmes. Everyone
and enhance communication via web High-quality, collaborative programmes from the admissions director to the
conferencing and collaboration. ‘We Darden recognised that to be successful, financial director can address questions
were immediately attracted to the ease the school needed a strong distance and posed by interested students before they
of Adobe Acrobat Connect Professional collaborative learning tool in its MBA decide to enroll. Lehmbeck also reports
and its manageability. Both faculty for Executives programme. In addition using Adobe Acrobat Connect Profes-
and students became comfortable to presentations, the synchronised audio sional to conduct interviews with those
with the solution very quickly,’ says narration feature of Adobe Acrobat who aren’t able to visit the university.
Christan Lehmbeck, Director, Connect Professional is widely used ‘Using Adobe tools during the hiring
Darden Media. in tutorials. The Darden enterprise process, for example, we can complete
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 35
Organization
University of Virginia
We were immediately attracted to the ease of use of Adobe Darden School of Business
Charlottesville, VA
Acrobat Connect Professional and its manageability. Both faculty www.darden.edu/html/default.aspx

and students became comfortable with the solution very quickly Challenge
• Facilitate communication between students,
Christian Lehmbeck, Director, Darden Media, University of Virginia faculty, staff, and corporate clients
Darden School of Business • Maximize the effectiveness of classroom learning
• Deliver educational content anywhere, anytime
• Conduct initial interviews more efficiently and cost
effectively
the first round of interviews, get a feel Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium • Minimise time spent on technical support
for the personalities involved, and even is also a mainstay at Darden. Adobe
see examples of a recruit’s work,’ says Photoshop CS3 is used to help create Solution
Use Adobe Acrobat Connect Professional to create and
Lehmbeck. interfaces and perfect photos for use
deliver dynamic meeting and course content, reach
in the classroom, in publications, for long-distance job and school applicants, review vendor
Expanding the educational horizon instructional development, and on the presentations, and facilitate technical support
Darden uses a variety of Adobe products web. The Darden development team
to improve student achievement and uses Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 as Benefits
streamline the school’s business their web-authoring tool and Adobe • Engaged students in intuitive, collaborative
processes. For example, finance faculty Flash CS3 Professional for interactive learning solutions
• Archived key sessions for immediate retrieval
members use Adobe Captivate software design on interfaces for educational
• Provided student prospects with prompt
to demonstrate how to review an Excel simulations, as well as for interactive communications from faculty and staff
spreadsheet. ‘The functionality of Adobe timelines. • Enabled real-time interactive experiences,
tools is remarkable,’ says Lehmbeck. fostering a collaborative environment for students
‘Adobe Captivate is also used for ‘The total integration among Adobe and faculty to more easily critique presentations,
tutorials on how to use online resources tools makes communicating and homework, and other projects
in the university library, and for collaborating at Darden that much • Minimised technical support with interactive Help
system
screen captures.’ more seamless,’ Lehmbeck adds.
‘We look forward to growing our Toolkit
Lehmbeck reports that Darden on- and off-campus programmes • Adobe Acrobat Connect Professional
launched a series of career services using Adobe Acrobat Connect • Adobe Captivate
tutorials created using Acrobat Connect Professional technology to further our • Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium.
Professional software. The tutorials educational goals.’ << Components used include:
focus on a variety of professional • Adobe Photoshop CS3
• Adobe Flash CS3 Professional
topics, including how to create a great For more information on Adobe Education
• Adobe Fireworks® CS3
resume and ways to network effectively. Solutions visit www.adobe.com/education or • Adobe Dreamweaver CS3
New modules will focus on salary contact Ms. Nidhi at +91 22 28367005 • Platform: Dell and IBM PCs with Microsoft Office
negotiation and alumni online resources. Or send an email to adobe-hed@erfolgcs.com 2007

36 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Higher Education | Perspective
Building Knowledge
Repositories Through R&D
Lab where we work on technologies
IITs build the knowledge for development, carrying out
customisations. We are developing
skills of students and we hope to a portal ‘Eklavya’ for mentoring
engineering students and teachers to
empower a larger pool of people reap the benefit of IIT faculty expertise.
with these skills to take on new We are waiting for government funding
to take it to the next level. We are
challenges of technology also working on an IT curriculum for
primary education and have come
out with a book for classes 1-5. We
are in the process of implementing
Prof Krithi Ramamritham the integrated applications of IIT
Dean R&D, Industrial Research & technologies at block level,
Consultancy Centre (IRCC), IIT Mumbai called the Rahata Block Development
Programme. The idea is to deploy
technologies to empower people and
What role has ICT been playing at countries. We have had several success make them self-sustaining in resources
IIT Mumbai? stories and the most exciting of them and finances and help them build
At our institution, ICT is used in two is AQUA (Almost All Questions entrepreneurship.
application areas of administrative Answered), which has been active for
functioning and as a research tool the past 3-4 years with the support The centre has proposed
in R&D activities. Infact, majority of World Bank. Through AQUA, we establishment of new IITs under the
of our administrative work has answer queries of farmers in rural areas mentoring of existing ones. Which
become paperless, which ensures its on crops, weather pattern, etc. new IIT centers are being supported
smooth functioning. We use IT in by IIT Mumbai?
our internal management of research, For those areas in India which do not We are currently mentoring two new
finances, academics, management of have Internet connectivity, we have mo- IITs at Gandhinagar, Gujarat and Indore,
grades, students registration, etc. The bile-enabled and voicemail services on Madhya Pradesh. Our faculty visits
applications used are home-grown, forecasts that gives real-time forecasts, these institutes and conducts lectures.
comprising off-the-shelf open including crop specific disease alerts. In due course of time we hope to put
software, and we add some local in place a dedicated staff for teaching
customisation to it. We have also done extensive work in and administration at these places.
the area of ICT for education, such as Expanding IIT faculty is difficult so we
Please elaborate on the various teaching the children of nomadic tribes have to make the best use of resources
research projects currently on in the through laptops using content created at hand. Hence, with the help of our
field of ICT at IIT Mumbai. locally in villages; creating content in distance education programme, which
When you look at emerging nations like Marathi for schools in Maharashtra thus has the facility to transmit live lectures
India, you see a research gap between enabling them to use IT for education along with a question and answer
needs and the available technology. delivery. We were also behind the session, we broadcast our courses live
We have tried to bridge this gap in creation of a portal called Shiksha, on EDUSAT.
collaboration with the industry and which is a repository of educative
academia. IIT Mumbai was one of the content. IITs build the knowledge skills of
first labs of Media Lab Asia. We started students and we hope to empower
functioning as part of Media Lab Asia What are your plans for R&D efforts a larger pool of people with these
five years ago and continue to develop at the institute in the coming years? skills to take on new challenges of
ICT based solutions for developing We have a Developmental Informatics technology. <<

38 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


News | India
Education moves a step Ahead Schools must adopt free 75 B.Ed institutions blacklisted
in Banglore software by Bihar Government
Manipal Education and Medical Group The Government of Bihar has blacklisted
(MEMG) will now provide end-to-end 75 B.Ed institutions in India and Nepal to
education solutions and other services check a fake degree racket and irregularities
through Manipal K-12 Education India, in the teacher recruitment drive for
formed jointly with TutorVista.com, an government-run schools, official
online tutoring company. The venture sources said. Bihar Human Resource
will also provide management services Development Minister Hari Narayan
to existing and new schools under the Singh said the state government was
brand Manipal Schools, as well as ICT- forced to blacklist the B.Ed institutions
based tutorial service. ‘A third of India’s to check irregularities in appointment
population is below 15 years. By 2025, Schools must teach the concept of free of school teachers, reports IANS. ‘It will
India is expected to have the highest youth software and let children learn with them, help government agencies to identify fake
population. We must ensure they are said Richard M Stallman, the founder degrees,’ he said.
educated at par with global standards,’ CEO for Free Software Forum (FSF). Stallman
of MEMG Ranjan Pai said. is widely regarded as the father of free The degrees issued by these
software movement. Addressing a gathering institutions were neither recognised by
in Banglore organised by Swatantra the state government nor the National
- Samudaya - Swadeshi Software for Council of Teachers Education. ‘The
Suvarna Karnataka, he said children should government has circulated a list of such
have access to the source code, the basic blacklisted institutions to all district level
programme of the software which would officials and directed them to immediately
provide them an opportunity to practically forward it to officials involved in recruitment
learn the working of a software. of teachers at sub-division, block and
panchayat level for scanning
CEO of Manipal K-12 Education India, He lauded the Kerala government’s initiative the applications,’ Singh said.
Meena Ganesh said, the urban-rural divide to introduce free software at schools in
is visible in schools too. The venture will use a phased manner and the Karnataka Inclusion in School system
a combination of quality teaching inputs government’s decision to follow suit. Minister of State for Human Resource
and technology to help students as well as Development (HRD) D. Purandeswari
improve skills of teachers. Higher Education to be said during question hour in the
strengthened by Government Rajya Sabha, ‘Inclusiveness is the
ICTs and capacity building in Minister of State for Human Resource cornerstone of our educational system and
Open Learning Development (HRD) D. Purandeswari said no child, even those that need
IGNOU has its presence in more than in a statement in the Lok Sabha, ‘One of special attention and special education,
35 countries, as of now. The Pan-African the critical factors affecting the quality will be left out.’ She was replying to
tele-education & tele-medicine initiative of of universities and institutions imparting a supplementary from Jaya Bachchan
Government of India, which shall connect higher education, is our inability to attract (Samajwadi Party) on the additional
all 53 African Union member states through and retain young and talented persons measures being taken for differently-
a satellite, fibre optic and wireless networks, to the teaching profession, leading over abled children.
should be seen as an effort towards a period of time to shortage of teachers
capacity building across cultures. in central as well as state universities and Purandeswari noted that under the
other higher educational institutions.’ Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), teachers
The network will connect five universities were being sensitised ‘not to segregate
- two in India and three in Africa - to Explaining the important features of the such children,’ even as she ‘pleaded’ with
53 learning centres for tele-education revised pay scales and service conditions the parents of such children to provide
and 10 super-speciality hospitals in for teachers, Purandeswari said, ‘No one adequate support at home. SSA is an
India and Africa to 53 remote shall be eligible to be appointed, promoted effort to universalise elementary education
hospitals for tele-medicine. The main or designated as professor unless he or by community-ownership of the school
objective of the tele-medicine network she possesses a Ph.D. and satisfies other system. It is also an attempt to provide
will be to share the knowledge of Indian academic conditions, as laid down by an opportunity for improving human
medical professionals with their African the University Grants Commission (UGC).’ capabilities to all children, through
counterparts through on-line training ‘This shall, however, not affect those who provision of community-owned quality
programmes for nurses, paramedical staff are already designated as professor,’ education in a mission mode,
and other health workers. she added. Purandeswari pointed.

40 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Kalam wants IISc among world’s in January. Called Inspire (Innovation in Cautioning students to beware of
top 10 institutes Science Pursuit for Inspired Research), the institutions offering Master’s degree in the
programme is an initiative of the Science specialised field, Rao said since nanotech
and Technology Ministry and targets one was still in a nascent stage in India, a
million students and teachers in the next Master’s degree in the subject was far-
few years. fetched. He suggested that colleges and
university departments should continue to
Manipal Education buys out focus on basic sciences so that students
Antigua University with exceptional interest and talent in
In one of the biggest cross-border deals in the field could prepare for a career in
the education space, Manipal Education nanotechnology.
Former president A P J Abdul Kalam has has acquired the entire shareholding of
tasked the century-old Indian Institute of American More Pictures. University of Gujarat University shifts to
Science (IISc) to work towards ranking Antigua (AUA) from New York-based semester system
among the world’s top 10 institutes by Greater Caribbean Learning Resources. Work has begun on the decision to
2030. ‘In the second century of its existence, Sources said the company has raised $115 introduce semester system in the arts,
I want to see IISc rated as one of the top million debt financing from ICICI Bank in science and commerce faculties of Gujarat
10 science and technology institutes in the recent weeks, which will be ploughed into
world by 2030,’ Kalam said while inaugu- the buyout as well as capex requirements
rating the institute’s centenary conference in for ramping up the campus.
its green campus. ‘As the country’s premier
science institute, I have a lot of expectations The Caribbean is a well-established market
from its faculty and students over the next for medical students from the US mainland,
two-three decades,’ he added. where the availability of seats far outstrips
demand. ‘We have completed the buyout,
The faculty and students should focus giving us control over AUA, which is among
on sustaining rural development, find the top five medical education campuses
techniques to increase food production, in the Caribbean islands along with St
discover vaccination to treat malaria, HIV George’s University School of Medicine
and cancer, develop genetically modified and Ross University,’ Anand Sudarshan, MD University, going by decision taken in the
seeds for ushering the second green & CEO, Manipal Education, said. latest academic council meeting. So far, GU
revolution and design, develop and produce ‘We saw a huge potential and strategic used to follow the annual exam mode.
hyper-planes and 90-seater jet aircraft, value in the acquisition as the Caribbean At a meeting, various faculty directors of
Kalam pointed out. serves the unmet demand for medical seats the university agreed to accept the decision
in the US. The US is estimated to have and have started a ground survey on
PM worried over talented youth 16,800 medical seats, while there are over which will be the best system to adopt. The
ignoring Science 60,000 students who clear MCAT annually,’ directors’ concerns include increase in the
Prime Minister Manmohan Mr Sudarshan added. number of subjects and the faculty that will
Singh has expressed be needed.
concern over talented Global slowdown has not affected
youngsters giving less growth of science in India Director of the faculty of arts, Dr Vasat
priority to science and C.N.R. Rao, who heads the Science Advisory Bhatt, said, ‘Semester system is the need
‘gravitating to other Council to the Prime Minister, at a special of the hour to make our students more
disciplines,’ affecting session on nanotechnology said, ‘Science competent in the outside world. All
India’s competitive edge in the long run. ‘It and technology has done well and shown faculty heads are open to the idea.’ The
is a fact that in recent years, the talented steady growth despite economic slowdown faculty of arts, by their own initiative,
youth of the country are gravitating to in the country. For instance, many positive have even asked for details and syllabus
other disciplines than science. Science is no developments have taken place in the from various universities where semester
longer necessarily the career of choice of field of nanotechnology because of young system is running already. Some of these
the meritorious students,’ Manmohan Singh scientists evincing great interest in research universities are Pune University, SNDT,
said after inaugurating a special scholarship and development (R&D).’ Projecting bright JNU, Vikram Vishwavidyalay and
programme to retain and attract talent to prospects in nanotechnology, he said, large- Saurashtra University. The report of the
scientific research. scale applications are waiting to happen in same has been submitted to the Vice
the emerging field that would have a direct Chancellor.’ The faculties are hoping to
The Prime Minister had announced the bearing on the quality of life, healthcare and launch the semester system by the next
programme at the Indian Science Congress material sciences. academic year.<<

42 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


schaool Track | Report
NUEPA Report

India’s 87% Schools Without


Computers
The report highlights
varying regional access to
school computers. Barring
Delhi, Maharashtra,
southern states, Gujarat
and Madhya Pradesh,
access to such facilities
remains virtually non-
existent to most students
in the country

E
ven as India excels towards the which has now risen to 1,67,000-plus The percentage of government
target of elementary education schools (13.43%) for 2007. The schools with computer has shown
for all, its ICT capabilities, so number of schools having provided improvement over the previous year
far as school education is concerned, computers during the year 2005-06 (6.57% in 2005-06 to 8.57% in 2006-
remains severely challenged by low was 120.6 thousand (10.73%), during 07). Compared to 8.57% government
availability of computers in the schools. 2004-05, 93 thousand (8.99%) and schools having computers, the
in 2003-04, 72 thousand (7.68%). percentage in case of schools under
However, according to a report Currently, more than 160,000 primary private managements is much higher
‘Strengthening Education Management schools in the country had computers at 34.43%.
Information System in India’ , published in place.
by the HRD Ministry and the National This is also true for all other types of
University of Educational Planning and Rural and urban variations schools. About 62% integrated Higher
Administration (NUEPA), the growth The percentage of Primary schools secondary and 59% upper schools
in the number of computers in schools having computers is much lower at under the private managements have
since 2004 is truly remarkable. During 6.51% than that of the other school computers.
the period 2003-04 to 2006-07, the types. It is high at 18.20% in urban
number of schools with computers areas and low at 5.34% in rural areas. Regional disparities
increased substantially, both in As many as 50,747 Primary schools in The report also highlights varying
percentage and absolute terms. 2006-07 are provided with computers regional access to school computers.
Since 2004, when just 72,000-odd of which 75% is in rural areas and only Barring Delhi, Maharashtra, southern
schools (7.68%) had computers, 25% in urban areas. states, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh,

44 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


access to such facilities remains virtually
non-existent to most students in the
country.

Maharashtra has the highest number


of schools - 28,882, which constitutes
33.42% of its total schools - that have
computers in schools, followed by
19,154 schools in Andhra Pradesh,
16,064 schools in Madhya Pradesh,
13,336 schools in Rajasthan, 11,603
schools in Tamil Nadu.

In terms of percentage of schools which


have computers in each state, Delhi
stands first (68.85), followed by Kerala
(60.9), Maharashtra (33.42), Gujarat
(24.03) and Tamil Nadu (22.13).

Except for Delhi, Chandigarh, Kerala,


Gujarat, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra,
Orissa, Puducherry, Sikkim and Tamil
Nadu, the percentage of computer
penetration in primary schools is below
double digit in the rest of India.

The lowest numbers, 12 Schools, of


computer facility is in the Dadra &
Nagar Haveli, followed 15 schools
in Daman & Diu, 22 schools in
Lakshadweep, and 119 schools in
Andaman & Nicobar Islands. In Bihar
too, the percentage of schools with
computers was found to be low at 2.62
or 1,436 schools.
State of elementary education in India
However, the spread of computer educa-
In yet another proof of the poor state of elementary education in India, latest tion has been limited to just 6.51% of
data shows that school rooms in many states have as many as 100 students to all primary schools in the country. And
a class, with a single teacher in-charge of 67 or more. The 2006-07 District except for Delhi, Chandigarh, Kerala,
Information System for Education data, compiled by NUEPA, reveals that Gujarat, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra,
Bihar (92), Jharkhand (79) and Uttar Pradesh (53) have one of the highest Orissa, Puducherry, Sikkim and Tamil
Student Classroom Ratios (SCRs) in primary schools. Assam is at 45 students Nadu, the percentage of computer pen-
per classroom, Madhya Pradesh (43) and West Bengal (50) are also on the etration in primary schools is below
higher side. As many as 16.45% schools have SCR of 60 and above. The report double digit in the rest of India.
lauds Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir for their ratios of 15 and 14,
respectively. The NUPEA survey highlights the
major strides India has taken in terms
Another key indicator that influences classroom transaction is the pupil-teacher of making the very basic tool for ICT
ratio (PTR), and there too the same set of states is at the end of the tally. delivery available to schools. But it also
Against the average of 40:1, Bihar has a ratio of 67:1 in government schools. underscores the huge number of schools
Interestingly, the case is even worse in privately managed schools. Uttar that are without it and hence only
Pradesh has a ratio as high as 55:1. However, overall the country has shown an on the fringes of the access to online
improvement in PTR, with the ratio dropping from 36 to 34% from 2005-06 to and audio-video content, which is being
2006-07. States like Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, looked at with such enthusiasm for
Tamil Nadu and Delhi reported ideal PTRs, ranging from 16 to 25. addressing the issue of distance and
infrastructure. <<

46 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


School Track | report 3rd anniversary special issue

ASER Report
Drop-out Rate Declines, Access To
Schooling Increases
children have dropped in the year 2007,

T
he number of girls and boys increase in the number of children
dropping out of their schools since last year. This decline is visible attending pre-schools (anganwadi or
education has gone down, in all age categories for both boys and balwadi). In 2006, 61.2% of kids three-
while more and more young people girls.For boys and girls in seven to 10 years of age were attending pre-schools
are accessing formal and informal year old age group, the percentage of as compared to 75.3% in 2007. For four
schooling, says the Annual Status of out of school children in 2007 stands at year olds, there is an increase from 71.9
Education Report (ASER) for the year below 3% for rural India. to 81.8%.
2007.
For girls in the age group 11 to 14, the Major increase in the proportion of
The third definitive survey of status percentage of out of school children has children in pre-schools (anganwadi or
of school education across rural India, dropped from above 10 to 7.4 %. For balwadi) has been reported in states
conducted by non-governmental Rajasthan and Bihar, the percentage of like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,
organisation Pratham, indicates out of school children in the 6 to 14 age West Bengal, Orissa, Chhattisgarh
major progress over last two years in group was above 10% in 2006. This and Kerala with anganwadi-balwadi
enrollment showing a rise of more than
10 percentage points between 2006 and
2007. Himachal Pradesh shows highest
increase of 30 percentage points.

Learning levels improve


Overall reading levels showed
improvement over 2006. Across the
country, the proportion of children
in first standard, who could not even
recognise alphabets has dropped from
38.4 in 2006 to 31.9% in 2007.

The proportion of children in standard


one and two, who can recognise letters,
read words or more has gone up
nationally from 73.3% in 2006 to 78.3%
in 2007.

Many states show improvement in


enrollment and availability of schools, number has decreased to 6.5% in both reading levels for children in Standard 1
teachers, toilets and water in most states. the states in 2007. Overall, enrolment and 2 and there is considerable variation
in private schools has increased from across states. In particular, Rajasthan,
The findings of the survey also show a 18.7% in 2006 to 19.3% in 2007. The Arunachal, Manipur, Assam show
jump in mid-day meals, state-run free rise in private school enrolment is an improvement of more than 10
lunches to retain students in the schools. noticeable in the older age group of percentage points. Increases are
Another significant finding of the survey 11 to 14 years. Private schools include also visible in Jammu and Kashmir,
is increase in aanganwadi Integrated government aided, unaided, recognised Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,
Child Development Scheme coverage, and unrecognised schools. Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat
especially in the North India. and Karnataka.
More young children accessing
Drop-outs drop education National figures in 2007 show 58.3%
Overall proportions of out of school The survey also reported a substantial children in Standard 5 can read Standard
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 47
2 level text. The same figure for 2006 relationship between a child’s ability are also seen in terms of toilets.
was 53.0%. to read and comprehend text by asking
children oral questions based on texts of However, there are still a little over 25%
States in which there are significant different levels. schools that either do not have water or
improvements in the ability of children if they do have water it is not usable.
in Standard 3 to 5 to read Standard one The ability to comprehend is closely The corresponding figure for toilets is
level text (easy paragraphs) or more are linked with the ability to read. What 40%. In about 92.6% of the schools
the following: Himachal Pradesh and is revealing is that when children are visited on a random day in October/
Andhra Pradesh where the improve- given a text that is more advanced than November 2007, midday meal was seen
ments are over 10 percentage points. they are comfortable reading, a section being prepared or served.
Improvements are also visible in some of children is still able to tackle the text
states in the North East such as Arunach- and understand it. For example, among This figure is much higher than the
al, Nagaland and Manipur. all 6-10 year olds, 23% are comfortably comparable figure in 2005, which stood
able to read words but not as yet able at 71.1%. Well over 75% of all teachers
Problem solving to read sentences fluently. Of these had received TLM grants for 2006 and
All children were orally asked two halting readers, about 11% can answer over half had received them for 2007.
problems. Both problems were about questions based on the Std 1 level text
money and involved children subtracting and about 6% on Std 2 level text. Note Similarly, for school maintenance grants,
numbers from INR 50. Children could that the Standard 1 and 2 level texts over 80% of schools had received their
give the answer orally or in written are higher than what the child can read grants in 2006 and over 60% in 2007.
form.A small proportion of 6-8 year-olds comfortably. It is likely that the remainder of grants
could correctly answer the problems. may be sent to schools and teachers by
In this age group, 18% of school going Among the children reading a Std 1 the end of the 2007-08 financial year.
children could answer questions as level, 66% of children in the 6-10 age
compared to 6% of non-school going group can answer questions from a Std In India, due to low enrollments in
children of the same age group. 1 level text. Even though these children small habitations, children in about half
cannot comfortably read a Std 2 level of all classes in visited schools, during
The ability to solve these problems text, 23% can answer questions based on the ASER survey, sat with students
is higher with older children: 50% of a Std 2 level text. belonging to another standard. This
9-10 year old children can solve both number ranges from close to 70% in
problems and almost 74% children in Similar patterns are visible among the states like Bihar and Jharkhand to as low
the 11-14 age group can do the same. older children (11-14 year) as well. Not as 3% in Kerala.
only can a majority of children answer
For older children (aged 11-14), of questions based on the level of text The findings from ASER 2007 shows
those who can correctly solve written that they are comfortably reading but that rural India’s schools are well on
numerical subtraction problems, about a significant percentage try to read a course towards the goal of universalising
66% can solve the word problems. Of higher level of text and understand it. elementary education. It also highlights
children who can solve written division non-formal schooling providing vital
problems, close to 94% can solve the School infrastructure gets better support for the first generationof rural
word problems. The number of schools with fresh learners. The decline in drop-out rates
water supply has risen from 67 to 72% and increase in teacher attendance are
Comprehension improves for primary schools and 73 to 77% in a promising signs of emerging quality
ASER 2007 has explored the middle schools. Similar improvements education in rural schools. <<

48 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


>> Continuing from page 8

Earlier ICT products in schools stream after class 10. In the higher
meant computers, computer labs, etc. secondary stage, they concentrate on
Now there is no dearth of products in learning certain skills in addition to
the market like smartboards, digital general education so that after they
projectors, interactive websites, etc. pass out of 12th, they are in a position
How do you see these products being to get employment or go for higher
used in the government education education. At present, only 4-5% of
system? students go to this stream. We hope to
We have to be in sync with the latest increase the enrollment in vocational
in technology. But for a country of our education through revision of the
size, it is difficult to implement all the scheme to make the curriculum more
technology solutions at one go in all the responsive to the market demand, to
schools. So it has to be done in a graded ensure availability of qualified
manner. For example, in the model teachers and infrastructure, and through
schools we are planning to use the best industry linkage.
available technologies. Introduction of
these technologies in other schools will Do these vocational centres
have a lag but hopefully not for long, as come under schools or is it run
our economy is growing at a steady pace independently?
and the prices of technology products Both these options are available.
is falling. So in the coming years it
would be easier for the government to
ICT in education policy Certain service oriented vocational
programmes don’t require much of
introduce technology in all schools and
bridge the digital gap. needs to concentrate on additional infrastructure and can be run
in existing general schools. Wherever

In some states like Uttar Pradesh, effective use of ICT to specialised infrastructure is required,
separate vocational schools may have
Bihar, Jharkhand, the number of to be set up. Private sector and industry
students far exceed the capacity of the further the objectives can be involved in a big way to provide
state schools. As such many students for such skill development. A vocational
are forced to give exams privately. of education and also qualification framework is also being
How does your Ministry plan to considered.
address this issue?
We plan to address this issue through
increase access to it Please tell us about recent
a new scheme called Rashtriya developments regarding the ICT in
Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan under education policy?
which areas would be mapped for the ICT in education policy needs to
availability of schools keeping in mind concentrate on effective use of ICT to
certain norms, for example, there should to be flexible to take care of the needs of further the objectives of education and
be a primary school within one km, individual States. Based on local context also increase access to it. For example,
an upper primary school within 3 km, PPP can be at different levels, eg, (i) in remote locations where there is
and a high school within 5 km of any for provision of building infrastructure, shortage of teachers, ICT can make a
habitation. In those places which don’t (ii) for provision of non-educational difference in the quality of teaching
fulfill this criteria, new schools will be services, and (iii) for provision of through supply of standardised
set up to ensure an even distribution education services. The states can decide e-Learning material. It also has a role
throughout the country. for themselves what level of PPP they in bridging the gap between the haves
want. However, the PPP model is not and haves not, particularly the gap
The governments in Rajasthan and new to this country. The entire system in quality of teaching in rural and
Punjab are looking at the PPP model of government-aided schools is nothing urban areas.
for setting up new schools, especially but Public Private Partnership.
in the unreached or underserved ICT policy has to be developed
areas. Will it be replicated at the Please tell us about the Skill following discussions, deliberations
central level and other states as Development Mission under the and feedbacks from all stakeholders. It
well? What are the learnings from Central government. should help the state governments and
Rajasthan and Punjab? At present, there is a vocational users in harnessing the potential of ICT
We need to learn from the experience of education scheme under which students to the maximum extent in furthering the
these two States. The PPP model needs are allowed to branch off to a vocational objectives of education. <<

Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 49


Development Agenda | Perspective
Digital Study Hall, Lucknow

Democratising Education
Our vision is to democratise education.
There are huge inequalities in India. On
the one hand you have schools that have
resources and infrastructure; on the other
hands there are many more that do not
have any resources. So, the idea is to share
resources, that can be exchanged digitally
by including as many people as possible
in this process
Dr Urvashi Sahni, Founder & Director,
Digital Study Hall

What is the vision behind the setting identify the target student population Another variation of the theme is ‘peer-
up of the Digital Study Hall? as we run both private schools and mediation’, where the brightest fellow
Our vision is to democratise education. afternoon schools for weaker sections. student is approached to serve as a
There are huge inequalities in India. The second challenge was to get people mediator during periods when the local
On the one hand you have schools that to use technology as in government teacher is absent. The student mediators
have resources and infrastructure; on the schools even getting teachers use appear to display a high degree of
other hands there are many more that do something like abacus is very difficult. responsibility and enthusiasm when they
not have any resources. By resources I Another related challenge is to provide are put in charge.
mean, quality of teachers, infrastructure a lost cost setting to keep the model
and basic amenities. So, the idea is to sustainable. What methodology is followed while
share resources, that can be exchanged creating the content? How is the
digitally with the use of technology by What pedagogical approach is content disseminated?
including as many people as possible followed by the Digital Study Hall? In terms of the methodology, we select
in this process. Fundamentally, the Put simply, we follow a ‘mediation- good teachers wherever we find them,
vision is to improve the quality of based pedagogy’, which refers to specially in vernacular languages
education, to equalise the education placing a teacher (or a ‘mediator’) and teach them to plan their classes
and to include people in the whole in between the students and the TV. according to the state board curriculum.
educational process. The mediator periodically pauses the We map out the curriculum from
video and engages the students in Chapters 1 to 8. All this is done in a
What are the challenges that Digital various activities, like asking systematic manner twice or thrice a
Study Hall encountered in pursuing questions, inviting kids to do week. The teachers then come
these ? board work, and organising role- prepared in the afternoon with a half-an-
The first challenge was to find a place playing activities. The mediator’s job is hour unit and conduct the classes, which
and teachers who are willing to work to make the class as lively are then videographed. Apart from this,
in this project. It was also difficult to and interactive. we also do some post production work

50 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


3rd anniversary special issue

role of technology and try to make it


a substitute for the role people play in
education. Secondly, the infrastructural
needs must be met in India, where
electricity itself is a huge issue.
Technology has to keep pace with the
infrastructural support available in any
particular context.

Is Digital Study Hall associated with


any government agencies or private
bodies in furthering its agenda?
We have collaborations with
Microsoft Research, which is one of
our facilitators. Then the Study Hall
Foundation, US, is another collaborator.
We have partnered with government
education departments, government
Work on at Lucknow hub schools and private foundations
for furthering our project. We are also
collaborating with University
I would rate technology as a good facilitator for of Washington, Seattle and
University of California, Berkeley in
the supplementary role that it can play. But it cannot research projects.

be a substitute for people We are engaged with the University of


California, Berkeley, for a re-evalution
project. Among the private foundations,
we have the National Science
in our labs, in which we add pictures Yes, in Bangladesh, Dhaka, we just Foundation, which funds us. Then
from the Internet, put Flash Cards, etc, started this year, that is very much there is Madhavi Kapoor Foundation in
to make videos even more live. in early stage. Talks are also on with Pune and Lorento Convent in Kolkata,
The content is then edited and Cambodia, but it is still in the nascent which support us. We also have a tie-up
converted into DVDs, and are sent stage. We had an indication to do with the UNICEF for a teacher training
by hand or ‘Postmanet’ system of something in Pakistan, but given project. Under it, we are providing video
transferring digial content through the the condition between the two content to various districts in Uttar
postal service. countries, right now we can’t goahead Pradesh to train 14,000 teachers.
with the plan. We also provide our content to 25
According to you, what role does Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalayas and
localisation of languages play in According to you, what is the role of talks are also on with the Sahara
spreading education among the technology in education? Foundation to approach schools in
disadvantaged group? I would rate technology as a good urban slums.
It plays a very important role because a facilitator for the supplementary role
majority of population speaks only the that it can play. It can help in solving the What are the future plans of Digital
local language. So if you don’t have the problems. For example, in our project, Study Hall?
content in the local language, you may it is helping us regroup resources so We will be starting public schools in
be excluding many. That is precisely that we don’t take up real time and the near future. We want to create as
why all our material is created in the physical space. I think it is going to much content as we can in as many
local language. We use Hindi in UP, become increasingly more important in local languages as we can. We want to
Marathi in Maharashtra and Bengali in times to come. In fact, India becomes increase our outreach, to reach
Kolkata. But at the same time we have more networked than it is because the out those who need the help. Many
also included English as our second Internet has played an enormous role people who get to know about work
language. in democratising knowledge, allowing through websites or through the print
more and more people to access bulk of media, contact us. So schools from
Apart from India, has this information. Madhya Pradesh, Agra, Uttaranchal
programme been running in other and Gujarat have contacted us for
countries also? I think we should not overstate the collaboration. <<
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 51
Power School | Perspective
Socialising, Humanising And
Academising Children
What is your vision for quality projectors and a separate functional
education in your school? room exclusively for multi-media, apart
Quality is a process as well as a product. from the computer lab. Promotion of e-
The ultimate aim of quality education Learning is also carried out through the
is to help the child to re-orient his Vyasa educational channel.
personality, whereby he turns out to be
a worthy citizen capable of contributing In what ways are the teachers’
to the world at large. We socialise, capacity built for rendering
humanise and academise the child. technology mediated education?
To enhance the teachers’ capacity
What model of curriculum and in implementing ICTs in education
learning methodology is followed in effectively, comprehensive training
the school? has been provided to them along with
The Vidyalaya follows the CBSE specialised training organised by Oracle.
curriculum for both secondary and com, Indian Institiute of Information
senior secondary examinations. Since V L Balasubramanian Techbology, Intel programmes, etc.
most of the students admitted in class IV Principal, Jawahar Navodaya Leadership training programmes are also
hail from rural areas having studied in Vidyalaya, Kasaragod, Kerala organised for teachers to take leadership
regional language medium, the medium in ICT implementation programme.
of instruction in classes VI and VII is
mostly the regional language. However, Our learning methodology In what ways can Public Private
efforts are also made to strengthen Partnership enhancing technology in
the communication ability in English involves modern techniques of school education?
language. Our learning methodology
involves modern techniques of learning
learning transactions through As part of partnership programme
between schools in India and UK, JNV
transactions through projects, group projects, group discussions, Kasaragod has been enlisted under
discussions, seminars, symposia, team UKIERI programme. This gives our
teaching, etc. The ultimate aim is to seminars, symposia, team students ansd teachers an opportunity
make learning an enjoyable task. teaching, etc to have international exposure and also
to exchange serious research based
What initiatives have been taken in projects in school education. Students
your school for integrating ICT? of JNV have been presenting their
All subjects are taught through multi- like Adobe Audition, Photoshop, Page- projects through Oracle Think.com and
media presentation, project based Maker, Flash Player, Dream Weaver, etc. the school has been awarded as the best
learning (PBL), language softwares school of the region by Oracle.
(like Baraha, Madhuri) and interactive CBSE subjects like Computer Science
programmes in classes VI to XII. & Informatics Practices are offered to What initiatives do you plan to take
the students in classes 11th and 12th to up in future for effective integration
The school library has a website, promote an affinity towards software of ICT in your school?
Vidyalaya Blogspot, specially raised in development and computer engineering. Some of the future initiatives of our
connection with UK-India educational school include: (1) to expand the com-
initiative (UKIERI Programme) of What challenges did you face while puter facilities and e-Learning process
which we are a partner. integrating ICT in your school? with latest gadgets, (2) to take up a proj-
Initially, the problem of inadequate ect as a pace setting activity to enhance
ICT facilities are extensively used in number of systems was overcome computer awareness among parents
co-curricular activities like quiz pro- with the help of MPLAD Fund and the during the next term, (3) to integrate the
grammes, seminars, electronic painting Department supported the Vidyalaya schools with community by training the
competition, audio recording etc. with a VSAT connection. At present elders in and around the Vidyalaya, and
our school is equipped with sufficient (4) to provide every student with a note
Training is given in advanced softwares number of computers, three LCD book with campus wi-fi facility. <<

52 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Power School | Perspective 3rd anniversary special issue

Producing Future Leaders With


Global Perspective
What is your vision for quality I am pleased to note that 99% of our
education in Scindia School? faculty is computer savy and not just
The vision of the school is to be a computer literate. They enter attendance,
pre-eminent centre of learning in the Test and Examination Marks, their
country producing future leaders with lesson plans routinely into the system.
global perspective and an Indian ethos. Most of them use Microsoft Word,
To ensure that our vision meets it’s Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Power
motive, each student’s course of study Point with ease.
is carefully planned and followed.
Each term a student progresses at his How do you built teachers’ capacity
own pace unimpeded by others. Those in rendering technology mediated
with outstanding qualities are given education?
opportunities to shine and not rust This is the most important aspect
unfurnished, and others lend a helping because if teachers do not own it, the
hand with understanding to reach their whole process can not be sustained.
potential. Nirmal Kumar Tewari Therefore, we have capacity of the
Principal, Scindia School, Gwalior, in-house training as and when it is
Please tell us about the curriculum Madhya Pradesh required. Every month at least two
and learning methodology followed in modules are made available to teachers
your school. who wish to further improve their skills
Our school is from Class VI to Class The schools which have to learn new things. This is the most
XII. The school follows the CBSE regular and continuous process.
curriculum from classes IX to XII but integrated technology should
in lower classes a lot of innovation is
practiced and in most subjects project
make it available to schools How do you see Public Private
Partnership for enhancing proper use
based learning and experience based around them and allow of technology in school education?
learning is emphasised and practiced. A lot of work in this area is required
The use of technology is prevalent, the optimum usage of the to be done. The schools which have
regular visits to various sites of
historical, geographical, scientific
infrastucture integrated technology should make
it available to schools around them
experience is part of the regular school and allow the optimum usage of the
schedule. infrastucture. The IT companies need to
frame special packages for schools so
What are the initiatives taken up by Through these intiatives, project-based that the finances for running a facility
your school for integrating ICT in learning got a great boost and students like this can be kept under control, the
education? developed the skills of sifting through gap between ‘have and haves not’ has to
Our initiatives can be divided in three the huge information available and be bridged as much as possible.
areas: Infrastucture development, ie, creating knowledge, and also learnt
putting computers and networks in the skills of presentation and effective What are the future initiatives/plans for
place, procuring software, model class communication. integrating ICT in school education?
rooms, computer labs, etc; Integrating The main objective is to make the use
faculty in this initiative through What are the major challenges as far of technology all pervasive. The ICT
workshops on technology for almost six as ICT in education is concerned? setup needs to look at what it can do for
months; Exposing students to various The most difficult part was to get the any activity or process of the school. It
initiatives like use of internet, e-Mail in teachers feel confident and address their actually does not mean that everything
a gradual manner. A concept of fear of technology. It required lot of should be done using technology but to
e-Portal was developed to serve as a hand holding and was time consuming. ensure that technology should be used
common platform for all stakeholders of But with continued effort and time, we to bring greater efficiency and greater
the school. managed to remove these hurdles and educational value to any process. <<
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 53
Corporate diary | Case Study
‘Classrooms For The Future’
Genee Solutions India

I
t is exciting times for India, with schools (as GeneeWorld or Interactive
the emergence and potential of it Education) in the UK.
becoming a global power. However,
if it is to reach such heights there is no What excites me the most is that I can
doubt that Education will play a huge now see this revolution happening in
role in ensuring that this undoubted India - the place which my family calls
potential is fulfilled. ‘home’. Having developed thousands of
classrooms in the UK and the US, me
As we enter the 21st Century, and my company Genee Solutions India
technology will continue to play a vital feel privileged that we can now make
part in the success of India. India now this happen in India itself!
has one of the highest number of IT
graduates in the world and what is clear What excites me the most is that the
that the Classroom now needs to catch Curriculum Content Development and
up fast with the modern IT environment Research & Development for all out
of the workplace. products is done in India. No longer
will we develop technology and content
As we subject young people to technol- to be then shipped to the UK and US
ogy in the working environment we to benefit students over there, but
must now put some of this technology in our children in India will also be the
to education sector creating classrooms benefactors of this technology.
of the future. The younger the students
are subjected to such an environment the In this way we are very different from
quicker they will adapt to this technol- our competitors. Most of them have
ogy and develop the skills needed for developed their content in the US or
the economy in the future. UK and are now adapting the same
content for Indian market. We develop
This is where Genee Solutions India our hardware and software in India
comes in! We have been developing by listening to the needs of our Indian
‘Classrooms for the Future’ for the last schools and then providing the exact
10 years all around the world! We have solution that they require.
played and are still playing a key role
in developing thousands of classroom Overall, I personally, as well as my
in the UK with this new technology. company, are looking forward to playing
This technology includes Interactive a key role in moving Indian schools
Whiteboards (Genee Power Boards), forward so that our education system
Visualisers (GeneeVision), Voting was a teacher for 10 years in the UK can meet the demands of the 21st
Systems (Classcomm & Census) and with the responsibility of integrating Century and also secure our children’s
Wireless Slates (Genee Slates). Information Communication Technology future. The most important thing to me
(ICT) across the curriculum in a variety is to ensure that we achieve our potential
However, this technology is only of secondary schools. I saw ten years as a future global power in the world
successful if it incorporates Interactive ago what impact such technology by ensuring our children have access
Learning Software and this has always could make to learning and there is to technology tools in their education
been our specialism since 1999. now no doubt that as a company we to achieve their as well as thecountry’s
have made a huge impact in this area. potential. <<
Where does this drive, determination So much so that we are now one of the By Ranjit Singh, Chief Executive
and focus come from. Well, I myself largest providers of ICT equipment to Officer, Genee Solutions India

54 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Power School | Perspective

Providing An Enabling Environment


What is your vision for quality programmes can be organised for
education in Hansraj Morarji Public teachers and adequate fund allotted for
School? this purpose.
Hansraj Morarji Public School is an
institution which provides an enabling What are the initiatives taken up by
environment to its children to develop your school for integrating ICT in
holistically. We believe in providing school education?
quality education to our students, for this ICT has been incorporated in our school
we provide them the latest technology sysytem for the benefit of teachers and
like computers with Internet facilities, students alike and they are using it to
Audio-Visual room with LCD projector full capacity. We organise supervised
to make teaching-learning more training programmes for our staff to
effective and interesting too. educate them on the proper use of
internet. Teachers are encouraged to
In April this year, we also started a use ICT in their classroom teaching,
Junior college, which provides Science Mrs. Anjana Prakash do more research on their respective
and commerce streams and has reserved Principal, Hansraj Morarji Public subjects through Internet and also assist
seats for shoolchildren passing out of School, Andheri (West), Mumbai students in usig it for their projects and
10th standard. class assignments. We have also
started an inter-house competition on
Please tell us about the curriculum We do not believe in rote making projects on power points using
and learning methodology followed in Internet facility under the guidance
the school. learning, instead we adopt of teachers.
We follow the Maharashtra State Board
curriculum in our school. Apart from
such methods of teaching How do you build teachers’ capacity
the curriculum, many other activities where a student’s involvement in rendering technology mediated
like Maths Club, Drama Club, Green
Brigade Environment Club etc are a part
is more. We try to evoke interest education?
Our teachers are encouraged to
of the student life at our school. We also in curriculum among the participate in various training
won the ‘Green School Awards’ in the programmes to enhance their knowledge
year 1996. students in ICT use. We encourage them to take
part in various inter-school competitions
We do not believe in rote learning, where the use of Internet becomes a
instead we adopt such methods of this field. As such their involvement in must; this brings awareness among
teaching where a student’s involvement IT usage was seen less. Teachers may the teachers of growing importance of
is more. We try to evoke interest in find the conventional method of teaching ICT in education. We also send them to
curriculum among the students, due to easier than technology mediated various workshops to build awareness
which learning becomes easier. For this education due to lack of expertise in this among them.
we equip our teachers with the latest field. As the teachers may find it time
technology in teaching which makes the consuming and more difficult to use it How do you see public-private
learning process easier. for expressing themselves, there may be partnership for enhancing proper use
a shortfall in communication between of technologies in school education?
What major challenges did you teachers and students. I would vouch for the PPP model as
encounter while integrating ICT in private companies are better equipped
education in your school? The school management should also to train teachers in the use of latest
A major hurdle which we faced is lack realise the importance of ICT in technologies owing to their research and
of knowledge among the teachers’ in education so that relevant training advance knowledge in this field. <<

56 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Power School | Perspective 3rd anniversary special issue

PPP: An Effective Solution


For JNVs
What is your vision for quality technology aided learning. Problems if
education in JNV, Mothuka? any are reported, then, these are solved
The main objective of JNV, Mothuka at the school level only. Internet has
is to provide state-of-the-art education helped in keeping us up-to-date with the
to students of rural areas around it. recent information and development in
JNVs were opened in rural areas, IT field.
throughout the country (except, Tamil
Nadu) by an inititative taken by our Late How do you built teachers’ capacity
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. JNVs in rendering technology mediated
are one among the countries biggest education?
co-educational residential schooling Our teachers are trained with the help
system. 70% students are taken from of public-private-partnerships with big
rural background as per the policy of IT companies like Microsoft, Intel,
Navodaya Vidayalaya Samiti (NVS). Educomp and World Links. Teachers
Please tell us about the curriculum and Dr Meena Singh are motivated to work on research based
learning methodology followed in the Principal, Jawahar Navodaya topics using multimedia equipements.
school. Vidyalaya, Mothuka, Faridabad, Special classes have been assigned to
Haryana every teacher for Technology Aided
JNVs all over India follow the curricu- Learning. These classes are evaluated
lum of CBSE. Modern technology is and inspected by me or senior teachers
used in classroom teaching to facilitate
better understanding of subjects among
We have bagged the from time to time.

students. We also have a migration Ministry of Information and How do you see Public-Private
policy for students of class IX, in which Partnership for enhancing proper use
students of JNV Mothuka are sent to a Technolgy, Governement of of technologies in school education?
JNV in Maharashtra. This helps students
in confidence building and cultivates a
India, award for best school Public-Private Partneships are an
effective solution for institutions like
sense of unity and national integrity. for use of e-Learning and JNVs. To deliver quality education
in areas where resources are limited,
What are the initiatives taken by technology public-private partnership is a boon.
your school for integrating ICT in In future, more MoUs need to be
education? carried out between the NVS and
We have a very wide application of ICT technology. Our school has also won private organisations, so that, students
in our school, not only in classroom the Intel Teach to the Future School of from rural areas where state-of-the-art
teaching, but for all kinds of office work the Year Award for implementation of education system is not available, can
and laboratory purposes. Many projects ICT and Technology Aided Learning, maintain their pace with the technology.
are on in our school for equipping our twice. Our school website provides an What are the future initiatives/plans for
staff and students with ICT. Students interactive forum for career counselling integrating ICT in school education?
of Class VII have been provided with and reading materials. Recent school Recently, our school has started working
the Classmate PCs (CMPCs) in a tie- activities are updated continuously, on a project for smart school office
up with Educomp Solutions and Intel including projects made by students and management. This project is completely
Corporation. Now, we are extending teachers. Internet based and will help promote e-
this facility for other classes also. We governance in JNVs. In the near future,
are also equipped with the Wi–Fi, so What are the major challenges as far we are also looking for some more
there is 24-hour connectivity. We have as integration of ICT in education is public– private partnership with NVS
bagged the Ministry of Information and concerned? which will help us maintain the pace of
Technolgy, Governement of India, award In my view, there is no such significant ICT and Technology Aided Learning
for best school for use of e-Learning and hurdle in the implementaion of ICT and in JNVs. <<
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 57
Power School | Perspective
Lending Collaborative And Analytical
Approach to Learning
How does Tagore International These initiatives are all integrated into
School ensure quality education to its the class timetable, thus ensuring that
students? every student is familiarised with the
We believe in providing a holistic and use of technology in learning. The
progressive education which empowers Language lab has a complete Audio-
every child with the skills required for Video system that facilitates exposure to
the 21st century in a global context. speech, drama and other nuances of
language. Every class also visits one of
Please tell us about the curriculum the two Audio–Visual rooms in
and learning methodology followed in the school on a weekly basis for
the school. different subjects.
Our curriculum and learning methodol-
ogy are based on a collaborative and In what ways do you enhance teacher
analytical approach which fosters the capacity in rendering technology
creative thinking process in a child. For mediated education?
this activity based lessons and educa- Ms Madhulika Sen The TIS staff is 100% computer
tional outings based on syllabus are Principal, Tagore International literate. The teachers have undergone
planned. Our children use powerpoint School, Vasant Vihar, Delhi training in ICT in education from Intel,
presentations to reinforce their assign- Schoolnet and EZ Vidya. In-service
ments, while teachers use audio visual refresher courses for the teachers are
aids such as OHP, TV, video, charts, Our curriculum and conducted every year. The teachers use
models and slides to make teaching
more effective. To sum it up, we have
learning methodology are based the K-12 labs for preparation of lesson
material, exploring and updating subject
facilitated the shifting of the methodol- on a collaborative, experimental knowledge, and preparation of question
ogy from ‘teaching’ to ‘learning’.
and analytical approach which papers, worksheets, assignment sheets
and results.
We are also part of the UK India fosters the creative thinking
Education and Research Initiative What is the role of Public Private
(UKIERI) programme that facilitates process in a child Partnership in boosting technology
strategic partnerships and design and integration in school education?
development of joint curriculum projects A Public Private Partnership is essential
between schools in India and the UK. our parents to provide a computer and/or as there are limitations that the school
As part of the DUKE University Talent Internet facility to their child at home. faces as far as preparation of material is
Identification Program (Duke TIP) under concerned. Apart from in-house material
UKIERI, two students from our school What are the initiatives taken up by prepared by our own teachers, we also
were selected to attend a three week your school for integrating ICT in use material prepared by subject experts
summer training programme this year school education? from various e-Learning companies like
at IIM Ahemdabad. Apart from this, We have three computer labs with Bhartiya Vidya (JIL Technologies), EZ
online exchange programmes are also 20 computers each exclusively for Vidya and Educosoft.
conducted with schools in Bulgaria, the students. There are two K-12
Romania, Japan regarding curriculum, labs exclusively for the teachers. Our Any future intitiative you would like
culture studies, etc. Social Science, EVS and Math labs to mention for integrating ICT in your
are equipped with interactive boards. school in the coming year?
What is the major challenge in Classes 6-8 also use an online Math We are aiming at making technology
integrating ICT in education? programme from Educosoft, which is available to our students in their
Most of the schools are engaging in a integrated with their curriculum. Classes classrooms by providing interactive
big way to provide technology enabled 1-8 use the EZ Vidya Programme which boards in every classroom. There is also
teaching and learning in their facility. amalgamates learning of soft skills with a plan to provide every teacher with
But a major challenge is the inability of the curriculum. a laptop. <<

58 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Power School | Perspective 3rd anniversary special issue

Grooming Children To Fit Into


Zero Conflict Society
What is your vision of quality into our school system. Right from
education at Kothari International interactions between parents and
School? teachers to making day to day lesson
Our philosophy is to groom the children plans, all will be possible on this
in such a way that they are equipped single software, which is in the design
to pursue a future of their choice once phase. For instance, if a child faces any
they are out of the school. The most difficulty at home with any assignments,
important thing is to have balanced well she can immediately log onto the
groomed children who can fit into a zero website with the help of a password
conflict society. and seek assistance. For this, we are
developing our own software with
Please tell us about the curriculum professional help.
and pedagogy followed in your school.
Although we follow the Central Board How do you build teachers capacity
of Secondary Education curriculum,
Nidhi Sirohi in rendering technology mediated
we have an international child centric education?
approach. Our classes are in tune with Principal, Kothari International We have regular training programmes
the modern pedagogical approaches, School, Noida in our schools where our teachers are
which involve a lot of group activities trained by professionals from the field.
and research. We believe every child We first try and judge a Teachers also share best practices
has an inherent talent, which needs to among themselves. For example, a
be identified. We first try and judge a child’s capability and interest and teacher shares her experience, which
child’s capability and interest and then
build upon it to enhance their creativity
then build upon it to enhance may have aided her teaching, with
her peers. So training happens both
and critical thinking. their creativity and critical horizontally and vertically.

What major hurdles or challenges did


thinking Can a public/private partnership
you encounter while integrating ICT give a boost to technology integration
in your school? information available in today’s world, school education?
Today’s children are in sync with a major challenge that we face is A PPP model has its own pros and cons.
technology as they are constantly in making the children use it in a A balance of public/private partnership
touch with it at school or home. But as constructive manner. Otherwise children is certainly beneficial. But then it
far as teachers are concerned, sometimes mostly use computers for games or is essential to keep in mind that the
we encounter resistance to technology chatting or visiting social sites like arrangement has to be flexible enough
integration. So we make it a point to Orkut, Facebook etc. to allow room for customisation later to
recruit those teachers who are familiar incorporate the needs of the class.
with IT. Initially when we introduced IT What initiatives have been taken up
in our school, our teachers felt a little by your school for integrating ICT in What are your future initiatives for
restricted. But once they got used to it, your system? integrating ICT in your School in the
they realised its potential of enhancing We are a new school and this is our coming years?
the teaching and learning process. For third year of running. Technology is an We want to expose each and every
example, its visual impact helps the integral part of our entire curriculum and child, starting from the primary classes
students to assimilate concepts faster. lesson plan. We use videoconferencing to technology. For this we are in the
and LCD projectors for aiding our process of equipping our school with
Of course, everything has a positive classes. In the course of next three smart boards, learning software and
and negative side to it. With abundant months, IT will be completely integrated other technology tools. <<
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 59
Power School | Perspective
Imparting Modern Education With
Values And Awareness
What is your vision for quality generator.
education in JNV Khumbong Imphal? • Maintenance of hardware
The vision of our school is to impart components like UPS, CPU
quality modern education along with Monitor, etc. is another problem
inculcation of values, environment as it is difficult to purchase such
awareness, and physical education, to hardware components.
students predominantly from rural areas • Misuse of technology by students
and to aid their physical, mental, and is yet another challenge. Students
spiritual growth. Our JNVs also strive want to use computers for
to serve as focal points in each district entertainment rather than as a
for improvement in quality of school learning tool.
education in general through sharing of
experiences and facilities. How do you build teachers’ capacity
in rendering technology mediated
Please tell us about the curriculum N Dhiren Singh education?
and learning methodology followed in Our school have given training to almost
the school.
Principal, Jawahar Navodaya all the teachers through Microsoft
Our school follows the NCERT Vidyalaya, Khumbong, Imphal, programmes. Knowledge of the
curriculum and is affiliated to CBSE. Manipur teachers is further enhanced with the
The learning activity of the Vidyalaya is use of Internet, as they can draw new
highly integrated to ICT. Teachers use concepts, ideas and detailed material
Power Point presentations, animated
multimedia presentations, etc. to deliver
It is mandatory for every on their topics, which enhance their
teaching. This further helps them in their
their lectures. Internet is also used by teacher to use some element professional growth while producing
teachers to retrieve various subject good results in examinations.
related topics. It is mandatory for every of ICT in classroom. A register
teacher to use some element of ICT in
classroom. A register is maintained to
is maintained to record the ICT How do you see Public- Private
Partnership for enhancing proper use
record the ICT based classes taken by based classes taken by teachers of technologies in school education?
teachers. Both the sectors need to be aware of the
various uses of technology in school
Our students make their project work experts, etc. Teachers make projects education and its importance, so that
using Microsoft Word and Power Point, using Power Point presentations, make they in turn can venture to improve
download various subject related topics, every teacher take class using ICT at or enhance this field to give quality
sample papers, fill online forms for least once/twice a week. Students are education to our students.
many competitive examinations using also allowed to use computers and
Internet. Internet twice a week for every class i.e., What are the future initiatives/
from VI to XII. plans for integrating ICT in school
What are the initiatives taken up by education?
your school for integrating ICT in What are the major challenges as far For bringing about an effective
education? as integration of ICT? integration of ICT in education, we
The school has provided enough Some of the challenges faced by our should try and enhance the knowledge
infrastructure, procured various school while implementing the ICT in the domain for both teachers and
educational CDs, made arragement programmes/projects are: students by interacting with differents
for conducting ICT classes in two • Frequent power cut and load firms, organisations, experts, etc.
different rooms with LCD projectors and shedding hampers smooth use There is also a need to update our
computers. We also have the EDUSAT of ICT. We try our best to solve ICT technologies as far as possible to
facilty for interacting with different the problem by using a generator improve teaching learning process. <<
educational institutes, organisations, of 25KVA and 15 KVA stand by

60 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Power School | Perspective 3rd anniversary special issue

Blending Tradition And Modern


Technology For Excellence
What is your vision for quality the education process, there are some
education in your school? concerns and problems with integrating
The mission of our school is to provide the same into everyday curriculum
opportunities for students to achieve and functioning. Maintenance and
their personal best, become responsible troubleshooting of ICT equipment;
and productive citizens, and embrace inequality in access to computers at
life long learning in a safe and positive home; information overload among
environment. To achieve excellence in student; and fast pace of changes taking
education, using a blend of traditional place in technology; plagiarism as in
and modern technology based learning blindly copying from the Internet; and
to face the challenges of the future. slow connectivity and power issues, are
Bhavan’s Vidyashram’s vision is some of the challenges.
to produce citizens of tomorrow by
instilling confidence and leadership How do you build teachers’ capacity
qualities in children, helping them grow in rendering technology mediated
into worthy human beings and befitting Smt. C Rama Devi education.
members of the society and nation. The Principal, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Teachers are acquainted with Teaching
school emphasises the core values of Public School, Jubilee Hills, Thinking Technology (TTT) and have
empathy, righteousness, secularism, completed courses. They have been
cooperation and acceptance.
Hyderabad, AP trained to develop students’ critical
thinking and collaborative skills.
Please tell us about the curriculum
and learning methodology followed in
Bhavan’s Vidyashram’s All the teaching staff have received
various stages of training through Intel
the school. vision is to produce citizens programmes.
Dramatisation, animation, power point
presentations, role-play, circular time of tomorrow by instilling How do you see Public-Private-
audio-visual aids and group discussions confidence and leadership Partnership for enhancing proper use
are among the means used to enhance of technologies in school education.
teaching and learning at our school. qualities in children, helping ICT enhanced curriculum requires
All the teachers are computer literate
and use ICT extensively for teaching
them grow into worthy human significant regular funding for keeping
abreast of the changes, maintenance, etc.
lessons. Curriculum needs change and beings and befitting members of Technology changes rapidly and it is for
it is important to develop processes,
upgrade facilities and train constantly.
the society and nation schools to keep abreast of these changes.
Having a dedicated fund towards ICT
Meditation and spiritual activity are an education is one way of managing, while
integral part of the curriculum as are a public-private-partnership may also
music, dance and dramatics. With ICT, teachers are able to create work out in some cases.
their own material and infuse their
What are the initiatives taken up by subjects with new insights and What are the future initiatives/plans for
your school for integrating ICT in methodologies, thus, ensuring that integrating ICT in school education?
education? classroom teaching remains exciting and For integrating ICT in school education
At Bhavan’s Vidyashram, technology fun. Technology is used to complement in the coming years, training should
has been integrated into various spheres, other aspects of good teaching rather be provided to teachers on web
right from the classroom to school than replace them. designing to update their class activities.
administration. The school has three Moreover, online forums should be
state-of-the-art computer laboratories, What are the major challenges as far used for interacting with parents and
both teachers and students use exten- as integration of ICT is concerned? for improving knowledge and teaching
sively to generate and store projects. While the use of ICT is beneficial to techniques. <<
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 61
Power School | Perspective
Helping Children Become
Lifelong Learners
What is your vision for quality is done at our School through a series
education in PSBB Millennium of workshops by Educomp Solutions
School? especially designed to equip the teachers
We firmly believe that as an institution with the knowledge of handling the
dedicated to the cause of education, modules and making them comfortable.
we must passionately help children The next stage is to help them plan their
to recognise their true potential and lessons. Ultimately it is the teachers
shape them into confident, responsible, creativity and interest that helps her
and multifaceted individuals; Become graduate from a good teacher to an
lifelong learners and globally effective teacher.
competitive citizens with firm rooting in
Indian values; and inculcate in them the How would you rate the role of Public
need to achieve human excellence. Private Partnership in enhancing
proper use of technologies in school
Please tell us about the curriculum Sita Umamaheshwaran education?
Considering the fact that public schools
and learning methodology followed in
Principal, PSBB Millennium School,
your school. or government schools are actually
The PSBB Millennium School follows Chennai trying to come forward in making the
the curriculum guidelines and syllabus teaching learning process as effective
laid down by the Central Board of as is being done in the private sector,
Secondary Education (CBSE). Our it would be really nice if companies
syllabus is built on a rich foundation of
Our curriculum follows the came forward to help the government
reading, writing, and arithmetic, which principle of subject integration run schools and train the government
is then layered with history, science, teachers. Once this is in place the
music, geography, and the arts to ensure with topics lending to each great divide will become narrower
there are no gaps in instruction. Our and children will have the opportunity
curriculum follows the principle of
other irrespective of the Subject to shine and excel no matter what
subject integration with topics lending background they come from.
to each other irrespective of the Subject. What major challenges did you come
This develops higher order thinking across in integrating ICT in your What are the future initiatives/
skills and promotes content mastery. school? plans for integrating ICT in school
Initially, in any institution the first education in the coming years?
What initiatives have been year of implementation is always The PSBB Millennium is already three
undertaken by your school for the toughest. The institution needs steps ahead of other institutions as we
integrating ICT in school education? not only the complete support of the have done away with the chalk and talk
Ever since its inception four years ago, management, but also a conviction method. Interactive-Digiboards and
ICT has played a major role in our of the teachers actually using the LCD projectors complement what the
school. The Smart Class modules are technology. Untrained teachers need to teachers teach. The inclusion of One-
used for set induction, driving home of be given specific training and a lot of on-One (O3) computing where every
a concept to give greater clarity, and as hand-holding. child from Class 3 to 7 has been given
an instant quiz for gathering the level Intel’s CMPC (Classmate PC) has made
of assimilation among children. This How do you build teachers’ capacity the classroom even more exciting and
instant feedback helps her either proceed in rendering technology mediated also helped in inculcating a sense of
further or stop for another strengthening education? confidence. Going forward we intend to
of the concept. This also saves time for Initially the teachers have to be taken make classroom learning a more vivid
the teacher as they do not have to wait through the entire process of going experience, proving that the world has
for the evaluation exam at a later date. through the methodology of using indeed shrunk and that seamless learning
technology mediated education. This can happen anywhere. <<

62 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Students’ Blog Competition
Climate Change In India: Issues
And Challenges
As part of the new Students’ Blog Competition on the Digital Learning website, we bring to you
the winning blog entry of December, 2008. The author of the entry is Aaditi Sinha (aaditi_1990@
rediffmail.com), who is a student of B.Tech.(Hons) Computer Science Engineering at Lovely Professional
University, Jalandhar-Ludhiana G.T. Road, Punjab. Aaditi bagged the National Climate champion
– 2008, awarded by the British Council, New Delhi.
Aaditi Sinha

C
limate is the average pattern of the Government should bring the cropped area is still dependent on
weather for a particular region out some legislation to curb the rainfall; climatic changes could have a
over a long period of time. excessive use of natural resources. profound impact on agriculture.
Climate Change refers to a significant It should institute awards for people
variation in either the mean state of the and organisations working towards The local as well as global community
climate or in its variability, persisting protecting environment. can be engaged on the climate change in
for an extended period. Burning of • 62% population believes that the following manner:
coal, oil, and natural gas, deforestation, industries, SEZ, malls, housing • Sustained media campaign on
various agricultural and industrial societies etc. are disturbing the issue, including in regional
practices are altering the composition of natural habitat and eco-system. languages
the atmosphere. These human activities • 71% population believes that • High focus and long term vision of
have led to increased atmospheric government and NGOs should take government agencies in promoting
concentration of greenhouse gases, initiatives to protect the climate of green technologies
including carbon dioxide, methane, the region • Strong political will to support
nitrousoxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and • 71% of population follows a life clean environment issues
tropospheric ozone in the lower part of style pattern of consuming more • Highlighting good practices, glori-
the atmos-zphere. and more natural resources. fying achievements of people/
institutions in preserving climate on
In developing countries like India, Climate change studies undertaken so earth.
climate change could spell an additional far have revealed the need for com-
stress on ecological and socio- munity campaigns and long-term action In order to sustain a fast pace of socio-
economic systems which are already to protect India’s water cycle. This is economic development, immediate
facing tremendous pressures due to essential since the livelihood of a vast action is required on the part of
rapid urbanisation, industrialisation population in India depends on agri- government, experts, media and the
and economic development. India is culture, forestry, wetlands and fisheries public at large to slow down climate
highly vulnerable to climate change and land use in these areas is strongly change. We need to ensure that the
as its economy depends mainly on the influenced by water-based ecosystems same natural resources that we have at
climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture that depend on monsoon. Changes in the our disposal are also available to the
and forestry. A recent study done by water cycle may also cause an increase coming generations. Developmentof
our group from Einstein Club, Rewari, in water borne diseases. bio-fuels need to be accelerated, aided
Haryana on various climate change and by favourable policies. The good news is
bio-diversity issues have brought out the Agriculture and allied activities that, combined action on the part of each
following observations: constitute the single largest component and every individual to stop climate
• 82% of population thinks that of India’s economy, contributing nearly change can reduce its impact on our
climate change is a big threat and 27% of the GDP. Given that 62% of planet earth. <<

64 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


School Track | Case Study 3rd anniversary special issue

Project Prakash

Integrated Approach to Quality


Transformation in Schools
By IL&FS Education and Technology Services

Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) are


being used world over to lay down
physical and social infrastructure. The
use of PPP models was initiated in the
1970s and 80s due to deep concerns
about increasing public debt.

India utilises public-private partnerships


through SPVs or bidding processes
to set up roads, ports, airports, health
and educational infrastructure. PPP is
also being used as a way to meet the
challenges presented by the education
sector. In PPP projects the various
stakeholders contribute not just finance
but bring in expertise and project
management talents. Advantages
include: cost sharing; risk sharing;
knowledge and resource sharing; and and Technology Park to transform 152 such as:
innovations to meet challenges. schools to global standards. This holistic • Create multimedia content based on
transformation project will impact syllabus
Creating Social Infrastructure -- around 60,000 students. • Introduce English, Math, and
IL&FS Education and Technology Science kits
Services Conceived as an ‘integrated project’, • Introduce Computer Aided Learning
IL&FS Education and Technology Project Prakash is all set to change the for students and teachers
Services (IETS), was set up in 1997 way teaching-learning takes place. Goals • Train teachers in English, IT,
by IL&FS -- a pioneer in public- and interventions in the transformation Classroom Management, Behavior
private partnerships in India. IETS is process were set by a Joint Review Modification techniques and care of
working with several state governments Mission, which assessed the status special needs children
in various aspects of education such of schools, defined areas in need of • Set up state of art IT infrastructure
as creation of multi-media learning improvement, and recommended action in terms of computer labs with
modules for transmission through points. Each intervention is planned Internet connectivity
EDUSAT; computer aided learning; in an integrated manner with the • Linking of all schools through WAN
capacity building of teachers; English participation of every stakeholder. • MIS systems for administration
language teaching; classroom • Intranet and Internet website and
management; soft-skills training; as well The project is focusing on providing portals for the schools
as design and implementation of MIS quality education from Balwadi to
systems for schools. 10th standard students. Specific The partnership will go on for a period
interventions are designed to uplift the of three years and in that time the
Project Prakash performance of students with special PCMC schools will be self sufficient,
Among the many projects is a needs. All the 152 schools of PCMC will achieve global standards, and contribute
partnership with the Pimpri - Chinchwad undergo transformation to meet global towards the creation of a knowledge
Municipal Corporation and the Science standards in all aspects of education based society. <<
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 65
News | Asia
Kuala Lumpur: Mini-laptops do ship. Chairman of EDEX 2009, Kamal of implementation of the Mindanao
away with textbooks Abeysinghe acknowledging the sponsorship opportunities for vitalized education and
Under an e-book programme which will said that it was gratifying for the organiz- upgrading of Science (MOVE UPS) project
start from early next year, Terengganu ing committee to observe the significant that will be jointly undertaken by the DOST
students throughout the state will contribution made by ESOFT during the past and the Department of Education.
eventually discard their textbooks for several years.
virtual textbooks stored on Intel-powered The initiative would benefit a total of 60
Classmate PCs once the Kuala Lumpur Digital age dawns in Hong Kong schools. The project also intends to increase
state goverment replaces their hefty classrooms the number of qualifiers from recipient
textbooks with mini-laptop. Terengganu schools in the Philippine Science High
Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the School system.
project was aimed at giving ICT exposure
to students as well as to lighten their Training Workshop: An
schoolbags. The programme will start with Introductory Course on
25,000 laptops which will be given to Year ICeXCELS for School Principals
5 students throughout the state. and Administrators
UNESCO organised a special training work-
shop, ‘An Introductory Course on ICeXCELS
The hawksbill turtle was one of the hottest for School Principals and Administrators’
attractions at Hong Kong’s Asia World Expo in collaboration with the Southeast Asian
Centre (AWE). Fong Yin Kuan, a teacher Ministers of Education Organization
at Beacon Primary School in Singapore, Regional Centre for Educational Innovation
was sharing her insights about her project, and Technology (SEAMEO INNOTECH) to
which involves seven-year-olds in the area address the competency requirements of
of reading and writing. And just behind school principals and administrators and to
Kuan, Sarietjie Musgrave, one of four South enhance their capacity in carrying out their
Ahmad Said said that in order to supply the Africans in the AWE, had set up her home responsibilities more effectively.
laptops, the state government would build away from home for the next three days.
a factory to assemble laptops. The factory What Iman, Kuan and Musgrave have in The 2-day workshop was an abridged
will be built at a cost of RM8.5 million. It common is, in essence, their ability to adapt. version of the full length 4-week course
will start operations in February next year. When information and communication tech- developed by SEAMEO INNOTECH based on
The first batch of laptops is expected to be nologies began reshaping our world, they the Competency Framework for Southeast
delivered to the students some time in April opened their classroom doors and invited Asian School Heads and validated by the
or May. The factory will have a capacity of a new set of learning and teaching tools Ministries of Education for ten SEAMEO
10,000 laptops per month. inside. Moreover, these teachers have been Member States.
using these technologies in such pioneering
Sri Lanka: ESOFT patronises ways in their own countries that they were Asians top achievers in global
EDEX - 2009 as Gold Sponsor hand-picked to join 260 of their peers from mathematics, science says
ESOFT, a premier institute in Information 64 countries to share their groundbreaking study
Communication Technology (ICT) education methodologies on a global platform. According to a report by Trends in Inter-
in Sri Lanka, recently announced entering national Mathematics and Science Study
into an agreement with the organisers of Philippines: ICT equipment in 20 (TIMSS), Asian students were top achievers
EDEX - 2009, the country’s most reputed Schools in ARMM in mathematics and science in both the
exhibition, in order to patronise the event as The Department of Science and Technology fourth and eighth grade levels. In mathe-
its Gold Sponsor. in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Min- matics at the fourth grade level, Hong Kong
danao (DOST-ARMM) in partnership with SAR and Singapore were the top performing
ESOFT sees the importance of guiding the Science Education Institute (SEI) handed countries, followed by Chinese Taipei and
and moulding Sri Lanka’s youth through over Information and Communication Tech- Japan. At the eighth grade, top achievers
education. They should be armed with nology (ICT) equipment to 20 elementary were Chinese Taipei, Korea, and Singapore,
the necessary skills to be competitive in a schools in the provinces of Maguindanao followed by Hong Kong SAR and Japan.
global arena as well. EDEX too, believes in and Shariff Kabunsuan. DOST-ARMM Sec-
a similar ideology, which is empowering Sri retary, Pendatun Nur said the equipment, In science, students from Singapore and
Lankan youth to be globally competitive. which included a laptop, LCD projector and Chinese Taipei were top performers at both
Dr. Dayan Rajapakse, Head of ESOFT stated a tripod screen, is intended for instructing grade levels. At the fourth grade, Singapore
that ESOFT and EDEX share many common science and mathematics in a more compre- was the top performing country, followed by
interests. This was the key reason behind hensive and interesting manner. Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong SAR, said a
undertaking the EDEX - 2009 Gold Sponsor- The supply of ICT equipment is part TIMSS release. <<

66 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Corporate diary | Leader’s Speak 3rd anniversary special issue

Designing India’s Talent Pool


Our aim is to develop a talent base,
which can be employed in animation, web
designing, media & publishing, e-Learning,
software application development and
advertising
Jayant Bhadauria, Head
Education Solutions, Adobe

Please tell us about Adobe’s strategy Adobe e-Learning Solutions, reflects real-world experiences and 21st-century
for building India’s talent pool. its ongoing commitment to helping tools to communicate their ideas, exhibit
Adobe revolutionises how the world faculty, students, and administrators at their potential, and take
engages with ideas and information. higher education institutions. The key action in their communities. Launched
This mission is our driving force. In components of e-Learning solutions are: in June 2006, Adobe Youth Voices is
India we have tied up with the largest Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro 7, Adobe The Adobe Foundation’s global
university in Tamil Nadu, which is now Presenter 7, Adobe Captivate 3, Adobe signature philanthropy programme.
using our software for their multi-media Acrobat Connect Pro Training, and In India, currently ten non profit
labs. Talks are also on with various other Adobe Acrobat Professional. organisations and educational
universities for partnership. Our aim is institutions from Noida/Delhi and
to develop a talent base, which can be What has been the response of the 14 from Bangalore are participating in
employed in animation, web designing, domestic educational institutions to the programme.
media & publishing, e-Learning, your products?
software application development and The response is astonishing. Many What, according to you, are the main
advertising. Adobe India also plans to tie domestic educational institutions are challenges of the educational system
up with educational boards like CBSE changing the way they teach; they in India?
and ICSE at the school level for building have more Interactive Classrooms The quality and relevancy of higher
an employable talent pool. We believe and the emphasis is on computers/ education in India and its ability to
that India needs to make digital skills multimedia. Many Engineering colleges, produce informed and skilled citizens
compulsory at school level to create a polytechnics and colleges offering IT able to compete in the 21st Century
national talent pool for the future. related courses across India are teaching global market place is in question.
Adobe Creative Suite tools. Even Employers assert that the college
What are the various offerings from schools have started including Adobe graduates they hire are not prepared for
Adobe’s stable for the education products in their curriculum to inspire the workplace, lacking the new set of
sector in India? creativity and digital media excellence skills. Higher education needs to address
Our key offerings from Adobe’s stable in schools. the fundamental issues of how academic
for education sector in India are: programmes and institutions must be
Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium Please tell us about the initiative transformed to serve the changing needs
and Web Premium which empowers Youth Voices. of a knowledge economy. New curricula
students to master design challenges and Adobe Youth Voices (AYV) aims and technologies need to be developed,
also equips them with the tools used by to empower youth in underserved particularly in the area of science and
professionals for web applications. communities around the globe with mathematical literacy. <<
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 67
Corporate diary | Leader’s Speak
From Empowerment To Engagement
use in some select schools in National
Our mission is to Capital Region. In the last eight months,
we have organised 34 seminars attended
‘empower the teacher by 1357 teachers from 456 schools.
After each seminar, we conducted

to engage students’ by half day training sessions for seminar


participants. Almost all teachers
exposed to Educosoft have endorsed this
capturing in digital media, platform as unique and comprehensive
than any other initiative. There are
well known presentation however, some implementation hurdles
related to the lack of appropriate

and assessment technology infrastructure in schools


and resistance to the use of internet. To
counter these, we have launched a new
techniques initiative by providing schools with
Local Area Network (LAN) solution to

Dr Manmohan Sharma
deliver content.

President, Educo International What pattern does Educosoft follow


for its assessments?
We follow a unique pattern as all
assessments including home work,
Please tell us how Educosoft was digital media, well known presentation section quizzes, chapter tests, or
conceptualised? and assessment techniques. Educosoft comprehensive course tests are delivered
Educosoft has evolved from my own provides class notes replete with in Free Response mode. Students have
experiences as a teacher for more than graphics and animations, tools like to work out the solution and enter the
40 years, enriched with inputs from online grade book, online homework answer on screen, instead of clicking
educators across the world through and frequent self assessment, an option in multiple choice. If the
interactions at seminars, conferences, communication tools (announcements, answer is correct the system will grade
and research symposia. Based on e-mailing, and chatting), survey creation it correctly. All assessments are recorded
these, we identified three critical areas and administration, and features to add automatically and saved for review later.
where appropriate technologies can content or create custom courses, Homework assignments have built in
help improve quality of instructional tutorials, varieties of tests with tutorials and all tests provide instant
outcomes: solutions, etc. feedback, with step-by-step solutions.
1. To empower the teachers to be Another very powerful feature is SMS
more effective as presenters and Educosoft turned out to be more messages or e-mails to keep parents
discussion leaders in classes, effective than our expectations. Its informed about their ward’s progress.
2. To provide technology tools and effectiveness has been measured in
question banks to teachers that can several ways, including national surveys Are there any plans to cater to other
assist in periodic assessment, in the US; published PhD dissertations; subjects apart from Math?
3. Technology tools must be easy to results of student performance in state We will have science courses by the
use and learn and help teachers examinations; and comments from beginning of the new academic term
save time principals, teachers, and students in April 2009. For sciences we will
exposed to this system. be having additional component of
How effective is the Educosoft online actual simulated labs, along with the
learning system in enhancing the What kind of feedback have you theory presented in the same format
performance of students? received for your product in India? as in Math courses; embedded with
Our mission is to ‘empower the teacher Educosoft was officially launched in illustrations through dynamic graphics
to engage students’ by capturing in India in April 2008 after piloting its and animations. <<

68 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


The moment you keep the student, teacher, parent communities
in isolation, it would limit their role in the education system. Every
individual is a learner. Learning is a lifelong process and each individual
can be a teacher and facilitator

Saurabh Saxena, Director, Axiom Education

What makes India’s education sector and hence technology can provide a is for professionals, we have included
a deserving case for implementation platform here to support. graduate students also as professionals.
of ICT? There is a segment called ‘create’
Over 26 million children join India’s The moment you keep the student, where you can draw up your own
primary education system each year teacher, parent communities in isolation, content and publish it as a learning
which is even greater than the it would limit their role in the education resource. The section ‘Learn’ has
population of many countries. The system. Every individual is a learner. all the ratified content from various
challenge is to get adequate number of Learning is a lifelong process and recognised content providers across the
professionals to mentor these millions of each individual can be a teacher and world. The ‘connect’ segment provides
new students. facilitator. the convergence model to connect to
community of mentors, project advisors,
If education remains people-centric, Please tell us more about iken and how peer groups, study groups, etc.
then we will have to find an army of it fosters a collaborative approach?
professionals with skills for delivering We have built a complete collaborative What is your vision for the website
this. Taking the sheer number into platform portal, www.iken.in. ‘I’ means five years from now?
account, we need to ask, is this my and ‘ken’ stands for knowledge Five years from now, www.iken.in
physically possible? And how long can horizon. So, ‘I can’ do, this is what we is going to be the preferred mode of
we keep pace with this? This is where wanted to imbibe. We have launched the education delivery across all levels.
technology comes in as an enabler, in beta version where users can share the Education will be more customised,
the form of components like computer, experiences and publish their content which is the need of the hour, and more
printer, projector, etc. online. Axiom’s own content is also individualist catering to their talents and
available and we are open to collaborate learning curves. People will identify
Please tell us about the idea of a with everyone, so that it becomes the and work upon their strengths and
collaborative platform like iken.in? biggest knowledge resource. weaknesses.
Today, we say technology has made the
world a smaller place, that’s the real Collaborative learning through web What are challenges that were seen
power of IT. It dissolves all boundaries seminars - students in India sit with in bringing this mode of education
because of Internet, telecom and other students from other countries and solve delivery in formal education system?
forms. Our intent was to create this academic problems - is a possibility at Benchmarking ourselves has been
platform within education to provide www.iken.in. You also have the difficult as ours is a unique solution.
infrastructure to support people coming best teacher training programmes So we found it difficult to improve
together and sharing their thoughts. A available online. and upgrade as we had nothing on
school with 1,000 students has a base of the same lines to benchmark against.
2,000 parents, who may not physically There are two sections on the website. A major bottleneck is going to be the
be present in the school to contribute One is for the students and the other infrastructure. <<

70 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Corporate diary | Leader’s Speak 3rd anniversary special issue

Facilitating ‘Operational Excellence’


behavioral skills required for a job.
Majority of the training is instructor
led and the poor quality of the faculty
affects the programme when you scale.
It is very important to involve the
The Indian industry practitioners in the programme
to make it more meaningful.
e-Learning market today How do you see the e-Learning
is estimated to be around market in India evolving? What are
the key challenges or drivers?
US$ 122 million growing The Indian e-Learning market today is
estimated to be around US$ 122 million
at a whopping CAGR of growing at a whopping CAGR of around
70%, while the global e-Learning

Navyug Mohnot around 70% market is growing at approximately


50%. The e-learning market is sitting at
CEO, QAI the cusp, waiting to explode. The timing,
model and the value propositions are
just right. In my opinion, the IT and
Please trace your journey from being brought the US economy to deep the BPO sectors would consume huge
an engineer to an entrepreneur. recession has also impacted the Indian market share of the e-Learning industry
QAI has been an interesting journey. industry. To face the current financial in the near future. The key challenge is
When I returned to India after crisis, the Indian IT and BPO sector that the e-Learning industry still faces
completing my PhD from USA, there need to plan for a slower growth rate. As conventional mindset which believes
wasn’t much of an IT industry those manpower is one of the most substantial that e-Learning does not have as much
days. There were only few companies cost factors, the biggest impact of the credibility as classroom training.
that existed and an antenna on the top slowdown would be on company’s HR This challenge can be overcome by
of the Texas Instruments building in spends. Hiring would take back seat for internationally recognised certifications
Bangalore was a tourist attraction. With most of the organisations; many would or by a blended learning programme.
this as context, QAI India was set up also be looking at reducing manpower.
fifteen years ago, in association with Please tell us about Six Sigma and its
QAI USA to be an ‘enabler’ for the In this hour of global meltdown it is current application.
Indian IT industry to emerge. important for the organisation to reduce Six Sigma is a business strategy, which
cost while maintaining their competitive intelligently blends the wisdom of the
India and the Indian IT has come a long advantage. For this, organisations need organisation with proven statistical
way since. We started with helping to retain competent people. This is tools to improve both the efficiency
companies with Quality and today our where training and certifying people and effectiveness of the organisation in
charter has increased far beyond that to becomes important. meeting customer needs. At one level,
helping global organisations facilitate Six Sigma is a philosophy - that all busi-
Operational Excellence. We have been What are your views on the standard ness problems need to be solved using
partnering the journeys of over 300 of training that is provided in IT a scientific and structured methodology.
clients in 30 countries. We also have finishing schools, particularly from At other level, this is operationalised
wholly owned subsidiaries in the employability perspective? through a series of Six Sigma process
Singapore, Malaysia, China, UK and Current training provided by most improvement projects and through a
most recently, USA. IT Finishing Schools falls short of well-developed tool set – both statistical
expectations by the corporate. Most of and non-statistical. The ultimate goal
What, according to you, are the major them are designed for teaching skills is creation of economic wealth for the
issues confronting the Indian IT on programming languages. Many IT customer and provider alike. This is of
industry today? schools fail to appreciate and educate paramount importance especially in to
The economic meltdown that has the importance of process, quality, today’s turbulent times. <<
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 71
Corporate diary | Leader’s Speak
Partnering in Universalisation of Education

We are increasingly moving towards Public Private


Partnership to impact the larger sectoral education
initiative in the country. We work to supplement and
enhance the quality of large educational programmes such
as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan(SSA)
Shabnam Sinha
IL&FS ETS

Please tell with us about your com- classroom management systems using oriented as we work in the area of PPP.
pany’s engagement with educational technology platforms. Our programmes are usually long term,
infrastructure. What are the goals and from three to five years. Here I woould
objectives? What are the challenges and issues like to mention two critical programmes
IL&FS is one of India’s leading in- that confront India’s education system -- one is the Delhi schools programme
frastructure development and finance right now? dealing with infrastructural changes. We
companies. Our engagement in the field There are many issues related to equity, are impacting 300 schools located in
of education is through its subsidiary in terms of social and gender dynamics, 202 buildings through this programme.
IL&FS Education and Technology within the large education programmes. So, we are doing this entire physical
Services Limited (IETS). We offer We in our interventions are covering infrastructure upgradation for quality
learning content and training modules girls, scheduled castes and scheduled improvement. The other is that we pro-
for schools, colleges, vocational training tribes. We are working with the vide complete holistic solution.
institutes, governments, and the corpo- government of Delhi on 300 schools for
rate sector. enhancing the school infrastructure. Talking about skill development, do
you have any programmes for young-
How does IETS approach Public Talking about curriculum, can you er generation and college students, for
Private Partnership as an important give specific examples of how you enhancing employability of youth?
aspect of expansion of education? go about it in schools that you are There is a very interesting programme
We are increasingly moving towards associated with? which I would like to mention, i.e.,
Public Private Partnership (PPP) to Under PPP the schools are handed over Developing Life Skills package. We did
impact the larger sectoral education to us in various states of dis-repair. And this project with ILO. This Life Skills
initiative in the country. We work to we are asked to give them a quality stan- package was developed for child labour-
supplement and enhance the quality of dard and a uniform and signature look. A ers and the unemployed youth to make
large educational programmes such as protractor is actually drawn on the floor them functional in a work situation. The
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). at the door, so when it opens it makes an package comprised 13 skills which were
angle. You can thus measure the angles identified by us at the national level.
How do you support government efforts that you are covering as you open the
for universalisation of education? door. Thus each corner of the building We are now planning to take this
We have been engaged in teacher becomes a learning corner. project to SSA schools for upscaling.
training for a while, but we are now The project is important as it has a
up-scaling. As part of the SSA, we have What are the various other offerings strong component of entrepreneurship,
trained one lakh teachers in Jharkhand of IETS? negotiation skills, financial planning
in two months. We also help the schools Unlike most of the companies which and budgeting involved, which is highly
and classrooms in doing their MIAS and are product oriented, we are process relevant in the current context. <<

72 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Corporate diary | Leader’s Speak 3rd anniversary special issue

Unleashing Unlimited Potential

Microsoft’s vision for education in the 21st century


is driven by the shared belief that the use of technology
in education will help remove limitations, foster
innovation, and enable students and teachers to achieve
Rajeev Katyal
their fullest potential Director Education, Microsoft
Please take us briefly through concerns us. The answer is not to Government DIETs for imparting
Microsoft’s engagement with the wait until we have enough teachers – training to teachers.
education community in India? but to increase the impact of the
Microsoft has a long-term partnership teachers that we do have today. The It is amazing to see the teachers
with India which goes back to 1990 vision Microsoft has for education empowered with IT skills, making
when we set up operations in the in the 21st century is to help remove them better educators. They also share
country. We believe that technology limitations, foster innovation, and their own learning with peers through
offers new educational possibilities enable students and teachers to achieve the Shiksha portal. The students, in
that can help empower both teachers their fullest potential. Technology many cases uninterested and lagging in
and students everywhere. Under the has the power to revamp teaching technical skills, become more involved
Unlimited Potential effort, Microsoft and learning methods and extend the in their studies.
India is focused on long-term walls of classrooms across the globe
investments for facilitating relevant, – Technology Assisted Delivery can be a What kind of involvement does
affordable access to technology in areas solution, Microsoft’s Multi Point can be Microsoft see with governments
which are aligned to India’s priorities a solution. and NGOs in India as part of its
– education being one of them. The agreement with the OLPC.
investment made in it over the years is How do you rate the success of Microsoft’s association with the OLPC
what has propelled India’s growth in the Partners in Learning Program in programme is an agreement making the
knowledge economy. India? What has been its outreach? Microsoft Windows operating system
In December 2003, when Bill Gates available on the OLPC’s low-cost XO
What are the challenges in providing launched Partners in Learning - Project education laptops to children around the
high quality education in India. How Shiksha - in India, the goal was to train world.
successful has technology been in 80,000 teachers in five years. As the
meeting those challenges? stated timeline draws close, we have Please tell us about the future plans of
India has the largest education system surpassed the target by more than 300%. Microsoft in India. Any new initiatives
in the world – but it will never be large Surely this outlines the success and in the offing?
enough for us to reach every student popularity of this programme – and we Microsoft continues to explore new
in every corner of the country. Such a are very encouraged by it. What is also ways to deliver its technology and we
massive education, though admirable very encouraging is to see the increase aim to provide customised solutions
in its reach and magnitude, faces the in the number of teachers who enroll to meet the specific requirements in
issues of infrastructure, sufficiency of for the programme each year, and diverse geographies and economies. One
quality teachers, relevant curriculum and also in the number of entries we receive interesting initiative coming up in India
administration. each year for annual International is IT Academies that bring the power
Teachers Leadership Awards. We of e-Learning to Engineering colleges
The issue of equipping teachers with the have opened over 10 IT Academies in India to set up learning labs for
wherewithal to impart quality education in States and also used the developing skills. <<
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 73
Corporate diary | Leader’s Speak
Building A Knowledge Repository
YoKnowledge is based on the philosophy that every
student has his own question bank, which may be
packed in textbook lessons or written in notebooks or
queried by teachers and parents
Gautam Goradia
CEO, YoKnowledge.com

How did Hayagriva come up with the YoQuestions Pro, an authoring tool, and are available on our website. A study
idea of having a dedicated product for YoQuestions Lite. It is a desktop based done in the US found that repeated
assessment as YoKnowledge.com? product and hence does not require assessment gives better results than
Although I don’t come from an IT Internet except when you want to repeated studying.
background, I am good at writing download questions.
software applications. I had done few How do you keep up with
applications for our family textile In what ways does YoKnowledge competition?
company which were very successful. empower the teacher with new Currently we are not active in
So I thought of diversifying. It has been age tools and technology use in the mainstream competition. Our
a long journey since I started out in classrooms? philosophy is unique and the simplicity
2001. We launched our first product in Every teacher loves collaborative of our product is its USP. The advatage
2008 and have four to five new products learning but they don’t have the tools derived throgh its offline/online mode
line up in the next six months. to do it. The authoring tool gave them gives our products an edge over others
the power to go beyond textbooks. in the market.
The idea for YoKnowledge came to me India is yet to integrate the system of
from my wife, who is an avid quizzer collaborative learning in its education Which markets are you looking forward
and a consultant with schools. As she system in a big way. to for launching your products?
had difficulty in frequentlyupdating We have started out in India and are in
the question bank for quizes, I made YoKnowledge goes beyond regular close contact with several companies in
a software for her where she could testing for students; it has in-built the Middle East, the UK, US and many
keep a bank of questions in different tools for teachers responsible for African countries as well. Although the
folders as per age of contestants or bringing collaborative learning into the market is huge in India and there are
the difficulty level. She could also put classrooms with printable worksheets, many companies doing testing, ours is
images, video or audio files in them. flash cards, snap cards etc. The teacher the only company which gives more
Those days in 1994-95 many quiz-based is an intuitive author and the tool than one source of content and helps
shows such as Kaun Banega Crorepati liberates her from the book publisher build a community. We aim to cater
had already come in market. So then and empowers her to ask her own to every examination system in India,
I decided to make this application question. The software also empowers including all professional examinations
commercial. YoKnowledge is based her to create worksheets, chose topics such as banking, etc, in the next three
on the philosophy that every student within a chapter, and format it as MCQs. years. We also want to expand to
has her/his own question bank, which You can also add a video clip along with become a 15-million-dollar company
may be packed in the lessons of our the question, which can then be stored in the coming three to four years. As
textbooks or written in notebooks or and shared later with other teachers English is the most preferred language
queried by teachers and parents. The and students. The package has 6,000 across the globe, we also plan to launch
product personalises learning as YO questions for offline study and for our language improvement solutions as
means ‘Your Own’. Now we also have online mode, practice and test sessions the next product line. <<

74 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Corporate diary | Leader’s Speak 3rd anniversary special issue

Linking Technology
With Training
We are offering schools a complete package
of management support, ranging from curriculum
and teaching methodology, teacher training and
Meena Ganesh
management, and day to day school operations CEO & MD, Edurite Technologies

Having taken over as the MD of education that gets delivered across Edurite Tutorial model is actually a
Edurite Technologies, what plans do these schools. Availability of qualified great way of combining technology and
you have for Edurite in this segment? and good quality teachers is an ongoing instructor led training, along with 24/7
The K 12 space in education is an area challenge. Technology can help to online support using the TutorVista.com
of significant opportunities. We continue level the playing field to some extent. model. TutorVista.com has also found
to focus on providing IT based content The content that companies like ours the content that Edurite has created over
to schools to supplement the teaching provide, are linked to the various central the last many years a great tool for their
process in the classrooms. Additionally, and state syllabus and act as a very teachers to use as part of the Online
we are offering student led e-learning strong tool to the teachers in ensuring tutoring services.
content through the retail market place. that the students’ are able to understand
Through the Edurite Tutorials brick concepts more effectively. What sets Edurite Tutorials apart
and mortar centers, we are providing from other players in the field?
supplemental training to students to help In places where access to teachers is Edurite Tutorials brings together the
them with their exams as well as prepar- difficult, these tools can help ensure a work that we have done over the last 8
ing them for Engineering and Medical consistent level of inputs to the students. years in the area of academic content for
entrance exams. We have worked extensively in the K-12 space. The tutorials offer the
Government schools in upcountry students the best in content in a struc-
We have recently launched the end-to Karnataka and have seen that our tured environment, meant to improve
end school management which we are solutions have helped improve the their performance in the key exams.
offering schools a complete package scores for the students in their SSLC
of management support, ranging from exams from 50% to 63% over a two- How successful has Edurite’s entry
curriculum and teaching methodology, year time frame. into retail business been? What
teacher training and management, and brought about this shift?
day to day school operations. How has partnership with TutorVista. India has 7 million Home PC’s today.
com helped leverage educational Edurite has a suite of more than 200
What, according to you, ails the K-12 content and technology? Please tell us products for children of different syllabi
education in India? In what ways can about any new inititatives following and grades. They are available at more
technology engender a change in this the acquisition. than 400 retail outlets across India
system? TutorVista.com is in the business of like Crossword, LandMark, Reliance,
There are about 220 million students providing one-on-one supplemental Sapna etc. Edurite’s entry into the retail
who are part of the K-12 education education to children in the Global business has been very successful. We
in India. About a 90 million of these marketplace, with Indian teachers. reach around 200,000 customers through
study in 75,000 private schools, while TutorVista.com acquired Edurite this vertical every year. Edurite is
the balance go to about a million Technologies last November with a the largest player in the organised
Government schools. There is a great view of using the Edurite model in retail educational CDROM vertical
deal of inconsistency in the quality of the entire domestic market place. The in India. <<
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 75
Corporate diary | Leader’s Speak
Integrating Technology Solutions
With Training
Innovation is an organisational culture. One has to
have the right manpower with the right attitude and
measure impact on key assessment parameters
Please share with our readers how towards key corporate, organisational
Tata Interactive System started out initiatives.
Sanjaya Sharma
and the journey so far.
In 1990, when I set up Tata Interactive, Who are your major clients in the
India did not have a significant market field of education? Founder and CEO, Tata
for Internet, so we had to look towards Our clients in education sector include
the international markets. Today, large big publishers, Universities and
Interactive Systems
organisations almost spontaneously government, including various US and parameters we measure, so innovation
think of e-Learning and technology- federal governments and departments. comes through product forms and
based learning solutions, whereas 10 One of our biggest clients has been the process improvements. Operations,
years ago, these concepts had just University of Phoenix. In India, we financial client satisfaction, efficiency
arrived in the country. Though the have been working with all the major are some of the parameters on which
sector has matured overtime, it’s still companies and each year we see a we measure success. We have won
a very small industry as compared to greater interest in e-Learning solutions. more than 40 awards in the last 10
its potential. I got interested in training years which validates our success in the
technologies and so I proposed if we can What is innovation in e-Learning? international sphere.
successfully merge technology solutions Innovation in e-Learning operates at
for training needs to cater to the national two levels – Product and Process levels. In what ways has the global slowdown
and international markets. Today we We have a trademark approach called affected the e-Learning industry?
churn out more than 300 products StoBle - Story-based learning objects, How prepared is TIS to weather the
annually. and another called SyMob - Stimula- storm?
tion-based learning objects. So, product The current economic slowdown will
How has the year 2008 been for TIS? innovation happens in the e-Learning impact everyone and training is one
What has been the focal change in the market and then there is process innova- of the first expenditure that gets cut
approach this year? tion. So, both are important. Other forms in this situation. So, we are predicting
We have had a very good year. Our of innovation include business value a slowdown in the market in 2009,
clients are pretty happy with our work, changes and enabling corporate as well but in this scenario, people begin to
so that has been a major prerogative. We as organisational initiatives. appreciate technology-based solutions
have been successful in enhancing our as a cost-effective way to spend their
value in key corporate. TIS is known for its innovation training budget. So, initially there will
aptitude, can you tell us how do build be an impact on small suppliers but
We aim to strengthen energies the innovation culture within the then the e-Learning market will grow
towards catering to corporate needs company? more rapidly. TIS is a global player
and are in the process of shifting our Innovation is an organisational culture. in multiple markets and operates on a
business mix towards solutions for One has to have the right manpower bigger scale. Our global presence in
corporate initiatives. So, when we with the right attitude and measure different geographies and segments
meet our clients, we try to find out impact on key assessment parameters. have empowered us with knowledge
their key initiatives and offer solutions It’s a process that you have to keep applications to scale quality processes.
accordingly. We have been successful working on. An investment in R&D TIS has good cash reserves and is well
in enhancing our value proposition comes through aggressive targets on key positioned to weather the storm. <<

76 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Corporate diary | Leader’s Speak
Redifining Classroom ‘One on One’
Your company has made it to the
Forbes Best Under A Billion list for
Educomp is now entering
the Asia-Pacific region. How does
it feel to make it to the list of 200
Professional education and
companies?
It is indeed an honour to be featured
Training space to address the
among the top 200 under billion (USD)
companies in Asia-Pacific region. All
huge skill gap in India
such recognitions serve to further
motivate us.

What is the Educomp 03 Learning


System?
Educomp O3 Learning System is a new
age learning system that facilitates One
on One learning in schools and is all set
Shantanu Prakash
to redefine classroom teaching-learning. CEO, Educomp Solutions
It has been developed by Educomp after
years of intensive research and provides
teachers with a host of tools, strategies to address the employability training (R2W) learning centre provide an ideal
and applications to facilitate learning in needs of students across the country environment for all this.
a One on One computing environment. through VSAT enabled classrooms. Our
It is a comprehensive one stop solution recent JV with Asia’s largest education What sets R2W apart from other Pre-
enabling a more engaging, interesting group, Raffles Education Corp will also schools is their scientific approach to
and experiential form of teaching and strengthen our presence in the higher learning and unique curriculum design
learning. education space. — a result of over 2, 40,000 man hours
of research by a group of early child-
Under the Educomp O3 programme, Please elaborate on Educomp’s foray hood educational researchers — which
every child in class will be equipped into school management, vis-a-vis its is based on a combination of the project
with an Intel powered Classmate PC, acquisition of 51% stake in Takshila method, multiple intelligence, play way,
fully loaded with applications and Management Services. Montessori and theme-based model.
features designed for One on One This is a strategic tie-up to widen our
learning in schools. Teachers will also be reach into Tier II and Tier III cities Are there any plans for tie-ups with
equipped, trained and empowered with where Takshila will be setting up high the civil society or state governments
intensive teaching learning strategies. quality schools. All these schools would to extend technology to those who are
be using our advanced Millennium less-privileged or live in rural areas?
Most of the Educomp solutions are for Learning system. Educomp today works with close to
the K-12 segment? Any plans for the 10,000 government schools under the
higher education sector? Please tell us about your foray into PPP model, wherein we take the best
Over the years, Educomp has clearly the pre-school segment. How is of technology and digital content to
established its leadership in the K-12 Roots to Wings different from other underprivileged children across India
education space and is now entering the playschools? (including remote areas and interiors).
zone beyond K-12, into Professional Pre-school, being the first educational We are today the largest player in this
education and Training space to address level for the child is where the roots are space.
the huge skill gap in India. established. It is therefore imperative
that it begins on the right note. It is here Does Educomp have any plans to
Our aim is to help thousands of students that the child’s roots are nurtured and venture into other countries?
out of school who are looking for career they develop the wings that enable them At the moment we are focusing on the
guidance and coaching for professional to navigate successfully through their US and South Asia market and will soon
courses of their choice. Educomp’s most schooling years and prepares them for foray into China (via JV with Raffles
recent initiative - ETEN program - seeks life after. Educomp’s ‘Roots to Wings’ Group). <<

78 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Corporate diary | Leader’s Speak 3rd anniversary special issue

Encouraging Innovation
Through Technology
Intel’s Education programmes provide localised
content and services, online tools and resources to connect
technologies to villages, suburbs, and cities around the
Anshul Sonak world to deliver access to community
Manager, K-12 Education
Intel India
information, education, and healthcare

Please comment on the status of improving teaching JNV, Mouli (Panchkula)


education in India. What measures and learning
are needed for improving the through effective
education scenario here? How and judicious
have Intel’s educational initiatives integration of
impacted the education sector? technology; Higher
There are many dynamic changes that Education Program
are happening in India today, thanks and IRIS (Initiative
to the efforts of Ministry of HRD and for Innovation
Departments of Education in states. and Research
in Science)
The move to increase the number that focus on
of institutions of higher education scientific research
and excellence makes us hopeful of and innovation.
seeing some cutting edge research We have a long
and innovations coming from here and sustained
in the future. NKC has tabled some commitment to education and we learning a more involved process. Very
interesting recommendations especially believe this is the way to progress. often technology is not used effectively
in the area of improving the quality of because teachers have not been trained
teachers and the quality of the teaching What role has technology played on effective use of this powerful tool.
– learning schools and institutions of in arresting drop-outs, facilitating If these tools are provided, then change
higher education, focused on enhancing universalisation of education in India? can happen at a fast pace. Education
employability of the youth. Technology used effectively has the policies also need to be amended to
potential to be the great leveler. It has support this cause. We have seen
To further enhance the education the ability to provide quality resources some encouraging results in rural
scenario, improvement is required in the form of content to a large number India where students themselves, given
in the quality of our teachers at all of students. The issue of teacher quality an opportunity to solve authentic real
levels. Teachers trained in the ability can be addressed easily by integrating life problems and given right
to use technology and its resources technology in the curriculum and in the technology resources, with right
effectively will be able to provide this teaching and learning process. Project guidance of trained teachers, have
enriching learning environment. Intel based approaches in a technology addressed issues like girl child retention,
has initiatives like Intel Teach and enriched environment, will help connect bringing back dropouts to mainstream
Intel Learn Programs that focus on learning to the real life and make schooling etc.
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 79
creating newer and more innovative
ventures.

What are your views on the Public


Private Partnerships in education?
Our relationships with stakeholders
across India, especially with central and
state government education departments
have increased and strengthened the
reach and depth of our education
initiatives. These partnerships are a
brilliant opportunity for collaboration
and growth of the knowledge economy
of India. Motivation from the
government will definitely bring about
the desired changes. Intel is looking
forward to newer models of partnerships
where it can bring to the table its
unique educational assets which will
An IRIS Participant at ISEF 2008 benefit stakeholders across the country.
Our strategic collaborations with
Please tell us about Intel’s initiative for innovation, for making the developmental agencies and
to promote scientific temper among workforce employable. By providing NGO partners, will also help us in
students. entrepreneurial opportunities we reaching out to beneficiaries at the grass
At Intel, we believe that by encouraging believe that Indian students can get the root level.
a research temperament and innovative motivation to match skills at a global
thought in students we can produce level. The Intel Higher Education Is Intel planning on any new
a generation of students who can be Program focuses on advancing initiatives in the education sector for
leaders of the 21st century. In our efforts innovation in key areas of technology India?
to promote a scientific temperament and developing a pipeline of diverse Our World Ahead Program focuses on
amongst students in India we have world-class technical talent for Intel connecting the next billion people to
introduced the IRIS (Initiative for and the broader industry. The Program uncompromised technology around the
Research & Innovation in Science) also focuses on research, curriculum, world. The vision of World Ahead is to
with help of Department of Science student opportunities as well as provide greater accessibility, increased
and Technology, Government of India. entrepreneurship. In India, Higher connectivity, quality education and
The mission of IRIS is to promote and Education Program covers more than localized content and services. We are
nurture science and scientific research 300 Engineering Colleges focusing also committed to improving education
amongst young Indian innovators, on developing industry expertise on a larger scale across India. With
recognize and reward outstanding in cutting edge technology areas an ongoing focus on students and
projects and provide a platform for the like Multicore, VLSI and supports teachers, we are making an impact
young innovators to get recognised at research engagements and innovation with technology solutions and quality
international events . Every year we see and entrepreneurship development education that support the development
some encouraging innovations coming programmes across the academia. of 21st Century skills, including digital
out from rural India through such literacy, problem solving, and critical
platforms. For example, one of the girl In what ways has the current thinking. As citizens use the Internet,
winner this year from Navodaya School, economic slowdown impacted Intel’s the need to create localised content is
Mandya came up with very innovative CSR activities in education? the key. Intel’s education programmes
research project titled ‘Fast germination The current slowdown has impacted provide localised content and services,
and growth of seeds using Rhizobium’ industries and economies globally. online tools and resources to connect
… well that kind of innovations are With India as one of the fastest growing technologies to villages, suburbs, and
really happening across India. economies in the world and the focus cities around the world to deliver access
being on development of India’s to community information, education,
Please tell us about Intel’s knowledge resources, our commitment and healthcare. We intend to keep
involvement in the higher education to education initiatives still adding to our commitment for a better
sector in India? In what ways does it remains top priority. Our partnerships India. We are extending our various
address the problem of employability with the government sector have programmes to the North East and
in the sector? motivated our growth over the years and other untouched parts of the country this
Intel believes in supporting students we expect these relationships to prosper, year for this purpose. <<

80 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Corporate diary | Leader Speak
Building a Strong Academic
Foundation
The industry demands We extended the application free of
cost to them. For any such worthy
for individuals who are organisation, 24x7guru.com would
always be in forefront to help, especially

beyond books and hires


the students from classes III to X.

How successful has been your venture


personnel based on their offering educational services on the
DTH platform, vis-a-vis your tie-up
conceptual clarity and strong with Tata Sky?
The reach of the TV exceeds over 120

fundamental back up
million homes today and is also the main
source of information dissemination
and entertainment. 24x7guru.com is the
Muralidhar K S, CEO, 24x7 Guru content partner for Tata Sky’s Active
Learning platform, where we extend
a sample of our content. Viewers get
Please tell us about the vision behind quality of students that we have been 50 new questions & answers each
setting up of 24x7guru. producing and the progress these day from Science, Math, General
24x7guru.com is an outcome of a dream, students were making in academics. We Knowledge. This way, 24x7guru
a dream of experienced professionals then decided to reward these students reaches out to millions of households
who were stirred by the stress levels, with the platform, Destination NASA to and introduce them to new ways of
low self esteem arising due to low provide them with the global exposure interactive and fun learning that appeals
scores in exams, and increasing level in the field of Science and Technology. not only to the students but also the
of suicides by students today. The team Two meritorious students per grade from family at large.
then committed themselves to the cause class 6 to 10 were therefore rewarded
of spreading quality education beyond based on their conceptual clarity in What are your views about the
examination to cater to knowledge academics. examination pattern in current system
that increases the child’s self esteem, of education in India.
acts as a platform to enhance learning, Destination NASA was a platform The current definition as prevailing in
facilitates in identifying their strengths provided to 24x7guru.com subscribers schools revolves around examinations
and develops on potential. with the objective to reward 10 meritori- where a child’s intelligence is judged
ous students with an all paid trip to the from the marks they score during a three
24x7guru concentrates on Math and Kennedy Space Centre, Florida, USA hour examination.
Science subjects. Any plans to widen where each student was accompanied by
the scope to other subjects and also a parent and a teacher. The Knowledge The industry demands for individuals
include classes 11 and 12? Challenge concentrated on fundamental who are beyond books and hires
24x7guru.com caters to the universally and conceptual clarity amongst students personnel based on their conceptual
accepted concepts streams of academics, at their respective grades. clarity and strong fundamental back
Math and Science. Currently, we are up. The percentage of marks obtained
catering to students from class 3 to 10 Are there any educational outreach by one on his report card is of least
and we would shortly be extending our programmes to extend this online influence to his employability. The only
services to the students of +12 for the learning system to the underserved in thing that matters is his fundamental
next academic year. the country? foundation in concepts learnt during
Yes, we do. For example, 24x7guru had his course of academics, which has
How was Destination NASA volunteered to extend the application to given into today’s education system as a
Knowledge Challenge conceptualised? a school run by Kasturba Gandhi Trust memorising tool for examination for the
We wanted to test ourselves with the in Sevagram consisting of 600 students. purpose of scores alone. <<

82 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Corporate diary | Leader Speak 3rd anniversary special issue

Betting Economic Slowdown

With NComputing, 11 Users


Share 1 PC
the PCs available today are capable of significantly reduces ongoing costs.
delivering more, adding more to this NComputing access devices only use 1
minimal power. Now imagine, if the watt of electricity compared to 110 watts
PC is used to its fullest! Imagine, if the or more for typical PC. This massive
power wasted can be banked on for reduction in energy consumption is
productive use! especially critical in places where
electricity is limited and expensive.
‘Aligning ourselves with this fact,
we are committed towards enabling The X-series desktop virtualisation
affordable access to computing; kits are needed to enable a PC to serve
computing for education, which is one 11 people at once. The kits come with
of the national priorities for India. We NComputing access devices, a PCI
are continually looking for innovative plug-in card and vSpace virtualisation
and affordable technology solutions software. And users need their own
that can sustain social and economic mouse, keyboard and screen. Dukker
progress.’ Stephen Dukker, Chairman says, NComputing created the
and CEO was sharing the bright, software and access devices to turn
innovative thoughts of NComputing that excess capacity into an ultra-low
with the Digital Learning team, while cost computing system for schools,
visiting India recently. businesses and other organisations.

Dukker has spent his entire career 11 users sharing one PC


driving down the cost of comput- This leading provider of shared

Stephen Dukker
ing. He brings more than 30 years of computing technology, recently has been
experience in computer manufacturing chosen to supply a massive computer
Chairman & CEO, NComputing and retailing to NComputing. Prior to education programme in the Indian state,
NComputing, he was the founder and Andhra Pradesh. The programme is
CEO of eMachines, a company dedi- slated to provide computing access for
cated to making computers affordable. the first time to 18 lakh school children
throughout the state. Each of the 5, 000

I
magine the schools that do not NComputing’s shared computing secondary schools will have a 10-seat
have adequate budget for buying solution taps the unused capacity of computing lab with 2 desktop PCs and 8
Computers. Imagine the schools that a PC so that it can be simultaneously NComputing systems.
have computers in their lab, but keep shared by many users. NComputing uses
investing to upgrade their computers only 1 watt of electricity and is rugged, ‘The decision to deploy NComputing’s
in few months or years. Imagine the durable and easy to maintain. low-cost and eco-friendly solution
running cost they bear on electricity will establish the Andhra Pradesh
bills. ‘NComputing is a great complement government as an innovator in
to the desktop computer business as educational computing and as a model
There is no second say to the fact that it enables budget-strapped schools for other governments considering
users tap only 4-5% of a computer’s and business to maximise their PC similar projects’, Dukker hopes.
processing power for their requirements infrastructure,’ Dukker explains. In
which are limited to office applications, addition to lower up-front purchase ‘NComputing is proud to have been
browsing, entertainment,...etc. Whereas costs, the NComputing solution also chosen by Andhra Pradesh to fulfill its
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 83
‘Desktop virtualisation is the solution
that spins the old technology for a new
revolution. It takes those 95% otherwise
wasted cycles and shares them among
multiple users at a fraction of the cost
of buying more PCs. It’s like the old
dumped terminals and mainframes,
except today’s PCs are the mainframes,’
Dukker discusses on some more
technicalities.

NComputing can deliver high-end


computing to more users compared
to traditional PCs by turning a single
computer into a shared network. Each
additional user shares the CPU and
memory of the host computer. This
enables superior savings towards outlay
of hardware and software maintenance.
Computers normally use more than
250~ 300Watt. NComputing products
can dramatically save electricity with a
maximum of 1Watt consumption per
terminal.

‘You load the virtualisation


software onto the shared PC. It allows
multiple user accounts to be used
simultaneously. The hardware is
called an access device. It is a simple
box that each user’s monitor, keyboard,
mouse, and headphones plug into.
Then you run a cable from the access
device to a PCI card (also included)
in the shared PC. Each advanced X-
vision to improve learning and computer and requires outsourcers to install, staff, series kit delivers a rich multimedia
literacy throughout the state. By and manage the labs for a five-year term. computing experience to an additional
leveraging NComputing, the government This arrangement helps ensures that five users on one PC for a list price.
will save nearly INR 80 crore in up-front the labs are installed quickly and strict You can install 2 kits into one PC, so
and ongoing costs. The government will performance benchmarks are met. that gives you 5 + 5 + 1 users, or 11
also use 90% less electricity compared total on one CPU. The kids even notice
to a traditional all PC solution. At The other best technologies and the that an NComputing station is faster
about INR 4,500 per seat, our solution qualified educational IT companies than the old PCs used in the labs,’
is the ideal platform to enable schools, that are associated with NComputing’s Dukker says.
business, and government to maximise shared-computing solution to help
their PC investment. We are the world secure the deal, includes NIIT, ECIL, In less than two years, NComputing
leader in desktop virtualisation and Educomp, Everonn, IEG, Terasoft, and has shipped more than one million
the scale of this deployment further Social Computers. seats, making it the largest provider
extends our leadership position,’ Dukker of ultra-low-cost computing solutions.
comments on being chosen for this NIIT will be responsible for managing NComputing’s simplicity and ease of
pivotal role of bridging the digital divide 2,005 of the schools. The NComputing use have contributed to rapid worldwide
in government schools. solution will be integrated with desktop acceptance. Anyone with basic PC skills
PCs which will be supplied primarily can install an NComputing solution
The Andhra Pradesh programme is by Acer and HCL. These computer and the savings are immediate. Over
based on an innovative outsourcing makers have tested and endorsed the 25,000 organisations in 100 countries
model developed by the Andhra Pradesh NComputing solution and will integrate have deployed NComputing to slash
government. The model is referred to the NComputing hardware and software their computing costs and electric
as Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) at their factories. consumption. <<

84 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Corporate diary | Leader’s Speak
Scaling ICT Competencies
Please highlight the key focus of professionals?
HCL’s engagement with education HCL Digischool offering is for K-12
and training? How has the journey education. We are creating a better
been so far? environment for computer aided
HCL gives the entire ecosystem for teaching and learning. Our plans are
education. We are primarily in schools, to create maximum ICT competent
colleges, university education and teachers so that the gap in the demand
research. Our focus on school education and supply of industry-ready ICT
has been on ICT/Computer Aided professionals is filled properly. There
Learning (CAL) for government schools is always a consistent demand for ICT
and the ‘HCL Digischool’ offering for professionals.
private schools.
How is the curriculum decided?
Do you feel the global recession in Do other companies play a role in
the financial markets will impact informing the skills needed for the
spending on ICT support to the technical manpower? B Gopala Krishnan
education sector? Curriculum is based on the standards of
The global slowdown might affect the the education and companies are really
Deputy General Manager - SI, HCL
government spending on the education involved in the national curriculum
sector. designs. We should have a clear mission structured. The real challenges like
towards global education and knowledge connectivity, power and skilled
Please take us through the idea and education. manpower, which need to be addressed.
goals behind K-12 academy? How far Many companies are concentrating on
has this experiment been successful in In your opinion, how can ICT be rural education as part of their CSR
bridging the gap between the demand taken at the very village level? initiatives while the government focus is
and supply of industry-ready ICT Rural ICT practices are very well heavy in this area. <<

HCL
digischool empowering learning

HCL, India’s leading IT solutions, System Integration and by providing end to end single window solution for different
Services Company, is at the forefront of revolutionising the requirements like, Multimedia content creation, ICT, CAL,
education process in India. In this effort, it now offers HCL Teachers Training, Facilitation for leading certification,
Digischool a smart class solution from HCL. School Role out, Campus Network, ADMS, University
Management solutions, E-learning, distance learning solution,
HCL digischool offers multimedia class rooms equipped with library management, campus management, Interactive
hardware like interactive white board, multimedia projectors, language Lab of teaching different languages ,etc.
servers and customized digital multimedia content that suits
school’s specific teaching needs. In Digischool offering, HCL offers following solutions:
1. Computer Aided Learning
HCL digischool is an instructor led learning which will 2. ICT Learning
supplement the teachers for an active learning environment 3. School Management software
and creating a ambience for the student for active learning. 4. Automatic Vehicle tracking systems for school buses and
HCL Infosystems has forayed into the educational segment Vans. <<

86 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


News | Corporate 3rd anniversary special issue

Gibson’s philosophy is not Indian arm of the UK-based online College, this is all supported by the use of
about IT per se, but to create education services company TutorVista, to advanced technologies, such as PowerTerm
rounded citizens introduce audio-video education in 18,000 WebConnect RemoteView, that enable
Under the brand Merseygrid (MGL), the schools across India. Macmillan has a reach learning and teaching to take place within
Liverpool-based firm, provides specialist ICT of 15,000 schools across India and Edurite the broadest range of opportunities
services to more than 550 schools across has a reach of 3,000. available to students, staff and the
the North West. Over the last three years, community.
MGL has installed 10,000 PCs and 200
local area networks in schools, including Intel honors outstanding
wireless networking. communities of learning
The 3rd Intel Teach Awards for 21st
At just 31, MGL director Carl Gilbertson Century Educators was held at the EDSA
heads a business which has an annual Shangri-La Hotel. The awardees were the
turnover of £5m-plus and has offices in Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute
Ellesmere Port and Manchester, employing of Technology/Iligan City Division, which
67 full-time staff. Last week, a major new received a P120,000 fund grant while
report was published by Sir Jim Rose, the Surigao City and the province of Laguna
Government’s chief adviser on primary took home P100,000 each.
schools, calling for the most radical reforms Through this tie-up, we are trying to
to primary education in 20 years. Gilbertson popularise audio-video education in The event was organised by Intel Philippines
said, “This is not just about teaching IT skills these schools using a software - DigitAlly, in partnership with the Department of
per se, but about creating rounded citizens. Macmillan senior vice-president (sales Education (DepEd), the Foundation for
We need to do a lot more than just produce and marketing) Alok Lahoti told. The Information Technology Education and
millions of touch typists”. combination of Edurite’s ‘technology-driven Development (FIT-ED) and the University
learning methods’ and Macmillan’s ‘proven of the Philippines’ National Institute
Microsoft hosts ‘School of the strengths in providing quality content’ and of Science and Mathematics Education
Future Summit’ its ‘vast presence’ will ‘do the trick’ for Development (UP-NISMED). Intel Teach is
Microsoft Partners Indian classrooms. The contents offered Intel’s professional development programme
in Learning will be by DigitAlly, developed by Edurite, are designed to help teachers effectively
hosting the fourth based on a range of syllabi of various state integrate technology with learning. In the
annual School of boards (of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Philippines, Intel Teach has trained 91,616
the Future World Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal) teachers since the programme was launched
Summit at Seattle, US. The event will see as well as Central Board of Secondary in 2001.
participation from school administrators and Examination (CBSE) and Indian Certificate
policymakers from more than 30 countries of Secondary Examination (ICSE). First ever ‘Smart Science
around the theme, ‘What’s Possible’. Station’ launched by NIIT
Ericom Software Helps UK- Chennai
More than 250 participants will attend the Based College Feel More Secure NIIT, in partnership
Summit to facilitate a global discussion Ericom Software today announced that with Fourier
on what schools in the future can look Northampton College has selected its Systems, a
like by examining the areas of instruction, PowerTerm WebConnect RemoteView to worldwide
organisation design, technology, challenges provide its staff and students with secure leader in Science
of implementing new policy and emerging remote application access capabilities. education,
trends everyone faces as students prepare Based in the United Kingdom, Northampton launched NIIT eGuru Smart Science Station-
for the 21st century global workforce. College offers a wide range of courses and an innovative learning solution which
Through the event, Microsoft aims to push currently serves over 13,000 students. integrates Science Lab with classrooms.
people to collaboratively address new ways NIIT eGuru Smart Science Station enables
of thinking and provide specific strategies The college has become one of the a range of technology-aided Science
to implement within their local context, largest Further Education Colleges in the experiments covering topics on heat,
allowing them to turn possibilities into region and is currently going through a electricity, sound, measurement of air and
reality. major transformation taking over 3 years water pollution etc.
to complete. Expected to cost over 70
Audio-video education to be million pounds, this upgrade will provide As part of the alliance, NIIT will make
popularised by Macmillan the Northampton community with an available technology-enabled learning
Macmillan Publishers India Ltd. announced updated, innovative, fit-for-purpose learning solution to explore science through
a tie-up with Edurite Technologies, the environment. According to Northampton computer-aided experimentation, while

Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 87


Fourier Systems will offer NOVA 5000 segment, which acquired the company education in India, to truly empower every
science data logger with a vast range of in 2007, is expected to assist in Edurite’s aspiring student and professional to be able
science probes for capturing relevant data. expansion plans through a round of funding to succeed in their educational and career
This novel concept is part of NIIT eGuru’s it is considering. pursuits.
offering of Interactive Classroom (ICR) for
schools. The solution will help implement Meena Ganesh, CEO Edurite Technologies If a student ever missed a lecture at
National Curriculum Framework 2005 said that the company has offered its school or college or wanted an instructor
guidelines in schools and will cover subjects content and educational services to 3000 to teach the related topic again, www.
like Physics, Chemistry, Biology schools across the country of which 1500 topchalks.com is an invaluable asset to
and Environmental Sciences for standards are government schools. The company solve all queries.
6 to 10. targets to manage five schools by the next
academic year and will look at setting up The portal was recently launched as a part
Intel Strengthens Commitment its own schools thereafter. It is expecting of bigger vision of promoting company
to East Africa Development, to have 50 schools consisting of both Catura Broadboand Systems Pvt Ltd that
Advances Digital Access and managed and owned ones in the next envisions to liberalise education and
Education two years. make it more student friendly at all levels.
Marking his first Topchalks.com is an initiative taken by
visit to Kenya, Wipro may go slow on campus Dinesh Mehta and Narender Oruganti, US
Intel Corporation hiring based NRI entrepreneurs, both sharing same
Chairman Craig Wipro Technologies passion of bringing revolution in the world
Barrett announced said the company of education.
an agreement to help accelerate the spread might go slow on its
of wireless and broadband computer campus-hiring plans Zain support to schools in
connections to encourage Kenya’s social and till demand picks up. Ghana
economic development. He also initiated The move comes in Zain, a mobile telecommunication service
a major program to train teachers in using the wake of Wipro provider, recently presented educational
technology to improve educating young delaying to absorb to absorb around 10,000 materials to Sota and Odumasi District
people. campus recruits, who were scheduled to join Assembly Basic schools in the Dambge West
before the end of the current financial year. District in the Greater Accra Region.
The three-way agreement, signed by Intel, ‘Given the uncertain business environment,
Alcatel-Lucent and Kenya Data Networks the company will maintain a wait-and-
(KDN), sets the stage for rolling out the watch policy,’ said Pradeep Bahirwani,
country’s first mobile WiMAX trial. The pilot Vice-President (Talent Acquisition), Wipro
project will be the first in Kenya to use next- Technologies.
generation WiMAX 802.16e technology –
better known as mobile WiMAX. It is widely In 2008-09, the company had issued offer
considered an ideal solution for providing letters to 8,000 people, who are supposed
high-quality wireless broadband service at to be absorbed in the company in 2009-10.
an affordable cost. ‘Digital access is key to However, the process of fresh recruitment
ensuring that Kenya gets a seat at the table is getting staggered, owing to the changed
in the 21st century knowledge economy,’ business environment as a result of the
said Barrett, who also chairs the United global meltdown. Last week, Wipro issued
Nations Global Alliance for Information letters to some of the 2007-08 campus Addressing a cross session of pupils in
Communications Technology (ICT) and recruits, giving them an option to join Accra, Ms Ursula Owusu, Director,
Development. Barrett also announced that their BPO division in technical support roles Corporate and External Affairs, Zain, Ghana,
Kenya’s primary school teachers will begin for 12-18 months before starting said the donation formed part of the
receiving training through the Intel Teach their career in the IT services business of company’s social responsibility
program early next year. the company. to help the less privilege to acquire a
profession to help build the nation. She
Edurite set to foray into formal Catura introduces said as part of the Zains’ contribution
education sector Topchalks.com towards the promotion of education in
Bangalore-based Edurite Technologies is Topchalks.com is a property of Catura the area, the company would soon
planning to enter the school management Broadbands systems Pvt Ltd., a three year provide the school with a modern
space and setting up its own network of old company with offices in Gurgaon, information communication technology
schools. TutorVista, an international player Haryana and Santa Clara, California, USA. (ICT) facility to enable the pupil gain
in the web-enabled education services The company’s vision is to democratise knowledge in ICT. <<

88 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Corporate diary | Foyer 3rd anniversary special issue

Intel Education Initiatives

‘Technology Integration
at Its Best’
W
hen did a teacher know that topics. It also acts as a motivational in the remotest parts of the country.
information would be just force, guiding the students to go after Each year, several teams of students
one click away? Thanks their goals. These contests serve compete and awards and certifications
to technology, the teachers of today an important purpose of spreading are presented to winners at both district
are not restricted to the age old chalk knowledge and determining the progress and final competitions.
and blackboard methods of teaching. and ICT strength of the schools.
Information and Communication Recently, a state-level competition on
Technology has come of age and has As part of these contests, a number ‘Best Use of Technology in Education’
permeated in all areas of our lives and of interactive sessions are conducted was held in Tamil Nadu on November
is a significant factor in increasing which boost the confidence level of the 10, 2008. The purpose was to motivate
productivity in different fields. students and improve their 21st century teachers on effective implementation of
Project Based Learning and showcase
the projects done by teachers and
students.

Ten teachers from the districts of


Chennai, Cuddalore, Kanyakumari,
Krishnagiri, Madurai, Thiruvarur,
Tiruchirapalli and Virudunagar were
selected as State level winners. The
projects developed and implemented
for the contest helped create an impact
in their communities. The highlight of
this event was a project on ‘Creating
Awareness on Evil Effects of Usage
of Tobacco.’ A group of students
explained how they motivated the entire
village to refrain from
consuming tobacco.

ICT is now being used in Science silks like communication, technology On December 3, 2008, Intel with
and Technology education and literacy, collaboration, critical thinking support from Department of State
in other areas of the curriculum. etc. Education Research and Training
Intel’s foray in the field of education (DSERT) Karnataka, organised a contest
through various initiatives like contests Such contests are jointly organised in Bangalore and felicitated students,
in best technology practices, has by Intel Teach Program and Navodya teachers and principals who have done
effectively integrated technology into Vidyalaya Samiti every year to exemplary work in innovative use
classrooms. identify ‘Best Practices of Technology of technology. The contest has been
Integration in Education’. Held in organised since 2004, and the
The main objective behind these collaboration with NVS schools across response was overwhelming this year,
contests is to inspire teachers to try out the country, these contests are a platform with more than 300 entries received
‘new tools’ and assist the students in for rewarding the outstanding and from government schools across
increasing their understanding of various innovative practices adopted by schools the state. <<
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 89
Corporate diary | Case Study
ICT In Learning: The New Wave
I
nformation Communication of education. For instance, text alone traditional modes of instruction. It has
Technology (ICT) has become, simply does not allow students to also been noted that the level of student
within a very short time, one of the get a feel of any of the concepts in engagement was significantly higher
basic building blocks of modern society. Mathematics. In teaching biology, an amongst students with both high and
Organisations, experts and practitioners instructor cannot make a killer whale low abilities.
in the education sector are increasingly come alive in a classroom. Multimedia
recognising the importance of ICT in enables learners to experience their With multimedia, not only does the
supporting educational improvement subject in a vibrant manner. The key to learning process become fun, it also
and reform. ICTs are transformational providing this, is having a simultaneous becomes
tools which, when used appropriately, graphic, video and audio experience. • Goal oriented,
can promote a shift from traditional to a • It provides students with • Participatory,
learner-centred environment. opportunities to represent and • Flexible in time and space
express their prior knowledge • Tailored to individual learning
In this post-modern world of • Multimedia applications engage styles
technological advancement, rapidly students and provide valuable
changing markets and increasing learning opportunities ICT also helps to enhance the quality of
competition, teachers are faced with new • Students learn more and retain their education in ways explained below:

a) Motivating to Learn: ICTs such as


videos, multimedia computer software
that combine text, sound and colourful
animated images can be used to provide
challenging and authentic content that
will engage the student in the learning
process.

b) Facilitating the Acquisition of Basic


Skills: The transmission of basic skills
and concepts that are the foundation of
higher learning and creativity can be
facilitated by ICTs through drill and
practice.

c) Enhancing Teacher Training:


The traditional way of teaching and
learning can be made more effective
and interesting by using ICTs. For
example, when a teacher uses audio,
video, or power point presentations in
academic and pedagogical challenges, knowledge better his/her lecture, the whole class becomes
and the chalk and talk traditional method • The collaborative environment more attentive. Such activities also help
of teaching often falls short of meeting helps in grasping concepts better students understand the concepts better.
these challenges. and faster
The audio visual dimension is at
Let’s see how and why multimedia With the help of multimedia, students the heart of educational enterprise,
enabled education scores over the learn in a stress free atmosphere and as it offers students and teachers a
traditional way... subsequently absorb and retain at a rich array of new and potentially
significantly higher level. Studies interesting facts, immensely aids in
Besides being a powerful tool for support distinctive differences in ways achieving the objectives of a subject and
making presentations, multimedia students retain information gathered opens the door to a world of fantastic
offers unique advantages in the field and applied using multimedia versus experience. <<

90 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Corporate diary | Case Study 3rd anniversary special issue

Shattering Barriers in Education With ICT


e-SchoolNetwork Program

S
udiksha Learning Dimensions was On the other
founded in 2002 with the mission hand, if a child
of offering innovative learning had difficulty in
solutions using ICT and other tools. It visualising skip
offers end-to-end e-Learning services counting in the
for enterprises, NGOs and educational first place, then
institutes. learning tables
by rote or trying
As an ecosystem alliance partner with to learn by heart
Intel for its Classmate PC solution, what the various
Sudiksha is now announcing a path positions of
breaking new offering, the the hands of
e-SchoolNetwork Program (eSN). a clock mean
can become a
The eSN idea emerged when Sudiksha’s nightmare.
academic and pedagogy team observed 3. Concept clarity
children learn in different schools. They in the early
also interviewed many adults years ensures
who were able to solve advanced long-term
problems in school curriculum retention and
even decades after completing their accelerated learning. design approach. This approach
schooling. When probed, these adults involves a team of diverse stakeholders
could visually recall the exact learning For example, when asked, ‘What is including, Education Psychologists,
interaction when a particular concept respiration?’ The most common answer Special Educators, Teachers, Theatre
was thought in great detail. (In one across age groups is, ‘Breathing in and Professionals, New Media Experts
case, this included a memory that the Breathing out.’ It takes a lot of sweat and most importantly Children. The
teacher had dyed her hair on that and toil for high school Biology teachers design process is aimed at creating
day!) All this validated what they had to correct this view of respiration! academically sound products, which
learnt about pedagogy and effective elicit voluntary and happy learner
teaching. Some of the key factors These points may sound very familiar engagement.
noted were: but unfortunately, many children,
1. The clarity of concept is a parents and teachers are grappling with The eSN will constantly evolve under
function of the level of engagement school level education. Not even a rank the vigil of its stakeholders. Users
of the student at the time of holder would claim that getting through can access paid and free services on
learning the concept. For example, a school exams is child’s play! this portal. The Intel powered CMPC
child who acted in a play is a great way for children to use
about Emperor Ashoka Coming to our education system, it is eSN features. In collaboration with
demonstrated great confidence in indeed very difficult for a single human Intel, Sudiksha plans to facilitate
dates, acts and events related to the to address the learning needs of different implementation of CMPC based
same topic. children in the same class. With student- Differentiated Classroom and hand hold
2. A strong foundation in the primary teacher ratio ranging from 20 to 60, in teachers.
or middle school level facilitates any modern day school, millions of little
the ability of a child to build upon knowledge gaps slip through the chinks ICT has unquestionably improved the
the concept in the later years. For in the system. Models like Differentiated quality of our lives in many ways. We
example, if a child had internalised Classrooms and 1-on-1 learning have connect, communicate and collaborate
the process of skip counting well, evolved to fill these gaps in traditional in our personal and professional lives.
then in the 2nd grade, concepts like education. Education cannot be far behind! <<
multiplication tables and reading
time on a clock become relatively The eSchool Network Program is For more information contact info@
simple. designed using a unique collaborative sudikshaindia.com
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 91
Corporate diary | Case Study
Connecting Knowledge Agents Worldwide
N
ever had the world looked
smaller before the advent of the
World Wide Web. The Internet
has brought about a revolution in the
way information is construed, passed
and perceived. With its proven benefits
in the field of corporate and governance
across the world, it is time for us to
witness an Internet revolution in the
field of education as well.

www.iken.in is designed to make the


most of this new connected world. A
social-educational-networking portal,
it promises to get you engaged for courses, teacher-training modules Iken Play: Iken Play is a collection
a lifetime - gathering and sharing to parenting modules – this section of games that provide entertainment
knowledge, creating interesting content, compiles everything that is education as well as learning. There are sections
and getting feedback from like-minded and learning. All Axiom ‘IkenTools’ are on strategy and logic based games,
people from all over the world. also published and accessible at educational games and some mindless
With formal education comprising Iken Learn. stress busters that can simply recharge
only a small fraction of student’s life, your batteries for the next learning
achieving major gains in learning Iken Test: What good is learning if session.
requires that students’ constantly lead there is no way to test what is learnt?
a educationally fulfilling life. This Iken Test offers iterative assessment Ken – The knowledge currency of the
necessitates close cooperation and and feedback that allows users to Iken World! Users can buy Kens using
shared responsibility for distributed put their knowledge to test, receive money and invest it for their learning,
learning among society’s educational constructive feedbacks, iterate upon testing and knowledge gathering needs
agents (families, social service agencies, their shortcomings and get better at – in the process rewarding people who
workplaces, mass media). the subject. The algorithm keeps a share and provide them with these
track of all user given tests and the learning resources.
Iken allows students to connect with cumulative performance of the user.
peers from school and all over. It also Tests are available for students in K-12 Further to the fundamental architecture,
allows greater interactivity among curricula, Indian as well as international Iken offers a platform for publishing
parents, teachers and professionals in competitive exams as well as all other different applications that can help
distant places, cultures and traditions. e-learning modules at Iken Learn. users create content, share knowledge
Study circles can be formed sitting and even interact live with other users
at home; collaborative projects Iken Connect: Welcome to the human across the world. Applications like
across geographies are no longer an networking section. Here people interact comic creator - where one can create
impossibility. and collaborate – for knowledge sharing, comic strips and publish online - or
tutoring, combined educational and Wiki search – that makes the entire
There are five fundamental learning projects, raising questions user generated content at wikipedia
functionalities to www.iken.in : and solving queries. Iken Connect available at the portal - are supplements
Iken Learn: A repository of ratified is a gateway to contributing more to to other learning resources. Users can
e-learning content from the world development of a knowledge economy. also take part in online lectures or
over, Iken Learn satisfies a learner’s project discussions through live web
educational and training needs through Iken Create: Iken is not just a read- conferencing and desktop sharing
films, presentations, e-learning modules, only website, but a place where users, applications.
crosswords, puzzles, journals and many from various backgrounds can voice
other resources. their views and share knowledge by Iken reflects Axiom Education’s
uploading content in any conceivable inherent philosophy, that ‘Foundations
Content on K-12 curricula, degree and format - photographs, videos, presenta- of our education are based on
diploma courses, professional training tions, illustrations, documents etc. simplicity.’ <<

92 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Corporate diary | Innovation

Building An Education Platform Through


SMART Technologies
to David Lapides, Director, Education that connects to a computer, the

I
t is a rare occurrence in K-12
education when a technology moves Market Development at SMART SMART Board interactive whiteboard
from being a useful classroom tool Technologies, is the company’s ability has brought a whole new level of
and becomes an education platform to design and develop products that interactivity to the classroom. However,
upon which an entire teaching enable teachers to successfully complete Lapides is quick to point out that the
philosophy is built. But that is precisely the same educational task in multiple SMART solution is much more than
what has happened over the course ways. ‘Today,’ says Lapides, ‘SMART interactive whiteboards. At the heart
of the last two decades, as interactive offers a robust set of resources and a of the SMART solution is SMART
whiteboards from SMART Technologies full ecosystem of support—bringing a Notebook, which according to Lapides,
(Calgary, Alberta, Canada) have become new level of interactivity to everyday is the most advanced collaborative
the focal point of the technology-driven, lessons—that enables teachers to reach software platform available for
21st- century classroom. Technology every student in the classroom.’ classrooms.
companies like SMART that have
created a fundamental shift in education The foundation upon which the SMART SMART Notebook collaborative
all have one thing in common: they solution is built is the company’s learning software enriches classroom
provide an overall solution that is fully-featured interactive whiteboards. learning with more than 30 tools and
greater than the sum of their product’s According to Lapides, SMART Board educational resources. The SMART
component parts. interactive whiteboards are the most solution also includes an interactive
assessment tool, called the Senteo
interactive response system, which is
designed to enhance learning. Further,
the company’s comprehensive suite of
software enables various models for
technological options. For instance,
SynchronEyes classroom management
software, provides teachers with a means
to support one-to-many down to one-to-
one environments. Another important
tool in the product suite is Bridgit
conferencing software, SMART’s
remote conferencing application that
provides a quick, easy, and effective
way to share voice, video, and data over
the Internet.

Sophisticated software and hardware


components like these are only the
beginning of the SMART story. SMART
understands that maximising value in the
SMART Technologies’ overarching trusted line of interactive whiteboards classroom takes more than just advanced
philosophy to provide a complete on the market today. Since 1991, the products. That’s why, according to
solution is a key reason that the SMART Board interactive whiteboard Lapides, the company created the
company has been able to effect a has led the way in engaging students SMART Learning Marketplace, a
monumental change in K-12 education. around the world. Combining a touch- world-class collection of more than a
At the core of this philosophy, according sensitive display and digital projector million learning resources that teachers

94 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


3rd anniversary special issue

effectively for them, it drives student


learning outcomes. This is the crux
of our mission. Not only do teachers
immediately become better teachers, but
they also become stronger advocates
for their profession. When a technology
reaches a point where there is a critical
mass of people using the solution, it
becomes part of its appeal. The
use of SMART Technologies in the
classroom has already reached
that point. Not only do teachers benefit
from it, but principals, technology
directors, and superintendents benefit
from it, too, through lower total-cost-of-
ownership and world-class
customer support.’

As Lapides’s comments suggest, the


widespread adoption of the SMART
can bring into their classrooms. This is administrators, SMART employees, and solution is playing a significant
in addition to scores of online resources other experts in the field. ‘The SMART role in assisting school district
available from SMART’s website Exchange fosters real professional administrators and district information
(education.smmarttech.com) at no development that stems from the technology directors to do their jobs
cost. Plus, SMART offers education solution itself,’ says Lapides. ‘We more effectively and efficiently.
solutions to support every component believe that professional development Furthermore, a wide choice of online
of a successful implementation. These is most effective when it is ongoing and and on-site training modules, and
solutions include content and resources, collaborative; it is a crucial part of our 24x7 comprehensive online support
professional development, community overall solution philosophy.’ (smarttech.com/support) as well as
networking, and service and support. phone support make it possible for
It’s precisely this synergy among the school districts to ensure effective
‘SMART has moved from delivering educational community using SMART use of the SMART products in their
technology product solutions to that has brought the company to the classrooms.
delivering an overall, world-class point of creating a paradigm shift in
education solution that provides the education. ‘The fact that there is this Lapides concludes, ‘All of the elements
best user experience for teachers and vast, global group of educators sharing of our solution provide significant
learners. Our solution is the most their best practices with one another benefits that enable those responsible
intuitive, easy-to-use, best integrated, makes our solution a phenomenon for maintaining and supporting the
and most modular line of technology on in education,’ says Lapides. ‘By technologies to do so cost-effectively
the market,’ says Lapides. creating the SMART Exchange, we and with maximum efficiency. We’ve
systematically provide access to a wide designed our solution so that teachers,
To further facilitate the implementation range of teacher-created materials, administrators, and technical support
of the 21st- century classroom, SMART so teachers can learn from, borrow staff can all have a hand in improving
has created an online community, from, and share information with their the educational process and reap the
called the SMART Exchange, which peers.’ Lapides continues, ‘When benefits of the SMART solution in the
consists of teachers, school district teachers find something that works classroom.’ <<

Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 95


Corporate diary | Case Study 3rd anniversary special issue

Bridging Digital Divide Through Content

W
hen dealing with education, of pedagogy. Use of TV can be an expenditure on schools,
across all ages, the basic intelligent interim measure. content not being used; Malaysia has
necessity is to accept that the spent RM600mn [value of one Ringit
child is ahead of us in this digital age. No two scenarios can be the same. The Malay is approx Rs 12] in developing
We need to make an effort to catch up variables that exist are: courseware from Form 1 to Form 5,
with youth, periodically, and give them teachers and students do not use it.
what they need. Parenting and education Infrastructure – The infrastructure
are both very traditional; they both and equipment available are of Educational content needs to be treated
resist change. There is a common pitfall extremes varying on a scale of 0 to like any other content, from the quality
for both: you and I know ‘everything’; 10. This includes the ‘one to many’ perspective. We must take the best
we feel that we know exactly what our approach where the nearest interactive content to our rural children. We all talk
child needs and set about providing for methodology usable is ‘polling’ devices, of bridging the digital divide, hardware
that need, as we perceive it. We take and a one machine for minimum two is not going to bridge it – only content
that perceived need for granted, while hours per child per day scenario. can. Give to the poor the very best.
dealing with children and rural society.
Human Resource – The quality of the Thus when we talk of ICT intervention
In any ICT intervention, the start is teachers and their ability to use an ICT in eLearning we have to synthesis - 1.
by using the intervention to perform intervention, both vary on a scale of Infrastructure; 2. Equipment; 3, 4, 5
an existing function better. But to 0 to 10. Within this single factor is a Teacher related; 6. Students; 7, 8, 9 and
really utilise the full potential of ICT, third variable – evolving pedagogical 10. Content need, quality, purpose and
after a certain stage there is a need practices, which as said are evolving and level; i.e. 10 variables, most of them on
to bring down the existing edifice will remain a flux. a scale of 1 to 10. The person needs to
and restructure. But dismantling and have the flexibility of mind to be capable
restructuring are easier said than done. Target – The students; a factor which of ‘lateral’ and ‘spatial’ thought.
We need to be clear as to the path we affects the teaching methods to be ado-
want to follow, and avoid redesigning pted, also varies on a scale of 0 to 10. There is no one stop solution. We are
the wheel, before we start gradual and dealing with a very complex subject.
incremental implementation; we Content - The requirement and quality In our region we need to devise our
need to be mentally prepared for of content that we need differs from own solutions. We need to transcend
constant midcourse corrections junior school – middle school – high technologies, varying human attitudes,
necessitated by changing paradigms; and school – college – university – post both teacher and child; transcend
not get frustrated by these graduation – adult education – self evolving pedagogical practices; there
constant changes. learning. While knowledge is doubling are over a hundred thousand single room
every three years, necessitating single teacher schools in India, besides
Whatever practices we bring in, must evolution of teaching content; this is not some 1 million teachers are absent on
be the best. Avoid hand me downs. That so till school level where the knowledge any teaching day. These villages get
is the only way to bridge the digital that a child acquires is ‘static’; but there only two hours of electricity every
divide. Hand me downs include second is a need for the child to derive lessons alternate day, and that may not be during
rate practices. The use of a projector to and interpretations from the same. This school hours. The practices need to
teach kids is a classic ‘hand me down’ is one variable that is not so easily transcend the complete spectrum.
example. To take ICT to the child we ‘gradable’.
convert existing classrooms in to dark The model that we introduce should
rooms, and use a home application But the content for school children be dynamic, should be able to evolve
projector which casts a weak image should be suitable for repeated viewing. with pedagogy, the infrastructure
and want to teach with it. Britain has Unless content engages the child to will improve as also the ability of the
done away with projectors! Each further explore or experience, child teachers. Do not cater for only 3 to 4%
child has a machine. It will be a while will not waste time to view again. We of the population. It is a tall order. <<
before we reach that stage, we need to also need to learn from the mistakes of - K J Singh, Director,
think laterally, not violate the basics others – UK 20 billion Sterling total Designmate [I] Pvt Ltd
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 93
Corporate diary | Innovation
Harnessing The Magic of Software

D
reamSpark is a software Microsoft platform resources institutions, government bodies and
giveaway for students – a suite • SQL Server 2008 Developer student organisations across the
that provides access to the • SQL Server 2008 Express country to ensure that all students get
latest Microsoft developer and designer • Windows Server 2008 Standard a chance to benefit from DreamSpark.
tools at no charge. Aligned to Microsoft Edition The DreamSpark initiative in India
Unlimited Potential, the company’s • Virtual PC 2007 is designed to join the dots between
global effort to creating sustained
social and economic opportunity for
everyone, the programme aims to equip
a new generation of technology leaders
with the knowledge and tools they
need to harness the magic of software
to improve lives, solve problems and
catalyze economic growth.

Microsoft DreamSpark is available to


all students whose studies touch on
Technology, Design, Math, Science
and Engineering; as well as technology
hobbyists keen on pursuing a career in
the field. Worldwide, several million
people use the software suite that will
now be available free of charge. An
estimated 10 million students in India
are qualified to avail of the giveaway.

The cutting-edge software that will be


available to empower students includes: Training Resources software access, which means making
• 15.IT Academy Student Pass training and enablement complement
Microsoft developer tools simple access to technology.
• Visual Studio 2005 Express This broad range of professional level
• Visual Studio 2005 Professional software will be available both online DreamSpark will also facilitate student
• Visual Studio 2008 Professional on www.dreamsparkindia.com; and in participation and registrations into
• Visual Basic 2008 Express offline format via DVDs distributed by Microsoft’s annual marquee contest,
• Visual C++ 2008 Express programme partners NIIT, Aptech and Imagine Cup, through some of the
• Visual C# 2008 Express Hughes Net Fusion Centers. A student contest categories like software design,
• Visual Web Developer 2008 merely needs to offer a proof of identity short films and photography. Students
Express at a branch of these institutes to avail from India that qualify for the Imagine
• XNA Game Studio 2.0 of a DreamSpark DVD. There are 125 Cup 2009 World Finals will get to travel
• 12-month free Academic NIIT, 175 Aptech, and 200 Hughes Net to Egypt.
membership in the XNA Creators Fusion Centers participating across the
Club country. Technology is one of the chief
drivers pushing worldwide economic
Microsoft designer tools These programme partners will also development and job creation.
• Expression Studio 2, including provide technology training on the DreamSpark not just gives students
• Expression Web DreamSpark software tools at a exposure to the tools they can expect
• Expression Blend nominal cost; as well as have the option to use in the workplace, it also has the
• Expression Design of soft skills training in languages power to amplify the impact of their
• Expression Media like English and Hindi. Microsoft studies and fire up their imaginations
India is also working with academic about the power of software. <<

96 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Corporate diary | Innovation 3rd anniversary special issue

Bringing Lessons To Life


The New FX –Series StarBoard from the whiteboard and displaying
Board room presentations and websites which the entire room will
classroom goes digital with the launch be able to see.
of Hitachi’s interactive whiteboard 5. Pens: Various pens are available
called the StarBoard. Hitachi StarBoard to the user, such as Normal Pen
technology brings lessons to life and for writing / Intelli Pen suited for presentations engaging.
makes it much more enjoyable for automatically drawing geometrical 11. Hygeine: No chalk dust, no marker
the learner. In addition it delivers real shapes / Highliter Pen which allows smell - this is beneficial from the
benefits in terms of expediting speed the user to highlight with various health and safety angles.
of learning, attaining higher levels of colours.
learning and engaging individuals. 6. Annotation: Hitachi StarBoards The StarBoard BT-2G
allow users to write over the top The StarBoard BT-2G tablet is a light
The StarBoard includes the most ad- of presentations / pictures / spread weight graphics tablet which when
vanced presentation software available sheets / text. It even allows the user connected to a projector and PC, enables
– StarBoard suite of Software. Easy to to write on movies without needing presentations to be displayed on a large
learn and install, it is feature-rich, fully to pause the movie, to highlight and screen and the computer to be controlled
customisable and is designed to help the annotate points. remotely from anywhere in the room.
user become confident with the interac- 7. Using multiple pages: Normal
tive whiteboard within minutes. whiteboards allow users to use A cordless pen is used to annotate
only one page, and if they erase onto the tablet, which communicates
Features the whiteboard, the handwritten wirelessly with an adaptor connected to
1. Durability: The Hitachi StarBoard notes will be gone. But StarBoard computer’s USB port. By moving the
is not the typical fragile interactive allows users to use multiple pages pen across the surface of the tablet, the
whiteboard, as it employs Infra electronically and also move user can control the mouse movements
Red and Ultrasonic technology forward/back as desired. of the PC.
in a clever manner. Its greatest 8. Data storage and transfer:
advantage is that it is made without StarBoard software allows teachers Several tablets can be used in a session
embedding and wires or any such to review and reuse lessons if desired, so that different people can
material in the board itself, giving afterwards as they are stored as interact with the computer. It features 12
it greater durability to a level that in electronic data. Teachers do not function buttons, making it very simple
case the board surface gets damaged need to create fresh lesson plans to operate, and is also RoHS compliant
the board continues to function. every year anymore. Lessons can (restriction of hazardous substances).
2. Conferencing: Hitachi StarBoards also be emailed to those absent.
can be used for remotely StarBoard Software supports PDF, The StarBoard T-17SXLG
conferencing between two HTML, Images (jpg, png) output. The StarBoard T-17SXLG provides
StarBoards, being used in two 9. Customised toolbar: The tool bar the full functionality of an interactive
different cities. With the help of can be customised from a wide whiteboard through a 17 inch LCD dis-
Internet the two StarBoards can be selection of tools to meet your play screen. It is ideal for writing digital
connected to replicate whatever is individual class needs. Upto two notes and annotations directly on top of
done on each of them. You can also users can programme the Starboard content and presentation materials.
record your live sessions (audio- Toolbar buttons as per their need.
visual) to replay later. 10. Multi-media facility: Starboard A pen driven, icon orientated user
3. Remote writing: In case the user can receive inputs from various interface allows the user to move from
wants to use the Starboard from a multimedia devices like camcorders Windows to digital video applications
distance, without approaching the so that colour presentations, to annotating over them. A VGA output
board, he can do so by connecting video clips, movie files or DVDs connector provides an easy method of
through a Hitachi Bluetooth Tablet can be made. They also enable connecting projectors and monitors
such as BT-200. manipulation of text and objects, and enables simultaneous viewing
4. Internet connectivity: Hitachi calculations on screen, and use and annotation by multiple systems
StarBoards offer the feature of of a variety of pens, backgrounds connected either locally or across the
viewing and navigating the internet and effects, making learning and internet. <<
Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 97
Corporate diary | Case Study

Educosoft Offers New Directions for


Teaching and Learning
P
romising to improve the quality the concepts; c) Several sets of 4. For students, it offers Self Learning
of Math and Science education practice tests for each topic; Portal that provides all the learning
through online learning activities, d) Progress and activity reports for activities and assessments for each
www.educosoft.com was launched students; e) Tools to create section and chapter of the respective
in India on April 21, 2008 by Educo and administer online surveys; course. Students register online or
International Inc, an American company and f) Several communication through any of the regional centers
owned by Non-resident Indians. tools like announcements, internal of the company.
and external e-mails, and chat
The launch of the portal was preceded session between the teacher and All the other details of this system
by three years of work on aligning students. including demos, training programmes,
their content with NCERT curriculum 3. The assessment component of this regional seminars, and pricing structure
and other secondary boards in India. portal is also unique in the sense it are explained on www.educosoftnews.
The Educosoft platform offers unique is in free response format where a com . It costs less than Rs.160/pm for
and powerful features to empower student has to do his/her work in 24x7 access to Self Learning Portal
teachers with state-of-the-art content and the notebook and enter the answer for students. Students can have free
comprehensive Learning Management
System (LMS).

The portal is unique because it has


several distinct characteristics; some of
these are listed below.
1. It is online, available 24x7 from
anywhere to teachers, either
for class discussions or for self
professional development, and
to students for self study or to
complete their assignments. For
schools where Internet is not
available or is slow or they do not
want to use, they provide Local
Area Network (LAN) solution.
The LAN content is piped to the
classrooms and learning labs in real on the computer, instead of just access to the Self Learning Portal if
time mode. clicking a choice as in multiple their schools adopt the LAN version of
2. Each topic contains several learning choice questions provided by other the system. With LAN solution school
activities that are interactive and platforms. Teachers can create and gets access to all courses for K 6-12
are presented in Macromedia assign different types of assessment for mathematics and sciences, and free
Flash with dynamic graphics and including online homework, quizzes access for their students from home for
animations. The activities include: or tests, or practice tests. Students the first year. <<
a) Multimedia Electronic Teaching get different but similar assessments
Notes for teachers and Tutorials for that are self graded and recorded. For more information, contact Pushpish
students, embedded with dynamic All assessments after completion Chandra Tel: 011-45553888, Email:
graphics, and pedagogically provide instant feedback, pushpish@educo-int.com or Vinay M R
sound animations; b) Several performance analysis, and step-by- Tel: 080-23463680/77, Email: vinay@
examples on each topic to re-inforce step solutions. educo-int.com

98 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Corporate diary | Innovation
Turning Ordinary Whiteboard Into An
Interactive One
Mimio Interactive + Capture

T
o enable students to be more is digitally recorded
interactive and engaged, - in colour and real time
Plus Business Machines Ltd - in a highly portable
introduces a portable attachment and versatile digital data
for any ordinary white board which format. You can print
converts it into Interactive white board. board notes - in colour
It comes with various options such as with perfect resolution,
Capture kit and Wireless kit to enhance email recorded Ink files,
effectiveness of teaching. Mimio post the board notes as
Interactive + Capture combine the HTML files on websites,
features of Mimio Interactive and the copy or drop any mimio
Mimio Capture kit to provide a complete whiteboard notes into other applications, Plus also offers you one of the essential
Interactive Whiteboard and note capture link directly to NetMeeting or 3rd products Multimedia Projector from
system. party conferencing solutions to share TAXAN to complete the Digital
your whiteboard with remote locations. learning experience. TAXAN offers
When used with a multimedia projector, Now your audience can concentrate DLP Projectors which are light weight
you can use the Mimio Mouse stylus on the information presented knowing and ultra-bright with brightness range
like a cordless mouse to control any that your whiteboard notes are being from 2500 Ansi to 3500 Ansi. Its high
document from computer directly from electronically captured. contrast images make it possible to
the whiteboard. It makes teaching more view the pictures in well-lit rooms.
convenient & interesting as teacher With Mimio Wireless upgrade kit you no TAXAN has also introduced lightest
can control Power Point slides, Word longer need to worry about tripping over LED Projector which offers very high
documents, Excel spreadsheets, browse cables or whether the USB cable is long lamp life of 20000 Hrs. It also runs Divx
educational websites on the Internet, enough to reach your computer. Mimio files directly from pen drive making
navigate interactive instructional Wireless works with your existing it possible to use it for high quality
CDs, annotate, mark-up, and edit Mimio Xi capture device and works movie viewing. You can also display
slides or screens directly at the board. on both Windows and Macintosh. The photographic images through the pen
Perfect for presentations, training or wireless module slides into the bottom drive making it a perfect personal
instructional sessions and front-of-class of your existing Mimio Xi capture projector. <<
teaching. device (replacing the linkUSB module)
and provides a wireless connection from For details, visit www.plus-india.com or
With Expo dry-erase markers inserted the whiteboard to your computer. It has contact: Vinay Khetawat -
into the mimio stylus pens, everything a range of up to 30ft with no line-of- (022) 4007 4000/2686 3151,
that you write or draw on the whiteboard sight requirement. vkhetawat@plus-india.com

100 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Corporate diary | Case Study

yoknowledge.Com

YOKNOWLEDGE.COM, a company
based in Mumbai, has just launched
software solutions for teachers to
introduce collaborative learning in
the classroom using teaching tools
like Worksheets, Snap cards (question
loops), and Flash cards. The company
has also introduced a superb solution
for students to self-test using a robust
desktop software which students can use
for a lifetime for exam-prep and testing.
The products offer features that will
bring a new way of learning both in the
classroom and at home.
 
Problem teachers face
1. Teachers do not have the means
to create their own teaching tools
which can bring collaborative
learning to the classroom – most
teachers have to depend on book
publishers for teaching tools. This
means that a teacher would not be 5. Share their Q&A Banks with other
able to question her class using teachers and students as well YO QUESTIONS LITE comes
questions that may be more relevant pre-loaded with 3000 great General
to what she teaches. Price Knowledge Q&A in multiple choice,
2. Most ICT solutions are rather YO QUESTIONS PRO comes to a on a variety of subjects, covering
inflexible, complex, and expensive. school at a price of just INR 3,500/- per various age groups, and three difficulty
  license. A minimum of just 10 licenses levels. Then, students can keep on
Solution need to be ordered. updating themselves with fresh
Try YO QUESTIONS PRO, a unique content from YOKNOWLEDGE as well
must-have software that helps teachers What does the Student solution as from their teachers. This software,
introduce a fun element, while reducing do? which does not need an Internet
teacher burden. Besides allowing YO QUESTIONS LITE is a student’s connection (except to download fresh
teachers to create and share their own personal ‘electronic Q&A book’. where content) effortlessly creates study-aids
question banks, this robust software will thousands of Q&A can be ‘collected’ like Worksheets, Snap Cards, and
allow teachers to: on a variety of subjects (so with the Flash Cards, thereby making learning
1. Create Worksheets (Multiple Choice same software, students can continue exciting and fun.
or Q&A format) to aggregate Q&A irrespective of the
2. Create Snap Cards (Question Loops grade, board, or career), and be used Price
– a fun way to learn) for practice and self-testing. Research YO QUESTIONS LITE comes to a
3. Create Flash Cards shows that self-testing helps retain school at a price of just INR 300/- per
4. Take interactive Practice and Test information better. Consequently, this license. A minimum of just 500 licenses
sessions would lead to better scores. need to be ordered. <<

102 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


Corporate diary | Case Study 3rd anniversary special issue

Rethinking Education Through Assessment

O
ur education system continues
to be enmeshed in a paradigm
where notes accumulation and
reproduction of information is equated
with learning and mere memorisation.
The system today equips students
with factory like efficiency where in
doing well in the school exam drives
everything. The output, the system
thrives on churning out standardised
children like graded products in a
factory, weak in reasoning and thinking.
But then where is the disconnect in the
system?

There exists a complete disconnect in


what is being taught within the system,
both in the immediate context of the
child and what it may mean to their
foreseeable future. If the future demands
for thinkers, why are we producing tests at their convenience and from any not only to the students but also the
parrots year after year after year? browser without any downloads. The family at large.
The philosophy, purpose, method of application is parameterised in terms of
education itself needs to be re-thought. complexity levels and provides a new Destination NASA – Knowledge
We need a system that teaches students set of questions each time a student Challenge 2008
their value, acts as a platform to enhance attempts to answer. The scalability is 24x7guru.com conceptualised a
learning, facilitates in identifying scientifically designed and is aimed at contest christened Destination NASA
strengths and develops on potential. We drilling down apart from conceptual - Knowledge Challenge 2008 that was
need to harness this efficiency instead comprehension, functional and relative launched by Bollywood actor Aamir
of ignoring or letting inefficiencies clarity amongst students.  Khan in November 2007.
continue.
The portal provides for objective The contest was designed with the
The above has been the ethos behind type questions with instant results on objective to lay emphasis on concept
our online assessment application, feedback of performance every and fundamental based learning amongst
24x7guru.com, were-in the objective time the child takes the test. The students in schools. In addition to
was to complement the efforts of the application maps the progress, creating a competitive environment and
school, teachers and parents to empower duly highlighting the strengths and to make the students better equipped,
students to become conceptually strong. weaknesses in the student. the programme was also conceived
The application fundamentally to reward the teachers who play an
believes that once a student understands From computer to television- 24x7guru. invaluable and pivotal role in molding
the concepts, they are less likely to com is the content partner for Tata the students.
forget, as opposed to merely memorising Sky’s Active Learning platform, where
the text. we extend a sample of our content. ‘Destination NASA’ was a mission
Viewers get 50 new questions & to strengthen conceptual clarity and
24x7guru.com is a web-based intelligent answers each day from science, math, academic understanding amongst
assessment application that enables a general knowledge. This way, 24x7guru students. The objective of the Contest
student to take tests as per the course reaches out to millions of households was to inspire the next Generation of
curriculum, chapter-wise, periodic and and introduce them to new ways of explorers by launching endeavours to
customised.  Students can take these interactive and fun learning that appeals shape their future <<

Digital Learning | Vol 5 Issue 1 January 2009 103


News | World
e-Learning Initiative launched conditions of admission. MPs advised that
by UN the fees also be paid by continuing students
A new UN e-Learning initiative launched because they would benefit from the
on December 6 in Berlin. This will offer infrastructure improvement.
developing countries opportunities to
draw upon a rich array of training and Universities lose billions as
capacity-building resources. At a forum recession builds
meeting organised by the United Nations With the worldwide collapse in financial
Environment Programme (UNEP) during markets, the result has been catastrophic. Rwanda Commended On
Online Educa Berlin, 16 UN agencies agreed Komazawa University, a major private insti- Promotion of ICT Education
to establish UNeLearn – a UN-wide network tution in Tokyo, incurred losses of 15.5 bil- Rwanda has been commended for
on technology-supported learning to share lion yen or almost US$170 million in trading promoting Information Communication
information and expertise, and to collaborate high-risk derivatives. Likewise, Keio Univer- Technology (ICT) education through its
on the sustained deployment of e-learning. sity, the alma mater of numerous Japanese ‘One Laptop per Child’ programme and
The UNeLearn network will provide targeted politicians including former Prime Minister for training teachers in the use of ICT
training and outreach to help UN country Junichiro Koizumi, accumulated 22.5 billion technology. This was highlighted during
teams implement common programmes for yen (US$233 million) in unrealised losses on discussions that were part of the activities
work in over 160 developing countries. investments ranging from hedge funds to of the second Uganda - Rwanda Education
real estate investment trusts. Expo that took place in Kampala last week.
As a first step towards the implementation
of the project, a comprehensive stock- In the US, the University of Texas has
taking exercise is planned to commence, reportedly lost $1 billion so far on its
early in 2009, to identify and integrate investments and endowments in 2008. The
quality-assured training resources from wealthiest universities, among them Harvard
across the UN system. The initiative aims to and Yale, have begun cutting on spending,
maximise the coherence and effectiveness cancelling new building plans and upgrades,
of UN projects at the country-level as parts and putting a halt to hiring new staff.
of efforts to implement the Millennium Rwanda received praise for translating
Development Goals (MDGs). Point Park gets $2 million grant e-content materials into local languages
from Heinz Endowment to benefit the local communities. Speaking
Ugandan Parliament backs Downtown Pittsburgh based Point Park at the closing ceremony of the exhibition,
Makerere University on fees University has received a US$2 million grant Namirembe Bitamazire, the Ugandan Minis-
Ugandan Parliament okayed the decision from the Heinz Endowments to support the ter of Education and Sports, reaffirmed that
architectural design phase of the school’s Rwanda had demonstrated leadership in the
ambitious master space plan. Endowments region concerning ICT education, emphasis-
Chairman Teresa Heinz said that Point Park ing that other regional countries including
University’s campus space plan weaves its Uganda have a lot to learn from her.
presence into the Downtown fabric in a
very exciting way. It expands considerably Higher education spending to
the opportunity for Point Park students to boost German economy
engage their academic programmes in a Germany’s Education and Research
vibrant urban setting. Minister Annette Schavan has come up
of Makerere University to charge library, with proposals to fund measures in higher
ICT and developmental fees. Social The grant will underwrite a comprehensive education and research as a way to help
services committee Chairperson Rosemary design process for construction of the stimulate the country’s flagging economy.
Seninde (Wakiso NRM) said that given Academic Village, Point Park’s US$210 Schavan said that investing around EUR15
the need to finance the library project and million redevelopment project, which calls billion (US$20 billion) in higher education
the maintenance of ICT facilities, the new for new student housing, a public park infrastructure and providing tax incentives
fees were justified. On September 10, the and ground-floor retail. The university also for small and medium-sized business to
Makerere University Concerned Students’ will move the Pittsburgh Playhouse from spend more on research could provide a vital
Association petitioned Parliament to stop the Oakland neighborhood to Downtown boost to business.
the university from hiking fees. Pittsburgh.The grant will also support a
university architect/planner to oversee the Such measures would support local
The committee observed that all first-year Initiative in its entirety and to help construct industry, especially in the building sector,
students’ admission letters contained these an environmental and sustainable overlay and promote modern energy-saving
functional fees and the students agreed for the project. technologies. Procuring new computers and
to pay by consenting to the terms and other equipment would help commerce. <<

104 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in


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Announcement
5th

India's Largest ICT Event

Mark Your Calendar


4-6 August, India Expo Centre,
Greater Noida (Delhi NCR), India
Fifth annual eIndia 2009, the largest event
january 2009 Management Education - Issues & Challenges
29 - 30 January 2009
in India on Information and Communication
Technologies, will be held on 4-6th August at
Durgapur, West Bengal, India India Expo Centre, Greater Noida. This three-
International Congress for School Effectiveness day international conference and exhibition
http://www.conferencealerts.com/seeconf.
and Improvement (ICSEI) 2009 is a unique platform for knowledge sharing
mv?q=ca1x63aa
4 - 7 January 2009 in different domains of ICT for development
Vancouver, BC, Canada and facilitates multi-stakeholder partnerships
College & University Performance Conference and networking among governments, industry,
http://www.icsei2009.org/
2009 academia and civil society organisations of
28 - 30 January 2009
College Teaching and Learning Conference various countries, including India.
Arlington, VA, United States
5 - 8 January 2009
http://asmiweb.com/events/B267.html The objective is to bring together ICT experts,
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States practitioners, business leaders and stakeholders
http://www.cluteinstitute.com/
The Higher Education Summit 2009 of the region onto one platform, through
2 - 3 February 2009 keynote addresses, paper presentations, thematic
International Counseling And Social Work workshops and exhibitions. eINDIA 2009,
London, United Kingdom
Symposium through its four seminal conferences, will focus
http://www.neilstewartassociates.com/jb245/
6 - 7 January 2009 on four emerging application domains of ICT for
Penang, Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia Development: e-Governance, Education, Rural
I Congresso Luso-Brasileiro de Psicologia da Development, and Health services. The four
http://www.usm.my/education/ICSWS/
Saúde (I Luso-Brazilian Congress of Health tracks of eINDIA are:
Psychology) • eGov India
e-CASE 2009 --- International Conference on
5 - 7 February 2009 • Digital Learning India
e-Commerce, e-Administration,
Faro, Algarve, Portugal • eHealth India
e-Society, and e-Education • Indian Telecentre Forum
http://eventos.ualg.pt/cips/
8 January 2009
Singapore Call For Papers
Subjectivity, Creativity and the Institution
http://www.e-case.org/2009/ eINDIA 2009 seeks abstracts/ proposal(s) for
10 - 11 February 2009
speakers who illustrate innovation in using
Perth, Australia
e-Technology 2009 --- International information and communication technologies for
http://subjectivitycreativityandtheinstitution.com/
Conference on e-Technology development, by 15 April 2009.
8 January 2009
Physical Education Conference 2009 Abstract Submission: 15th April 2009
Singapore
13 - 15 February 2009 Notification of Acceptance of Abstract: 15th
http://www.e-case.org/eTech2009/
kuala lumpur, Selangor, Malaysia May 2009
http://www.pec-upm.com/ Full Paper Submission: 30th June 2009
International Conference on Managing Submit your abstracts/proposals at papers@
Creativity and Innovation (ICMCI, 2009) eINDIA.net.in
IADIS International Conference e-Society
9 - 10 January 2009
25 to 28 February 2009
Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India Exhibition
Barcelona, Spain
http://imt.edu/icmci2009/ eINDIA 2009 will also host an exhibition
http://www.esociety-conf.org/
featuring the best in cutting edge technology
6th Conference on e-Learning Applications across India and beyond. The list of exhibitors
The International Society for the Social
10 January 2009 will be made available online and will be updated
Studies Annual Conference regularly in the run up to the event in August.
Cairo Egypt
26 - 27 February 2009
http://www.aucegypt.edu/ResearchatAUC/conferences/
Orlando, FL, United States For more details on the event, log on to
elearning/Pages/default.aspx www.eINDIA.net.in
http://www.theisss.org/

2nd Indian Hospitality Congress -Hospitality


Enlist Your Event Here. Write to info@digitalLEARNING.in
106 January 2009 | www.digitalLearning.in

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