Hyderabad :
Teaching is no more just about textbooks and blackboards, as tablets, smart boards, laptops and other internet-based gadgets are steadily making their way into classrooms. Several schools are now incorporating digital media into their teaching methods in an attempt to stay tech savvy while make learning more interactive and experiential.
The Chirec Public school recently kicked off a pilot project under the city-based IGNITOR platform wherein students of class XIII, IX and X, have been provided with tablets in lieu of the textbook. The prescribed course material is already embedded in the tablet which also gives the added advantage of providing additional links for further reference.
“Gadgets are now the preferred mode of communication and it also saves the children the pain of lugging books to school. The tab also doubles up as an assessment tool as assignments are given on the device,” said Iffat Ibrahim, principal of Chirec Public Schools.
Tech experts estimate that close to one lakh out of India’s 2.6 lakh private schools have invested in some form of teaching technology. India’s market for digital learning systems is currently estimated to be around $500 million a year.
Many city-based tech firms are collaborating with the schools to build customized modules and even devices which are teacher-student friendly. Studio classrooms and the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) are concepts that are fast replacing the standard lecture technique.
Creya Learning, an experiential learning platform initiated in Hyderabad schools, is also implemented in schools in Bangalore. It works primarily on studio-based learning where real life problems are solved using interdisciplinary and hands on approach.
Concepts such as the Laws of Newton or theories in astronomy are explained using props, technology, discussions and debates.
Digitisation is not limited to the elite schools with technology coming to the aid of even government by just enabling student teacher interaction. One of the first schools in the city to have web based classes was the Red Cross Government School.
After classes were getting stalled due to lack of teachers who were unable to travel to the school, a tech firm arranged for internet connection in the school to make web classes available. “We managed to set up a class with basic equipment and internet speed. Teachers can be located anywhere, all they need is a webcam and internet,” said Rama Krishna, chief engineer with PurpleTalk which initiated the idea.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / November 28th, 2013