DigitalLEARNING October 2014

Page 1




ISSN 0973-4139

volume 10 issue 10 october 2014

Bridging the StudentTeacher Gap 67 Social Media Company Profile 16 HCL Learning

Innovation 64

Now, an Innovation to Curb Food Wastage

Vivek Pandey, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur

18 MBD 22 Globarena 24 American Institute of Enrichment

Industry Speak 14

‘Opportunities in Higher Education are Enormous’

Jim Milton, CEO, Campus Management

27 Station-e Info Services Pvt Ltd 28 Words Worth English Language Lab 32 New Alfa Infotech Pvt Ltd 34 TRS Forms And Services Private Limited 36 iterate India Pvt Ltd 38 My Classboard Educational Solutions Private Limited

42 WizIQ 44 Fortune Marketing Private Limited 46 Helen O’ Grady International Leader Speak 62

‘Higher Investment Crucial to Improving Quality’

Prof Farhan Qamar, Secretary General of the Association of Indian Universities

4

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

news 08 School Education 10 Higher Education 12 Campus Calling



Asia’s premier Monthly Magazine on ICT in Education Volume

10

Issue 10

October 2014

Partner publications President: Dr M P Narayanan Editor-in-Chief: Dr Ravi Gupta WEB DEVELOPMENT & IT INFRASTRUCTURE

Advisory Board

Team Lead – Web Development: Ishvinder Singh Prof Asha Kanwar, President, Commonwealth of Learning

Dr Jyrki Pulkkinen, Senior Adviser, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Dr Subhash Chandra Khuntia, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Govt of India

Prof V N Rajasekharan Pillai, Executive Vice President, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment

Executive – IT Infrastructure: Zuber Ahmed Executive – Information Management: Khabirul Islam event team

Prof S S Mantha, Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)

Manager: Nagender Lal Assistant Manager: Vishesh Jaiswal

Prof Parvin Sinclair, Director, National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)

Editorial Team education Sr Editor: K S Narayanan Assistant Editor: Parimal Peeyush Correspondent: Seema Gupta governance Sr Assistant Editor: Nirmal Anshu Ranjan Sr Correspondent: Kartik Sharma, Nayana Singh, Souvik Goswami, Gautam Debroy Research Associate: Sunil Kumar Health Sr Copy Editor: Rajesh Sharma SALES & MARKETING TEAM: digital LEARNING National Sales Manager: Fahimul Haque, Mobile: +91 - 8860651632 Sr Manager – Business Development: Amit Kumar Pundhir, Mobile: +91 - 8860635835 Subscription & Circulation Team Manager Subscriptions: +91-8860635832; subscription@elets.in Design Team Sr Graphic Designer: Om Prakash Thakur, Pramod Gupta Sr Web Designer: Shyam Kishore Editorial & Marketing Correspondence digitalLearning - Elets Technomedia Pvt Ltd, Stellar IT Park Office No: 7A/7B, 5th Floor, Annexe Building, C-25, Sector 62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301, Phone: +91-120-4812600 Fax: +91-120-4812660 Email: info@digitalLearning.in

digitalLEARNING is published by Elets Technomedia Pvt. Ltd. in technical collaboration with the Centre for Science, Development and Media Studies (CSDMS). Owner, Publisher, Printer - Dr Ravi Gupta, Printed at Super Cassettes Inds. Limited, C-85, Sector - 4, Noida, UP and published from 710, Vasto Mahagun Manor, F-30, Sector - 50, Noida, UP Editor: Dr Ravi Gupta © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic and mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without publisher’s permission.

digitallearning.eletsonline.com | egov.eletsonline.com | ehealth.eletsonline.com | ICEconnect.eletsonline.com Write in your reactions to Education news, interviews, features and articles. You can either comment on the individual webpage of a story, or drop us a mail: editorial@elets.in

6

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING


EDITORIAL

Up from Slavery? India is always jubilant and in high spirits in the month of October as it kicks off a season of festivals, fairs, new launches, advertising campaigns and shopping spree for new goodies. But this October is special. India has the Nobel Prize for Peace for the second time in the form of 60-year-old Kailash Satyarthi, a relentless crusader of child rights and his organisation, Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), which has been at the forefront of the drive against child labour in India for years. Kailash shares the honour along with Pakistan-born Malala Yousafzai, the teenager campaigner for education of girls in a global terror hub. The Nobel Peace Prize for Satyarthi will renew global attention on the persisting problem of child labour in India, where millions of them continue to work under cruel and inhuman conditions despite an official ban on employing child workers. It is estimated that 80 million children in India work as child labourers. The prize is a reminder of a situation that India can ill-afford to ignore its child slaves and that we need to bring them into our education system. This issue of digitalLEARNING, being our annual directory edition, has a holistic coverage of the education space in the country. We have endeavoured to cover the impact of social media on school children, technological innovation that aims to curb rampant food wastage, and also private sector companies that are revolutionising education solutions through their new technologies and systems. In November, we head to Kerala for the e-India Summit 2014 (http://eindia.eletsonline. com/2014) set amid the scenic beaches of Kovalam to be inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. The education track in the summit will witness education policy makers from states and the Centre, vice chancellors from eminent institutions and educators from across the country for a three-day conclave where views will be exchanged on ways through which we can have better educational outcomes in our institutions of higher learning. The summit will focus on opportunities, challenges and the way forward to elevate Indian education to a higher orbit with a view to provide quality education for all, improve the general enrollment ratio and make India not only a hub for manufacturing, but also for institutions of global eminence. This edition of digitalLearning also features an interview with Prof Farqan Qamar, Secretary General of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) who brings fresh perspectives to challenges faced by higher education institutions and gives out-of-box solutions. In a few days from now, India will celebrate Diwali-the festival of lights. This time around, while paying obeisance to Lord Rama, let’s not forget to pledge for the ‘Rama Rajya’ where every Indian child gets quality education. With large scale illiteracy and subsequent fallout, ‘Ram Rajya’ will be confined to our myths. Digital India, the ambitious programme announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revolutionise connectivity, governance, education and health, has fired the imagination of the world already. Let billion-plus Indians take a pledge to transform India into a digital nation. Happy reading!

Dr Ravi Gupta Editor-in-Chief Ravi.Gupta@elets.in

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

7


nEWS

School

Education

To read latest news, log on to education.eletsonline.com

Cambridge University to help India plan improve primary education

A

comprehensive plan will be developed jointly by the University of Cambridge and Indian government to improve the standards of primary education in India. The University of Cambridge will help frame programmes that will help in enhancing the quality of faculty, learning modes and assessments. The Cambridge-India

partnership will help create a strong base for Indian education system, as recommended by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Cambridge University is currently engaged in 270 projects with Indian science institutions, plans are on way for collaborations in Humanities and Arts too.

Modi interacts with students on Teacher’s Day Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during an interaction with students on Teacher’s Day, talked about the importance of ideation and living life to the fullest with hard work. The students too flooded Narendra Modi with questions on a variety of subjects, excited about interacting with the Prime Minister. The high points of the interaction came when a child clearly asked Modi how one could become the Prime Minister of a country. The Prime Minister said that sensitivity to serve your nation and its people teamed with hard work and passion can enable any son of this soil to reach the country’s highest chair, and there will be no stopping that person. On a lighter note, he also remarked that he would remain on the post till 2024 and that the student should start preparing for elections thereafter. Modi also told students that most people are unhappy because they dream of ‘becoming’ something and not of ‘doing’

8

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

something. Encouraging students to dream and do something in life, he said, “In the course, when you achieve something, it is a great satisfaction.” One quality that the PM attributed his success to is the fact that he is a taskmaster; the fact that he believes in performance, work, and discipline, not just for others, but for himself before anybody else. The PM said that views and thought process of the new generation lifted his spirits.

Private schools ask for refunds under RTE Representatives of matriculation schools and members from the Tamil Nadu Nursery, Primary and Matriculation Schools Association are protesting against the Right to Education (RTE) norms, saying that state authorities are crushing the private schools. The representatives say that they are yet to receive the reimbursements for fee waiver that they provided for 25 per cent of the students admitted under RTE in the last three years. K R Nandakumar, secretary of Tamil Nadu nursery, primary, matriculation and higher secondary schools association said that all private matriculation schools in the state had implemented the RTE Act norms three years ago while admitting students in LKG and classes 1 to 6. Schools have been vocal against the fee structure fixed by Justice P Singaravelu committee, saying it is not sufficient. They contend that the owner of the school should have full control over the fees and should not be answerable to the government.


digitallearning.eletsonline.com

Private players to improve education in South Delhi government schools

I

NCERT Director quits midway into her tenure

n order to improve the quality of education at the government run schools and raise their standards to that of private English-medium schools in the city, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) is planning to outsource the management of several of its primary schools to non-profit private organisations on the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The development comes in the backdrop of an increasing demand among parents from the low-income parents for quality education. To begin with, 35 of 588 primary schools managed by SDMC, which have extremely low enrolment with less than 40 students attending them, will be handed over to private players on a 15-year contract. No fees will be charged from students and the curriculum will be solely decided by the civic body. The private organisation will hold the responsibility of running and managing the schools, improving the quality of education, and bringing in new teaching and learning methods. For the first year, the private organisation will work without any pay and their work will be assessed by SDMC before continuing contract.

Prof Pravin Sinclair, Director of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), has resigned from the post midway into her 5-year tenure. The move came after the new government alleged her involvement in financial irregularities and a high level inquiry was constituted for the same. The matter relates to a 2012 complaint which the Central Vigilance Commission had forwarded to the HRD ministry. The ministry continued with its enquiry for some time and sought a clarification from the NCERT. Sinclair’s response apparently did not cut much ice with the vigilance section and the issue had been on halt since then in the ministry. NCERT is also in the process of reviewing its school curriculum, also known as the National Curriculum Framework 2005, for which Sinclair is said to have given the go ahead ‘without following due procedure’. Prof Sinclair has been working in the field the Educational Research and Training since 1979 and was appointed as the NCERT Director in January 2012. An M. Sc in Mathematics from IIT-Delhi, Prof Sinclair has worked with various reputed varsities before joining NCERT.

MHRD actively participates in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

T

aking cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani kicked of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan at MHRD by sweeping at a Kendriya Vidyala school in New Delhi. Under the HRD ministry’s ‘Swachh Bharat,

Swachh Vidyalaya’ campaign, schools with the highest green rating would be felicitated with a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh. The campaign is aimed at motivating students and making them realise that hygienic way of living is the best way. The

Universities Grants Commission (UGC), in showing

its support to the campaign, has allowed colleges

and universities to use their general development funds for cleaning their campuses. The higher education institutes have also been asked to introduce subjects related to cleanliness in environment studies.

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

9


nEWS

Higher

Education

To read latest news, log on to education.eletsonline.com

NDA Government scraps Higher Education bill

T

he Union Cabinet has withdrawn a draft legislation that sought to create an overarching regulator for higher education, replacing the University Grant Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the National Council for Teachers Education and the Distance Education Council. The decision to scrap the Higher Education and Research Bill, 2011, was arrived at a meeting of the Union cabinet in New Delhi. The bill was introduced in Parliament in December 2011 by then Human Resource Development (HRD) minister Kapil Sibal and had sought to create a National Commission for Higher Education and Research (NCHER) an independent statutory body in education was to determine, coordinate, maintain and promote standards of higher education and research (university, vocational, technical and professional education), other than agricultural education and medical education.

10

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

HRD Ministry wants common norms for central universities The Human Resource Development Ministry has circulated the draft bill to create common norms for central universities to all the central universities asking them for suggestions within three weeks. According to minutes of the retreat of vice-chancellors chaired by HRD Minister Smriti Irani, the “Single Act for Central Universities” has been circulated to all central universities for inviting their suggestions. The draft bill is based on recommendations of the AM Pathan committee and has been criticised for compromising the autonomy of these universities. Officials said the idea behind a single legislation is to bring in “greater uniformity” in terms of structure and governance, even while retaining the universities’ academic autonomy. To “expedite the process” of appointments and ensure that the selection process is not upheld due to the unavailability of one nominee, the Ministry has decided to propose five names as

Visitor’s nominees for selection committees, as against the one it proposes now. The Ministry has also directed the V-Cs to form a committee to prepare a proposal to convert posts of professor and associate professor to assistant professor. Universities have also been asked to send all MoUs signed by them in the last 20-25 years to the Ministry within one month.

Accept self-attested documents, UGC tells universities The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked universities to abolish the requirement for submitting attested documents and start accepting self-certification of marksheets, birth certificates and other key documents. The move will substantially simplify procedures for students. “It is requested that the process of abolition of affidavits and adoption of selfcertification be complied with at the earliest and compliance report be sent to UGC within a week of the issue of the letter,” the commission said in its communication dated September 26 to vice-chancellors of all universities. The communiqué has also asked varsities to take “urgent necessary steps” to implement the order. The move is in line with the recommendations of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission regarding adoption of self-attestation for “simplifying procedures.” Under this, original documents are required to be produced only at the final stage of admission.


digitallearning.eletsonline.com

1,000 US academics to teach in Indian universities

I

n an attempt to enhance the quality of education, the Modi government has decided to rope in various American academicians to teach in different Indian universities across the nation. Earlier, it was made mandatory for CSIR scientists from CSIR to take classes in schools and colleges. According to the latest plan, there would be around 1000 American academics who would be invited to teach in various centrallyrecognised universities across the nation. The academics who would be mainly from

the field of science and innovations would be visiting the universities at their own convenience. The programme got its nod during the recently concluded meeting of Narendra Modi and Barrack Obama in Washington. The programme is

supposed to establish a Global Initiative of Academic Networks where invitations would be made to American academics to visit India and teach its students so that they can prosper and innovate better. The US academics would be assigned specific Indian Universities where they

India may soon launch MOOCs with American universities India and US are likely to enter into a partnership to launch Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) through an online platform. Titled Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM), the web portal will offer online courses in multiple subjects. An MoU is expected to be signed in November. India wants the video lectures of American universities to be made available for the SWAYAM portal free. Under the agreement, the SWAYAM server will be based in India while US universities will be invited to offer academic programmes on the platform. Sources said the HRD ministry and the National Science Foundation of the US might initiate a programme called Global Initiative of Academic Networks. Under this scheme, faculty from US institutions would spend part of their time teaching in academic and research institutions across India.

would be appointed on a short-term basis to teach and share their experiences with the Indian students. The scheduling of the colleges and universities would be made by the HRD ministry in accordance with the Science and Technology Ministry. Earlier the Science and Technology ministry along with HRD ministry decided to make it mandatory for over 5000 scientists in the country to undertake 12 hours of lecture classes in a year at various public-funded schools and colleges across the nation.

India least expensive destination for university education India has emerged as the least expensive foreign destination for university undergraduates among 15 countries in a global survey conducted by HSBC. The survey titled ‘The Value of Education: Springboard for success’ has found that at $42,093 per annum, Australia is the most expensive destination for education globally, followed by Singapore at $39,229 and USA at $36,564. In India, the average cost, including university fees and the cost of living, of an undergraduate foreign student is $5,642. Of this amount, $581 constitutes university fees. digitalLEARNING / October 2014

11


nEWS

Campus

Calling

To read latest news, log on to education.eletsonline.com

Annamalai University introduces biometric attendance Utilising ICT, Annamalai University is introducing the smart photo identity card and biometric attendance systems in all its departments in a phased manner. The database on all the teaching and non teaching staff will be fed into a centralised server for easy access. The smart photo identity cards of the staff will have an embedded chip containing details such as name, department and service details of staff. The bio-reader installed in every department will be activated by the production of the smart photo identity card and putting the thumb impression on its screen, helping the staff punch the incoming and outgoing timings. This technology will put into place a

strict discipline system and punctuality as far as attendance is concerned. The state government-appointed administrator Shiv Das Meena said the new system had many advantages as under the new system, the attendance details of staff could be obtained.

IITs to create job-givers with new courses In a move that is likely to help create a large number of job-givers in the country, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) will now be teaching entrepreneurship in the classroom. Come 2015 and IITs at Delhi, Kharagpur and Hyderabad will launch minor as well as elective courses on entrepreneurship. The IITs at Madras, Mumbai, Gandhinagar, Kanpur, Patna and Mandi are also working towards including entrepreneurship in their curriculum. IIT-Madras is even raising a startup fund. Ajai Chowdhry, a founder member of HCL, who also teaches at IIT-Hyderabad and is the chairman at IIT-Patna, said, “With a subject like entrepreneurship being taught by actual entrepreneurs, it will help, support and guide young entrepreneurial ventures in the right direction.”

Bihar to develop Vikramshila University After the revival of Nalanda University, Bihar has turned its attention to development of Vikramshila University. This is marked as another seat of Buddhist learning. Announcing this during his visit to Bhagalpur, Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said: “We will try to develop and revive Vikramshila University on the lines of Nalanda University. All possible efforts would be made to revive Vikramshila University like Nalanda University,” he said, adding that a committee of experts will be set up soon to look into it. Vikramshila was among the most important centres of Buddhist learning in ancient India but the remains of Vikramshila University located in Bhagalpur district, about 150 km from Patna, have been neglected for years.

DU has more ad hoc teachers than regular ones It has been found that in most Delhi University colleges, the number of ad hoc teachers is more than permanent teachers. Colleges have not been appointing permanent teachers for a long time, it has been found. UGC rules state that the number of ad hoc teachers cannot be more than 10 per cent of total teacher strength, but most Delhi University colleges have been found to be flouting this rule. Teachers have been found to be teaching in ad hoc capacities for as long as ten years without

12

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

getting a permanent position. This has prompted them to form a forum to put forward their case.

DU, however, says that the delay has been due to changes in the rules for appointment of teachers. The points-based system introduced by UGC in 2010 was opposed by DU as well as other universities and had written to the Ministry of Human Resource Development for reconsideration. Due to this, no appointments were made in the intervening years. With the recommendations being notified, colleges may soon start hiring teachers on a permanent basis now.


digitallearning.eletsonline.com

Companies resume campus hiring for engineers Engineering colleges, including the IITs are reporting an increase in the number of companies visiting during campus hirings and the number of jobs offered. Salary packages offered have also increased by 10 percent to 20 percent, with stock option also bing offered in come cases. Barring the IITs, placements in most engineering colleges have begun, and the results are encouraging, say engineering institutes. At IIT Guwahati, besides marquee recruiters like Google, Microsoft and Oracle, first-timers Walmart and LinkedIn have confirmed their participation in final placements. Around 35 such confirmations have come, even as registrations are still on. Against 120130 recruiters last year, IIT Guwahati is expecting

200 firms this year. “We are getting a good response from companies. Many new companies have also come forward to participate in placements,” said a placement official at IIT Ropar. Compared with six pre-placement offers last year, this institute has already received 10 this time. Fifty companies, including Flipkart, Google, Microsoft, Amazon and

eBay, have confirmed their presence. Microsoft had already made a pre-placement offer and confirmed it would be on the campus to offer internships, said the official. In Mumbai, VJTI has seen Japan’s Rakuten recruiting students. The highest offer made by it has been Rs 40 lakh. Another Japanese firm, IBJ Group, has made offers to three students and

Research among prime drivers at New Castle University

A global survey of universities published has confirmed Newcastle University as being in the top 1 per cent of universities in the world. Newcastle University has been ranked 127th in the QS World University Rankings 2014-15, up from its position of 129 in last year’s survey. The QS league table comes on the back

of Newcastle University’s best ever year in terms of student admissions, research income and student satisfaction. This data also reaffirms Newcastle University’s performance in UK league tables which saw it placed in the Top 20 in The Sunday Times’ most recent survey and Complete University Guide 2015. This year,

given them a pay package of Rs 20 lakh each. Many of the engineering institutes that had placed only around 50-55 per cent of their students last year are hoping to achieve 80-90 per cent placement this year. Some students also opt for higher studies or appear for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering to join public sector companies.

Newcastle University was also rated 6th in the UK for student satisfaction. “It is encouraging to see this rise in our position in the QS global rankings and it is further evidence of our international strengths in research, teaching and working with business, “ said Professor Chris Brink, ViceChancellor, Newcastle University. “In the last academic year we also enjoyed our best year ever in terms of student admissions with our highest levels of research income at over £120m and our student satisfaction rates are the most impressive to date,” he added. The QS ranking methodology examines three core elements of a university’s mission, research, teaching and business engagement. It also measures the University’s reputation among its academic peers and also industry partners.

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

13


industry speak

‘Opportunities in Higher Education are Enormous’

Jim Milton, CEO, Campus Management, was in India last month to assess the potential of the Indian market. Excerpts from an interview with ENN You were appointed as CEO of Campus Management two months back in August this year. Is this your first visit to India? I have been to India with previous companies and it’s been years. I think India has made a lot of progress. I have been to Delhi, Pune, Mumbai and Bangalore in the past. This is the first country I visited after United States. In my first 30 days, I have learnt a lot about the product and the organisation. We have half of our employees in India. A large number of them are based in Bangalore. Other half is in United States. So India is a very important place as a lot of software work gets done here. India is the first international trip from Campus Management. How is the campus management solution different from enterprise resource solution? One part we offer in higher education is called students information system. We only do it for higher education. We are vertically-oriented and focussed on higher education. We have also constituted resource management system. It is fully integrated with SIS. The life cycle of a student in a traditional university is from the point where an institution reaches out to a prospective student, enrolment and ultimately the student becomes an alumni engaged in fund-raising. So we help facilitate that student life cycle offering. We can only do that if we have an equivalent of ERP plus CRM all-purpose built for a higher education market.

14

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

ernment, National Skill Development Corporation as well. What is the business sense you get as you wind up your visit? I am more bullish.

How does Campus Management see opportunities in ambitious ‘Digital India’ programme? Any investment scenario here by the government would only enable and facilitate our mission in providing educational institutions different models of delivery; whether it is on campus or online or a hybrid of the two. We are good at enabling them. Overall opportunities in higher education in India are enormous. There is so much demand in India. By the way, it is a little different in United States. There is actually more supply in US than there is demand. Will that invite more investment from global firms like Campus Management? Yes. We have already made significant investment. We are working with a lot of higher educational institutions, done pilot programmes, engaged with the gov-

Is there a challenge in mindset of educators who administer institutions of higher learning in India to adopt technology to deliver education? Yes. It is an issue everywhere in the world. I think it is a bigger issue in places like United States. If you had institutions which had done things the same way for a very long time as US, UK, it is hard for people to change. Opportunities here are not only in existing institutions but also in new institutions and new models of delivery being formed. We have customers who are developing online methods of learning and the new skilling initiative of the Indian government is another area of opportunity. There may be resistance but by and large institutions are moving forward. What is your presence in higher education in India? We are working with 30 universities in India. Are you looking to expand to state universities? State universities are authorising bodies. If we have to do automation, we need to do it at the college level and then at state level.


Smart Class

Moving towards a digital tomorrow with

Smart Classes A

ugmented reality can repurpose learning and this is exactly what smart classes do, especially in a developing economy with a huge rural urban divide, where technology is the only solution to overcome stumbling blocks such as lack of textbooks and blackboards. India’s education sector has witnessed phenomenal growth, and according to India Brand Equity Foundation, it is expected to nearly double to $95.80 billion by FY15 as demand for education is expected to take a leap. Furthermore, software companies are also aware of the fact that there is need for simple technology that can be comfortably used in rural areas by people who have either not been introduced to technology or are not comfortable with it. Technological tools are a necessity today and students today have more than 20 technology tools to gain information from, so teachers with the same knowledge base are not sufficient to quench their thirst for knowledge. There is requirement for much more

and the need thus is for more technology intervention. The population of India in the 0-24 age bracket is twice the population of US and India still has a long road to travel to match global standards. According to the Indian Education Sector Outlook — the total number of schools in India stands at 1.3 million, and only around 10 per cent of the private schools have tapped the potential of multimedia classroom teaching, whereas in government schools, it has barely made any inroads. According to market research, the current market size for digitised school products in private schools is around US$500 million. This is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20 per cent to breach the US $2 billion mark by 2020. However, the market potential then might get as big as US $4 billion. Apart from this, the current market size for ICT in government schools is US $750 million. This is expected to grow five times by 2020 due to the current low level of penetration in government schools.

This makes India a very promising market for introducing newer technology in classrooms. A recent trend is that schools in tier two and tier three cities are increasingly adopting the latest technology. Moreover, state governments are also giving a boost to the adoption of technology in schools. There has been a significant improvement in student enrolment and attendance, as well as a reduction of student dropouts due to ICT interventions. Yet another study conducted by the Xavier Institute of Management in Bhubaneswar in 2007 revealed that computer-aided education has improved the performance of children in subjects such as English, mathematics and science, which are taught through computers using multimedia-based educational content. Furthermore, with technological innovations gaining ground in the arena of school education, there has also been a growth of education-focused tablet computers in the market and the trend is only picking up.

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

15


COMPANY

profile

Bringing World-Class

Education to India

Anand Sundaresan, Business Head, HCL Learning Ltd Company Name HCL Learning Ltd MD & CEO Harsh Chitale Management Team Anand Sundaresan, K Venkata Ramanan, B Gopala Krishnan Head Office G-8, 9 & 10, Sector 3, Noida – 201301

H

CL Learning is a wholly owned subsidiary of HCL Infosystems Limited. HCL Learning covers the entire spectrum of education and training requirements in K12 schools. Our initiatives are driven by the latest innovations in the Indian education space through introduction of Information Technology. As a constant conscious endeavor, HCL Learning has been working towards taking the world-class-quality education to all the schools and colleges of India. Our Learning solutions are designed to fulfill the requirements of the complete learning ecosystem comprising students, teachers, administration and parents.

Products and Solutions • • • •

K-12 solutions Higher Education solutions Professional skills Training and certification

Business Highlights • Present across 3,500 schools in India and abroad.

16

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

• Conferred with many International and national awards • Recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India • Content certified by Consulting Club of IIM, Indore for making significant impact on teaching-learning process

Top Clients Delhi Public School (Dwarka, Noida, Gurgaon,Indirapuram-Ghaziabad, Haridwar & more); Sainik School (Goalpara); Army Pre-Primary School (Kolkata); Indus Valley World School (Kolkata); Shree Jain Vidyalaya (Howrah); Miles Bronson Residential (Guwahati);

Regional Office(s) Bhopal, Lucknow, Noida, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Ranchi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad EMail: info.hcllearning@hcl.com Website: www.hcllearning.com After-Sales Support: 1860-1802222 / support.learning@hcl.com

Don Bosco School (Liluah & Bandel); Vivekananda Kendriya Vidyalaya, Assam; Modern English School, Guwahati; Udgam School for Children, Ahmedabad; Divine Child school, Surat; Anand Niketan, Ahmedabad; Rahul Group School, Mumbai; Children’s Academy, Mumbai; Jindal School, Mumbai; Victorious Educares School (Pune); Aditya Vidyashram (Pondicherry); SBIOA School (Chennai); Ebenzer Marcus Matriculation (Chennai); The Vellamal International School (Chennai); The Pupil Saveetha ECO School (Chennai); New Baldwin International Residential School; Cambridge School; Christ School and Carmal Convent (Bangalore).

USP • Well-researched content as per CBSE and mapped to ICSE/State Boards • Proven to deliver results • Fabulous features • Content application can be customised as per teachers’ requirement • User-friendly and Extended Support to ensure seamless delivery



Industry Speak

MBD announces launch of NYTRA – first Augmented Reality App in Education

M

BD Group, the largest publishing house in India, announces the launch of the first ever Augmented Reality App called NYTRA for K-12 education in India. This initiative ushers in a digital revolution in the education space that aims to bring an extensive change in the teaching and learning methods, styles and content. NYTRA can be downloaded free of cost on Android devices (version 4 and above) from October 2014 and will be

18

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

available for download on Windows and iOS devices from December 2014. Once the NYTRA app is downloaded, a user needs to open the app and will have to hover the camera on the image marked with NYTRA logo on the textbook, and the image will come live. MBD Group is the first publishing house in India to come up with this kind of digital revolution in the education sector. The Augmented Reality app ‘NYTRA’ is an indigenously developed

app by MBD, which would bring textbooks to life. It is an app which can make the images and illustrations in the book come alive with voice over for better understanding of the concepts. It includes digital content, videos, animations published in books, which would work on android, iOS and windows based mobile devices and would require minimum internet connectivity. Nytra would be available on text books for k-12 segment (CBSE, ICSE and State Boards).


MBD Nyx

Collaborative Learning Solutions



Skill Development

Skill Development Indispensable

for India S kills and knowledge are the driving forces of economic growth and social development for any country. As per projections, India is expected to be home to a skilled workforce of 500 million by 2022. About 12 million people are expected to join the workforce every year and needless to say, this talent pool needs to be adequately skilled. When we talk of skill development, one of the first assumptions we make is that the target age group is ideally between the age group of 5 to 24 years. This becomes very favourable for India which has an unparalleled youth population of the world. The National Skill Dvelopment Council lays down that while in general, skill development refers to the larger objective of ‘equipping an individual with marketable skills’, in recent times, ‘skill development’ has been largely used in the context of technical/vocational training for the manufacturing/industrial or services sector.

Various steps are being taken towards meeting the above objectives, such as, the formulation of the National Skills Development Policy, delivery of Modular Employable Schemes, upgradation of existing institutions through World Bank and Government of India funding, as well as upgradation of training institutes under Public Private Partnership mode and the plan to establish 50,000 Skill Development Centres. Apart from these, several ministries/departments and state governments are engaged in skill development initiatives. However, we need to keep in mind that when we talk of a skilled India, the need for quality infrastructure in place is indispensable. A report by ICRA Management Consulting Services Limited (IMaCS) explains that in addition, there are challenges such as mobilising trainees, developing standardised and scalable content, ensuring the availability of trainers, making available appropriate infrastructure, and coordinat-

ing placement and industry linkages. The challenge pertaining to the need for skilling would be further compounded by the fact that 95 per cent of the employment would be generated in the informal sector (as per the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector - NCEUS). What we need to understand and work towards is that there is a huge demand supply gap. In fact, the National Skill Development Policy has set the ambitions target of training about 15 million persons annually. As

mentioned above, with about 12 million persons expected to join the workforce every year and an existing skill development capacity of about 3.4 million, it is imperative to enhance the skilling and technical education capacity to about 15 million (considering that even sections of the existing workforce would have to be trained). As far as the skill pyramid of India is concerned, we have to target skill development at all levels, higher or lower to become a ‘knowledge economy’.

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

21


COMPANY

profile

About Globarena Technologies V S N Raju, CEO Company Name Globarena Technologies Private Limited Head Office East Block 605-612, 6th Floor, Swarnajayanthi Complex, Ameerpet, Hyderabad – 500038 Regional Office(s) Delhi/NCR, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune, Bhopal, Anand, Jaipur, Kolkata

G

lobarena Technologies is a leading learning and assessment company operating in the higher education space offering wide range solutions to enhance learning and assessment that helps institutions to effectively address their entire skilling needs be it generic or subject specific needs. It is an ISO 9012008 certified and QCI NABET accredited company. Globarena Technologies offers solutions that combine e-Learning and human-led interventions that are delivered using ICT infrastructure. Globarena Technologies are pioneers in providing technology driven solution to Universities and government education departments and is a know brand in providing end-to-end examination solutions including scanning services and on-screen evaluation solution; and are a sought-after company to provide scalable eLearning solutions on general employability skills like language, corporate skills, aptitude and corporate readiness. Globarena Technologies has also developed engineering subject spe-

22

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

cific eLearning solution to empower the faculty and students in the teaching and learning endeavors respectively.

Products and Solutions Globarena E-Mentoring Solutions (GEMS), TekEdge, Digital Labs (English Lab, Career Lab, Aptitude Lab), OnMark (End-to-End Examination Solution), OneX (Online Exam Conduction Solution), Centre of Excellence (COE), Global Employability Test (Entry Level Skill Assessment Tool), 4M (Instructor Led Training).

email sales@globarena.com Website www.globarena.com Year of Inception: 2000 Employees: 430 Leadership Team Dr Giri Tiruvuri, BSVS Ramchander, P Santosh Kumar, Shaik Ilyas

Top Clients Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad (JNTUH), Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada (JNTUK), NASSCOM, Department of Collegiate Education, Government of Karnataka, Prof G Ram Reddy Centre for Distance Education, Osmania University, Anna University, Sri Venkateswara University, Rayalaseema University, Yogi Vemana University, Vikrama Simhapuri University, Walchand College of Engineering.

Achievements • Implemented the Centre of Excellence project for JNTUH and JNTUK • Providing examination solutions with online evaluation of answerscripts for JNTUK • Conducted online assessment for over 1000 students across India • Selected by NASSCOM as Assessment Partner for NAC 2.0 • Designed & developed Faculty Enablement Program for over 4000 faculty for Institute of Electronic Governance Andhra Pradesh • Deployed digital solution on English language, soft skills and aptitude skills in over 250 government Art & Science colleges in Andhra Pradesh (United) and Gujarat



COMPANY

profile

Helping Schools with Innovative

Research-Based Programmes Jay Parekh, CEO Company Name American Institute of Enrichment

Email: info@theaie.org Website: www.theaie.org

Management Team Viral Parekh Jay Parekh Jason Graham

Phone No: (022) 67869180

Target Verticals

Head Office Level 4 -A wing- Dynasty, Andheri Kurla Road, Mumbai – 400069

We are looking forward to unveiling a Science Programme and an ERP solution next year

Number of employees: 9

A

merican Institute of Enrichment, originated in USA in 1997, established a business office in India (Mumbai) in 2009. The AIE provides innovative, research based, and effective programs to help schools enrich student learning with concept based education. Now in India and in collaboration with our exclusive Product Partners, we strive to enhance how schools teach and how students learn in Asia, the Middle East, and other emerging markets. We bring concepts to life and bring a new level of fascination in students as they expand into new areas of learning. Regardless of what board your school follows, (IB, IGCSE, CBSE, ICSE, or any other) our flexible programs with board aligned modules empower schools, parents, and students with a complete understanding of concepts giving them the advantage of a solid foundation.

Products and Solutions We have programmes for Math, Early Reading, Reading Comprehension, Arts, Vocabulary, and Writing. Our programs

24

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

range from grades 1 through 8 and are customized with modules that align to Indian and International Boards including IB, IGCSE, CBSE, and ICSE. AIE also offers a complete range of educational services including consultancy, teacher training and school programs. We have specifically engineered program features to be practically implemented in eastern and emerging markets and their scenarios.

Consultancy Services School Startup and Development; School Improvement and Board Compliance; Curriculum Design and Implementation; Teacher Training & School Evaluations Curricular programmes

School Programmes • • • • •

Mathscore (K-8 Math Online) Writesteps (Writing Program) Meet the Masters (Art) Raz-Kids (Differentiated Reading) Headsprout (Phonics and Reading Comprehension) • Words and their Stories (Vocabulary)

Top Clients D.Y. Patil International School; RBK Global School; RBK International Academy; Garodia International; Bombay Cambridge; MSB Educational Institute; Fountainhead School; Oberoi International School; Ecole Mondiale World School.

USP We believe in implementation. Good programs and services are ineffective without detailed oriented implementation. Our implementation team ensures that the schools experience the results as intended by our recommended solution. We make sure that we empower the schools with honest solutions to experience real results. With regular site visits, extensive teacher training, and a true understanding of the school goals we are able to provide unbeatable implementation to support our client’s business.


Technology Based Learning On-Site Teacher Training Schools all over India

are looking to use technology to enhance learning in classrooms. The AIE can be your partner to implement practical, effective, and easy to use learning systems that have proven results in the Indian classroom environment. Whether your school follows an Indian board or an International one, the AIE has custom tailored solutions in Math, English, and Arts for grades KG. through 8. Our on-site training and continued monitoring and support ensures that your school investment propagates through to measurable student success. That’s our promise.

For More Information: Visit us at www.theaie.org Call us at +912267869180 Email us at info@theaie.org

Unlimited Adaptive / Differentiated Practice

Covers all writing genres

Printable Worksheet Generator

Students develop all 6 writing traits

Board Aligned Modules for IB, CIE, ICSE, CBSE

Video Lessons / Modeled Writing

Detailed Reporting & Customised Assessments

Daily Lesson Plans & Assessment Rubrics

Inspiring Art History & Art Appreciation

Differentiated Readers

Learn techniques of 35 master artists

Adaptive & Engaging Lessons

Easy to implement lesson plans

Ensures Reading Fluency & Comprehension

Develop art skills over a variety of medium

Detailed Progress Reports


LDeader igitalsLpeak abs

Digital Labs: Bridging Language Divide I ndia is on the cusp of launching itself on the global platform. With the potential that India has – both economically and in terms of its demographics – there is a need for the youth of India to be prepared to face the challenges that need to be countered for the nation to command the respect it rightfully deserves. With the advent of globalisation, geogrpahies are not barriers anymore and English, as a medium of choice for communication between diverse nationalities and cultures has now become commonplace. If there is one thing that India lacks at this point is the ability of a large populace to communicate in this language. Add to that the dearth of good English teachers across

26

October2014 August 2014/ /digitalLEARNING digitalLEARNING

the country, and one gets a rather dismal scenario. India already suffers from lack of access to educational facilities and access to formal education is still a distant dream for many. Those who have access and can afford education for their children always tend to send their kids to English medium schools. The less fortunate have to contend with schools not equipped with the ability to impart quality English education. In such a scenario, digital language labs have come as a blessing for many. Companies in this space realize this well and have adopted innovative techniques to make this solution available to the masses through institutions and maximum use of ICT.

Though in its nascent stage, digital language labs have the potential to benefit the millions who have been unable to get a hold over this language and subsequently, to lack of employment opportunities. With the advent of ICT being integrated with education and the pace with which it is catching up, things could soon change. The demand for digital solutions is huge. There is hardly one family in rural and urban India that is not obsessed with the idea of English medium education. Moreover, it can also bring about a much-needed transformation in the domain of language learning and personality development that is crucial to the success of India’s aspirational youth and the country at large.


COMPANY education.eletsonline.com

profile

Embedding Technology to Embed Skills Haresh Tank, CEO Company Name Station-e Info Services Pvt Ltd Head Office “Station-e House�, 2 Jalaram, Near Veraval Merchantile Bank, University Road, Rajkot - 360007, Gujarat Regional Offices Bhavnagar, Tirupathi, Bharuch, Amreli, Junagadh, Mandi,

S

tation-e is a skills development and training company. It has established language labs, skills development centres and digital classrooms across management institutes, engineering colleges, universities and several other educational institutions that have trained tens of thousands of students, professionals and employees of various business organizations. It offers training programs, especially designed to cater to the demand of skills training for the youth of the country. We have embedded technology deep into our training to ensure that learners have a customized and personalized experience of learning. We have evolved a man and machine combination of a rare kind to impart training through next generation educational technology and innovative methodology. Station-e has the distinction of being the leading organization devoted to addressing the diverse requirements of an array of clients ranging from a business house to educational institutions, from Government organizations to the cor-

porate world. It has established several Station-e Skills Development Centres across various states in India that have trained more than 100,000 learners.

Products and Solutions Skills Development Centre for Universities, Engineering and Management Institutes, Vocational Institutes, Schools etc.; Digital Labs; On-Site Training; Digital Classroom for Schools Courses; Communicative English (for students and professionals); Call Centre Training: Conversational Proficiency; Vedic Mathematics; Computer Skills; Leadership training; Goal Setting and other life and soft skills.

Gandhinagar, Papum Pare, Gurgaon, Ludhiana, Rewari, Anantnag, Dahod, Pune, Srinagar, Honavar, Wadhwan, Bhagalpur, Kota eMail: info@station-e.com Website: www.station-e.com Phone No: +91-281-2570201, 2574567

Top Clients Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gujarat; Government Industrial Training Institute, Gujarat; Munshi Manubarwala Charitable Trust, Gujarat; Sister Nivedita Foundation, Gujarat; National Institute of Technology, Arunadha Pradesh; Team Work Associates, AP; University of Kota, Rajasthan; Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Jammu and Kashmir; SDM College, Karnataka; MS Kakade College, Maharashtra; TNB College, Bihar; Swami Ganga Giri Janta Girls College, Punjab; Ahir College, Haryana; Maharaja Lakshaman Sen Memorial College, Himachal Pradesh and West Goalpara College, Assam.

USP Integration of ICT: A computer-based console is provided for

recording the voice and pronunciation patterns of the students which can be accessed by the trainer as well as each learner. The interactive sessions in the lab are an unmistakably effective way to reinforce the theoretical input. This interactive process dramatically speeds up the learning without compromising quality and standards. Entire process of training and learning is so well technology-aided that consistent monitoring becomes an essential feature of the process.

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

27


COMPANY

profile

W

ords Worth products use creative and innovative pedagogies, development tools, training and learning resources for skill building. Be it Language fluency, Grammar or Assessment of Speaking and Listening (ASL), it caters to all. Words Worth is a valuable tool to the K-12 segment in grooming the young as per international (ALTE/ CEFR) standards with an Indian edge. The products have rapidly adapted to curricular requirements of CBSE and other boards to make available Assessments features. The products have found seamless integration with school, college and university curricula along with vocational and higher learning organisations across India. Words Worth enjoys an installation base of over 3,000 labs catering to the English language learning requirements of over 1 million students across India. Words Worth brings the enterprise to fore permitting teachers to assign home assignments for students to practice at home. Work done at home is supervised by the teacher using cloud technology. This ensures maximum practice by students without the school investing in expensive lab equipment. Our strength lies in the product localisation, implementation, training resources, teacher training and continual support. Each year all customers are provided with the latest upgraded product in terms of technology and content. Our latest product - CBSE edition caters to the mandated feature of Assessment of Speaking and Listening. Our products are cross platform and work on Linux as well as Windows.

Business Collaboration • Rajasthan Knowledge Corporation Limited, Government of Rajasthan RS-CEL project • SCOPE project under the aegis of the Government of Gujarat • OEM products for several ICT implementing companies • Various Vocational skill Training companies

28

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

International Grooming with an Indian Edge


education.eletsonline.com

Jasvinder Singh, CEO Company Name Words Worth English Language Lab

Email info@wordsworthelt.com

Number of Employees: 45

Website http://wordsworthelt.com

Head Office 204, Silicon Tower, Nr. Law Garden, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad – 380009, Gujarat

Phone No 079-30451451

Regional Office(s) Ahmedabad, Mumbai & Delhi

Products and Services

Target Vertical

Words Worth’s bouquet of next generation learning products includes: • Words Worth Junior: for Schools • Words Worth Senior: for Colleges • Papyrus: for institutions with limited infrastructure • Words Worth Enterprise: the comprehensive integration of resources for users anywhere (school or home) and at any time • Words Worth actively participates in Government initiatives of mass skill development programmes Words Worth product implementation accompanies On-site installation, On-site training of teachers, Trainer Manuals, Flash Cards, Students’ Course-ware and continual Technical Support though its helpdesk. The products offer a multi-user environment with integrated collaborative functions. Besides the learning elements, the products provide supervisory control and reporting, the subsequent advisory functions make the products unique. Assessment is an added feature for self evaluation. The enterprise offers more flexibility with access anywhere. Words Worth English Language labs are available for Linux as well as Windows Operating Systems and can be deployed on Thin and Zero clients besides regular PC.

Schools, Colleges, Higher learning institutions, Vocational and Government capacity building programmes are our target verticals.

Top Clients • Government of Gujarat through SCOPE project • Govt of Rajasthan through RS-CEL project • Professional institutions • IIT • 350+ Colleges • 3,000+ Schools • Training organisations • NSDC Partner companies

Sales and after-sales support crm@wordsworthelt.com, 079-30451451

Business Highlights and Achievements • Product designed to cater to the English language learning requirements of Indian learners • Partnering implementation projects with two state governments • Installation base of over 3,000 academic sites • Catering to the language enhancement requirements of more than 1 million learners annually • Over 1 million students using the software every year • The Enterprise: collaborative learning with extra practice at home • The only ASL compliant product in India

USP • Uses blended learning methodology combining instructor-led training and computer-based practice • Based on the CEFR • Graded product for progressive learning • Designed as per ASL requirements of CBSE • Uses neutral accent and Indian context • Works on Linux also, thereby lowers cost of ownership • Compliant with Thin and Zero clients besides regular PC • Yearly product upgrades

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

29


4 ASIA’S FIRST MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON e-GOVERNANCE

Power

Packed magazineS

to g e ribrnin c bs ea Su itall ow n dig

The

Asia’s First Monthly Magazine on ICT in Education

asia’s first monthly magazine on The Enterprise of Healthcare

Subscription Order Card Duration Issues Subscription Newsstand Subscription Savings (Year) USD Price INR Price INR 1 12 300 900 900 - 2 24 500 1800 1500 `300 3 36 750 2700 2000 `700 *Please make cheque/dd in favour of Elets Technomedia Pvt. Ltd., payable at New Delhi

I would like to subscribe: egov

digitalLEARNING

eHEALTH

Please fill this form in Capital Letters First Name...................................................................................... Last Name ............................................................................................... Designation/Profession . ................................................................ Organisation ............................................................................................ Mailing Address ............................................................................................................................................................................................... City .............................................................................................. Postal Code .............................................................................................. State . ........................................................................................... Country . .................................................................................................. Telephone...................................................................................... Fax ........................................................................................................... Email ............................................................................................ Website . .................................................................................................. I/We would like to subscribe for

1

2

3

Years

I am enclosing a cheque/DD No. ................................................ Drawn on ............................................................................. (Specify Bank) Dated .................................................................................................... in favour of Elets Technomedia Pvt. Ltd., payable at New Delhi. For `/US $ ............................................................................................................................................................................................ only

Contact: Elets Technomedia Pvt Ltd — Stellar IT Park, Office No: 7A/7B, 5th Floor, Annexe Building, C-25, Sector 62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301, Phone: +91-120-4812600 Fax: +91-120-4812660, Email: subscription@elets.in Subscription Terms & Conditions: Payments for mailed subscriptions are only accepted via cheque or demand draft • Cash payments may be made in person • Please add `50 for outstation cheque • Allow four weeks for processing of your subscription • International subscription is inclusive of postal charges.

you can subscribe online

http://www.eletsonline.com/subscriptions/


Audio Visual

Breaking Barriers in Learning and

Education E

ducational technology aspires to serve certain identified educational goals and the audio-visual materials, comprising interactive whiteboards, data scanning, imaging, software solutions, projectors etc, are a very powerful tool towards taking education forward. India is now the world’s fastest growing market for audio visual equipment, a study by industry association Infocomm has suggested. As a result of spending in various sectors, including education, the audio visual (AV) market in India is expected to show a high compounded annual growth rate of 25 per cent to touch $5.1 billion by 2015. In fact, the importance of audio-visual materials in the teaching and learning processes cannot be over emphasised. Experts claim that till very recently, universities were not keen to spend money on audio visual equipments, but in the last few

years, there has been a rise in the demand of these products, thanks to the increasing awareness in the industry. However, one cannot overrule the fact that AV medium in India is still not as exploited and utilised as other developed parts of the world. The stumbling blocks are many. In a developing country like India, these are the lack of funds, attitude of teachers and school management, inappropriate teacher training programmes, selecting the appropriate Audio Visual aid for classroom etc. AV has a long history in India. It can be traced to the launch of the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) in 1980, and its availability for educational purposes, which led the Ministry of Education to take over the production of educational television programmes for transmission via Doordarshan. With today’s population explosion, technology is the only

means to make education accessible to as many as possible. It may be mentioned that projectors are one of the most commonly used AV tools. In one or two years, the use of projectors will become a common thing. About 50 per cent of projectors sold globally go to classrooms, and in any technically-enabled classroom, 25 per cent of the budget goes in projectors. The huge impact of initiatives of the government like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan on the education industry in various states is leading to the purchases of projectors for government schools. The concept of ‘Learning without burden’ can be realised in totality through the help of AV medium. As the world of education shrinks in size, thanks to science and technological developments, the Indian education scenario/market can turn into a completely new leaf.

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

31


COMPANY

profile

Creating Innovative Learning Environment Amarjit Singh, Managing Director Company Name New Alfa Infotec Pvt Ltd CEO: Kirandeep Kaur General Manager Bilal Saifi Year of Inception: 2008 Number of Employees: 30

N

ew Alfa Infotec is a USAbased company striving to offer solutions that focus on schools, colleges and other educational as well as training institutions. The company is working in close collaboration with renowned manufactures from across the globe with an objective to proffer customised solutions. The company has a strong and reliable network of engineers across India. New Alfa Infotec has a vision to render world class education products that can help students grow. The company craves to create a learning environment that empowers students for the better and bright future; where innovation becomes the norm and students develop skills that help them stay ahead in this highly competitive world.

Products and Solutions • Interactive white board 78 inch, 92 inch and 102 inch ( Ceramic Surface) • Interactive white board 78 inch, 92 Inch and 102 inch (Non ceramic Surface) • Interactive white board pen touch • Kids touch table

32

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

Head Office 205, Saraswati House, 27, Nehru Place, New Delhi 110019 Tel No: 011-41030557 Email: info@alfa-infotec.com Website: www.alfa-infotec.com Customer support Sale: 8130396276 After sales: 8130396282

Target Vertical K-12 Schools, Universities, Colleges and Institutes

Top Clients

• • • • • • •

Visual presenter A 61i Visual presenter A 15i 32 & 42 inch touch screen Interactive panel Interactive wireless pad Response System Projectors etc

• APJ School, Jalandhar • Shemford & Shemrock chain of schools • Rising Star Pre primary Army school • CCAS Jain Senior Secondary school Haryana • Airforce School, Suratgarh • Army School, Punjab • DPS, Jodhpur • Holy Public school, Agra • Vikas Valley School, Dehradun • Navyug S S School, Bahadurgarh • S Chand Group and MBD Group • St Zaviers School

USP • The only Indian company giving ceramic surface, which is scratch proof, fire proof, and bacteria resistant • Normal white board marker pen also works with iTouch Interactive boards • I touch Interactive Boards Come with 3 years onsite warranty to ensure smooth running of classrooms • Free educational content for K-12 classes with our boards



COMPANY

profile

An Integrated Solution Specialist N Subramanian, Managing Director Company Name TRS Forms And Services Private Limited Year of Inception:1998 Leadership Team N Subramanian R Swaminathan Sarang Gangan M Ravichandran V Jayaraman

E

stablished in 1998, TRS Forms and Services Pvt Ltd is a leading (ITES) provider of data capturing & imaging services to business stalwarts across various sectors in India, bringing technology and innovation into managing, processing and enhancing customer competitiveness. Pioneer then and a market leader today, TRS Forms made the first introduction of barcodes for dummy numbering in universities, a method which is now being popularly followed all over India. A step ahead, they also introduced the eSekure Mark as the ultimate security feature for universities. The usual Indian dummy numbering system for subjective exams was transformed with the entry of FireEye scanner, an innovation possible only due to the high-end research and development competence by TRS Forms, which could combine numbering, scanning and data capturing in a single pass. As an integrated solution specialist, TRS uses OMR, OCR and ICR methods in providing globally accepted advanced technology and customised support to Government departments, educational institutions, market research firms, healthcare, banking, insurance sector and manufacturing industries.

12

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

Products and Solutions OMR: Sales and service of OMR scanners. Scanning services using OMR scanners. ICR/OCR software: Represent ABBYY software in India for the ICR / OCR software FireEye: A patent registered product of TRS. Helps in automating post exam dummy numbering for all universities. It helps in fast turnaround of results with high level of accuracy. It is a must for every Indian University eMarquer: It is an online evaluation solution that integrates Scanning (Digitizing), Indexing & Valuation of subjective answer sheets with acute precision. It is available on Intranet or Internet Environment. eSekure: A path-breaking solution that offers dual benefits of creating 100% tamper proof document and offering a real time verification of the same. eSekure

Number of Employees: 150 Head Office 23, Chakrapani Street, West Mambalam, Chennai - 600 033 Phone: 0442372545 EMail: subu@trsforms.com Website: www.trsforms.com Customer support: 044 23725453

stores data in a non-replicable, encrypted security mark that can be verified by users anytime through a web portal. The verification is enabled without any access to database for fetching the data. eXtractpro+: A OMR software helps in extracting OMR data from images. Is a unique product in that category and can really simulate the OMR scanner

Target Vertical Education, Corporate and Government

Top Clients • CBSE • ICAI • ICSI • Institute of Cost Accountant • Common Admission cell, Bangalore • CET, Bangalore • KPSC, Bangalore • KSEEB, Bangalore • Open University, Chennai • Tamil Nadu Law University • Karanataka Law University

Business Highlights and Achievements • Have been consistently involved in Research and Development • All the products or solutions that TRS offers is original and a result of high-end R&D • Have pioneered many technology-based solutions in India • Have registered patent and IP products on hand


ERP

ERP- A One Stop Solution M any business houses in India are still owned by a single entity with the sole motto of profitmaximisation at every level and are run like a personal fiefdom with reckless and inconsequential labour laws. But things have started to change in education sector on account of many factors viz, a growing demand and enormous business opportunities. What drives this is technological solutions that is slowly revolutionising the education ecosystem at primary, secondary and higher levels. An Education ERP system creates a single version of the system because everyone uses the same system. Education ERP improves workflow and the efficiency

35

August 2014 / digitalLEARNING

of an organisation. As India is one of fastest growing economies, both parents are working or living far away from the institution, frequent personal visits to the institution is no easy task. ERP enables them to have a closer look at their ward’s performance. At the institution level, ERP operates at two levels. The first is academic which is aimed at improving the teaching and learning process and helps teachers to share their best with their students using articles, online exams and forums. The second and equally important function of ERP is commercial and begins with reaching out to prospective students, enrollment, revenue collection and fund raising by students as alu-

mini. In all this, workflow processes move more rapidly than with traditional paper methods. Other takeaways for the educational institutions are data duplication, removal of human errors, and automation of routine tasks. The Indian market was estimated at Rs 400 billion in 2011 and is anticipated to achieve at a CAGR of 25 per cent to reach Rs 1000 billion by 2015. In fact, many global firms today want to be in India and be part of the renewed vigour and thrust by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India that aims to connect 1.2 billion plus Indians and delivering quality education in the hinterland and the otherwise inaccessible corners of India.

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

35


COMPANY

profile

Simplifying the Workflow Brijesh Nigam, Director / CEO Company Name iterate India Pvt Ltd Year of Inception: 1986 Number of Employees: 125 Management Team Mukesh Nigam (Head of Operations (Marketing & Administration), Shakti Swaroop Nailwal (General Manager), Anugrah Saxena (General Manager)

i

terate India Private Limited (IIPL) was founded in 1986. Prior to becoming a private limited company, Iterate was functioning as Technocrats Business Data Center since 1982. Iterate started with 4 persons and has now expanded to 125 plus members. Iterate started with IT jobs for state level universities and gradually entered into the automobile, higher education, LIC, nationalised banks, hospitality and manufacturing sectors. Iterate has the exposure on developing software from initial level languages and database like Basic, Dbase and Foxpro level to latest platforms on Oracle Forms, Microsoft Dot Net, C# and Android technologies. Core focus of Iterate has been in developing solutions for education sector which is testified by its products STAM and UniERP.

Products and Services

• ClubM - Club Management System • DMS - Dealer Management System • • • • • • • • • •

(Automotive sector) FA - Financial Accounting Software IFC- Instant Feed Online Card SMS Engine SaSe - Sales and Service System (Heavy and Light industries) Tally Interface Engine VeTrac – Vehicle and Product Track WASI – Warehouse Stock & Inventory HHDC System Real Estate Management Compactor – Consolidation of Sites Data on Central Server Hospital Management

Head Office F-6, Sector- 3, Noida- 201301, Uttar Pradesh, Noida Email: info@iterate.in Website: www.iterate.in Phone No: 0120- 4037700-99 Target Verticals: Education, Automobiles, Hospitality & Real Estate

Top clients Over 2000 installations and the client list includes Chhatrpati Shahu ji Maharaj University, Kanpur; Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University, Lucknow; Lucknow University, Lucknow; CS Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur; Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Faizabad; Institute of Driving and Traffic Research, New Delhi; Chevrolet Sales India Private Limited; Maruti Suzuki India Limited; Unitech Limited, New Delhi.

USP of Iterate Commitment to deliver the right product.

Business highlights and achievements • STAM has been successfully implemented at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University, Lucknow

• STAM – Student Admission & Ex-

• UniERP has been implemented at a state level university.

amination Management System • UniERP - University ERP • CoReM - Customer Relation Management (CRM) System

• Workshop and Dealer Management Software systems implemented at more than 2,000 automobile dealerships and workshops in India and abroad.

36

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

• Ware House Management software developed and implemented at a very large warehouse in Nigeria.


IIPL in Brief • Established in 1982, IIPL has travelled 32 years as a software development company • Specializes in providing customized software and E-commerce solutions

Over 2000 installations till date - Client list includes : • Chatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University and other State Universities • Maruti-Suzuki • General Motors (Chevy)

Our Product Range and Services

Extensive domain expertise as custom IT solutions for • Universities and Institutes • Automotive Sector Organizations • Sales and Service based Organizations • Hotels and Clubs 20 years experience in the automotive industry and higher education sector

IIPL has a varied Product Range and Services comprising of: • STAM – Student Admission & Examination Management System • Unierp - University ERP • CoReM - Customer Relation Management (CRM) System Automobiles • ClubM - Club Management System • DMS - Dealer Management System (Automotive sector) • FA - Financial Accounting Software • IFC- Instant Feed Online Card • SMS Engine • SaSe - Sales and Service System (Heavy and Light industries) • Tally Interface Engine Banking • VeTrac – Vehicle and Product Track • WASI – Warehouse Stock & Inventory HHDC System • Real Estate Management • Compactor – Consolidation of Sites Data on Central Server Construction • Hospital Management

Our support network in India Corporate HQ at Noida - NCR Delhi (India) with representatives at • Ahmedabad • Bangalore • Chennai • Chandigarh • Cochin • Guwahati • Hyderabad • Indore • Jaipur • Kolkata • Lucknow • Mumbai • Pune • Ranchi

Aviation

Public Sector

Hospitals

Education

Real Estate Transportation

Iterate India Private Limited F - 6, Sector – 3, Noida, (U.P.) – 201301, India Ph: +91-120-4037700-99 Email: info@iterateonline.com Website: www.iterate.in


COMPANY

profile

Online Tool to Manage Schools Ajay Sakhamuri, MD & CEO Company Name My Classboard Educational Solutions Private Limited

Head Office 2nd Floor, Cyber view towers, Vittal Rao Nagar, Madhapur, Hyderabad, A.P

Year of Inception: 2009

Regional Offices Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore

Leadership Team Ajay Sakhamuri, Ravindra Chowdary, Dodla Srikanth Number of Employees: 45

EMail: info@myclassbaord.com Website: www.myclassboard.com Customer support: 044 23725453

Mobile: 919248088884

M

y Classboard is an online school management administrative software for schools that automates the entire process of running their institution. It offers an interactive, realtime medium to execute the functions of the institution. Be it a small school, college with thousands of students, university or a group of institutions located in multiple cities, MyClassboard gives you the capability of conveniently managing all operations. It integrates all the processes, departments, and functions of an institution by consolidating information on a central server, making the functioning more organised and streamlined, thus ensuring an increase in efficiency due to enhanced productivity. Leveraging the power of cloud computing, MyClassboard gives institutions access to all the data of their institution at anytime, anyplace. Powerful reporting and analysis features coupled with a communication suite that is inte-

38

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

grated throughout the tool formidably support your everyday functions.

Product Category

Products and Services

Top Clients

MyClassboard’s school management software system is a web-based global application that helps in managing student data in schools, colleges and universities, or for that matter, in any educational institution located in multiple cities. It has found a wide industry acceptance owing to the fact that that it can be used from anywhere and at any time by various systems for multi purposes. School management software services are online admission, data storage, grade book, E-learning, attendance, schedule management, student performance track, accounting and reporting.

• • • • • • • • • •

ERP solution providers

Gowtham Model School Ryan international Schools Sri Gyatri Group of Institutions Calorx Group Silver Oaks Sentia Orchids Oi Play Schools Chennai Public Schools Delhi Public School

Target Verticals Pre-schools, day care schools, CBSE, ICSE, IGCSE and IB schools.

Business Highlights and Achievements • More than 500 clients across India • Over one million users in the educational industry • Complete online solutions providing login ids to every stakeholder of a school • Providing end to end solutions for every kind of school


India’s Fastest-growing and most widely used Online School Management Software

MyClassboard.com Transforming Education with Technology

JUMP START 2014-15 ACADEMIC YEAR with MyClassboard's new promotion!!

Just pay Rs.5000 now and make no additional payments until January 2015 .. Register your school now

Call : 09248088884, 040-65557770 Email : info@myclassboard.com Visit : www.myclassboard.com Benefits and Highlights

MyClassboard provides solutions for 5+ Years of Expertise, 75+ Features and 400+ Reports No Hardware, No Software, No Headaches No capital expenditure incurred by the Institution Future updates and upgrades at no extra cost Become a 'Fully Web Enabled Organization‘ in 2 weeks Provide personalized online login ids to all students, teachers, and parents MyClassboard also available in mobile version Access MyClassboard solutions by paying a small monthly subscription fee MyClassboard can be integrated with Tally and Online payment gateways The system is compatible with biometrics, smart cards, OMR readers and IVRS

School Education

Higher Education

CBSE Schools

Universities

State Board Schools

Professional Colleges

ICSE Schools

Others

IB Schools

Training Institutions

IGCSE Schools

Test Prep Chains

Pre Schools

Junior Colleges

Myclassboard Customer Spotlight

Features and Solutions: Admissions and Registration

Online Question bank Management

Examination and Grade book

SMS Alerts and Communication Manager

Fee Collection Management

Website development and Management

Hostel Management

HR and Payroll Management

Transport and Fleet Management

Budgeting and Accounts Management

Leave and Attendance Management

Inventory and Purchases Management

Learning Management System

Library and Cafeteria Management

CCE Report Card Software for CBSE Schools

Myclassboard Cloud Based School ERP Software has helped us get all our processes online and tie together our 120 schools worldwide –in a way that is very important to us. Ryan Pinto, CEO Ryan International Schools

and more...

More than 800 Schools across India are already using Myclassboard

Move your organization into the cloud with the trusted leader in Cloud Computing and School ERP Software


upcoming EVENTs 2014-15

January 2015, Chennai

December 2014, Lucknow

eè; çns'k

January 2015, Bhopal

February 2015, Chandigarh

rkfeyukMw February 2015, Ranchi

March 2015, Patna

6th Annual

March 2015, Mumbai March 2015, New Delhi

events.eletsonline.com


Audio Visual

Virtual Classrooms — Future of Education

I

t is often said that schooling is about 21st century learners being taught by 20th century teachers with 19th century infrastructure and curriculum. To take the reach of education to a much higher percentage, we have to make use of Information Communication Technology and break our conventional comfort zones for imparting knowledge and learning. Indian Government is planning to set up virtual classrooms and online courses for school education, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley informed during his budget speech for the year 2014-15. Jaitley has proposed an allocation of Rs 100 crore for this initiative. BJP, in its 2014 election manifesto, had said that this initiative would make it convenient for working class people and housewives to improve their knowledge and qualifications. Education has taken a quantum leap with the Internet, breaking classroom barriers and introducing students to a whole range of courses for upgrading themselves, which are also more affordable and accessible. In an IT savvy country like India, virtual classrooms assume a whole new value.

MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) that are, so far free, have generated a new wave in an education environment highly dissatisfied with the state of college education. The move is set to get a further push with India and the US looking to partner in this domain. In 2012, online education enrollment witnessed a 21 per cent growth rate in India compared to a paltry 2 per cent growth rate in higher education. What goes without saying is that the easy access to technological services is the main reason behind this. Another critical factor is that the requirement for trained engineers and technologists is far more than the number of qualified graduates that India’s technical institutions currently produce. It is imperative that institutions like IITs, IISc, NITs and other leading universities in India disseminate teaching/learning content of high quality through all available media like virtual classrooms. It may be mentioned that the previous government had also launched an open repository for school education called Na-

tional Repository of Open Educational Resources (NROER) in August last year. This repository included concept maps, videos, audio clips, talking books, multimedia, learning objects, photographs, diagrams, charts, articles, Wikipages and textbooks for all grades in multiple languages. Students could search or browse through concepts from various subjects from elementary and secondary level education. They could also comment on them and contribute to the repository. A good example of extending training with virtual classrooms can be found at Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), where audio-visual facilities were set up in 400 civic-run schools across the city at a cost of Rs 27 crore last year. A brain child of Uddhav Thackeray, the initiative’s aim was to teach students in a fun-filled manner, which, in turn, would put a check on poor attendance. India needs to take the virtual classrooms to each and every sphere of education to take India to the next level as far as learning, knowledge and skills are concerned.

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

41


COMPANY

profile

A Teacher-Driven Platform for the World Harman Singh, MD & CEO Company Name WizIQ

Website: www.wiziq.com

Year of Inception: 2007

Phone No +1-919-647-4734 (US), +919915701831 (India)

Management Team Harman Singh, Gurjinder Singh Brar, Rahul Singh Head Office authorGEN Technologies Pvt. Ltd, C-133, Second Floor, Phase-8 Industrial area, Mohali, H.P.

F

ounded in 2007, WizIQ is an online education platform that connects educators and learners for live and self-paced courses. It offers comprehensive online teaching system and is the only global education marketplace to offer live instructor-led online courses. WizIQ Virtual Classroom provides all the features needed to simulate face-to-face classroom experience like audio/video chat, whiteboards, screen sharing, tests, and more. WizIQ enables instructors to include a variety of courseware and nearly any file type in their curricula, like Word, PDF, PPT, audio and video files. WizIQ for Organizations empowers organisations to run effective online teaching programs by allowing multiple teacher accounts. Easy plug-ins are available for integrating the WizIQ Virtual Classroom with websites or LMS like Moodle, Sakai, Joomla, and more. Educators can list their courses on WizIQ Learning Marketplace for a minimal service fee or host private instruction for students for free, or by taking advanced

42

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

packages with subscription fee. WizIQ platform is also ideal for corporations and organisations to provide employee training, hold webinars, or host Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). With its multifaceted online education software, 24/7 support, Android and iPad apps, multilingual interface and a wealth of interactive learning tools, WizIQ has revolutionised global online education. WizIQ is being used by 290,000 educators and 3.7 million registered learners in over 100 countries.

Products and solutions • Campus/ School Management Systems • Educational content and curriculum

Target Verticals • Individual Teachers and Trainers • Colleges and Universities • Tutoring Companies • Test-prep Companies

• Education ICT equipments • Classroom infrastructure for schools and universities • Engineering technologies • Open and distance learning providers • Tests and assessments • Online education portal • Skill development

Top clients IITs; ISB Hyderabad; ISM Dhanbad; IIM Indore; SNDT Women’s University; Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University; Amity University; VIT Vellore; Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning; Kansas Correction Centre

Achievements • ‘Best Innovation in Open and Distance Learning’ at World Education Awards 2011 • ‘Best Education Webinar Series’ award at Indian Education Congress 2012 • ‘Best Virtual Classroom Provider’ for 2012 to 2014 at Global e-Learning Awards and World Education Awards • Used by 290,000 educators and 3.7 million registered learners


advertorial

education.eletsonline.com

Breaking Boundaries

of Traditional Classroom

N

ot so long ago, school education was confined within the four walls of a classroom and teaching time was restricted to 6-7 hours. But not anymore. Today, many schools are adopting digital teaching solutions in their curriculum making education more engaging and fun. Here in particular, we will talk about the role of virtual classrooms in redefining the way education is imparted at the school level. Let us start with a particular example of Westmoreland Intermediate Unit #7 (WIUeAcademy), one of the 29 educational agencies in the state of Pennsylvania, that serves seventeen school districts. These schools were looking for a flexible environment where a student could be in a brick-and-mortar school and yet have an option to take advanced online courses offered in other schools. They wanted a platform that allowed real-time interactions between students and teachers, along with advanced content sharing tools and the option to record classes. Their search soon lead them to WizIQ. Tim Hammill, Director of WIUeAcademy says, “With WizIQ Virtual Classroom, we could see the possibilities straight away. We wanted something where teachers could connect with students in real-time

and teach classes just as they would in the traditional classroom. They could even record their classes. All this without teachers or students having to download any software. The quality of the support really helped us in going forward with the implementation and the response from the teachers has been enthusiastic.” Here are a few ideas that can be used by schools in India to integrate virtual classroom technology in their teaching system: Live teacher- student interaction after school hours and during vacations: Virtual classrooms provide a unique opportunity to enable real time teacherstudent interaction even after school hours. Students can get homework help from teachers and even participate in real time doubt-clearing sessions during exams. Also, during summer vacations and situations where schools have to be shut down due to extreme climatic conditions, virtual classrooms provide an excellent means for teachers and students to remain connected and involved in educational activities. Access to teachers from all over the world: Virtual classrooms allow schools to arrange guest lectures by superior faculty available across the globe. This enables students to get more expo-

sure. Even teachers, reluctant to travel or shift to the school location, get a chance to pick up the teaching opportunity that they wouldn’t have done otherwise. Virtual exchange programmes: Virtual classrooms enable schools to conduct web-based exchange programs that are much more affordable and sustainable than their traditional counterpart. These cross-cultural education programs allow students from different parts of the world to interact with each other, gain exposure and increase their understanding and tolerance of other cultures without having to travel anywhere.

How WizIQ makes it possible WizIQ Virtual Classroom is the best online software for conducting highly engaging live online classes from anywhere, anytime. Teachers can easily use the platform to explore ideas or share curriculum with students. The classroom is equipped with: 8 Interactive whiteboards to write or draw anything 8 6-way video and unlimited audio channels for real-time audiovisual communication 8 Breakout rooms and screen sharing to enable peer collaboration and synchronous learning 8 Intuitive feedback methods for students 8 Content library to store and share files of almost any format. 8 Online tests to assess understanding of students 8 Video streaming for teachers to share videos with students 8 Multi-lingual interface supporting 19 different languages WizIQ is being used by over 290,000 educators and 3.7 million learners in more than 100 countries across the world. The platform hosts more than 4500 live classes daily and has already served over 1 billion minutes of live online learning. In case you have any query or interest to adopt WizIQ in your teaching, you can reach out to Kalyan Sarkar, Director, Academic Liaisons, WizIQ.com at kalyan@ wiziq.com.

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

43


COMPANY

profile

Protecting Schools Through Technology Manoj Gupta, MD & CEO Company Name Fortune Marketing Private Limited Year of Inception: 1994

F

ortune Marketing Private Limited is a Rs 600 crore distribution company and distributes brands like Seagate, Norton, Symantec, PNY, HP flash drive, Zoook, Tenda, Creative, Enter, Secureye in Surveillance etc nationally. It has a pan-India presence, having 20 branch offices all cover India. All of them have service centers in order to provide the local support.

Products and Solutions Computer Peripherals, Multimedia, Networking, Surveillance Products, Software & Application Development.

Top Clients Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, Acer, HP, HCL, Seagate, Max Life, Norton, Symantec, Raidstore

Target Verticals Education, Hospitality, Hospitals, Life Insurance, B2B & others

44

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

Regional Office(s) Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Indore, Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Bhubaneswar

Management Team: Akhilesh Gupta, Manish Agarwal & Ashok Gulati

Number of Employees: 390

Head Office 201-202, Gedore House - 51-52, Nehru Place, Delhi – 110019

Website: www.fortune-it.com

Achievements Distributor of more than 500 products for security surveillance and IT requirements. Absolute supremacy in IP CCTV, Biometric, Access Control, Computer Hardware and Peripherals, Data Storage Solutions, Networking, Mobile Accessories, Audio and Multimedia products and Software products. Awarded Rookie Of The Year award be Seagate Technologies in recognition of its trading accomplishments since its

Email: sales@fortune-it.com

Phone No: 01130890050

inception. Grew by 165 per cent in the 2009-13 period. Distributes products among a massive nationwide network of Re-sellers, System Integrators, LFRs and OEMs with clear business-relations and simple trade ethics. Established itself as a trusted supplier and Value-added Distributor of electronic ssecurity and computer hardware products.

USP With an experience of more than two decades in the industry, the company has a very strong channel of distributor and dealers all across India. Every branch of the company is adequately primed and arranged to execute total sale and post-sale support. A regular availability of different products coupled with swift operations and logistics and proficient back-end workforce are embedded in every centre’s workroutine. Engineers and technicians are always keen to tackle and correct defects in products to provide customers and channel-partners with the brand-aligned quality of service. Fortune Marketing Private Limited greatly values its reputation as a distribution company of higher echelons with keeping products of immaculate quality in its channel, having cross-functional collaboration.


COMPANY

profile

Developing Personalities Through Drama Arpita Seksaria, CEO

Head Office 710, Palmspring, New Link Road, Malad West, Mumbai – 400064

Company Name Helen O’Grady International

Regional Offices Delhi, Indore, Kolkata, Indore, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Surat, Lucknow, Raipur

Year of Inception: 2002

H

elen O’Grady International started out at the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy in 1979 in Perth, Australia. It was founded by Australian actor Helen O’Grady, who had developed a unique personality and communications skill programme that involved the use of speech and drama techniques to overcome the lack of soft skills training in schools. This programme has been acknowledged for its merit, and now is taught in more than 32 countries and benefits a hundred thousand students. The programme was introduced in India by Harish Seksaria, promoter and Director of Govind Knowledge Ventures Private Limited in 2003 in the form of a franchise. It is currently available in 40 cities across India and will be launched in another 100 cities in the next three years. Govind Knowledge Ventures’ today has nearly fifty franchises of its own within India. It’s educationists and entrepreneurs conduct workshops to highlight the efficacy of Helen O’Grady’s personality and communications skill

46

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

Leadership Team Harsh Seksaria, Nandkumar Seksaria and Tarun Seksaria Number of Employees: 20

Website: www.helenogrady.co.in

Phone: (022) 40227481- 84

Customer support: 044 23725453

programmes in various schools and private studios across the country.

Products and Solutions A specially designed curriculum for personality and communication development for students of all age groups, school teachers, parents and corporates. The programme is divided into three parts or terms. It seeks to empower the students by developing their communication skills, self-confidence, self-esteem, positive outlook and social skills. Students are encouraged to take part

eMail: admin@helenogrady.co.in

in public speaking, creative movement, dance, drama, structured improvisation, dialogue development and miniscripts. The programme also encourages them to contribute original ideas to existing plays. The teacher controls and modulates the students’ contributions, teaching them how to incorporate the suggestions. In the third and final term, the students are able to produce fully scripted productions of their own.

Target Vertical Pre-schools, Schools and other educational institutions

Achievements • Our programme is being delivered in more than 40 cities benefiting over 30,000 students from over 500 schools • Awarded as the best after-school progamme in Indian Education Congress and Awards 2014

USP • Unique methodology of speech and drama techniques • Original and international curriculum • Innovative training techniques for non-theatre background teachers


710, Palm Spring, Link Road, Malad (W), Mumbai - 400 064 Tel : 022 - 4022 7481 / 7482 / 7483 / 7484 Email : admin@helenogrady.co.in www.helenogrady.co.in


company LISTING

Company Listing Adobe Address: Salarpuria Infinity #5, Bannerghatta road, Bangalore Phone: 080-4193-9500 Website: www.adobeindia.com

Aurus Network Address: 1307, 1st Floor, Jeevan Bima Nagar Main Rd, HAL 3rd Stage, Kodihalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560075 Website: www.aurusnet.com

Advanced Secure Technologies Address: 13 Evershine Mall, Mindspace, Link Road, Malad (West), Mumbai - 400 064 Phone: +91-22-402-31367 Website: www.advancedsecure.co.uk

Autodesk India Pvt. Ltd Address: 306, The Capital, Plot C 70, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (E), Mumbai - 400051, India Phone: 022 61539393 Fax: +91 22 6695 2211 Website: www.autodesk.in

Agile Learning Address: 209 Prajay Corporate House, Begumpet, Hyderabad Phone: +91-22-6643-8000 Email: ravi.putta@agilelearning.com Website: www.agilelearning.com

Azimuth Address: No: 48/1, 30 Feet Road, Azeez Nagar, Reddiarpalayam, Pondicherry, India 605010 Phone: (91) 413 2200954, Website: www.azisoft.com

Agreeya Mobility Address: 401-402, 4th Floor Amar Apex, Banner Road Pune - 411 045, India Website: www.agreeyamobility.net

Barrier Break Address: Office No. 102, Highway Commercial Complex, IB Patel Road, Opposite Laghu Udyog Industrial Estate, Goregaon (E), Mumbai-400063 Phone: +91 (22) 2686 0485-87 Email: info@barrierbreak.com Website: barrierbreak.com

ALMOE Address: #16, Radhaswamy Complex, First Floor, Hebbal Kempapura Bangalore 560 024 Phone: 080 40970943/42 Website: www.almoe.co.in American Institute of Enrichment Address: Level 4 Dynasty, A-Wing, Andheri-Kurla Road, Mumbai - 400069 Phone: 022-67869180 Email: info@theaie.org Website: www.theaie.org Armstrong Address: Boomerang, A-Wing, Unit No.304, 3rd Floor, Chandivali Farm Road, (Near Chandivali Studio), Andheri (East), Mumbai 400072 Phone: +91 22-30480800 Email: helpdeskindia@armstrong.com Website: www.armstrong.co.in

48

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

BenQ India Pvt. Ltd. Address: 3rd Floor, 9B Building, DLF Cyber City, DLF Phase 3, Gurgaon 122002, Haryana. Phone: 0124 4501400 Email: Sales.EnquiryIn@BenQ.com Website: www.benq.com

CarveNiche Technologies Private Limited Address: 740, 7th Cross, 12th Main, BTM 2nd Stage, Bangalore – 560076 Phone: 080-41128730 Email: info@carveniche.com Website: www.carveniche.com Casio India Co. Private Limited Address: 210, 1st Floor, Okhla Industrial Estate, Phase-III, New Delhi-110020 Phone: 011-66999200 Fax: 011-41054330 Email: corporateenquiry@ casioindiacompany.com Website: www.casio-intl.com Code And Pixels Interactive Technologies Private Limited Address: 266, South End Park, L.B Nagar, Hyderabad, India, 5000065 040 6515 7706 Email: sales@codeandpixels.net Website:www.codeandpixels.net/ Creya Learning Address: 258/A, M.L.A. Colony, Road No 12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500034 Phone: +91-40-64648630 Email: info@creyalearning.com Website: www.creyalearning.com

BrainSTARS Services Pvt. Ltd. Address: T1-3rd Floor, BASCO Complex, Gandhi Bazaar Circle, Basavanagudi, Bangalore - 560004, Karnataka, India Phone: +91-8026622558 Email: info@brainstars.in Website: www.brainstarsindia.com

Curriculum Company Address: 1-A, 3rd Floor, D-21 Corporate Park, Near Dwarka Sector-8 Metro Station, Sector-21, Dwarka – 110075, New Delhi Phone: +91-011-65157783 Email: customersupport@ curriculumcompany.com Website: www.curriculumcompany.com

Cambridge University Press India Private Limited Address: House 4381/4, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi - 110002, India Phone : 011-43543500 Website :www.cambridgeindia.org

Cyberfort Technologies Address: 8th Floor, AMR, Tower II Manthan, Plot No. 9, Tech Zone, Expressway, Greater Noida, UP Email: amit.78.kumar@gmail.com Website: www.cyberfort.org


education.eletsonline.com

Cybernetyx Interaktiv Plot C-98, Sector-65, Noida-201301 Phone: 0120-4359466, Email: sales@cybernetyx.com Website: www.cybernetyx.com Delta Address: Plot No. 43 Sector 35, HSIIDC Gurgaon, PIN 122001, Haryana, India Phone: 0124 416 9040 Website: www.deltaelectronicsindia.com Designmate (I) Pvt Ltd Address: Horizon, Swati Society Road, Near Darpan Circle, Ahmedabad-380 014. Gujarat India Phone: +91-079-39836000, 32919601 Fax: +91-79-40049601 Email : info@designmate.com Website: www.designmate.com Digisys Technologies Private Limited Address: 62, Kalyan Bhuvan, Near Rupam Cinema, Relief Road, Ahmedabad - 380 001, Gujarat, India. Phone: + 91-79 26730701 Email: digisysworld@gmail.com Website: www.digisysworld.com Dragonfly Education Pvt. Ltd Address: B1, Sector-60, Noida 201301, U.P, Phone: +91-120-4784999 Fax: +91-120-4784919 Email: sales@dragonflyeducation.com Website: www.dragonflyeducation.com

Educo International India Pvt Ltd Address: 116 Suneja Tower - 1 District Center, Janakpuri, New Delhi, India-110058 Phone: 011-4555-3888 Email: educosoftsupport_in@educo-int.com Website: www.educosoft.com Edutech India Pvt. Ltd. Address: Crystal Lawn, No 20 Haddows Road, Chennai - 600 006, Phone: +91-44-2833-0999 Website: www.edutech.com Edutor Technologies India Pvt Ltd Address: 8-2-293/82/564-A-26-III Sri Incubation Centre 3rd Floor Road No.92, Opposite Lotus Pond, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad - 500 033 Phone: 040-6450-2055 Email: info@edutor.in Website: edutor.co.in Elite Screens India Pvt. Ltd. Address: 5A, Sowdambika Nagar, Opp Police Station, Coimbatore, Thudiyalur-641009 Phone: 91-7305640567 Website: www.elitescreens.com Emerge Learning Services (P) Ltd Address: 60, Luz Church Road | Opp. Nageswara Rao Park, Mylapore | Chennai-600 004, Tamilnadu, India. Phone: 91 44 24660234/36/38

Ecole Solutions Pvt Ltd Address: 303-304, Level 3, Brigade Busines Suites, 2nd Block, Jaya Nagar East,, Jayanagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka- 560011 Phone: 080-2657-1555 Website: www.ecoleglobal.com

Encyclopedia Britanica Address: A-41, Mohan Co-operative Industrial Estate, Mathura Road, New Delhi –110 044, India Phone: 91-11-4715-4100 Fax: 91-11-4715-4116 Email: bcd@ebindia.com Website: corporate.britannica.com

eDreams Edusoft Address: #270, 2nd floor, Sancia House, 14th Cross,, 1st Main Rd, Domlur I Stage, Domlur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560071 Phone: 080-4099-8150 Website: www.edreamssoftware.com

Epson Address: 12th Floor, The Millenia, Tower A, No. 1, Murphy Road, Ulsoor, Bangalore - 560008 Phone: 080-3051-5000 Email: sales@eid.epson.co.in Website: www.epson.co.in

Esquvi Technologies Pvt Ltd Address: 5th Floor SB Tower, Sector-16A, Noida Phone: 0120-4158842 Email: helpdesk@esquvi.com Website: www.esquvi.com Everonn Education Limited Address: 96-99, Perungudi Industrial Estate, Perungudi, Chennai - 600 096 Tamilnadu, India Phone No: +91- 44-6699-8400 Email: careers@everonn.com Website: www.everonn.com ExcelSoft Address: 1-B, Hootagalli Industrial Area Mysore - 570 018 Phone: +91-821-4282000 Website: www.excelindia.com Extramarks Address: D-180, D Block, Sector 63, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301 Phone: 0120-417-5300 Website: www.extramarks.com EZ Vidya Pvt. Ltd. Address: #66 Kamdar Nagar, Mahalingapuram, Chennai - 600 034 Tamilnadu, India Phone: 044-28174992 / 28170345 Email:ez@ezvidya.com Website: www.ezvidya.com Foradian Technologies Pvt Ltd Address: J K Landmark, 27th Main Rd, Sector 1, HSR Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka-560102 Phone: 078290-01801 Email: info@foradian.com Website: www.foradian.com Fracton Technologies Address: 0th Floor, Tower 9B, DLF Cybercity Ph-3, Gurgaon-122002, India Phone: +91-124-465-5400 Website: www.fracton.com Globarena Technologies Pvt Ltd Address: East Block 605-612, 6th Floor, Swarnajayanthi

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

49


company LISTING

Complex, Ameerpet, Hyderabad – 500038 Phone: 040-23750190 Email: sales@globarena.com Website: www.globarena.com Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. Address : Godrej Bhawan, 2nd Floor, Sher Shah Suri Marg, Okhla New Delhi-110065, India Phone : 91-11-66507305 Fax : 91-11-66507056 Website: www.godrej.com Guruji World Technologies Pvt Ltd Address: GurujiWorld House, Survey No. 150/7, Prathamesh Park, Baner – Balewadi Link Rd., Baner, Pune-45, Maharashtra, India Phone: +91-20-67263000 Email: info@gurujiworld.com Website: www.gurujiworld.com Hayagriva Software P Ltd Address: Solitair, 1st Floor, Above Bank Of India, S V Road, Santacruze West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400054 Phone: 022 2605 7255 Website: www.hayagriva.in HCL Learning Ltd Address: G – 8 & 9, Sector -3, NOIDA – 201301 Ph: +91 9250003050/51 Email: info.hcllearning@hcl.com www.hcllearning.com Hicommands Tech India Limited Address: 184/2, NSK SALAI, Vadapalani, Chennai - 600 026 Phone: +914442048072 Email: trs@hicommandsmail.com Website: www.hicommands.com Hitachi India Pvt Ltd Address: Unit 305-306 (3rd Floor), DLF Tower-A, Jasola District Centre, New Delhi-110025 Phone: 011-45551 5500 Email: sales@hitachi.co.in Website: www.hitachiconsumer.com/in

50

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

HP Address: Building No:-02, DLF Cybergreen, 1st to 5th floors, Towers D & E, Dlf Cyber City, Phase Iii, Gurgaon – 122 022, Haryana. India. Phone: +91-1243886000 Website: www8.hp.com IL&FS Education & Technology Services Ltd. Address: 1st, 2nd & 3rd Floor, NTBCL Building, Toll Plaza, DND Flyway, Noida 201 301, UP Phone: (0120) 245 9200 Fax: 0120-251-2823 Email : info@ilfsindia.com Website: www.ilfsets.com Intense Technology Address: A1, Vikrampuri, Secunderabad - 500 009, Telangana Phone: +91-40-44558585 / 27849019 Email: internationalsales@in10stech.com Website: www.in10stech.com iPowerFour Technologies Pvt Ltd Address: 3-5-900/1, 4th Floor, NW Block, Aparajitha Arcade Himayat Nagar, Hyderabad-500029 Phone: +91 9849014496 Email: nagarajans@ipowerfour.com Website: www.ipowerfour.com i-POINT Consulting Services Pvt Ltd Address: 3rd Floor, PunjaBuildings, M G road, Mangalore 575003 Phone: 0824-4259758 Email: contact@i-point.co.in Website: www.i-point.co.in iProf Learning Solution Pvt. Ltd Address: A-1 Windsor IT Park, 11th Floor, Tower-B, Sector-125, Noida - 201301 Phone: +91-120-6760-100 Email: info@iprofindia.com Website: www.iprofindia.com Iterate Address: F - 6, Sector - 3, Noida - 201301, U.P., India

Phone: 0120- 403-7700 info@iterateonline.com Website: www.iterateonline.com JIL IT Address: 64/4, Site-4 Sahibabad, Industrial Area, Ghaziabad. Uttar Pradesh - 201010 Phone: +91-120-4606000 Fax No.: +91-120-4606099 Email: jilit@jalindia.co.in Website: www.jilit.co.in Juniper Networks India Pvt. Ltd. Address: Plot # 503-504, 5th Floor Copia Corporate Suites, Plot no-9, Jasola Vihar, New Delhi, India Phone: +91-11-3092-2900 Website: www.juniper.net Kaspersky Office No 801 & 808, 8th Floor Platinum Techno Park Plot No 17 & 18, Sector 30A Vashi, Navi Mumbai India, 400705 Phone: +91-22-61992525 Email: india-info@kaspersky.com Website: www.kaspersky.co.in Knowledge Horizon Address: B-135, Shopper’s Orbit, S. No. 44/A/1, Vishrantwadi, Alandi Raod, Pune-411015, Maharashtra, India Phone: +91-20-30628500 Email: india@knowledgehorizon.com Website: www.knowledgehorizon.com Kodak India Private Limited Address: 3rd Floor, Kalpataru Synergy, Opposite Grand Hyatt, Off W. E Highway, Santacruz East, Mumbai - 400055 Phone: 022-6641-6300 Website: www.kodak.com LFX Technologies Pvt. Ltd(Learning Mantra) Address: 131, Kamal Vihar, Sector-7, Plot-5, Dwaraka, New Delhi - 110075 Contact: +91-9910170064


education.eletsonline.com

Email: contactLM@learningmantraa.com www.learningmantraa.com

Phone: 011-4150-9995 Website: www.mbdalchemie.com

LibSys Ltd Address: 631-633, Phase-V, Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon-122 016, (Haryana) India Phone : 0124-4894100 Fax: 0124-4894199 Email: support@libsys.co.in Website: www.libsys.co.in

McGraw Hill Education (India) Pvt. Ltd Address: B-4, Sector - 63, Noida, UP - 201301 Phone: +91 120 4383501 Fax: +91 120 4383401-403 Email: satyendra.prasad@mheducation.com Website: www.mheducation.co.in

Linkstreet Address: Nanja Reddy Colony, Jeevanbheemanagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560075 Phone: 080-4219-4800 Website: www.google.co.in Liqvid eLearning Services Pvt Ltd Address: F - 3, Sector 8, Noida 201301 Phone: 0120-430-9000, 9910000630 Website: www.englishedge.in MacMillan Address: Corporate Office. Gurgaon. 3A, 5th Floor, DLF Corporate Park, Phase 3, MG Road, Gurgaon - 122002 (0124) 3079600 Email: corporate@macmillan.co.in Website: www.macmillaneducation.in Magic Software Address : 9th Floor, Tower C, Tech Boulevard, Plot 6, Sector 127, Noida- 201301, India Phone: 91-120-3054300 Fax: 91-120-3054599 Website: www.magicsw.com Marksman Technologies Pvt. Ltd Address: A - 60 , First FloorSector - 58, Noida, Delhi - NCR 201301 India Phone: +91-120-4287898 , 2490067 Email: info@marksmantech.com Website: www.marksmantech.com MBD Alchemie Address: Gulab Bhavan, 6, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi-110002

MeritTrac Services Pvt Ltd Address: G K Arcade, T Mariappa Road, 1st Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore – 560011 Phone: 804013020 Email: info@merittrac.com Website: www.merittrac.com Mexus Education Private Limited 601-612, Midas, Sahar Plaza, MV Road, Andheri (East), Mumbai-400 059 Email: help.desk@mexuseducation.com Website: mexuseducation.com; ikenstore.com Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt Ltd Address: 9th Floor, Tower A, DLF Cyber Greens, Cyber City, DLF Cyber City, DLF City II, Sector 24, Gurgaon, Haryana-122002 Phone: 0124-415 8000 Website: microsoft.com MKCL Address: ICC Trade Tower, ‘A’ Wing, 5th Floor, Senapati Bapat Road, Shivajinagar, Pune 411 016, Maharashtra, India Phone: +91-20-4011-4500 / 4501 Fax: +91-20-2563-0302 Email: mkcl(@)mkcl.org Website: www.mkcl.org/en Motorola Address: Motorola Excellence, 415/2, Mehrauli Gurgaon Road, Near Maharana Pratap Chwok, Sector 14, Gurgaon, Haryana Phone: 0124-419-2000 Website: www.motorolasolutions.com

Multivirt India Private Limited Address: 101 A , Ashram Chowk , 2nd floor, New Delhi -110014, India Phone: +91-11-26340035 Email: marketing@multivirt.com Website: multivirt.com Myclassboard Address: Cyber view Towers, 5th Floor, Vittal Rao Nagar Rd, Vittal Rao Nagar, Madhapur, Hyderabad, Telangana-500081 Phone: 040-6555-7770 Website: www.myclassboard.com Navneet Education Limited Address: Navneet Bhavan, Bhavani Shankar Road, Dadar (W), Mumbai - 400 028 Phone: +91-22 66626565 Fax: +91-22-66626470 Email: inquiry@navneet.com Website: www.navneet.com NComputing Address: Type II, #14, Dr. VSI Estate Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai – 600 041 Phone: 18001024523 Fax: +91-44-43198880 Website: www.ncomputing.com NEC Address: First Floor, The Mira Corporate Suites, Ishwar Nagar, Block C-1, Okha C Rossing, Ishwar Nagar, New Delhi-110065, Phone: 011-4149-7968, Website: in.nec.com Netex Address: Krupa, Bunglow no. 28, Nav Rajasthan Co-operative Housing Society, Off Senapati Bapat Road, Pune-411016, Phone: +91-020-64100763 Website: www.netexlearning.com New Alfa Infotec Pvt Ltd Address: 205, Saraswati House, 27, Nehru Place, New Delhi 110019 Phone: 011-41030564 Email: amarjit@alfa-infotec.com Website: www.alfa-infotec.com

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

51


company LISTING

Newgen Software Technologies Limited Address: A-6, Satsang Vihar Marg Qutab Institutional Area New Delhi -110 067, India Phone: +91-11-4077-0100, 2696 3571, 2696 4733 Fax: +91-11- 2685 6936 Email: corpmktg@newgensoft.com Website: www.newgensoft.com

Pearson Clinical & Talent Assessment Address: Alpha Centre, #20 Koramangala Inner Ring Road, Bangalore 560047 Phone: 080-42153440 Email: info@pearsonclinical.in cogmedindia@pearson.com Website: www.cogmed.in www.pearsonclinical.in

Next Education India Pvt Ltd Address: Sri Nilaya Cyber Spazio, Road # 2, 8-2-269/A/2/1-6, 1st floor, East Wing, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500033 Andhra Pradesh, India Phone: 040-3094942 Email: info@nexteducation.in Website: www.nexteducation.in

Pearson Education Services Address: 10, 3rd Main, Ashwini Layout Intermediate Ring Road, Ejipura Koramangala, Bangalore 560 047 Karnataka, India Phone: 080-3046106 Email: digiclass@edurite.com Website: www.digiclass.in

NIIT NGURU Address: Plot No. 85, Sector 32, Institutional Area, Gurgaon-122001 Phone: 1800-102-3233 Email id: nguru@niit.com Website: www.niitnguru.com Oyster Learning Address: Sector 2, Noida, Uttar Pradesh Phone: 0120 426 0429 Email: oysterconnect.com Panasonic India Pvt. Ltd. Address: First Floor, ABW Tower, IFFCO Chowk, Sector 25, Gurgaon - 122001, Haryana, India Telephone : +91-124-6770400 Fax : +91-124-4596625 Email : helpline@in.panasonic.com Website: www.panasonic.com/in/home Pearson Education Services Address: Pearson Education Services Pvt Ltd 10, 3rd Main, Ashwini Layout Intermediate Ring Road, Ejipura Koramangala, Bangalore 560 047 Phone: 0803046106 Email: digiclass@edurite.com

52

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

Pearson Higher Education Address: 7th Floor, Knowledge Boulevard, A-8(A), Sector-62, Noida-201309, Phone: 0120-4190100 Email: elearning.in@pearson.com Website: www.pearsoned.co.in Pensar Solutions Pvt Ltd 249a, First Floor, Sant Nagar, Main Road,east Of K, New delhi Phone: +91-99588-45599 Email: info@pensar.in Website: www.pensar.in Redington India Address: Redington (India) Limited SPL Guindy House, 95 Anna Salai, Guindy, Chennai -600 032 Phone: 914430287901 Website: redingtonindia.com

Phone: +91-124-488-2465 Fax: +91-124-488-1234 Email: helpline@in.panasonic.com Website: www.samsung.com/in ---------------------------------------------Sanako Corporation Address: Rectangle 1, D-4, Room No 419, District Centre, Saket Commercial complex, New Delhi-110017 Phone: +91-999-9169878 Email: vivek.gupta@sanako.com Website: www.sanako.com SChand Harcourt Address: Mohan Cooperative Industrial Estate, New Delhi, DL Phone: 011-4377-5000 Website: www.sch.co.in Scientech Technologies Pvt Ltd Address: 94, Electronic Complex, Pardesipura, Indore - 452 010 India Phone: 91-731- 4211100 Email: info@scientech.bz Website: www.scientechworld.com SEDIL Address: Senapati Bapat Marg, Dadar (W), Mumbai – 400028 India Phone: +91-22-6653-0040 Fax: +91-22-66530044 Email: info@sedil.in Website: sedil.in Siemens Address: Registered & Corporate Office 130, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli, Maharashtra, Mumbai 400 018. Phone: +91-22-3967-7000 Fax: +91-22-3967-7500 Website: www.siemens.co.in

Sahaj Interactive Solutions Address: Level 3, Neo Vikram, New Link Road, Andheri (west), Mumbai-400053 Phone: +91-8586930196 Email: info@sahajinteractivesolutions.com Website: sahajinteractivesolutions.com

Simmtronics Semiconductors Ltd. Address: C-41, Okhla Phase-1, New Delhi - 110020, India Phone: + 91-11-40570300 Email: sales@simmtronics.com Website: www.simmtronics.com

Samsung Electronics Address: Vipul Tech Square, Sector 43, Golf Course Road, Gurgaon- 122002

Sky Infotech Address: A-50, Sector-64, Noida, India Phone: 0120-4242223


education.eletsonline.com

Email: contactus@skyinfotech.in Website: skyinfotech.in SMART Technologies (India) Address: 417, DLF Tower A, Plot No.10 Jasola District Centre, Jasola, New Delhi - 110027 Phone: 18001033938 Email: SMARTIndia@smarttech.com Website: www.smarttech.com/in Station-e Info Services Pvt Ltd Address: STATION-e House, 2-Jalaram, Near Veraval Mercantile Bank, University Road, Rajkot – 360007 Phone: 0281-2570201 Email: info@station-e.com Website: www.station-e.com Smartkidz Educare India Pvt. Ltd. Address: Plot # 97, Phase 1, Gunrock Enclave, Near Mudford, Secunderabad-500 009 Andhra Pradesh, India Phone: 040 27894117 / 18 Email: info@smartkidzindia.com www.smartkidzindia.com Stuti Technologies Pvt Ltd Address: Regus Unit No: 2201 A, 22nd Floor, World Trade Centre Bangalore, Brigade Gateway, Bangalore 60055 Phone: 080-672-0333 Email: shravan@myschoolone.com Website: www.myschoolone.com Talisma Address: 214/6, Raman Maharishi Road, Sadashiva Nagar. Bangalore, 560080 Phone:+91-80-4039 4400 Website: www.talisma.com Tata Interactive Systems Address: Leela Business Park, Andheri Kurla Road, Andheri (E), Mumbai 400059, Phone: +91 22 6643 8000 Website: www.tataclassedge.com

TRS Forms and Services Pvt Ltd Address: 23, Chakrapani Street, West Mambalam, Chennai - 600 033 Phone: 0442372545 Email: subu@trsforms.com Website: www.trsforms.com Texas Instrument Address: Bagmane Tech Park, No. 66/3 C V Raman Nagar Post, Bangalore 560093 Phone: +91-80-2534-5454 Website: www.ti.com ThinkLABS Technosolutions Pvt Ltd Address: B-1084, 1st Floor, Oberoi Garden Estate, Chandivali, Andheri East Mumbai-400-072 Phone: +91-22-6134 4444 Fax: +91-22-6134-4499 Email: info@thinklabs.in Website: www.thinklabs.in Trendyworks Technologies Pvt Ltd Address: Nsl Sez Arena, 3rd Floor, Block-1, No-6, Survey No. 1, IDA Uppal, Hyderabad - 500 039, Phone: 040 – 31000952 Website: www.trendyworks.com Tridat Technologies Address: Office No. 11, Albion Place, Opp Heritage Hotel, Sant Savata Marg, Byculla, Mumbai - 400027, Phone: +91-22-6130-6666 Email: sales@tridatindia.com Website: www.tridatindia.com Visionet Info Solutions Address: 41-42A, Ashoka Park Main, New Rohtak Road, New Delhi-110035 Phone: +91-11-28311068, Email: sales@visionet.in Website: www.visionet.in Vodafone India Limited Address: 2nd Floor, Skyline Icon, 86/92, Andheri Kurla Road, Marol Naka, Near Mittal Industrial Estate,

Andheri East, Mumbai 400059 Website: www.vodafone.in Wacom India Pvt. Ltd. Address : 716, DLF Tower B, Jasola District Centre, Mathura Road, New Delhi 110025, India Phone: 91-11-47239400 Website: www.wacom.com Waterford Institute Address: 2nd Fl, Knowledge Park Hiranandani Business Park Powai, Mumbai 400 076 Phone: 91-22-41701900 Website: www.waterford.org WE Excel Software Pvt. Ltd. Address: SCO 3, Sector-7C, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh -160007 Phone: 91-172-437-3333 Website: info@weexcel.in Wiley India Pvt. Ltd Address: 4435-36/7, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi -110002, India Phone: 91-11-43630000 Email: delsales@wiley.com Website: www.wileyindia.com AuthorGEN Technologies Pvt Ltd Address: C-133, Second Floor, Phase-8, Industrial area, Mohali Phone: 01725020185 Email: academics@wiziq.com Website: www.wiziq.com Words Worth English Language Lab Address: 2nd floor, Silicon towers, Near Law garden Navrangpura, Ahmedabad –380009 Phone: 079-30451451 Email: jasvinders@actuniv.com Website: www.wordsworthelt.com Xseed Education Address: 3rd Floor, Emerald Court, SCO-57, Sector-29, Gurgaon - 122001, India Phone: 91-124-4625000 website : www.xseed.in

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

53


54


55


56

Education consultant

Education App

Digital classroom solution

Distance Learning Platform

Digital Libraries

Digital Content

Classromm Infrastructure

Campus Management solution

Curriculum

Courses

Accreditation and certification

Assessment solutions

Assistive Technologies


Projector

Publisher

Skill development solutions

Virtual Labs

Printer

Tablet

Online education portal

Test Prepration

Learning Module Developer

Teacher training solutions

Learning Management System

Teaching tools

Laboratory Equipment

Security

Language lab

ICT Equipments

Interactive Solutions

Engineering Technologies

Examination

57


58

Digital Content

Classromm Infrastructure

Campus Management solution

Curriculum

Courses

Accreditation and certification

Assessment solutions

Assistive Technologies

Education consultant

Education App

Digital classroom solution

Distance Learning Platform

Digital Libraries


Virtual Labs

Tablet

Test Prepration

Teacher training solutions

Teaching tools

Security

Skill development solutions

Publisher

Projector

Printer

Online education portal

Learning Module Developer

Learning Management System

Laboratory Equipment

Language lab

ICT Equipments

Interactive Solutions

Engineering Technologies

Examination

59


60

Distance Learning Platform

Education consultant

Education App

Digital classroom solution

Digital Libraries

Digital Content

Classromm Infrastructure

Campus Management solution

Curriculum

Courses

Accreditation and certification

Assistive Technologies

Assessment solutions


Virtual Labs

Tablet

Test Prepration

Teacher training solutions

Teaching tools

Security

Skill development solutions

Publisher

Projector

Printer

Online education portal

Learning Module Developer

Learning Management System

Laboratory Equipment

Language lab

ICT Equipments

Interactive Solutions

Engineering Technologies

Examination

61


Leader speak

Higher Investment Crucial to Improving Quality Prof Farqan Qamar, Secretary General of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), a voluntary body for universities, calls for speedy action to make Indian universities centres of excellence. Two months into AIU, Prof Qamar brings fresh perspectives to challenges faced by higher education institutions in an interview to KS Narayanan of ENN. Excerpts Has AIU achieved its mission since it was set up 90 years ago? It is a voluntary association of all the universities in the country. Any institution that has the power to grant degrees is eligible to become an AIU member. Out of nearly 700 universities, around 500 are members. As the collective voice of higher education, we enter into a dialogue amongst ourselves and form a view and convey it to policy planners. Similarly, we interact with the HRD ministry, Planning Commission, UGC, AICITE and communicate it to our member institutions. Besides this, we support research and sport competitions. We publish university news and a Universities Handbook.

62

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

With the emergence of private universities, have the challenges for AIU increased manifold? AIU does not see universities in terms of ownership. Our larger concern is that irrespective of ownership, universities emerge as centres of excellence. So we do a lot of communication not to cut corners and not compromise on quality. Evidences are emerging that people are not merely looking for a degree. What they are looking for is a quality programme in an institution where degrees are recognised and provides them social and economic opportunities. Our governance structure is designed in a manner that ensures

representation of all. In the seventies, a decision was arrived in favour of zonal representation with three vice chancellors from each of the five zones besides five to six others. At that time, variation was not there. Now is the time to ensure that there is representation of all kinds of universities in our governing structure. We are seized with this question to see how to amend our by-laws and Memorandum of Understanding to see that different kinds of universities are represented well in the decision-making process. We have already set up a committee and it is being studied. It will take three to six months.


What is the holistic perspective you get on higher education in India? In terms of expansion of institution enrolment, India has done remarkably well. Even in terms of inclusion, which is a major concern in India, we have done fairly well. I personally do not subscribe to the view that quality has declined. Objective parameters such as employability, number of papers and Indians going abroad have all improved. I agree that with respect to India’s quality in the global context, there are huge gaps in terms of teaching, innovation, curriculum and pedagogy. We need to improve in these areas. But I also say India is the most cost-efficient higher education system (spending per student basis).

cruitment. Some of them have removed the ban but are resorting to appointing teachers on temporary basis. How will the best of students come to academics? So what is the way out? To attract talent, universities have to offer what the Sixth Pay Commission has recommended. Is going digital the way forward to realise education for all? Technology can supplement teachers but nowhere in the world has it been able to replace teachers. Global centers of higher education such as Harvard, Chicago and Oxford which are active in online learning are targetting a teacher-

To attract talent, universities have to offer what the Sixth Pay Commission has recommended Our output, per dollar of investment we make, is enormous. If we want quality, we should be ready to invest more in higher education. How much does India spend on each student in higher education? Should it be increased? If yes how much? In the best of institutions it would be Rs 5 lakh per year per student. It should be increased at least 15 times. Even on the basis of purchasing power parity, if you want your IITs to become MIT, we need to raise investments to that level. Our investment is very low. We have to ensure quality infrastructure, teachers etc. Can Indian universities become education hubs? To implement academic reforms, there are certain pre-conditions that need to be assured. From 1991, most universities face a ban on faculty recruitment. In case of central universities, the ban was removed in 1995. But these account for only 5 per cent enrollment in education. The remaining 95 per cent is in the state sector. In state universities, there is either a direct or tacit ban on faculty re-

student ratio of eight and ten. In India, it is one teacher to 25 to 30 students. In some disciplines, it is worse. Using ICT tools in our education is necessary but it cannot be a substitute. As a finance expert, what is your take on resource mobilisation for education and educational institutions at various levels? If you look at the public universities in India, fees contribute merely 10 per cent and rest is grant from the government. They are not mobilising resources from any other source. Lack of incentivisation is the reason. Secondly, the institution may get lesser funds after deducting the resource they have mobilised. Mobilised funds are subjected to procedures. Fourthly, there is a cost to raising funds. In India, there are no such concepts. In case of foreign universities, research and development is funded by corporates while in India, it is government grant that feeds R&D. About 15 per cent seats in all the higher educational institutions can be allocated to foreign students and persons of Indian origin on supernu-

merary basis without affecting Indian students’ intake. Universities should attract more foreign students. This requires marketing, campaigns, sales offices and appointing sales agents. But the Indian system does not allow these things. We do not have good infrastructure to attract foreign students. We want them to stay with Indian students and eat the same Indian food which is not palatable to them. Why can’t we allow the hospitality industry to develop hostels on BOT basis on the university land? Allow the private investor to recover the cost for 20 years and then the assets belong to the university. Let foreign students pay higher fee. With limited grants from the government, universities develop in a piecemeal manner in two decades. Why can’t we draw a plan on infrastructure needs and invite bids to build, develop and operate and ask them how much would they charge per square meter? We will have the entire infrastructure within five years. What is the significance of MoUs signed by AIU with half-a-dozen countries? Presently, all the admission is based on the number of years spent in the education system. Most of the MoUs are about recognition of qualification that will enable students to get admission to foreign universities. Another issue is internationalisation of higher education globally and the mobility of students between nations. Equivalence and recognition of qualification is another issue there. Presently, we do not have any higher education qualification framework in India. We are bogged down to whether two, three or four years are important. Has the AIU formulated its stand on the New Education Policy? Let it be announced formally. AIU would want to play a very vital role as we are a major stakeholder. We have had many committees. How many more study groups do we need? All the problems and all the solutions are well known. We need to address them holistically and implement them.

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

63


industry Innovation speak

Now, an Innovation to Curb Food Wastage Micro Cold Storage, a farm-level solar cold storage system developed by Vivek Pandey from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, and Rahul Sharma from IIFT, has been adjudged as the winner in the renowned national university competition as part of Dupont’s ‘Power of Shunya’ programme. In an interaction with Poulami Chakraborty of ENN, Vivek talks about the ways that this innovation can address the issue of food wastage and plans to market the product Please discuss the salient features of your research on Food Wastage reduction. Over 30 per cent of fruits and vegetables are wasted annually in our country, which is worth an amount of 12 billion USD annually. As a result, there is a 60 per cent deficit in the current cold chain infrastructure. Of the available infrastructure with us, 75 per cent of the available storage facilities just cater to potatoes. Farmers lose on their deserved remuneration as well because they are forced to sell their produce to the middlemen because they do not have access to infrastructure for storage. In India, over 30 per cent of food is wasted due to lack of proper storage facilities. Despite being among the top producers of fruits and vegetables, the per capita availabil-

64

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING


digitallearning.eletsonline.com

THE PRICE OF WASTAGE

Ì

Value of fruits, vegetables and grains wastage in India `44,000cr annually

`1 3, 00

`13,000cr value of wasted fruits and vegetables

0c r

`44,000cr

Cold Storage Requirement (in million MT)

M

Recent statistics reveal that India wastes food worth `44,000 crore every year. How do you see this innovation revolutionising the scenario towards curbing food wastage? The product is an on-farm solar cold storage. It fits the value chain of crops right at the farm level where maximum wastages are there. At the same time, it ensures deserved remuneration to the farmers. The product can work in areas with no electricity with reliability. It is lower in comparison to any product that may use solar panels to run a conventional cold storage. The product suits the requirement of farmers, cooperative, farmer producer companies, village level entrepreneurs and supply chain players curbing wastages at each node of the food value chain hence making significant impact in terms of food security and livelihood. What is the scope of promotion and USP of your innovation when it comes to generating revenue in Indian market? What are your plans for expanding this innovation to foreign countries? As a developing country, India has immense potential for this innovation. We are attracting a lot of demand because of the merit of the product and its ability to solve the problem on ground very effectively. Our USP is the high operational efficiency and minimal running cost because of several innovations for the product makes us competitive. Similar to the Indian context, the product fits very well in any other developing country with a problem of electricity. In developed countries where though power availability is not a problem, the product can fit in the food value

INDIA’S FOOD MAP

Ì

ity of horticulture commodities in India is woefully low. Further, the unavailability of conventional power sources in the distant farms of India’s hinterland makes on-farm storage impossible for farmers to preserve their harvest. It was this insight that led us to develop Micro Cold Storage, which is an affordable onfarm cold storage device.

32 Existing Capacity

chain with usage of clean technology thereby impacting the climate at large. What is the potential of marketing and revenue generation that this innovation has from the Indian market? Given the need and the demand, the innovation has a huge revenue generating potential. We are already creating strategic channels to market this product in a geography and customer-centric mode. What are the challenges that you faced while researching on this innovation? The primary challenge was identifying the type and configuration of the system a typical customer would want. We conducted extensive market research in various areas including UP, Haryana, Maharashtra, Orissa, Karnataka and a few

61.13

other areas to understand what a prospective customer would want. Then, taking the idea from a concept stage to a stage where the product can work hassle free for a customer took a lot of design iterations. What is your opinion about the potential of this kind of talent show-case seminars which brings forth newer innovation? What scope do they reveal for students? The shows provide an amazing platform for showcasing the innovations which are solving such critical problems. At the same time, it encourages the youth/ students to take up challenges and implement their learning for better future. While the start-up culture in India mostly revolves around web/Internet-based innovations, it is critical to showcase innovations that are key to development of the country.

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

65


Inviting participation for School Ranking 2014

Top Schools of India In a world living to the Darwinian maxim of survival of the fittest, school education is not limited to the realm of academics alone. Are you a school that believes in keeping the child at the centre of it all? Do you believe you have it in you to prepare children for success not just in terms of education, but also in their well-being, skills and social integration? If so, nominate your institute for the prestigious digitalLEARNING School Ranking that seeks to recognise and honour the best from across the country.

 Academic Excellence  Start-up  Infrastructure  Minority Education  ICT Implementation  International Curriculum  Boarding To fill ranking questionnaire, pls visit http://digitallearning.eletsonline.com/school_ranking/

Highlights The ranking will cover schools from the metros, as well as the Tier II and Tier III cities across 29 states and 7 union territories of the country. Felicitation for top-ranked schools at the School Leadership Summit in January 2015 The best ranked schools will be felicitated at the School Leadership Summit in January, 2015. This summit will host top Indian schools and educators, educationists, providing an excellent platform to network and collaborate with each other, helping achieve the next level of growth. To see school ranking 2013, Pls Visit http://digitallearning.eletsonline.com/2014/01/presenting-top-schools-of-india-december-2013/

For queries and participation, please contact Seema Gupta, mobile - +91 8860651643, mail - seema@elets.in Nidhi Sharma, mobile - +91 8860651631, mail - nidhi@elets.in

Last date for submission of forms 15-November-2014


DEBATE

digitallearning.eletsonline.com

Social Media is more than a buzzword in education. With students constantly connected with each other and the world at large, educational institutes often end up playing catch up with them. Rajesh K Sharma of ENN tracks the role of social media in the changing educational landscape

Bridging the

Student-Teacher Gap

B

efore there was social media, there was a social media. People talked on mobile phones, sent SMSes and MMSes to each other, went to Internet cafĂŠs and chatted for hours on Yahoo Messenger and ICQ. They were aware of dangers of talking to strangers on the net, but on the whole, as nostalgists will say, it was an innocent time.

The innocence ended in late 2004 when news surfaced of a short video clip featuring two students of Delhi Public School (DPS), RK Puram, indulging in a sexual act going viral. The clip was shared among the students of DPS, R K Puram, and their friends, and some enterprising individuals tried selling it on an e-commerce website. India reacted by arresting the students, those attempt-

ing to sell the MMS clips as well as the owners of the e-commerce website. The entire episode came to be known as the infamous DPS MMS Scandal. A decade has passed since then, but its shadow still looms on the Indian society. People are wary of new technologies that are seeping in the society, but its adoption has not slowed. People no longer send each other MMSes, and Yahoo

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

67


DEBATE

Messenger and ICQ have given way to Whatsapp and FB Chat. The disjointed social media of 2004 has given way to the integrated social media of 2014 with behemoths like Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp holding sway over the youth. Social media is touted as the future, where everyone is always connected to each other via their mobile phones. Big corporations have made their presence on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to try and reach out to customers directly. But the education sector has been slow in the uptake. A look at social media’s presence in the educational sector shows the chasm between the educators and the educated. While educational institutions look for ways to adopt social media tools, the students are far ahead, using social media to connect to each other and to the world at large. This is largely due to the differing definitions of social media between the two groups. Educational institutions define a social media in terms of the technology used, and how it connects them to their intended targets, namely, students. Students, on the other hand, define it as a series of websites and tools that help them connect with each other. While a school or a college may set up a hi-tech computer lab for holding virtual classrooms and call it a social media tool, a student exchanging text

68

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

messages with his/her friends on a mobile phone will call it social media. When N V Sarat, Manager, Doon Public School, talks of how the school uses social media, he talks of the computer labs that have been set up. “We use Educomp for teaching. Plus, we have our own system, where we have provided our teachers with tablets so that they can send messages to the parents and students. Also, all our labs are connected with broadband 24X7. These are the main three systems how we communicate with the parents and students,” he says. So, while schools and colleges

with the students, they are still struggling on the social media. But to say that educational institutions have not adopted technology in teaching is inaccurate. Online education, which uses social media tools for teaching, is fast becoming entrenched in the sector, with many universities starting to offer their courses online as well. The online courses by Symbiosis University, Sikkim Manipal University, Manipal University, Karnataka State Open University and many others have found favour with students and young professionals alike and Massive Online

While educational institutions look for ways to adopt social media tools, the students are far ahead, using social media to connect with each other and the world at large mean their immediate circle of students and teachers when they talk of being social, for students, being social means talking to people near and far. While students use sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, del.ico.us, Pinterest, Instagram and others to connect with friends and the world at large, most educational institutes have largely limited themselves to building a website and opening accounts on Facebook and Twitter. When it comes to interacting

Open Courses (MOOCs) are a business category unto themselves. These courses use the power of social media tools like Youtube videos and Skype calls to hold lectures. Teachers and students can connect with each other through video conferencing. In 2013, Microsoft announced a pilot project in collaboration with Karnataka-based Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) for a MOOC-like platform that blended online education with classroom learning. Commenting on the initiative, P Anandan, MD, Microsoft Research, India, had said, “Technology has made students the centre of learning as opposed to constrained by a classroom.” Educational institutes are also promoting themselves and reaching out to new students through websites and social media accounts. A look at the social media handle of most educational institutes reveals a diary of events related to schools as postings. But these postings tend to be sporadic, and show minimal interaction between students and the institutions. In spite of such a dismal outlook, the educators are upbeat about embracing social media. “Social media plays an important role to publicise education,” feels Dr Nitin


Range 2006 2012 e 0 Rakesh,79 91 Associate ProfesHead, CRC, m 10sor, Department 49 of 71 Computer Science, w 20Amity University. 61 71 “Previously, we had re 30libraries, 29 53 where students went to read 40 2 20 books and make notes. But now, we have 50 resources on the cloud which the stu60 dents can share. This reduces the time 70 80required by the students to find appro90priate study material, and also increases 100the teacher’s ability to tailor the study material according to the student’s needs.” Dr Nitin is not averse to the downsides of social media. “Students communicate primarily through Facebook. Also, they don’t use proper English while communicating with each other on social media. This has reduced their grammar and communication skills,” he says. “Earlier there were more face-to-face conversations,” he says. But he still remains upbeat about the role of social media in the modern students’ lives. Social media, he says, allows students to connect with persons who share similar interests no matter where they are. He himself uses his Facebook page to communicate with his students, informing them of any organisation that may be visiting the campus for placements. He likes the fact that social media allows him to relay useful

digitallearning.eletsonline.com

Social media profiles: What teens post 2006 vs 2012 (%) 100 90 80 70 60 50

2006

40

2012

30 20 10 0 Photo of self School name City or town email address cell phone

information that reaches the intended audience instantly. “Any student wishing to join an institute,” he says, “will look at the reviews for the institute online. An institute that has good reviews will definitely attract more students than one that is not favourably reviewed. In fact, the impact of such reviews on the admission prospects of a school needs to be studied.” As a social media supporter, Dr Nitin is dismissive about the DPS MMS

scandal casting a shadow in 2014. He says technology, if it comes with good results, is accepted immediately, but if it accompanies a bad news, is dismissed immediately. Though there are some negative aspects to the increasing role of technology, and particularly social media, in education, on the whole it has had a positive impact. He says the policies for fighting social crimes are being developed to deter the misuse of social

digitalLEARNING / October 2014

69


D EBATE Spring 2013Fall 2013 Fall 2012 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

Facebook 42% 33% 23% Twitter 27% 30% 26% Instagram 12% 17% 23% Google+ 6% 5% 3% media, which will make it more acceptTumblr 4% 4% 4% able to educationists. Pinterest 2% optimistic 3% views 1% Such cautiously are Other 3% 4% 17%

also echoed by N V Sarat, when he talks of the growing use of websites like Facebook and Twitter, “If is it rightly used, social media can be good. There should always be a watch and control over what they are doing, because it can also be misused by students. If it is done by parents at home and teachers in schools, I think it can really help out in teaching.” Doon Public School conducts several sessions with parents on how to regulate their child’s social media use and how to control it. Sarat says he never rejects the friend requests sent by his students on Facebook, and looks forward to interacting with them on social media as well. While Dr Nitin is optimistic about the role of social media in education, he is not blind to its downsides, when he says how students tend to communicate primarily through social media. A research scholar from a prominent university has

Most Important Social Media Sites for Teens Other Pinterest Tumblr Fall 2013

Google+

Spring 2013

Instagram

Fall 2012

Twitter Facebook 0%

10%

20%

The multiple profiles are used to connect to different domains, she says, like one profile for family, one for school teachers, and another for media What she also found was that they

Most students had two profiles - one real and another fake...the multiple profiles are used to connect to different domains, like one for family, one for school teachers and another for media studied how social media was used by students in a small town. She says on the condition of anonymity that students use social media only to connect with their friends. Education is the last thing on their mind when they use networking sites, she has found. Students use it mainly for fun purposes, she says. With Facebook being the number one social media website, she found that students used it to create pages to promote themselves and be popular among friends. It was peer pressure taken online. The students do not connect with their professors or teachers, preferring to form cliques of like-minded persons. Another observation was that most students had two profiles, one real and another fake. While the real profile is used to project a clean image of the student, the fake profile is used by them for all other purposes.

70

October 2014 / digitalLEARNING

were unaware of the security aspects and how social media sites track their site usages and share this information with advertisers and other sellers. This is a worrying trend, she noted, as potentially sensitive information may be leaked to the websites. The use of social media by students for frivolous purposes has resulted in some colleges banning Facebook and Twitter. If students start using these sites for educational purposes, the colleges may be more accepting, she says. But if it is security of personal information, the users are not worried. Akash Aggrawal, a final year computer science student at Amity University is active on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp and many more. He is connected with his teachers and assistant professors on these sites, and regularly interacts with them for academic purposes. The down-

30%

40%

50%

side of having teachers on one’s friend list, he feels, is that he has to be cautious when posting a picture or an update, since his posts can be seen by the teacher as well. But on the whole, he feels that sites like Facebook and technologies like WhatsApp provide a good opportunity to interact with teachers on a new platform. In the ten years since the DPS MMS scandal, technology has advanced and has been adopted by the old and young alike. It will be a fool’s argument to limit its use, since it binds us together. Students today are hyper-connected with each other through social media and mobiles. They communicate at the speed of thought, and the pace won’t slow down. Schools have been largely playing a catch up to the students. While sites like Facebook and Twitter enable them to communicate directly with students, technologies like WhatsApp remind them that they are behind the curve as far as technology is concerned. The future of education, in many ways, will lie in educational institutes becoming more social and using social media tools not just for promotion and advertising purposes, but for connecting with the existing students and learning how they function. It is not a steep slope, and as today’s students become tomorrow’s educators, the gap will surely narrow down. The sooner that happens, the better it is.



RNI NO. UPENG/2008/25311

UP/GBD-70/2012-14


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.