the Monthly publication on ict and education
Volume 5 issue 4
issn 0973-4139
rs 75
April 2009 www.digitalLEARNING.in
Boards Get Brains
16 smart technologies 35 Promethean ActiveClassroom
INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS // replacing Chalkboards // A great support for Special Needs // Powerful Pedagogical Innovation // And a Market that shows // NO sign of RECESSION
36 Hitachi StarBoard 38 Ceeco E Learn 40 vivitek 42 Scientech 43 mimio
Contents 30
26
24
Cover story
6
White Board Market: No signs of recession
By Colin from Futuresource, UK
Commentary
10
IWB - Powerful Pedagogical Innovation
PRODUCT
35
Promethean ActiveClassroom
By Rohit from Classteacher
36
Hitachi StarBoard
38
Ceeco E Learn
Case Study
40
Vivitech
16
SMART: Florida school for deaf & blind
42
Scientech
43
mimio
Regular Features
News
12
India
20
Asia
22
World
34
Corporate
44
Mark Your Calendar
28
Corporate Diary
Leader’s speak
24
Promethean: Eugene Viskovic
26
Hitachi: Tarun Jain
28
SMART: Terry Wason
30
Scientech: Mohammed Ghouse
6
Your say
I am impressed to in see the latest issues of DL. Congrats for the same. Skill Development, employment creation, generation are becoming real life issues special after recession. Anil Jaggi (jaggianil@gmail.com) ICT Consultant, Dehradun Greetings from Bhopal! The article on Vocational Education has come up very well in the magazine. In fact, I find other articles on Skill development very informative and useful. I take this opportunity of thanking you for the same. Dr. Vinay Swarup Mehrotra (drvs.mehrotra@gmail.com) PSS Central Institute of Vocational Education (PSSCIVE), Bhopal
www.digitalLEARNING.in
editorial
Boards Get Brains Classrooms have now come a long way from obsolete computers to projectors, Interactive Whiteboards (IWB), tablets, interactive suites with remote sensors, etc. IWBs were first conceptualised 22 years ago. Starting with the US and the UK, the technology has since grown internationally, with a presence in 75 countries.
President M P Narayanan Editor-in-Chief Ravi Gupta Group Directors Maneesh Prasad Sanjay Kumar Assistant Editor Manjushree Reddy manjushree@digitallearning.in Research Associates Rachita Jha, Angela S Nath Research Assistant Yukti Pahwa Dy. General Manager - Marketing Siddharth Verma +91-9811561645 siddharth@digitallearning.in Sr. Executive - Business Development Rudra Ghosh +91-9810603696 rudra@digitallearning.in
IWBs have rendered a new meaning to the use of technology in education by making it more accessible to teachers and students alike. It has enabled ICT to be used in new ways to support a wider range of teaching and learning styles. By integrating audio-visual, graphics and text into the lesson structure, it offers the potential to improve learning by illusrating new concepts more clearly and effectively. A 2007 study commissioned by the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (BECTA) concluded that IWBs have a positive impact on primary school students in Maths, Science and English. It showed that many students progressed more quickly if they consistently used IWBs for an extended period of time. The recognition of this potential has translated into record-breaking sales of whiteboards in 2008, with over 600,000 IWBs installed at various locations around the world, according to Futuresource Consulting. According to forecasts, the worldwide interactive whiteboard category will increase by 200% in the next five years and that one in six classrooms will have an interactive whiteboard by 2011. India, with its 4.9 million classrooms, presents a significant market opoortunity for suppliers of this interactive technology. Having the youngest population in the world means that education is high up the government’s agenda, making the market ripe for suppliers of IT equipment. Our special issue on whiteboards is an attempt to capture this ever-growing space by focusing on major players in this field like Hitachi, Promethean, SMART, etc. We also bring to you some case studies reflecting on the classroom transformations brought on by integration of such technologies. Watch out for this space!
Sales Executives Vasundhra Singh +91-9650347170 vasundhra@digitallearning.in Ankur Agarwal +91-9313998750 ankur@digitallearning.in Subscription & Circulation Lipika Dutta +91-9871481708
Ravi Gupta Editor-in-Chief Ravi.Gupta@digitalLEARNING.in
Manoj Kumar +91-9971404484 Sr Graphic Designer Bishwajeet Kumar Singh Graphic Designers Om Prakash Thakur, Chandrakesh Bihari Lal (James) Web Zia Salahuddin, Amit Pal
Editorial & Marketing Correspondence digitalLearning G-4 Sector 39, NOIDA 201301, India Phone: +91 120 2502181-85 Fax: +91 120 2500060 Email: info@digitalLearning.in
digitalLEARNING is published by Elets Technomedia Pvt. Ltd. in technical collaboration with Centre for Science, Development and Media Studies (CSDMS). Owner, Publisher, Printer - Ravi Gupta Printed at Vinayak Print Media D-320, Sector 10, Noida, U.P. and published from 710, Vasto Mahagun Manor, F-30, Sector - 50, Noida, UP Editor: Ravi Gupta
digital LEARNING
APRIL 2009
COVER STORY
Interactive White Board Market
No Real Signs of Recession Colin Messenger Kanti Thota Zeeshan Jagani Futuresource Consulting Ltd, UK
www.digitalLEARNING.in
In 2008, USA had a hugely successful year, with Interactive White Board (IWB) sales volumes surpassing 250,000 units, up 65% on volume and over 100% in value. In the UK, demand is still strong and will continue to be sustained. Looking to Australia, Q4 2008 proved to be its largest success to date. India, where education closely follows the UK and many know of Interactive White Board implementation, is a very promising market for this technology.
digital LEARNING
APRIL 2009
C
lose to 600,000 Interactive White Boards were sold worldwide last year, generating nearly US$1bn of revenue, according to a new market report from Futuresource Consulting. According to the author, across the globe, the Interactive White Board phenomenon is really taking hold. Driven by continued technological developments, the research projections show that one in six classrooms will be hooked up with an Interactive Whiteboard by 2012. It’s remarkable to see how this technology allows teachers to connect with students in much greater depth, bringing the outside world into the classroom and transforming lessons into exciting world experiences. One has got to see the technology in action to fully appreciate the impact it has on the learning process. In the 66 countries covered within the report, it is calculated, there are over 31 million classrooms: a huge market potential for companies operating within this sector. The research is showing there are no real signs of recession in education technology markets. The feedback from the marketplace is positive and the general view is that there’s a far greater safety net than other sectors. Few markets hold the promise of education, where one can see very strong sales growth for at least the next five years. ‘Do not be put off by the adage there is no money in education. Governments will often find the money to supply thousands of boards. Take a look at Mexico, where the
will continue to be sustained. Looking to Australia, Q4 2008 proved to be its largest success to date. India: The Next Big Thing For School Technologies A vast country with a rapidly expanding population - 650 million additional people are forecast over the next 40 years - and having the youngest population in the World means
Outside IT Labs, a cost-effective bundled solution - incorporating PC, projector and Interactive White Board (IWB) - appears to be the best route to increasing IWB sales. Enciclomedia project equipped 200,000+ classrooms with technology worth US$1.8 billion.’ A whistle-stop tour of activity in 2008 shows that the USA had a hugely successful year, with sales volumes surpassing 250,000 units, up 65% on volume and over 100% in value. In the UK, demand is still strong and
www.digitalLEARNING.in
that education is high up the Government of India agenda. With 4.9 million classrooms the Indian market clearly provides a significant market opportunity for suppliers of IT equipment. However, the market is extremely fragmented with a vast disparity in the education system throughout the country, says BRICs: The
Future of School Technologies report by Futuresource Consulting. The research spanned across 100 schools with interviews of users and non-users of technology in private and government sectors. It also interviewed participants from resellers of technology into schools and state education departments. There are significant differences between private and government schools, however, with private schools far more advanced in terms of teaching standards and the use of IT in general. The short-term opportunity clearly lies within the private sector. Whilst there have been some examples of IT investment in Government schools, it is very sporadic and basic infrastructure requirements are currently of a much higher priority. However, it should be noted that at present, even within private schools, IT equipment tends to be located in an IT lab as opposed to individual classrooms, thereby limiting the potential penetration opportunities for IWBs and projectors. Outside IT Labs, a costeffective bundled solution —incorporating PC, projector and Interactive White Board (IWB) – appears to be the best route to increasing IWB sales. With high levels of import tax providing a significant barrier to market entry in a price sensitive market vendor will have to consider long term production/import strategies in order to be competitive. Local assembly or local factories are potential considerations.
// COVER STORY
Even within private schools, IT equipment tends to be located in an IT lab as opposed to individual classrooms, thereby limiting the potential penetration opportunities for IWBs and projectors. 2.
Schools with computers and projectors in classrooms or in learning labs.
The future Overall opinion from manufacturers and resellers is that education is the next big thing in India. The government needs funds but is very serious about technology in schools and is considering diverting money from other budgets. The companies however feel it is a slow transition. The government is aiming to increase rates of basic computer literacy and computer use in the schools. Many consider India to be the next China but it is considerably behind. The question is not if but when. Most schools in major cities have begun to invest in technology but rural schools have
shown significantly limited uptake. Quality of teachers and teacher training is low especially in rural areas. Education in India closely follows the UK and many know of projector and IWB implementation. This is a very promising market for classroom technology. Adoption of the technology into classrooms can be fast-tracked, often driven by a craving from governments to kick-start their education system or leave a lasting legacy. In contrast it can also be a step process, taking perhaps five years, starting with PC installations, followed by projectors, and culminating in interactive whiteboards. Looking to the future, voting systems and visualisers will be the next logical move towards completely interactive and collaborative classrooms.\\
authors
India is a multi-state country similar to the USA but much more complicated as it is a conjunction of many different countries, not just states. India recognises 23 languages in its Constitution, with Hindi and English granted the status of ‘National Languages’. The scale of opportunity for any manufacturer to break into the Indian schools market is so large that it cannot be ignored. However, the effort needed is matches the scale of the opportunity and long-term investment is required. If we consider that the first IWB sales will be on a step basis, then the most likely candidates will be 1. Schools with computers in classrooms,
Colin Messenger
Colin has been involved with the Interactive and schools market for over eight years and currently runs the Worldwide Interactive Whiteboard research programme.
Zeeshan Jagani
Kanti Thota
Kanti is a key analyst in the Content team at Futuresource Consulting. He grew up and was educated in India.
Zeeshan is an analyst in the Consumer Electronics team at Futuresource Consulting. He grew up in India.
digital LEARNING
APRIL 2009
commentary
Rohit Pande www.classteacher.com
T
he Interactive White Board is emerging as a useful tool for the classroom for teacher input to the whole class. But it’s easy (as always) to develop a view on the form factor (It’s a must-have tool / its too expensive, etc) rather than on what it is capable to achieve inside the classroom. Like any other tool, it is only as good as the outcomes it can produce in a classroom. Hence the right questions to ask are -’Does it increase engagement of students in the classroom? Does it improve understanding and retention of concepts? Does it improve the critical thinking skills of students?’ But all this shall not happen on its own. It has to be orchestrated as an overall programme with well defined timelines, measurement and course correction (if required). It is important to carry all stakeholders in this journey, including parents and school management. There is a tipping point for technology in classrooms, at which point a critical mass of teachers have started experiencing the benefits of technology and are able to assume the role of attracting other teachers towards their approach. We are excited about Interactive technology in the hands of the teacher. It empowers teachers with newer ways to engage the minds of students. We have been deploying this technology for over 7 years now in classrooms. We have developed over 50,000 lessons to be used by the teachers on the Board. We have researched the key factors that impact assimilation of technology into the teaching-learning process in schools/ with individual teachers. The dominant cluster 10
www.digitalLEARNING.in
of issues includes school end leadership, expertise in teacher training and ongoing support during implementation. There are some pitfalls to avoid. Using technology is essential in the early stages, its important to give hands-on experiences with the Board to teachers, so that they do not remain arm chair critics. The initial success is because of the fact that the White Boards are reliable and easy to use and in continuity to the existing chalk and talk method. Thus, teachers are enthusiastic about the possibilities of technology and are inspired to use ICT often in curriculum delivery. The single large visual focal point in the classroom is a strong magnet to attract and retain student attention and motivation towards the lesson. But using the Board in the classroom is no guarantee for a sound pedagogy. The sound pedagogical principles have to be built on top of the basic functionality of the Board. Making the class to think, involving them in collaborative work, correlating the curriculum to the student’s daily life have to be fostered by the creative use of software functionalities on the Interactive Board. It is important to help teachers use the pace and flow of lesson delivery through the use of ready-made models/diagrams/animations, so that time can be freed up for teachers to focus on discovery based learning scenarios in their classes. Overall, the Board is a great tool for the constructivist educator. On popular demand, we have now extended our professional development programme on ICT integration to individual teachers. More than 10,000 teachers in over
200 schools have already benefited from our immersive approach to ICT integration in the teaching-learning process. Teachers also get access to our rapidly growing community of practitioners who share ideas and best practices from their classroom experiences. The subject workshops allow teachers from a particular subject to discuss software approaches for their respective lessons in greater detail. Other training modules include the one on leveraging the Internet in classrooms and for student homework/ projects and assignments. Above all, we believe there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach at work here. It is better to inform the teachers about the creative possibilities of crafting engaging/visual and interactive lesson plans, to give them raw material to build such lessons and then allow them to make final choices on how best to create the lesson and to involve the students in the classroom. This choice has to be with the teacher.\\
rohit pande
The author is an expert in educational technology and the co-founder and CEO of classteacher Learning Systems.
NEWS
INDIA
The UK India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) has awarded a £50,000 grant for a three-year collaborative programme delivery (CPD) project to NSHM College of Management & Technology (NCMT), Durgapur and Anglia Ruskin University, United Kingdom. ‘The UKIERI CPD grant is for a joint Masters (MSc) programme in optometry to be conducted at the NSHM’s NCMT Campus in Durgapur from October 2009 onwards and the degree would be awarded by Anglia Ruskin University. ‘The current faculty and students of the optometry department at NCMT would also be upgraded through exchange programmes with Anglia Ruskin University,’ said Prof Soumendra Nath Ghosh, head of optometry & vision science department, NCMT Durgapur.
The National Management School (NMS) which is planning to set up 25 business schools across the country will invest INR 9 crore to set up its first management school in Chennai. The business school which is being promoted by academicians from the US will offer diploma to students in collaboration with the Georgia University of the US. The first school will be operational in Chennai by April end for which a property has been taken on lease. NMS plans to build 25 schools nationwide in 15 years. NMS will provide a two-year diploma in business management at a total cost of INR 9.6 lakh.
If the IITs and IIMs are counted among the world’s most prestigious centres of learning, it’s not for no reason. A study conducted among Indian companies shows that these institutions are the largest source of business leaders for India Inc, accounting for more than half of the country’s professionals in chief executive or strategic business leadership roles. IIMs on a standalone basis (non-IIT ) have groomed around half of Indian CEOs, while IITs account for more than a third of the total, 12
www.digitalLEARNING.in
Setting benchmarks for schools, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will for the first time give accreditation to institutions affiliated to it on the basis of quality of education. The country’s premier school examination board has decided to launch the initiative, the first by any board in the country, before commencement of the next academic session. A committee has been set up by the CBSE to frame guidelines for assessment and accreditation. The committee will also suggest detailed modalities on formation of separate committees for the purpose of accreditation. The infrastructure facilities in the schools will be part of assessment and accreditation procedure. The accredited schools will be provided grades which will indicate their standing with respect to quality. The CBSE will also launch a sensitisation drive during which it will reach out to the schools and make them aware about the benefits of being accredited. The drive will cover about 10,000 schools in the country.
says a study conducted by global executive search firm EMA Partners International. The potent IIT-IIM combination has contributed around 13% of India’s business leaders, finds the study. With more and more IITians and IIM alumnus now choosing to stay in the country, the ratio is poised to go up significantly. The study that covered top 200 Indian companies was initiated to understand the impact these institutes on India Inc. The companies covered were chosen on parameters including market value, revenue size, sector wise market leadership and employer branding.
A website for schools in Tamil Nadu , connecting 35,000 schools, three lakh teachers and 1.5 crore students, has been launched by state Minister for School Education Thangam Thenarasu. The much awaited website, ‘pallikalvi.in’, will provide all the information that people seek about the seven directorates in the school education department, from the number of institutions in a district to the number of posts of teachers lying vacant there, claimed the minister. The website would contain data on the review of welfare schemes, data compilation, online data collection, coordination between schools, students’ profiles, teaching learning through ICT, and essential application forms for students and teachers. It would offer online training, video conferencing, online teacher
transfer counseling, proactive disclosure of important information and statistics about the department to fulfill RTI rules.
The Confederation of Indian Industry and the Indira Gandhi National Open University have signed an MoU to impart skill-based learning. Around 12,900 students in 42 cities will be accommodated under the first phase of this programme. The courses to be offered under this project are travel and tourism, security and fire safety, and spoken English and personality development. IGNOU Vice-Chancellor V N Rajasekharan Pillai said India has tremendous infrastructural facilities for conducting skillsbased training across the nation. He urged for de-compartmentalisation of education curriculum starting from school, college and university level. CII’s implementation partners for phase I-of this project are PremierShield for security and fire services, Kuoni Academy for travel and tourism and Educomp for spoken English and personality development.
NEWS
INDIA
to provide world-class education to Indian children. The Educational Group’s ambitious plans for India are being spearheaded by its recently appointed Country Head, Ajey Kumar.
Global Education Management Systems (GEMS), one of the largest global providers of private education in the K-12 segment, currently managing over 100 schools in various countries spread over four continents, is all set to expand extensively in India through a network of owned and managed private K12 schools. At present, GEMS manages around 10 schools in India spread over multiple locations in the country and has announced plans for expanding in the next three years to 50 Schools which will be fully equipped
Come April and the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad will not just get support from its fraternity but also from corporates and high-networth individuals to help it maintain its brand image in both domestic and international market. The alumni network of the institute is planning to approach Indian corporate houses as well as country’s high-net individuals with the request to contribute towards the endowment fund of US$ 50 million that will be spent on enhancing the brand value of the institute. The institute’s alumni, most of whom are already placed in senior positions across business houses, have also been approached with the request to contribute their 3-day worth salary towards the fund.
Miffed that none or hardly any Indian institutes make it to international academic rankings like London Times Higher Education rankings or the Shanghai academic rankings, the University Grants Commission plans to come out with its own system of ranking for Indian universities vis-a-vis international ones. The idea was first proposed by the National Assessment & Accreditation Council and the UGC has started discussions on how to formulate criteria for this ranking mechanism to be called the India Education Index. ‘The point is that both the Times rankings and the Shanghai academic rankings are popular indexes to grade universities across the world. Very few Indian institutes are found in these rankings, more so in the Shanghai rankings. NAAC has complained that the criteria used by these rankings is biased which do not take into account social conditions and so project these institutes in a negative light,’ said UGC Chairman Sukhdeo Thorat.
Pvt schools outpace public ones in student enrolment
Even as public schools are mushrooming around the country, thanks to the education-cess that powers the UPA government’s flagship Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme, student numbers in government schools are dwindling. Fewer parents are opting to put or keep their kids in free schools across India. This trend is pronounced in two states - Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu - where the student population in private schools exceeded that in public schools for the first time in 2007-08. The most recent data released by the Central government reveals that between 2002-03 and 2007-08, state governments constructed and started a total of 1.49 lakh schools across the country, and boasted increased enrolment. But the reality was strikingly different – the student population kept dwindling in public institutes.
14
www.digitalLEARNING.in
CASE STUDY
Florida School for Deaf and Blind St. Augustine, Florida United States
www.smarttech.com
ne of America’s Largest Special Needs O Schools Standardises on SMART Products
“It benefits the whole educational process. I love this tool. I couldn’t teach without it.”
T
he Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) is one of the largest schools of its type in the United States, accommodating the diverse needs of more than 750 students from pre-kindergarten to grade 12. When FSDB decided to add Interactive White Boards to its classrooms 16
www.digitalLEARNING.in
to improve learning outcomes, it needed to find a product that would benefit all students. After evaluating and comparing the ease of use and features of various IWB brands, FSDB chose the SMART Board. ‘We had looked at other IWBs in the market and found that the SMART Board Interactive
White Board fit our needs the best,’ says Sue Clark, a mathematics teacher at FSDB. ‘When teaching hearing impaired students, we need our hands free to use sign language. Having the option to use your finger instead of a pen with the SMART Board IWB allows us to do that.’
// CASE STUDY
“We had looked at other interactive white boards in the market and found that the SMART Board interactive white board fit our needs the best.”
Now that FSDB has standardised on the product, SMART Board IWBs are being used with Mac OS X applications in almost all subject areas throughout the school. Students create movies and storyboards using iPhoto, iMovie and Quicktime applications on the SMART Board IWB, applying effects and transitions to photos and videos captured during field trips. Teachers are finding that the features of the IWBs can be applied to improving learning
}
ue Clark, Math Teacher The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind
students arrive with limited language abilities, but the IWBs help improve language skills. ‘Using the SMART Board IWB is a very inclusive experience for our students. The interactivity keeps students focused on learning and motivates them,’ explains Cooper. ‘Our hearing impaired students need a way to see English visually. Teachers across campus are using the SMART Board IWB and Notebook software to colour-code words and sentences. This helps students learn proper sentence structure and “ Using the SMART Board Interactive White see how words function in Board is a very inclusive experience sentences. for our students. The interactivity keeps Students can easily change students focused on learning and colours of words as they change motivates them.” functions in a sentence. It gets students involved outcomes for students with hearing or vision and benefits the whole educational process. I impairments, as well as those with secondary couldn’t teach this without the SMART Board impairments. Interactive White Board!’ Students like those in Paula Brannon’s class, Clark says she has also witnessed the who are not completely visually challenged but positive impact that SMART Board IWBs have some degree of vision impairment, have have on her students. ‘I had a student named found that the size of the screen helps them Allen who preferred just to sit back and not see things in the classroom they’ve never interact. Having the SMART Board IWB really seen before. encouraged him to come up and present – ‘Paula was able to play videos on her even if he was just solving a fraction problem SMART Board IWB and enlarge the image, for his peers. It helped him come out of his so her students could see details they shell,’ explains Clark. ‘Another teacher told couldn’t usually see on a computer screen,’ me that the SMART Board IWB is a lifesaver explains Clark. ‘They were finally able to see because kids are so fascinated by it, they and interact with a computer image, which is want to learn more.’ very valuable.’ With results like these SMART Board Another area where teachers are noticing Interactive White Boards will continue to that value of the IWBs is in teaching captivate teachers and students at FSDB for grammar basics. Susan Cooper, a reading years to come, helping them set and achieve and language teacher at FSDB, says many continuously higher learning goals.\\ 18
www.digitalLEARNING.in
}
1 Challenge
Standardise on an Interactive White Board that benefits students with special needs.
2 SMART Solution
SMART Board Interactive White Boards
3 Result Learning outcomes improved
NEWS
ASIA
Network, a high performance ICT network, will be set up.
Not all education targets met on time, says UNESCO Even though some countries have made significant progress in educating its population, the goals have not been met within the deadline, a recent report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) said. Though there has been good progress, if countries stick to the current trajectory, key targets for 2015 will not be met, the report mentioned. The EFA report pointed out that member countries needed to improve their efficiency, increase financial resources if the goals are to be achieved and also put equity at the centre of their financing strategies. Thailand had the highest allocation of funds for education, at 25% of the national budget, in 2005, and Malaysia in 2004, compared to the mere 15% allocated by the Philippines in 2005 and 14% in Laos in 2006. Other findings show that East Asia and the Pacific continues to suffer from the problem of illiteracy, with an estimated 113 million adults being illiterate, 3 million of whom are in Thailand alone.
Taiwan Education Ministry endorses Certiport IC³ programme for students Taiwan Ministry of Education has endorsed Certiport Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³) as the national standard for information and communication technologies (ICT). The globally recognised digital literacy certification programme is included as part of a five-year plan in which the Education ministry will require all technical and vocational students—more than 1 million—to achieve at least one internationally accepted credential by graduation. ‘Strengthening the educational backbone of a country through the adoption of rigorous standards is the cornerstone of producing future generations of high academic achievers. With the adoption of the global IC³ standard, Taiwan has ensured that teachers and students are equipped with the most current and relevant knowledge and skills, especially related to information and communication technologies,’ said David Saedi, President and CEO of Certiport.
Japan allocates Rs 360 mn for scholarships to students in Pakistan Japan has allocated a sum of Rs 360 million for the higher education scholarships for the students in Pakistan. This was stated by the Consul General of Japan in Karachi, Akinori Wada while awarding Japanese scholarships 20
www.digitalLEARNING.in
to 19 students of the Mohammad Ali Jinnah University. The allocations have been made in the for students in the field of research, agriculture, business communication, social sciences and information technology, he said.
Teachers now using Text2Teach technology in Philippines While students are banned from using mobile phones during school hours, many public school teachers in Philippines are using the ubiquitous gadgets in class to serve the ‘higher purpose’ of ‘bringing to life’ math, science and English subjects, according to Education Secretary Jesli Lapus. Elementary teachers in selected areas are using the mobile phones under the Department of Education’s ‘Text2Teach’ project, which aims to present ‘interactive, multimedia educational videos’ that enhance the learning experience of students inside the classroom, Lapus said. The project is part of the department’s ICT4E programme which uses the latest technology, like the Internet and laptop computers, to help improve education in the country. It seeks to improve the quality of teaching in Grades 5 and 6 in public schools by providing ‘highly interactive, easy-to-use multimedia packages designed to help make learning more exciting and meaningful among students,’ he said.
ESOFT launches the world recognised Edexcel HND WB approves US$ 81 mn to improve Bangladesh’s higher education The World Bank has approved an US$ 81 million interest-free credit to Bangladesh to improve the quality of teaching and research in the country’s higher education institutions. The credit from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s concessionary arm, will support Bangladesh’s Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project. World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh Zhu Xian said higher education is vitally important to energise Bangladesh’s economy and to boost its investment climate. He said the project will fund activities which can bring rapid and visible benefits to the academic community, and help more Bangladesh youth enroll in universities. Under the project a Bangladesh Research and Education
ESOFT has launched Edexcel’s much coveted HND in Computing Programme at four of its centers in Sri Lanka. ESOFT Computer Studies Private Limited leads the market in for the BCS Professional Examinations in IT as well as the BIT Degree of the University of Colombo School of Computing. Its HND Programmes are recognised by 100+ Universities in the UK and Australia as an entry qualification for direct entry into the final year of many degree programmes, including IT, business and management, and many other disciplines. During the inauguration ceremony, Dr Dayan Rajapakse, CEO / MD of ESOFT, said, ‘ESOFT is truly proud to offer this course to our students. The HND is truly value for money as it is equivalent to the first two years of a British B.Sc Hons Degree and can be completed for a fraction of the cost. Students then have the ability of completing their final year either in the UK or with local partners.’
NEWS
WORLD
Universal broadband essential for learning
Obama introduces first part of US education reform plan US President Barack Obama has unveiled the first part of his plan to reform the country’s schools. The initial steps would affect all levels of education. The president is proposing an overhaul of the US education system that includes extra pay for good teachers, longer school days and years for students, and higher standards in schools across the country. Obama made his first major speech on education before the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. New government statistics show that onefifth of US primary school students are of Latin American origin. The president says it is unacceptable that American students post mediocre results on international rankings, despite having one of the world’s best-financed school systems. ‘Despite resources that are unmatched anywhere in the world, we have let our grades slip, our schools crumble, our teacher quality fall short, and other nations outpace us,’ he said. He added his reform agenda would improve education at all levels, from pre-school programmes to universities.
22
www.digitalLEARNING.in
The UK government’s recent interim report on ‘Digital Britain’ makes a powerful argument for universal access to modern technology as a key driver of the country’s economic prospects. Universal access to high speed broadband by 2012 will be vital for business, not only to continue to transform business processes, but also to deliver the education and skills required. Connecting the last 40% of the population to the digital society gives a huge opportunity to raise education standards and provide powerful incentives to continue learning throughout life, across the population, the report said. The report prepared by BECTA said, never has it been more important to provide all of those facing the challenges of the labour market with the support they will need. It is clear that digital connectivity and discriminating use of digital technology have a vital role to play.
US universities break fundraising records American universities and colleges raised a record-breaking amount in gifted contributions last year – US$ 31.6 billion - but giving to higher education institutions could decline this year and in 2010, according to a new report from the Council for Aid to Education. Stanford heads the Top 20 list of fund-raising universities, receiving US$ 785 million, followed by Harvard, Columbia and Yale. Overall charitable contributions to universities and colleges grew by 6.2% in 2008, according to the annual Voluntary Support of Education (VSE) survey. This was higher than the average annual increase in contributions over the past decade of 5.7%. Giving to the Top 20 universities was up by 11.5% last year.
Call for free degrees for jobless
Teachers urged to study IT to improve learning schemes in Ghana
People made unemployed by the recession should be allowed to enrol on part-time degree courses for free, says a think tank representing new universities. Million+ says fees paid by part-time students are ‘a barrier they should not have to face’. It is urging the government to provide the funding to enable fees to be waived for those on job seekers allowance or short-time working. The government said it was spending £4.7bn on developing the workforce. Million+, which represents new universities across the UK, says allowing some people to enrol on higher education courses for free would cost the government £400m, but would bring in revenue of £523m. Unemployed people who go on to gain a degree could stand to gain in excess of £95,000 over their working lives, the think-tank estimates.
New Juaben Municipal Director of Education Christina Boateng has called on teachers to take advantage of information technology to improve learning schemes and make education attractive to their students. She said that the advent of ICT has made access to knowledge vital force for transforming social, economic and political life globally. Speaking at the opening of the Eastern Regional Conference of the Ghana Association of Science Teachers in Koforidua, she stressed that Science and Technology are vital for the development of every nation and called for heavy investments in the area to propel least developed countries to catch up with wealthier nations. She also called for the youth to be encouraged to study science in order to man Ghana’s emerging oil industry.
LEADER’S SPEAK
An Active Classroom in Promethean Planet www.prometheanworld.com
Eugene Viskovic Head of APAC and Emerging Markets Promethean Chairman and Managing Director Power Grid Corporation of India Limited
The ActivClassroom by Promethean is an integrated system of hardware, software, training and resources, designed to support teaching practice and assessment, improve student participation and strengthen the performance of all types of learners. Digital Learning catches up with Eugene Viskovic, Head of APAC and Emerging Markets, Promethean to understand more... 24
www.digitalLEARNING.in
Tell us about Promethean’s award-winning software ActivInspire. What functionalities and tools does it offer? Promethean’s latest software, ActivInspire offers cross-platform functionality that works on PC, Mac, Linux and any Interactive White Board, and two age-specific interface options. It combines the very best of our previous ActivPrimary and ActivStudio software onto a single platform - to provide a complete educational software solution. This new generation of software allows educators to choose which interface they want to interact with – opting for the familiar bright and inviting skin for primary ages or a sophisticated, modern skin for learners aged 11 years and beyond. ActivInspire also allows teachers to choose the style the layout and operation of the software to suit their teaching and comfort levels, as well as save multiple user-profiles to meet the needs of particular lessons. Lessons come to life in full colour video, sound and graphics - a bounty of flipcharts, backgrounds, images and activities are included and ready to use. However, ActivInspire is much more than just a stylish interface - fully functional, integrated tools like protractors, rulers, dice and shape recognition make the on-screen experience a real-world example unlike any other. Furthermore, the connectivity with Promethean Planet (www.PrometheanPlanet.com), the world’s largest online lesson planning and support community for interactive whiteboard users, means the scope to create and share innovative lesson content is virtually endless. Promethean’s latest software has also been designed to make classroom life a little easier. For quick lesson-building, educators can choose from a variety of themed templates, search for resources more easily in the improved browsing tabs, and now, tools can be dragged on to flipcharts, while shortcuts can be embedded within pages to enable actions to be applied instantly. Straightforward navigation is complemented by a toolbar that updates automatically with the most frequently and last used tools. Existing resources, created in any Interactive White Board software can be incorporated—PowerPoint resources can be imported too. In addition, all Promethean’s Activ Classroom technologies are fully integrated in the software; Learner Response Systems can now be seamlessly incorporated into lessons and true real-time collaboration is achieved with dual input capability at the ActivBoard or by using an ActivSlate from
“To enhance the Interactive White Board experience, we are releasing dual pen capability to our ActivBoard range through “ActivArena”. Achieved with a simple programme upgrade, the dual pen capability allows two users to use the ActivBoard at the same time, creating new levels of interaction and collaborative learning in the classroom.” anywhere in the classroom. ActivInspire is also compatible with a range of other nonPromethean software and products, making the ActivClassroom easier to manage than ever before. What are the features that differentiate Promethean Interactive White Boards from other available brands? ActivBoard is at the centre of the ActivClassroom – bringing all of the sights and sounds of interactive learning to life. It is operated using a wireless, batteryfree ActivPen, which writes like a pen and acts just like a computer mouse - allowing exceptional levels of on-screen accuracy to be achieved. Its low-glare screen provides a high quality projection surface for crystal clear imagery and wire-free technology enables the ActivBoard to interact seamlessly with our other products. Easily mounted and secured to most walls, the ActivBoard has been built to withstand the rough and tumble of everyday classroom life. Thanks to an electromagnetic grid that sits behind the screen, the ActivBoard will resist virtually any kind of screen damage and will remain unaffected by the warm temperatures and humidity. Teachers and students can use their hands to steady themselves on the board without causing any screen damage or changing what appears on screen. Promethean’s latest model, Activ Board+2, combines all the benefits of the ActivBoard with the added features of a height-adjustable stand and super shortthrow projector into a singe wall-mounted system. The stand easily raises and lowers, making the board accessible to students of all ages and heights, while the super short-throw projector minimises on-screen shadowing and delivers images so clear that they demand students’ attention. In what ways do Promethean products bridge the gap between the present generation of students and their learning, especially in a country like India, where funding and infrastructure are major issues?
The benefits of Promethean technologies to students and learning are the same in classrooms all over the world. They offer the opportunity for enhanced teaching pedagogy, empowering educators to incorporate ICT as an element in all curriculum areas and improve academic achievement by catering for the various learning styles of students. ICT is already a major investment area in education throughout India and there is a large number of Indian schools that already have the funding and infrastructure to implement our interactive classroom solutions. Although infrastructure is a consideration for this region, many schools in India already have the necessary core infrastructure, including appropriate power outlets, to
“With 285,000 members in over 200 countries, Promethean Planet offers a “one stop shop” for educators to enhance their interactive technology skills as well as share best practice, ideas and resources with their peers.” successfully introduce technologies. In addition, while internet connection is desirable, it is not an essential for schools to experience the ActivClassroom. This experience will be enhanced as Internet connectivity becomes more widely available – opening up the potential for students to connect with peers from around the world and for teachers to join the global teaching and development community at Promethean Planet. Please tell us about Promethean Planet. Promethean Planet is a free online community that is designed to provide ActivClassroom teachers around the world with the ability to share new and innovative lessons, access a wide variety of professional development materials, and connect with fellow ActivClassroom teachers from around the Planet. \\ digital LEARNING
APRIL 2009
25
LEADER’S SPEAK
Hitachi StarBoard:
A Durable Fullback www.hitachi-soft.com
Tarun Jain Country Head Hitachi Home Electronics Asia (S) Pte. Ltd., Singapore
It is just a matter of time before Interactive White Boards get perceived as a classroom imperative. There is a lot of scope for consumer education in India, says, Tarun Jain, Country Head, Hitachi Home Electronics Asia (S) Pte. Ltd.,Singapore. 26
www.digitalLEARNING.in
Do you think Interactive White Board is a feasible option keeping in view India’s education scenario and its vast inadequacies? Market research indicates that India is one of the hottest markets for interactivewhiteboard technology. Hitachi’s interactive whiteboards, the StarBoard Series has been received very well in India due to its versatile and user friendly software as well as engaging multimedia capabilities. Educational institutes that have deployed our technology have witnessed clearly visible enhancement in quality of student-teacher engagement and productivity. Most importantly, Hitachi StarBoards are very high on durability which usually proves to be the Achilles heel of most Interactive White Boards. How advanced is the Starboard FX Series compared to other brands in the market? How does it seek to revolutionise the learning environment? The strengths of the StarBoard FX Series lie in its durability, ease of use and feature-rich software. For example, even if the StarBoard gets dented for any reason, it will continue to work as the StarBoard, which does not have wires embedded on the board itself. The DuoBoard that we have just launched enhances ease of use by making it possible to write on the board using the finger or any other object, in addition to the digital pen. There are also many interesting features of the StarBoard
software that uniquely make teaching as well as learning an engaging experience. In what ways does the Wireless Tablet add on to the interactivity of a Starboard? With the wireless Hitachi BT-2G Bluetooth tablet students and teachers can work on the board from anywhere in the classroom or while moving around in the classroom. It essentially offers the convenience of teaching or presenting from anywhere in the classroom. This helps significantly increase studentteacher interactivity, as well as enhancing the engagement of the students with the subject matter on the board. Why is there a segmentation between Hitachi’s K-12 solutions and solutions for higher education? This segmentation comes from the nature of teaching classrooms. In the case of classrooms for K-12, we’re promoting FXSeries, instead of the normal white/black board. In case of higher education places like universities, we’re promoting T-17SXLG for the auditorium or lecture hall. What does the Cambridge-Hitachi joint venture seek to achieve? Hitachi has allied with distributors based on their expertise. HCL distributes HITACHI StarBoards to the government sector, while there are other distributors who are supplying to the corporates and private
educational institutes. Do you think the Indian market is matured enough to accept technological innovations like White Boards, tablets, etc. What is your forecast for 2009, given a global slowdown? India is one of the fastest growing markets for Interactive White Board technology in India and Hitachi is bullish about it. Our sales indicate that the recession has not dented demand. The government sector is going strong. Since education has inelastic demand, our sales from the education sector
“Our sales indicate that the recession has not dented demand. The government sector is going strong. Since education has inelastic demand, our sales from the education sector have also not been dented.” have also not been dented. Of course, there is still a lot of scope for consumer education in India, but we feel that as educational institutes in India are getting more technology savvy, it is just a matter of time before Interactive White Boards get perceived as a classroom imperative, rather than a luxury. We look forward to maintaining our growth momentum in 2009. \\
CALL FOR PAPERS
INDIA
2009
Digital Learning INDIA 2009 seeks abstracts/ proposals/presentations from individuals who illustrate innovation in using Information and Communication Technologies for Educational Development. Individual Speakers representing an innovative organization, project or work should indicate how their projects, or organizations demonstrate innovation in applying information and communication technologies for Education. To see the conference themes, please visit www.eINDIA.net.in/digitallearning Last Date for Abstract Submission: 15th April 2009 | Notification of Acceptance of Abstract: 15th May 2009 | Full Paper Submission: 30th June 2009 Submit your abstracts/proposals to papers@eINDIA.net.in To know about the conference themes and the Guidelines for Abstract and Paper Submission, please visit www.eindia.net.in/2009/CallForPapers.asp
5th
India's Largest ICT Event 25 - 27 August 2009 Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India digital LEARNING
APRIL 2009
27
LEADER’S SPEAK
SMART Board: Getting Smarter on ROI www.smarttech.com
Terry wason area Manager - CEE, Russia & India SMART Technologies
“Notebook software is included with the purchase of a SMART Board and many other SMART products and it is offered in 44 languages, including Hindi.”
28
www.digitalLEARNING.in
Tell us about the Interactive White Board technology produced by SMART Technologies. SMART invented the Interactive White Board and sold the first SMART Board in 1991. The SMART Board combines the simplicity of a White Board with the power of a computer. The board is touch-sensitive and connects to a computer and digital projector to allow a user to access and control any computer application or Internet resource by simply touching the board’s surface. The SMART Board itself connects to a computer with a USB cable to send input information from the board and to draw the power it needs from the computer. When you connect a digital projector to your computer, you can project the computer image onto the SMART Board. SMART technology allows you to use your finger as a mouse or write overtop of applications with digital ink. How is it beneficial for students? There have been several studies that show, learning outcomes have improved with the use of Interactive White Boards and proper teaching techniques. The most notable studies have come from the University of Virginia, Becta (UK) and European Schoolnet. Anecdotally, many customers comment on gains in performance up to 15 percent. In general, these studies show that use of Interactive White Boards // improve student engagement, // improve motivation and attendance, // support different learning styles and special needs, // improve review and retention, // improve teacher productivity. What makes SMART IWBs different from other IWBs available in the market? There are several factors that distinguish SMART Boards from others: SMART is and has always been the leading supplier of Interactive White Boards in the world. The latest independent research shows that SMART sells more Interactive White Boards than all our competitors combined – a 53.2 percent product category share. Part of the reason for that continued leadership is that our SMART Boards are easy to use and include the award-winning Notebook software. And we recently announced a new feature: all new SMART Boards now have Touch Recognition. When a pen is touched to the board, ink appears. When touched with a finger, the board automatically switches to touch mode and the finger acts like a mouse.
When the eraser or a palm is used on the board, ink can be erased – all this without having to return the pen to the tray. In effect, this feature mimics the way someone would use a dry erase board or a chalkboard. How have you calculated the feasibility of SMART IWBs in the Indian scenario? The SMART Board Interactive White Boards and the SMART Notebook software
In the face of worldwide economic slowdown, what is the projection for sales in India this year? Regardless of the economic environment, educators everywhere, including India, will always use available resources to deliver improved student learning outcomes. A significant amount of research has been done by a variety of independent organisations around the world which demonstrates that
“The latest independent research shows that SMART sells more Interactive White Boards than all our competitors combined - a 53.2 percent product category share” that comes with the boards can help close the digital divide by providing access to a 21st-century education. We have introduced the SMART Board V280, which is more reasonably priced, but still comes with the powerful SMART Notebook software; it offers a viable option for areas of the world that wants the benefits of SMART’s awardwinning products at a more affordable cost. Tell us about the SMART Notebook software. SMART Notebook software is any easyto-use application that allows teachers to add interactivity to lessons through an array of powerful education tools and resources. The latest version of one of the most popular collaborative learning software products in the world now includes access to more than 100,000 new pieces of educational content and an updated teachers’ resource hub, which connects teachers to hundreds of lesson activities and offers tools that help them use Notebook software more effectively. Notebook software is included with the purchase of a SMART Board and many other SMART products and it is offered in 44 languages, including Hindi. Every school day, millions of teachers and students around the world experience the way Notebook software integrates seamlessly with the SMART Board. New features are regularly added, built on feedback provided by teachers and students. To give you an idea of the popularity of Notebook – in 2008, its English-language lesson activities, the Lesson Activity Toolkit for Notebook, and question sets for our Senteo interactive response system, were downloaded more than 1,500,000 times. Full versions of Notebook software are available for all three major operating systems – Linux, Windows and Mac.
the effective use of classroom technology, and especially Interactive White Boards, results in significant improvements in student learning outcomes. In addition, many educators and political leaders identify education as a key priority and driver of improved economic environments. Preparing students for the 21st century technology-driven workplace will help drive economic prosperity over the long term. Finally, IWBs in particular are among the most cost-effective investments to bring technology into a classroom in a way that reaches all students. At an affordable cost, a teacher can deliver engaging lessons to a whole class of students on a variety of subjects, in a variety of levels and learning styles, for many years. There are not many other purchases that provide better return on investment. SMART is prepared to work with education officials in India to ensure as many teachers and students as possible have access to our classroom technology. Tell us about your journey so far and your roles and responsibilities in your present capacity. I was born and raised in India. I worked in the telecommunications industry in India for nearly ten years before I migrated to Calgary, Canada in 2000. I worked for a Calgary based company – called Wi-LAN Inc, a wireless equipment manufacturer and a pioneer in WIMAX technology. I joined SMART in April 2006 as their International Channel Manager for Central and Eastern Europe. I have also handled Asia Pacific region at SMART and since the summer of 2008 I have been responsible for India and South Asia as well. In the near future I foresee myself focusing all my time on India and South Asia.\\ digital LEARNING
APRIL 2009
29
LEADER’S SPEAK
Creating an Innovative Technology Ecosystem www.scientech.bz
Mohammed Ghouse Manager (Analyst & Media) Scientech Technologies Pvt. Ltdd Managing Director Power Grid Corporation of India Limited
30
www.digitalLEARNING.in
// LEADER’S SPEAK
“Our Corporate line “Innovative Technology Ecosystem” Testifies our philosophy. Scientech was always associated with Education segment.”
Scientech Solutions are comprehensive soltions such as innovative Interactive portable solution eBeam, which doesn’t restrict one to size as it creates an interactive workspace of 100” Diagonal. Its purely Plug n Play and light weight. Mohammed Ghouse, Manager (Analyst & Media), Scientech Technologies Pvt. Ltd. talks more...
32
www.digitalLEARNING.in
Scientech started out as a company manufacturing Test & Measurement Instruments. What was the motivation behind the shift to education solutions? Our Corporate line “Innovative Technology Ecosystem” Testifies our philosophy. Scientech was always associated with Education segment . Digital Learning is just a community of our Innovative Ecosystem. Our Ecosystem will have all forms of learning / training systems. Our Innovative Ecosystem consists of wide range of products to cater the needs of education from Classroom to lab & For K12 to IIT’s. What are the major functionalities that differentiate the Scientech Solutions from other White Boards? Scientech Solutions are comprehensive solutions such as innovative Interactive portable solution eBeam, which doesn’t restrict one to size as it creates an interactive workspace of 100” Diagonal. Its purely Plug n Play and light weight. It can be easily paired with wireless tablet and comes with dual input feature. And unique add-ons, such as Document Camera, Livewire, etc. makes it a best ICT product. Scientech Technologies is the global manufacturer of technology training products, which keeps us ahead of other competitors. Tell us about your new products for the education sector. The new product is eBeam Document Camera. The eBeam Focus 150 document camera allows users to view and digitize real-world material instantly and import the content directly into eBeam Scrapbook. Capture snapshots or video of text, physical objects, and even people and import them into Scrapbook with the click of a button. The eBeam Inscribe 200e wireless tablet allows users to perform familiar mouse functions and utilise all the features and functionality of standard software applications from anywhere in a conference room, classroom, or large meeting space.
The tablets are lightweight and compact; yet provide ample workspace for efficient desktop and program navigation and input.Through a seamless integration with eBeam Scrapbook, the Inscribe 200e offers a unique dual input feature with the tablet and the Interactive Stylus. Also, while someone is drawing in Scrapbook with the tablet, someone at the board can simultaneously use full mousefunctionality to drag in images, edit strokes, or set up a shared meeting. eBeam LiveWire, Simply connects the eBeam receiver to any PC via LiveWire and run eBeam software directly from the cable – no downloading or installing is necessary. eBeam LiveWire eliminates the need for software CDs or time-consuming downloads.
“eBeam LiveWire, Simply connects the eBeam receiver to any PC via LiveWire and run eBeam software directly from the cable – no downloading or installing is necessary”
What do you think of the market segment for White Boards in India? Do you think the economic slowdown is bound to affect its growth? White Board market is good, Its a product for Masses .The market will flourish more if some of the shortcomings are overcomed like high Projector costs, Power/ electricity problems. Market slow down doesn’t made major impact . Do you think our graduates have the necessary skill sets required to compete with the global workforce? Yes, they are. But the percentage is very less. Using ICT at ealry stages of learning/teaching will definatley improve the skillsets.\\
NEWS
CORPORATE
HP Software University launched in India World technology leader Hewlett-Packard (HP) has launched HP Software University (HPSU) in partnership with the Indian Institute of Hardware Technology (IIHT) to train and certify software testing professionals. The unique university will be initially launched in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Noida, Chennai and Bangalore and HP has plans to add more cities over the next few months. The global software testing market is estimated to be US$ 13 billion and India is expected to contribute 70% of the market. Its present share is US$ 6.5-7 billion. This programme from HP in the non-enterprise training space aims to address the growing demand of software testing. With a market share of over 60% in application testing, HP was well poised to address the enormous demand for Industry ready talent in software testing, HP India Managing Director Neelam Dhawan said.
is the academic partner for this test and provides the test design know-how for this programme. 1score evaluates students on Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, and creates a readiness index on the student’s preparedness to face various engineering entrance examinations. The students are given a feel of new exam procedures like online applications, OMR answer sheets, etc. A detailed report and analysis of how the candidate has performed in 1score is shared along with constructive inputs on topics of strength and areas of improvement.
Intel to train 5,000 Rwandan secondary school teachers in ICT Rwanda’s Ministry of Education has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Intel for training 5,000 secondary school teachers in ICT. At the signing ceremony at the Ministry’s headquarters, State Minister in Charge of Primary and Secondary Education, Theoneste Mutsindashyaka commended the project, stressing that it was going to enhance the development of education in Rwanda. The Minister also revealed that Intel was going to help in revamping the Rwanda Computer Centre (RCC), a local computer assembling company to enable it to assemble computers for a larger market. Under the programme, 50 people will be trained initially, who will in turn train the 5,000 teachers around the country whose number is expected to increase to 10,000 within three years. According to the MoU, Intel will fund the development and revision of Intel Teach Curriculum, and will also fund localisation of the programme.
Cisco and Metropolis collaborate to develop sustainable intelligent cities
MeritTrac launches India’s 1st mock entrance test MeritTrac Services has announced the launch of 1score, India’s first unified mock entrance test. This test claims to help students in evaluating their preparedness for various engineering entrance examinations by taking one common test. The students get a comparative analysis of how they would perform on various leading engineering entrance examinations, including IIT-JEE, AIEEE, CET, EAMCET, BITSAT, Manipal UGET, etc. Edurite Technologies 34
www.digitalLEARNING.in
Cisco has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Metropolis, an association comprising 106 of the world’s largest cities, to develop its ‘Vision 2030’ for sustainable cities around the world. As part of this MoU, Cisco will advise Metropolis on how to build a collaborative operating model between Metropolis member cities and establish an Urban Leadership Academy to demonstrate how future cities can effectively use technology to advance clean public transportation, decrease pollution through intelligent urban development, offer pervasive access to citizen-centric services and support sustainable economic growth. As part of the strategic collaboration, Cisco will collaborate with Metropolis over an initial two-year period to develop new practices and enhance existing models in urban development and sustainability. The collaboration with Metropolis is a significant milestone for Cisco, as part of its recently launched global ‘Intelligent Urbanisation’ initiative.
Untapped Indian market gets SMART focus Terming the Indian market as largely untapped in terms of the spread of Interactive White Boards, SMART launched V280 board in New Delhi. Terry Wason, Area Manager for CEE, Russia and India, SMART Technologies launching the new product, maintained that this launch signifies the growing interest of the company in the Indian market. Talking about the market strategies of SMART in India, Wason stated that with the penetration levels of Interactive White Boards standing a way less than 1% in the country, India has to go a long way in this regard. ‘Since we a have a market share of 53.2% worldwide, we are also optimistic about the Indian market which remains largely untapped.’
PRODUCT profile
Take Pupils on an Amazing Journey of Discovery www.prometheanworld.com
World-class learning tools which meet the holistic needs of today’s classrooms are widely available from Promethean, the global leader and innovator in interactive learning. Connect with pupils by bringing the digital world into the classroom with The ActivClassroom – an innovative range of pick-and-mix products which enable teachers to take their pupils to places they have never been before. Developed for teachers by teachers, The ActivClassroom offers an all-encompassing solution that integrates 21st century technologies with an existing classroom setup and comprises everything a teacher might need to create an incredible educational experience. Lesson plans are brought to life in a digital format, while learning becomes truly immersive via visual and audio technology, so engaging pupils, capturing their attention and enriching the education of learners from pre-school through to post-16. Interactive whiteboards are at the heart of The ActivClassroom and have transformed the learning space into a vibrant, welcoming environment where students are encouraged to learn like they think. It doesn’t stop there. Promethean’s market-leading Learner Response Systems ensure every pupil has a voice. Assessment for learning is a revolutionary way for teachers to gain instant insights into pupil understanding of a concept, lesson or idea, while creating an engaging environment that encourages contribution and creativity. Award-winning educational software is the spark that lights the flame of learning, and Promethean’s own software has set the standard for 21st century interactive learning by granting teachers access to thousands of user-friendly tools to stimulate the imagination and renew pupils’ motivation to learn. New ActivInspire is a single product that combines the best of Promethean software into one platform. It is a fun, friendly and
versatile time-saver for teachers who choose how they interface with the software – sophisticated for secondary, bright and inviting for primary. Lessons are brought to life with full colour video, sound and graphics, but it’s more than just a pretty interface. It’s a fully functional, integrated tool which creates a stimulating real world experience for users. Promethean is passionate about education and believes in building partnerships that enrich the learning environment. The ActivClassroom products are distributed via a global network ofpartners and inspire millions of learners in more than 70 countries. The company is committed to creating
integrated classroom solutions and technologies which empower teachers by allowing them to engage, educate, assess and motivate learners; and offers a comprehensive support and professional development service to enable optimum usage and return on investment. Customise your own ActivClassroom with our suite of interactive whiteboards, Learner Response Systems, teaching software and interactive tools to take your teaching to the next level. www.prometheanplanet.com is a free online community where teachers from all over the world come together to connect, share ideas and download useful teaching resources. WHERE TO THIS TIME?\\
Innovative products to enhance your ActivClassroom ActiVote: Wireless and user-friendly, ActiVote is Promethean’s original, hand-held learner response system. This electronic voting system integrates with the interactive whiteboard and is a fast, effective way to obtain responses from the entire class. ActivSlate: Interact from anywhere with this wire-free, fully integrated mini-board that allows users the flexibility to move around the classroom as they teach. ActivTablet: ActivTablet plugs directly into the computer’s USB port enabling maximum portability, and the wireless pen simulates interaction with the ActivBoard even when teachers are nowhere near it. ActivPanel: With Activpanel teachers get the power of interactive teaching on walls of all sizes. This easy-to-use product features a 15 inch LCD mini-board which shows exactly what’s on the computer screen. ActivPen: A unique, battery-free, wireless pen that allows pupils to drag and drop elements, highlight or open tools, on an ActivBoard or ActivSlate. An on-screen cursor means pupils and teachers always know where they are, and the pen design aids writing development from an early age. ActivWand: This device acts just like the ActivPen, but provides three times the reach to enables teachers and pupils of varying heights to interact comfortably with the ActivBoard. Designed with a comfy handle and clickable function, ActivWand is not just a pointer – it hovers, and can reveal dropdown menus or web pages with flash features and is incredibly precise.
digital LEARNING
APRIL 2009
35
PRODUCT PRODUCTS profile
Starboards: A Powerful Teaching and Learning Tool www.starboard.hitachi-soft.com
Students live in a multimedia world today. However, the technology that students enjoy in their lives outside of school makes it more difficult for teachers to capture their attention in the classroom with ‘old-fashioned’ tools such as chalkboards, whiteboards and overhead projectors. In order to inspire & catch the attention of techno driven youth use of latest and exciting technology should be used to make education a fun experience. Visually stimulate your learners by using an interactive Whiteboard. Interactive Whiteboards are effective in improving the way we meet, teach, train, and present. An Interactive Whiteboard is a surface onto which a computer screen can be displayed via a projector and then interact with the information. It allows the teacher or presenter to access and display information from the Internet, run live video from a camera, interactive presentations and color visuals. Connected to a computer and projector, an interactive whiteboard becomes a powerful tool for teaching, collaborating and presenting. An Interactive Whiteboard is touch-
Features // Use a variety of pens, papers backgrounds and effects // Customize your toolbar // Add notes, and highlights or add emphasis to the images // Scroll so you never run out of space // Convert hand-drawn shapes into geometrical objects // Save and upload each user profile // Link boards through video conferencing
36
www.digitalLEARNING.in
sensitive, where your finger can act as a mouse or a pen. With the press of a finger, you can access and control applications on your computer or write, draw, and highlight on the board using electronic pens and erasers. Changes made to information projected onto the whiteboard are transferred to the computer and can be saved and retrieved in future lessons. Whiteboards can help you deliver exciting and engaging lessons to learners of all ages and abilities. Hitachi Being one of the leading Global Vendors for Interactive WhiteBoards has a series of technically advanced models called Starboards. Hitachi`s Starboard FX Series is the most selling and popular interactive whiteboard to date. It delivers the highest quality of benefits at attractive and competitive prices offering users a selection of powerful tools for meetings, training and conferencing for business and education. They include a range of hardware configurations to fit all presentation, education and communication budgets and room environments. Every FX-Series board includes the most advanced presentation software available – the StarBoard suite of software. Easy to learn and install, it is designed to help the user become confident with the whiteboard within minutes. These versatile, high-performance products feature large-format image areas (77” and 82” diagonal), with durable, antiglare steel-backed projection surfaces for both electronic sensing-based and dry-erase writing. FX Series whiteboards are available with serial or USB wireless computer interfaces. Benefits Improving Teachers Effectiveness and
”Teachers can comfortably write, highlight, and draw to create visual and interactive Computer-based lessons.” productivity. They make it easy for teachers to enhance presentation content by easily integrating a wide range of material into a lesson, such as a picture from the Internet, a graph from a spreadsheet or text from a Microsoft Word file, in addition to student and teacher annotations on these objects. Good visual tools allow teachers to give simple and explicit instruction. It Also allows teachers to record their instruction as digital video files and post the material for review by students at a later time. // They allow learners to absorb information more easily. // They allow learners to participate in group discussions by freeing them from notetaking. // Makes learning an enjoyable experience for students through active learning. // Improving Students attention , greater participation , increased retention & Recall of content. \\
In India Hitachi Starboards are distributed by HCL Infosystems Ltd. Some of major institutions where Hitachi Starboard have been installed and are being used for education and training are Kendriya Vidhyalayas, Central Tibetan School, Directorate of Training, Central Railways, ITBP, etc.
PRODUCT profile
E Learn Interactive White Board:
The Way to Teach Now is Digital www.ceeco.in Interactive White BOARD
E Learn Interactive White Board is a large interactive display that connects to a computer and projector. A projector projects the computer’s desktop onto the board’s surface, where users control the computer using a passive pen or finger. The board is typically mounted to a wall or on a floor stand. E Learn Interactive White Boards are used in a variety of settings such as in classrooms at all levels of education, in corporate board rooms and work groups, in training rooms for professional coaching, broadcasting studios and more. Operation The E Learn Interactive White Board is connected to a computer through a USB cable. A device driver software is loaded onto the attached computer where it enables the E Learn Interactive White Board to act as a Human Input Device (HID). The IWB usually becomes active once connected and the driver is running. Usage Uses for E Learn IWBs include: // Operating any software that is loaded onto the connected PC, including Internet browsers or proprietary software. // Using software to capture notes written on the White Board. // Controlling the PC. // Annotating a programme or presentation. E Learn Interactive White Boards can be used as replacements for traditional White Boards and projection screens. In fact, they act as a very powerful interactive device combining the functionalities of both White Boards and Projection Screens. The interactive monitor is a touch writable device that can be seamlessly integrated with E Learn IWBs to enable a thoroughly interactive teaching and learning session. The software supplied with the IWB allows 38
www.digitalLEARNING.in
USB
NK BOARD
PROJECTOR COMPUTER
VGA
the teachers /presenters to keep their notes and annotations as an electronic file for later distribution either on paper or through a number of electronic formats. The software also allows the presenter to directly take out the printouts for distribution amongst trainees or as a special feature allows the presenter to send the entire presentation/training session to various people directly through e.mail as a pdf / ppt attachment. In addition, E Learn IWBs allow teachers to record their instruction as digital video files and post the material for review by students at a later time. This can be a very effective instructional strategy for students who benefit from repetition, who need to see the material presented again, for students who are absent from school, for struggling learners, and for review for examinations. Brief instructional blocks can be recorded for review by students—they will see the exact presentation that occurred in the classroom with the teacher’s audio input. This can help transform learning and instruction. Many educational institutes, companies and
projects now focus on creating supplemental instructional materials specifically designed for IWBs.\\
Features // Accurate & ultra responsive touch system // Anti-glare, metalic coated surface // Pen trya for auto recognition of pen colours // Draw with a pen or use your finger options // Unlimited colours, pen shapes, pen tips, annotate // Support online real time editing // Support third party software applications // Transfer of files easier & faster // Saves files in many formats like PDF, PP, HTML, etc. // No electro-magnetic radiation, no chalk dust.
The E Learn IWBs are distributed in India by CEECO Technologies, New Delhi.
PRODUCT profile
Dynamic Projector Solutions for Modern Classrooms www.vivitekcorp.com
Technology is becoming increasingly integrated into our classrooms. Being able to project what is on a computer screen at the class opens up a world of possibilities for new learning experiences for the students. From the chalk and blackboard days to the Interactive White Boards, learning portals and huge computer suites, the delivery of learning has been revolutionised by information technology. These sophisticated systems can now be used by teachers to breathe life into what-in the absence of a projector-would be stagnant, linear, paper-bound experiences. A global research shows that regardless of whether educators are in a school setting or one of higher learning, they all realise the same benefits from using a multimedia projector. Projectors keep the audience interested in what is being presented, there is higher retention of the information being shown, and it saves both time and money not having to do a slide or overhead creation.
The Vivitek Corporation offers a large range of DLP based high-value projectors for all segments. Its complete projector line is equipped with DLP technology, forgoing any LCD models.
For technology to be effective, the teacher must be proficient in the use of relevant technology, being able to get the best out of its use and maximise its educational benefits so that the pupils can learn effectively. The Vivitek Corporation offers a large range of DLP based high-value projectors for all segments. Its complete projector line is equipped with DLP technology, forgoing any 40
www.digitalLEARNING.in
VIVITEK
LCD models. The Vivitek product line includes portable, data projector, home theater, and dual lamp projectors and a full line-up of 1080p HD digital signage and state-of-theart, large-screen power products. The all-new D825MS (SVGA) and D930TX Short Throw DLP projectors are part of Vivitek’s new line of mobile projectors equipped with the features you need to make projector operation and maintenance simple for education sector. These portable projectors are incorporated with the latest DLP technology from Texas Instruments that displays crisp, fantastic images, and also features BrilliantColor for exceptional brightness of vibrant colors. The D825 MS have an ultra-portable lightweight design, at only 5.7 lbs, which fit a variety of applications for business, education, and other professional organisations. You can view your presentation and keep engaged with your audiences by attaching your personal computer to the projectors’ monitor loop ports. The D825MS and D825MX projectors shine bright at 2600 ANSI Lumens and have a 2200:1 contrast ratio to display extraordinarily crisp details, ideal for a class room use. In addition to easy portability, the D825MS and D825MX DLP projectors offer rapid start-up and instant shutdown features that enable you to immediately begin the presentation and then shutdown without having to wait until it cools down. The D825MS and D825MX are designed filter-free eliminating the maintenance fee and
inconvenience of replacement; the units also have a cost-effective lamp life of up to 4,000 hours (Eco-Mode). The Digital keystone correction allows the user to adjust image setting in the most challenging presentation environment. The low noise level of 30dB (Eco Mode) and 32dB (Standard Mode) is ideal for a class-room use. The D930TX is Vivitek’s first short throw projector, designed for tighter spaces and special environment requirements. The new short throw projector eliminates the walk-through that can be distracting while, watching a presentation, or viewing films in closer environs. The D930TX is able to be placed close to the screen (3.2 feet at 76”), and still produce a beautiful, room-sized image without interference. Brilliant, 100” color images from the D930TX are achieved from a distance of only 4.3 feet and for fulluse versatility the projector has HDMI and RJ45 connectivity for complete compatibility. Because short throw venues are usually closer quarters, the compact, 7.7-pound D930TX is designed with a quiet fan, running only 34dB in economy mode, and also has on-board vertical Keystone correction for even more precise adjustments. Additional selections of connectivity features on the D930TX include a USB control terminal, and an RS-232C communication port for full integration into classroom environments. The unit comes with its own carrying case for easy transport, and a fully featured IR remote with laser pointer and mouse functions.\\
PRODUCT profile
Empower your Classroom with eBeam Tool www.scientech.bz
Classrooms are as unique as the teachers that teach in them and the students that learn in them. Rarely are there two alike and even ones proportioned the same are usually arranged very differently. It is this spirit of individuality eBeam is designed to embrace. Its compact size and feature-rich software can be used by the most nervous technophobe or the most skilled techie and everybody in between. At a fraction of the cost of other Interactive White Board solutions, the highly portable and cost-effective eBeam systems turn ordinary White Boards into interactive tools. The eBeam receiver, at just 6 inches across and 140 Grams, fits seamlessly into the corner of any existing White Board and can activate up to 8 feet of board space. When one turns the projector off, the White Board goes back to being just that – a White Board. In absence of a projector, the eBeam White Board software can be used to record notes using real dry erase markers.
Five Ways eBeam can Improve Learning and Communication in the Classroom: 1. Capturing, Printing and Distributing Assignments, Notes and Drawings Interactive White Board solutions eBeam, is used in math and science classes to capture notes and drawings as they are written on the White Board. Once they are saved to a computer, teachers can print copies of White Board notes and assignments, and post the information on their virtual workspaces on the Internet. 2. Leveraging Interactive Media for Project Assignments Teachers have begun to integrate technology as they design new class projects. As an example, a history instructor, tired of assigning traditional research papers, assigned a research project using interactive media tools. The students loved the project, and the instructor enjoyed her role as facilitator, advising the students on the research and coordinating the work of the teams. 3. Promoting Study Group Learning and Teamwork A business school has found a more effective way to disseminate ideas and information between students, faculty, and staff. Historically, an important component of this particular MBA programme has been the open discussion and debate that takes place in classes of 40 to 60 students. These classes break down into study groups of six to eight participants who work interactively to generate ideas that are discussed later with the rest of the class. The programme already offered state-ofthe art computers, network, and presentation
42
www.digitalLEARNING.in
equipment for students and faculty. To capture and distribute the brainstorms created in the study groups and larger classes, the Business School has installed eBeam Interactive White Board systems on their existing White Boards in every classroom and lecture hall. Lecture notes are posted on a central website, so that students can have accurate copies of complicated charts and diagrams created during class. The technology has dramatically improved the efficiency of learning and has been extremely well-received, not only by programme participants, but also by internal staff. 4) Improving Staff Technology Education Traditional technology instruction sessions in which teachers sign up for an hour-long class on PowerPoint or other applications simply don’t work. Scheduling classes around the coaching, tutoring, and other out-of-class responsibilities for a large group faculty can be impossible. Instead, technology leaders within schools can leverage interactive whiteboard and projection technology to hold training sessions in person or remotely via the Internet. This makes it possible to train staff new software available locally, as well as new Internet-based tools at their convenience. 5. Assisting with Home Schooling To support the off-site activities, the school uses Interactive White Board technology, email, instant messaging, and chat rooms to extend personal interaction beyond the few hours spent on campus each week. The students can print, save, and publish their word maps and charts.\\ In India, Scientech Technologies Pvt. Ltd., makes available info@scientech.bz.
PRODUCT profile
mimio: Transforming Teaching and Learning www.mimio.com Educating today’s students means more than just getting them to pass tests. It also means improving instruction for all students— and increasing student engagement and learning. A classroom that meets this challenge is an interactive classroom. It features students actively interacting with dynamic content rather than passively listening to teacher lectures or answering questions at the end of a textbook chapter. It takes advantage of tools that provide students with a world of rich resources. Now, let us demonstrate how mimio interactive technology is synonymous with advanced innovation, quality, value and commitment to award-winning educational classroom solutions. mimio Technology: How does it Work? Unlike conventional Interactive Whiteboard technologies, mimio’s tracking technology is not embedded in the whiteboard surface. Instead, it uses ultrasound and infrared to create a surface independent tracking system. This solution provides several benefits to both buyers and end users. The tracking system: The mimio system uses ultrasound and infrared to track the position of the pen and communicate pen information. The mimio attaches to any flat surface, either using suction cups or mounting brackets. The mimio contains two ultrasonic receivers and one infrared receiver. The two ultrasonic receives are fixed with a known distance between them. Benefits:Affordability, with all of the functionality you expect from an Interactive White Board, is mimio’s most obvious benefits. The first factor is that the mimio system costs less to manufacture than competitive products and covers a larger surface area (up to an 8-foot by 4-foot White Board). The second factor is that mimio attaches
to an existing White Board, drastically reducing its installation expense. The third factor is mimio’s portability; multiple locations or classrooms can share a single device. The fourth and most important factor is that the mimio technology is not embedded in the White Board; as such, the tracking system will continue to work even if the surface board is damaged. Additionally, damage to White Boards will be less frequent. Ease of installation and setup is another benefit. The mimio system ships in a small box that is quickly unpacked and setup by a single person in a matter of minutes, requiring no tools. Lastly, the mimio system was designed to be extendable. All mimio accessories, including add-ons that can be used to create a wireless connection to the PC (mimio Wireless), capture real ink written by dryerase markers (mimio Capture Kit) and a mobile wireless tablet (mimio Pad), seamlessly integrated with the mimio hardware and software. Here are some examples of the impact and results experienced by a handful of the more than 200,000 “mimio teachers” around the world today. Tara Jarman: Lifting Students to Higher Achievement Tara utilises many websites that have projectable books, phonics activities, and videos such as www.starfall.com , www. keyskills4u.com, www.eduplace.com and www.readinga-z.com. When struggling readers are told to read a passage or story independently, they often stare out into space, and do not attend to it. However, when Tara puts a lesson on the mimio using Studio features such as reveal and spotlight, and calls on students to read, they all do it eagerly and perfectly! Tara pursued the mimio Master’s online training course including weekly assignments, learning and practicing
the toolbox and gallery functions, participating in online discussions and,perhaps most importantly, collaborating with teachers around the country. After just 18 weeks of school that had risen to a 2.1 (first month of second grade)—six months of growth in only four months! Daniel Lynch: mimio In A Special Education Setting Daniel is a Special Education teacher at the Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, VA. He teaches three Self-Contained Math 8 classes as well as two Team Taught Math 8 classes. Admittedly not a technophile, Dan has found that interactive teaching with mimio Interactive White Boards has been remotivating and that the technological aspects of using mimio are easily mastered. As he says “Unlike some technology tools, using mimio never keeps me from paying attention to my students. In fact, mimio advances their learning, and that’s what teaching is all about – learning.” A mimio-enabled White Board can be used both as an Interactive White Board and as a traditional dry-erase marker board. mimio does everything that other conventional IWB do, but in a manner that allows a user to get started quickly and discover more depth as they become more comfortable with the system. mimio’s Interactive learning products will continue to be refined as mimio develops a variety of complimentary edcational solutions specific to the classroom environment at a lower cost. \\ digital LEARNING
APRIL 2009
43
EVENTS
Mark your calendar
2009 International Confeence on Future Computerand Communication (ICFCC 2009)
2009 Canadian Network for Innovation in Education (CNIE) International Conference
3 to 5 April 2009 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia http://www.icfcc.org
10 to 13 May 2009 Ottawa, ON, Canada http://www.learningconference.ca
5-th eLSE 2009 - eLearning and Software for Education
Community Engagement and Service: The Third Mission of Universities
9 to 10 April 2009 Bucharest, Romania http://adl.unap.ro/else2009
Counselors to Higher Education (CHE) Senior Summit 15 to 17 April 2009 Washington, DC, United States http://www.prsa.org/networking/sections/ che/events.html
2009 International Conference on Education Technology and Computer (ICETC 2009) 17 to 20 April 2009 Singapore, Singapore http://www.icetc.org/
Interactive Mobile and Computer Aided Learning, IMCL2009 22 to 24 April 2009 Amman, Amman, Jordan http://www.imcl-conference.org/
5th EduMedia Conference 2009 - Creativity and Innovation Competencies in the Web (e-creativity and e-innovation) 4 to 5 May 2009 Salzburg, Austria http://edumedia.salzburgresearch.at/
18 to 20 May 2009 Vancouver, BC, Canada http://www.chet.educ.ubc.ca/Conferences1. html
Canadian Association for University Continuing Education 2009 Annual Conference 20 to 23 May 2009 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada http://www.cauce2009.ubc.ca
American Canadian Conference for Academic Disciplines 25 to 28 May 2009 Toronto, Ontario, Canada http://www.internationaljournal.org/torontoconference.html
eLearning Africa 2009 27 to 29 May 2009 Dakar, Senegal http://www.elearning-africa.com
European Conference for Academic Disciplines 1 to 4 June 2009 Bad Hofgastein, Outside Salzburg, Austria http://www.internationaljournal.org/austriaconf.html
Enlist your event here. Write to info@digitalLEARNING.in
44
www.digitalLEARNING.in
25-27 August, Hyderabad International Convention Centre India Fifth annual eIndia 2009, the largest event in India on Information and Communication Technologies, will be held on 25 - 27th August at Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Hyderabad, India. This three-day international conference and exhibition is a unique platform for knowledge sharing in different domains of ICT for development and facilitates multi-stakeholder partnerships and networking among governments, industry, academia and civil society organisations of various countries, including India. The objective is to bring together ICT experts, practitioners, business leaders and stakeholders of the region onto one platform, through keynote addresses, paper presentations, thematic workshops and exhibitions. eINDIA 2009, through its four seminal conferences, will focus on four emerging application domains of ICT for Development: e-Governance, Education, Rural Development, and Health services. The four tracks of eINDIA are: • eGov India • Digital Learning India • eHealth India • Indian Telecentre Forum Call For Papers eINDIA 2009 seeks abstracts/ proposal(s) for speakers who illustrate innovation in using information and communication technologies for development, by 15 April 2009. Abstract Submission: 15th April 2009 Notification of Acceptance of Abstract: 15th May 2009 Full Paper Submission: 30th June 2009 Submit your abstracts/proposals at papers@ eINDIA.net.in Exhibition eINDIA 2009 will also host an exhibition featuring the best in cutting edge technology across India and beyond. The list of exhibitors will be made available online and will be updated regularly in the run up to the event in August. For more details on the event, log on to www.eINDIA.net.in