digitalLEARNING May 2013

Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier Monthly Magazine on ICT in Education

volume 9

I issue 05 I may 2013 I ISSN 0973-4139 I ` 75

education.eletsonline.com

Special Issue

World Education Summit 2013

Strengthening Equity,

Inclusion and Quality Dr Asim Ahmed Minister of Education, Maldives

Dina Nath Sharma Minister of Education, Nepal

Brij Kishore Sharma Minister of Education, Rajasthan

R P Sisodia Joint Secretary, Higher Education, MHRD

Prof Parvin Sinclair Director, NCERT

Prof M J Xavier Director, IIM Ranchi

Ryan Pinto CEO, Ryan International Group of Institutions

TalentMetr cs A s s e s s .

P r e d i c t .

E n a b l e .

Contents

ISSN 0973-4139

volume 09 issue 05 May 2013

29 Innovations for Efficient Delivery of Education

Dr Asim Ahmed Minister of Education, Maldives

Dina Nath Sharma Minister of Education, Nepal

R P Sisodia Joint Secretary, Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, GoI

76 Brij Kishore Sharma Education Minister, Rajasthan

Academia SPEAK 12 Explore, Analyse and Assess in Education

Prof S K Kak, Vice Chancellor, Mahamaya Technical University

26 Innovation for Better Outcomes in Education

Dr RSK Laksshmana Prabhu, Director, PSNA College of Engineering & Technology, Dindigul

WES AWARDS 30

Government Initiative in Education

Multimedia Content for K-12 Education

corporate diary

Technology for Engineering Institutes

16 VSN Raju, CEO, Globarena Technologies

Innovation in Teaching Pedagogy

Use of Assistive Technologies in Education

e-Campus Initiative

Global Collaborative Learning

Green Campus Initiative

Innovation by Engineering Institute

Innovation by Management Institute

Innovation in Open and Distance Learning

Innovation in Teaching Pedagogy

Academia - Industry Interface

Innovation in Language(s) Education

e-School Initiative

Global Collaborative Learning

Green School Initiative

Innovation in Math Education

Innovation in Pre-School

Innovation in Teaching Pedagogy

Vocational Education and Training

Non Government Sector Initiative in Education

Initiative by start up

Pvt Ltd

Special Feature 20 Cyberfort Technologies: Securing the Virtual World

Amit Kumar, President, Cyberfort Technologies and MD, Dr A Kumar Institute of Education

74 Learning English through Digital Labs Station-e as a Model

Dr Haresh Tank, Director, Station-e Language Lab

leaders speak 22 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Institution of National Importance status is neededâ&#x20AC;?

Prof Parvin Sinclair, Director, NCERT

perspective 28 Essence of Education

Ryan Pinto, CEO, Ryan International Group of Institutions

78 Wake up!

Prof M J Xavier, Director, IIM Ranchi education.eletsonline.com

Asia’s premier Monthly Magazine on ICT in Education Volume

Issue 05

May 2013

President: Dr M P Narayanan Editor-in-Chief: Dr Ravi Gupta Group Editor: Anoop Verma

Partner publications

Advisory Board Prof Asha Kanwar, President, Commonwealth of Learning

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

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

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

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

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

WEB DEVELOPMENT & IT INFRASTRUCTURE Team Lead – Web Development: Ishvinder Singh Executive – IT Infrastructure: Zuber Ahmed information management team Executive – Information Management: Khabirul Islam Finance & Operations Team General Manager – Finance: Ajit Kumar Legal Officer: Ramesh Prasad Verma Sr Manager – Events: Vicky Kalra Associate Manager – HR: Sushma Juyal Associate Manager – Accounts: Anubhav Rana

Editorial Team education Sr Correspondent: Pragya Gupta, Mohd Ujaley Correspondent: Rozelle Laha governance Manager – Partnerships & Alliances: Manjushree Reddy Assistant Editor: Rachita Jha Research Assistant: Sunil Kumar Correspondent: Nayana Singh

Executive Officer – Accounts: Subhash Chandra Dimri

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April 23-24, 2013, Le Méridien, New Delhi

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Steering e-Inclusive Economy May 9-10, 2013 - Taj President Vivanta, Mumbai

Knowledge Exchange

SRINAGAR May 23-25, 2013 - The Lalit Grand Palace, Srinagar

PSE Summit

Persuing Development of the Modern Indian Economy with a Human touch June 21, 2013 | Le Méridien, New Delhi

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EDITORIAL

Education needs both – Teachers & Technology The government has sanctioned 19.82 lakh posts for teachers to various states and union territories under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme. Under the 12th Five Year Plan, the Central Government has sanctioned Rupees 6300 crore to strengthen teacher education. Despite the massive efforts towards digitisation that are being undertaken, the education system in the country is being stymied due to the lack of properly trained teachers. The Central government’s initiative to recruit 19.82 new teachers will help in bridging the gap to a significant extent. ICTs have a major role to play in education. The ICT revolution has provided us with a means for taking teaching and learning out of the confines of the existing schools and colleges, but students still need access to quality teachers in order to make progress in their learning. The teaching cannot be completely dissociated form the teachers; it must not become insensitive to human relationships that exists between the teacher and the taught. We no longer have a choice in either area. It is no longer an “if ” but “how” to deploy the technologies optimally and recruit more teachers to meet the demand-supply gap. These are just some of the fundamental issues in education that digitalLEARNING has been raising over the years. It is time for us to raise it once again, not only in the magazine, but also in our popular summit on educational issues, the World Education Summit (WES), which is scheduled for 23-24 April, 2013, at Le Meridian Hotel, New Delhi. Since its inception, three years ago, the WES has been taking a holistic look at promoting ICT in education. This is the third edition of the WES. By the time the issue reaches your hands, the magazine will already be out. In fact, the magazine is being launched at the WES. Some of the main challenges that the World Education Summit seeks to address are access, inclusion and quality. This issue of digitalLEARNING is designed to serve as a precursor to the WES. The magazine seeks to set the agenda that will be further pursued at the WES with hope that new ideas for improving the state of our education will emerge. With this objective in mind, while framing this issue of digitalLEARNING, we have interacted with a host of stakeholders from the education space. We have the interviews of the education minister of Rajasthan, and also of countries like Maldives and Nepal. There are interactions with senior officials from MHRD. Then there are the enlightening perspectives from industry and the academic community. The range of views that have been expressed are evocative of the passion that education arouses in the modern world. We hope that you will enjoy this issue. Do write back to us with your feedback on this issue of digitalLEARNING and on the World Education Summit.

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

digitalLEARNING / May 2013

LEADERS quick chat Speak

Q& A

Dr Asim Ahmed >> Minister of Education Maldives

In Maldives, Parents Promote ICT in Education Acceptance to the new technologies is so high among the people in Maldives that Internet based learning is promoted by the parents in most of the schools. With their own funding, parents have provided TV, smart board, computer, etc to schools, says Dr Asim Ahmed, Minister of Education, Maldives. In conversation with Mohd Ujaley Majority of South Asian countries are yet to address the problem of literacy, electricity and acceptance to new technologies, in such a scenario where do you see ICT in education stands? It is very important to use information technology to enhance the quality of education. Many countries, including Maldives have introduced information technology as a subject in the classroom. I agree, there are many challenges related to infrastructure, however, we are fortunate that Maldives has electricity

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

available in all the areas. We have robust internet connectivity. Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s acceptance to the new technologies is so high in Maldives that in most of the schools here internet based learning is promoted by the parents, with their own funding, they have provided TV, Smart-board, Computer, etc to schools. Government does not have the capacity to provide all the modern facilities to all the schools. Government provides the minimum basic facilities to all the schools such as good infrastructure, quality teachers, text book, and other

essential elements. It is the parents who have taken the lead in promoting ICT based education in schools. In the last few years, gross enrolment ratio across South Asia has improved but not the quality. How do you look at Maldives in that context? In Maldives we have 100 percent enrolment, so all the kids who are supposed to be in the school, are in the school. However, we prepare students for Cambridge O level examination and Edexcel A level examina-

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tion; hence our syllabus is geared towards English medium of education. Quality of education crucially depends on quality of teachers. We have developed many teachers development programme for both in service teachers and also for the one who wants to enter into the profession. So now universities and colleges are offering degree level training for education professionals. This will improve the quality and will reflect upon the performance of the students. In Maldives, most of the teachers at the primary level are Maldivians now, at secondary level, we still depend on expatriate teachers. Government has improved the infrastructure in last couple of years to enhance the capacity of the schools. Most of the schools are one session school now; this has greatly improved the quality of the education

is also important for our certificate to get accepted internationally. Traditionally, most of the Maldivians have gone abroad for higher education, what is the present scenario of higher education in Maldives? It is true, but with the establishment of the higher education institutes, many students are able to obtain higher education in the country itself, that too for the fraction of the cost they pay abroad. However, many of the courses are still not available in Maldives, hence people go abroad. But now the private sector is competing with regional centre, such as Malaysia where majority of Maldivians go for higher education. Maldives National University has grown up and now it is a fully indepen-

Vocational education is the area that we want to promote within the general education system as now students have time for various other educational activities as well. In 2000, Government introduced Maldives Accreditation Board (MAB) to standardise the quality of education across the board, are you happy with the outcome of MAB? So far, we are happy with the outcome. The main purpose of the MAB was to improve the standard of education especially at post-secondary level. In Maldives, higher education is largely dominated by private sector. Government is not investing very heavily in higher education. Government has a National University apart from that much of the higher education is provided by private organisations. MAB has helped us in monitoring and providing uniform standard to all these organisations. MAB has set various parameters for the private organisations to get accredited. Getting accreditation

dent university, they provide education and training in all areas of social science. In science education, we still have to work very hard. Centre for Continuing Education and Education Development Centre have been merged to become the National Institute of Education, it will continue to provide curriculum, research and other activities and most importantly now they will provide the diploma level courses to the teachers who are in the services. We have teacher resource centre, some of them will now act as training centre for NIE. So there is a lot of development happening in case of higher education in Maldives. Fishing is considered as the lifeblood of Maldives. Do you have any plan or roadmap to educate and train the local fishermen? Vocational education is the area that

we want to promote within the general education system. Right now we are focusing on O level and A level education. Some schools in the rural areas have vocational streams but we do not have enough infrastructure. Recently, I had the discussion with the Fisheries and Agriculture minister on this very issue. We want to develop vocational courses both in fisheries and agriculture. Our schools will introduce these courses and Department of Fisheries and Agriculture would provide the assistance in teaching these subjects. We will plan the syllabus together and then decide a certificate standard; this is one development which we hope to see yielding good results. Right now, there seems to be little strain in relationship between India and Maldives. What is your sense of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relationship with Maldives? India is not only the close friend of the Maldives; it is like a close relative and brother of Maldives. Historically, culturally, diplomatically and socially we have had strong relationship with India so we cannot afford to have relation strained with India. A lot of Maldivians come to India to get medical treatment, to obtain education, and a lot of them are settled in India to get education for their children, so these are very important relations and we cannot really afford to have anything which disrupts this tie. I hope that we will be able to work out any difference that we have. I believe India is a matured democracy and similarly Maldives is very old country. I personally feel these relationships will not be disrupted because of the issue we face that have some immediate impact. There will be long and strong relationship between the two countries. I believe foundation is still very strong, and I hope these good relations will bring good for both India and Maldives.

digitalLEARNING / May 2013

Academia SPEAK

Explore, Analyse and Assess in Education Prof S K Kak, Vice Chancellor, Mahamaya Technical University, believes that education is beyond bookish knowledge

n today’s knowledge centric environment the future of any country is dependent on how educated and well trained the workforce is. We need to ensure that every individual has access to all the opportunities for getting the best possible training, so that he or she can be a productive and inspiring member of the society. In India, our educational system has remained stagnant, moribund and fossilised due to the total lack of academic and intellectual leadership from those within and outside the institutions of learning. Most of our education is bookish, and stylised without any connection to the real world of social and economic activity. This need to change, requiring complete and total overhaul of our schools, colleges and universities and the way teaching and learning is happening in these places. We need to focus more on knowledge than on information and explain to the students the difference between the two, we need to have active learning pedagogy, we need to teach application and use of knowledge rather than simply test the ability to memorise information. Most of the higher education institutions have been working with very poor funds and even poorer utilisation of these. The institutions do not operate with well defined administrative and operational processes and if some of them have these, they are seldom revised based on feedback and prob-

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

lems faced by the institution. Thus the self corrective mechanisms are nonexistent making the processes archaic and very inefficient as they have no agility to meet the requirements of today’s explosive knowledge world. Many of the best institutions do not have any learning and academic outcome related metrics for evaluating the efficacy of education happening in these centres and no effort is thus possible to record the outcomes that are achievable vis-a-vis what is achieved. Most of the models of excellence that are used even in the best of educa-

but it must bring about an ability to explore, analyse and assess everything around oneself. The structured knowledge must be tested on the field to validate it for oneself and then apply it to situations that confront us as individuals or as social beings. We academicians in India have failed to create any connection between what is learnt in the classrooms to what, how and why it is applied in the world outside, this is the main failure of education, and this leads to educated persons being misfit for the world they are to live, work and succeed in. The huge advantage we have of having a large part of our population of these young and eager persons who need to learn to earn and need to realise the dreams that they have for them-

Many of the best institutions do not have any learning and academic outcome related metrics for evaluating the efficacy of education being imparted in these centres tional institutions are those that have been evolved for the industrial world and they fail to assess the quality of education and thus make educational institutions focus more on administrative and managerial aspects rather than academic and intellectual ones. This is creating a very sad situation where the academics is sacrificed or seconded to administrative or managerial controls and requirements. Education is not simply a way of knowing from the books or classrooms

selves and the world around can be lost if our education system fails to meet their basic aspirations’ due to deficit skills that are demanded from them in the workplace. This is the challenge that can be converted into a great opportunity by the combined efforts of the teachers, educationists, and academicians by transforming the education system that tunes to the need of the times. The consequences in failing to do so can be disastrous for the nation and hence we have very little choice.

LEADERS speak leaders SPEAK

Q& A

Time to Overhaul Education in Nepal The Government of Nepal has initiated a pilot project for giving laptops to government school students. Is this programme directed towards implementation of ICT in school? We have started a pilot project under which we have distributed 3,500 laptops to government school students and we are planning for one laptop per student in future. Our aim is to bring ICT in education. This can happen only if students and teachers have access to modern technology and gadgets. Today, ICT based learning is very important. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not only helping a student to compete with the best, but it is also increasing their chances of getting good jobs. Even in our private schools, acceptance to ICT is very high. Both private and government schools are trying to use the ICT tools to garner maximum benefit of students. This project is also very important because we are trying to overhaul our traditional education system and focus little more on technical and vocational education.

Nepal is trying to overhaul its traditional education by focusing more on technical and vocational education and hence ICT in education has bigger role to play, says Education Minister of Nepal, Dina Nath Sharma. In conversation with Mohd Ujaley

The pilot projects of giving laptop to students is very encouraging, however, South Asian countries face the problem of low literacy and less electricity. Where does ICT in education stand when we are struggling to provide basic amenities? The problem of low literacy and less electricity persists across South Asia. There are a few exceptions such as Sri Lanka, which has very good education system and has been very successful with many innovative endeavours. Even in other South Asian countries, ICT is popular in the cities and acceptance is high in urban areas. However, we still have a long way to go to bring ICT to the schools in rural areas. There are structural problems and to overcome these we need to introduce reform at various levels of the society. The project such as ours, is important because it catalyses the process of acceptance of new technology, innovation and ideas.

entire Regional Directorates by giving them more autonomy and power. Earlier, they had to depend on various other departments for taking a final call on important issues. Since, they were dependent on others, therefore there used to delay their work. Now they are doing good work and we are very happy with the performance.

People are not happy with the work of Regional Directorates, who is supposed to implement the government policy across various regions. How do you look at it? I do not disagree with you but it was the case earlier, now things have changed. In last two years, we have energised the

None of the universities in Nepal is private. Is there any plan for private participation in universities? Right now we have nine universities; our major central university is Tribhuvan University, they are offering many courses to study in science, social science and humanities. We have also established some autonomous and self-financing institutes where-

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

education.eletsonline.com

<< Dina Nath Sharma Education Minister, Nepal

In Nepal we are focusing on quality education and the students who go out for studies eventually come back along with the quality elements with them and help us building a better and advanced education system for our country in government has given one time grant and they are allowed to raise fund for running the institute, but they all are governed by government regulations and report to government. As far as private university is concerned, right now we don not have any. I am not able to comment on the future course of action at this moment but I must tell you, we are embarking on large scale overhaul of our education system and something may come forward in future. Do you agree that your students have fewer universities to choose from, a majority of them opt for overseas studies? I am not saying that our students do not go out of the country to study. In fact, we are ranked 11th among countries

whose students go to USA for studies, but it is not that these students are going because they do not have enough options in Nepal. Majority of our students go to other countries for quality education. Large numbers of students chose India because we have very good and historical relations with India. We understand each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culture very well. In case of the US, UK and Australia, apart from studies, their working interests in these countries make these students transfer. In Nepal we are focusing on quality education and the students who go out for studies eventually come back along with the quality elements with them and help us building a better and advanced education system for our country. So, we consider them as the assets to us though we do not see them from business or revenue perspective.

digitalLEARNING / May 2013

corporate diary

Technology Enabled Assessment Management Solution “The USP of our assessment / examination management solutions is that they have been calibrated in Indian examination context after taking inputs from the industry, tech-gurus and leading academicians,” says VSN Raju, CEO, Globarena Technologies Pvt Ltd How do you see the role of technology in assessment? Technology is being widely used in the assessment space by important stakeholders of India like the government departments, corporate enterprises, industry associations, universities and educational institutions. These stakeholders are breathing with ease as they are able to effortlessly replace their traditional human dependent assessment systems with efficient and robust technology enabled assessment systems. These assessment systems are empowering them to save cost, adapt best practices, processes and prevent malpractices while conducting assessments. Making technology enabled assessment engines or systems easily available are more relevant today as: • Firstly, the traditional assessment systems are slowly but surely ceasing to be effective as the number of assessment takers, be it students, job-seekers, employees is growing and the sheer number of assessments conducted every year is increasing tremendously with the passage of time. • Secondly, the availability of ICT tools like the biometric devices, high-end cameras, display units have enhanced remote monitoring possibilities at assessment centers. They have also enabled possibility of stringent authentication of personnel and test takers at the test centre with absolute ease which can curb malpractices like favoritism and impersonation during assessments/examinations.

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

What are the assessment tools available for educators? Currently test organisers and/or developers have the option to choose from a gamut of assessment tools for their requirements. These tools are available online through open source or proprietary tools that come with inbuilt security features which can be used to conduct differed assessments/ examinations be it online delivery model, WebLAN delivery model or can be used for end-to-end Assessment Management. Over the last decade Globarena Technologies have grown at a steady pace embracing technology in the assessment conduction and management space by churning out solutions ranging from basic computer adaptive test engines to developing major examination solutions (both conduction and management applications) using highend technology with possibility of integrating with modern-day ICT tools. Our examination management solutions are currently being delivered to renowned universities like Anna University, Shri

VSN Raju

Venkateshwara University, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Acharya Nagarjuna University, JNTUK-Kakinada. NASSCOM, and IEG, AP to name a few. The USP of our assessment/ examination management solutions is that they have been calibrated in Indian examination context after taking inputs from industry, tech-gurus and leading academicians. The examination solutions are designed to work efficiently with minimal human interference both in the rural and urban segments with absolute ease and with maximum accuracy. Please throw some light on your solutions for the education sector. With over a decade of experience in learning and assessment currently we are offering the following solutions to different needs for examination conduction and management: • OnMark – end-to-end Examination Management Solution • OneX – Examination Solutions (online and LAN) OnMark is designed to enable Universities adopt transparent examination management system through online evaluation/ marking of answer scripts, digital storage of answer scripts and result processing which is the need of the hour in the changing times and judicial framework. OneX–Examination solution has been designed to empower the corporate enterprises and government departments in their Human Resource Development activities like recruitment test, employee succession and training plans.

LEADERS SPEAK

Q& Higher Education A

Many more steps need to be Travelled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Skill development is crucial if we are to reap the benefit of demographic divided,â&#x20AC;? says RP Sisodia, Joint Secretary of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Governmenr of India

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

Majority of government programmes are directed towards raising the enrolment ratio in education institutions but we are lagging in quality. How can we balance between quality and quantity? I think, we need to keep focusing on the expansion of the system since the present Gross Enrolment Ration (GER) is nowhere near either the world average or Asian average. Every country is struggling with these two competing demands of quality and quantity but

one cannot say they are replacements or substitutes. One can actually pursue both the goals together. The expansion should always be accompanied by the quality improvements that are needed. We should not ever think that if we start pursuing the goal of quality then we cannot pursue the objective of increasing enrolment. Since, the fact remain that today only 18 out of 100 eligible age group students are pursuing the higher education and rest are not. That shows that in the

education.eletsonline.com

longer run in the economy, if we don’t increase the GER, we would be churning out unemployable youth who will not have the necessary qualifications or intellectual ability to manage or negotiate their lives. Quality is a continuous process. Quality cannot be measured in the absolute terms rather it shall be measured in the relative terms. We cannot say that we should get the highest quality for each institution but we must ensure basic threshold of quality for every institutions so that we are able to assure minimum learning environment for all the students. Quality is also pyramidical in nature. You cannot think of reaching to the top without having a solid base. The goals such as access, expansion and inclusion must be pursued along with assuring minimum quality standards. In terms of high quality, we have globally reputed institutions, regardless of how they are rated or ranked. It is the fact that they can compete with any good institutions in the world. In fact the graduates coming out of these institutes are readily globally employable. It is not that we do not have quality but what we are trying to say that let us ensure minimum threshold of quality for each and every student and institution. The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of SC and ST in higher education has substantially gone down to 7.4 percent and 2.9 percent respectively; it means we are not keeping the national commitment made to them, why is it so? When it comes to the enrolment of the deprived sections, the problem is of supply and demand gap. Quality education is not available in convenient reach of students, predominantly in tribal area. Even if they are available they are of sub standard quality. There is a supply side issue that we need address by creating more institutes in the areas that are predom inantly populated by the deprived section that

includes minority. Along with SC and ST, the minority GER is also very less. So we need to first address the supply gap. Then there is a demand problem also due to low or no paying capacity of the people. Even if we waive off tuition fee, there are other expenses such as travelling expenses, pocket expenses that have to be taken into account. The NSSO survey says that 21 percent of these students do not pursue higher education only because they don’t have financial capacity to pursue higher education. The paying capacity has to be enhanced. It can be enhanced by two ways, by giving free education, scholarships, fellowships and enable them to obtain education loans. By filling these two gaps of supply and demand, they can be brought at par with the GER of others, else it will not happen. To reap the benefit of population dividend, the role of education becomes very important in channelising the energy of youth in the right direction. Where do you see us, are we on right track or do we need to change the gear? I believe, at times, we do need to change the gear also. As per recent survey, every

this gap then this dividend can become nightmare also. We need to ensure that not only more people pursue the higher education but also get the required skills. Skill development is a big challenge to us. If we are able to overcome this challenge then 500 million people joining by 2022 will be skilled, then nothing can stop India’s progress. In Informal sector, a lot of jobs have been created but they are again looking at skilled manpower. The bigger challenge is that how we assess the demand of skills in the market. How do we impart the relevant job skills to the people, how do we reorient our entire vocational and skill education sector by integrating it into higher education on one hand and by ensuring that it is auto updated and completely in sync with market demand. If we are able to address these challenges appropriately, then definitely our youth will be our strength. How has been your experience as an IAS officer so far? My experience has been good. While working in Andhra Pradesh, I held several positions including that of district collector. I also got an op-

We need to ensure that not only more people pursue the higher education but also get the required skills. Skill development is a big challenge to us. If we are able to overcome this challenge then 500 million people joining by 2022 will be skilled, then nothing can stop India’s progress year 13 million people are joining the workforce. Out of that only two percent are formally skilled or trained. In the last five years employment generation has declined. Only 1.25 million jobs were added between 2004-05 to 2009-10. It means around 60 million had joined in five years but only 1.25 percent had got the formal employment in the formal sector. Now if you do not bridge

portunity to work as Secretary, The Andhra Pradesh Board of Intermediate Education, for three years and there I realised that there was a lot of scope for improvement in higher education sector and that really made me curious and interested in education sector. I am happy with what I have been able to do so far but I feel there is a lot more to be done.

digitalLEARNING / May 2013

Special Feature

Cyberfort Technologies

Securing the Virtual World By Amit Kumar, President, Cyberfort Technologies and MD, Dr A Kumar Institute of Education

T is one of the most emerging sectors in modern economic world. Every company needs IT professionals for ensuring proper security of its data. After seeing recent cyber-attacks, companies are hiring more security engineers and analysts than ever before. It seems that Cyber Security is on the verge of becoming the most demanded IT Skill globally. Cyberfort Technologies is a training and consulting firm which specialises in Cyber Security. It is a part of AKIE and is ISO 9001:2008 as well as ISO 27001:2005 certified. It is also an accredited member of IADL UK and is working towards excellence and eminence without any compromise.

Cyberfort Technologies offers niche and hi-tech certification courseware globally via virtual and instructor led teaching modules. The organisation has strategic alliances with Mahatma Gandhi University, India (UGC-AICTEDEC approved) and EC-Council (world’s largest certification body for cyber security professionals) for imparting high quality postgraduate and professional certifications in Ethical Hacking and Information Security. Cyberfort Technologies aspires to develop a global human resource pool of responsible professionals in leadership roles in Information Security. It also seeks to impart quality Information Security programmes that would equip information security professionals with the necessary tools and

Current training programmes • Two-year Integrated MBA programme in Cyber Security in collaboration with MGU and EC-Council spread in four semesters • Six month diploma in Cyber Security from Cyberfort Technologies, diploma awarded from IADL, UK and CEH from EC-Council, USA • One month certificate course in Cyber Security from IADL, UK and EC-Council, USA • Cyberfort Technologies also offers six months training in information security for amateurs and professionals

The need for cyber security experts spans all industries, but according to industry experts thousands of job openings have gone unfilled because there are not enough people to fill them education to help them avert cyber terrorism, cyber-crimes, cyber espionage and if the need arises, cyber wars.

The Opportunities

Amit Kumar

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

The need for cyber security experts spans all industries, from financial services, manufacturing and utilities to healthcare, services and retail. Industry experts say that thousands of job openings have gone unfilled because there are not enough people to fill them. In India, Wipro, Dell, Reliance, Google, Accenture, IBM and Infosys are some organisations hiring Cyber Security professionals at a large

basis. IT Secretary, J Satyanarayana says “We need more than Five lakh professionals to protect our cyber space. We only have a small fraction of this.”

Remuneration The remuneration for Cyber Security professionals is also very good. A beginner can expect a pay package between `3-6 lakhs per annum. After gaining some experience, a Cyber Security professional can draw up to `30 lakhs based on the job role. Generally, the salary gets doubled within two years as there is a huge demand of skilled manpower in this sector.

leaders Quick Chat speak

Q& “Institution of A

National Importance status is needed”

“NCERT is in the process of becoming the Institution of National Importance, which will empower it to be more flexible and offer degree courses,” says Prof Parvin Sinclair, Director, National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) How successful has NCERT been in reflecting the pluralist character of India? NCERT was formed in 1961 by merging seven bodies that already existed, so our agenda was determined largely by the objectives of those seven bodies. Initially, we were called the research and training body. Our job from the beginning was to look at all aspects of school education,from inside activity of classrooms to outside implicationsof it. So there have been four curriculum frameworks formed over the years as part of meeting these objectives. Over the years we were supporting the government in providing the universal education which was always there as universalised elementary education scheme but without it being formalised or pushed through like in RTE. However, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and before that DPE, we were all working towards this. Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision was that everyone should have a scientific tempo. So accordingly all curriculars were meant for bringing everybody to class room. However, we agree that ground realities are different. Since we are National Advisory Body under Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), the centralbody can only advice the state government as educationis the concurrent subject. So what we proposed can be taken with a complete spirit or partly ormay be not at all by states, that is why the RTE came into being and you can see the great changes it has brought in the last three years. Moreover, now under the act, everyone has to deliver,although

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

2005 vision, so definitely diversity gets reflected in our vision.

Prof Parvin Sinclair we havenot reached 100 percent access, but we are much nearer there than three years ago and a short way to go still in terms of access. Creation of climate of acceptance is important. Does that also get reflected in the NCERT vision? The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005 absolutely ensures that each individual level is going to each child which is given opportunity to grow based on her experience. That is what, it is about and that is why it is difficult to bring to the classroom because each has a different back ground. Curriculum is not about reading writing and assessment that is an old colonial view. It’s about growing as a person, how to care about others and bringing values to people, building the health mental as well as physical, allowing them to work on cultural and social front, making people learn how to share with others and being included and including others. Be it a girl child or the boy child, they should get equal opportunities and should be confident about it and that is my NCF

What should be the role of ICT in education? Precisely, what you have mentioned that it should be enabler. ICT is not just power point presentation, it is beyond that. We have started a project called NROER (The National Repository of Open Education Resources)and the idea is to allow children to see from the repository of NROER. People can add to these resources which will be review before being put to NROER, so by that way teachers are enabled to create what is actually needed. That is what the role of ICT should be. What NCERT is doing currently and what are the future plans? At present we are in the process of becoming the Institution of National Importance which requires the Parliament clearance so we are in the process of getting that bill drafted. The reason for that there are so many plans that requires flexibility. NCERT is a club of eight big institutes like National Institute of Education, Central Institute of Education and Technology and apart from these we have five regional institute of education plus we have the Central Institute of Vocational Education so totally we are eight. NCERT is the council overarching body which looks after these institutes. So if this conglomerate becomes the intuition of national importance, you can imagine the kind of empowerment which all the regions will get. So this is one plan we are working on right and there are other areas also where we are focusing and hope to do bring good results.

academia speak

Innovation for Better Outcomes in Education Dr RSK Laksshmana Prabhu, Director, PSNA College of Engineering & Technology, Dindigul

hen we juxtapose the amazing number of higher learning centers and the poor research output in India, educationists deeply feel within them an urge to understand the nature of the problems that have crippled research activities in this country. The professors believe that they have no time to build close relationship with talented students. This has resulted in the alienation of those students who may contribute to the enhancement of the nation’s image. Clayton Christensen and Henry J Eyring authors of ‘The Innovative University’ have invited us to consider their ideas which will revolutionise university education. The learned professors in India must learn from what is happening in universities like Harvard and BYU-Idaho. Ira Harkavy, Associate Vice President and founding Director of the Barbara and Edward Netter Centre for Community Partnerships, University of Pennsylvania has referred to the great hope expressed by Daniel C Gilman that Universities would one day make for less misery among the poor, less ignorance in the school, less suffering in the hospitals, less fraud in business and less folly in politics. Clayton Christensen and Henry J Eyring have expressed their hope that the learned professors at the reputed universities can serve more students ‘at lower cost’ which also ‘improve their learning experiences’. Both these scholars have also seriously considered the problem of

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

rising college fees, declining graduation rates, the inability of the governments to allot more funds for higher education and similar problems which made them feel the urge for the message. Christensen’s first message may be taken as a warning. Educationists must know that the same online learning technologies that can benefit traditional intuitions

Online learning may disrupt traditional universities or create opportunities for them to serve more talented men and women who had no opportunity to receive higher education can also disrupt them. Online learning may disrupt traditional universities or create opportunities for them to serve more students. When this becomes possible, talented men and women who had no opportunity to receive higher education will find opportunities to reveal their extraordinary or innovative mind. It must be borne in mind that 150 years of traditional education has not brought about revolutionary changes. But one should also remember the achievements of Granville T Woods an African-American inventor who held more than 50 patents. He left the school at the age of ten. After gaining experi-

ence at the machine shops, he studied at a night school an also took private lessons. As Woods knew the value of technological education offered by traditional universities, he took a mechanical engineering course at an Eastern college. He established Woods Electrical Company, the American Bell Telephone company, the General Electric and Westinghouse Air Brake Company. In 1888, Woods developed a patented system for overhead electric conducting lines. Earlier, in 1881, he patented the synchronous multiple railway telegraph which established communication between train stations and moving trains. He also invented an electric incubator that could incubate 50,000 eggs at a time. The most significant points to be emphasised are that traditional universities will become more secure as there will be no threat of disruption from the products of online learning. Another most significant point is that both kinds of learning must be seen as complementary modes of learning. The book written by Clayton Christensen entitled The Innovative University; changing the DNA of higher education from the inside out. (The British bio physicists, Maurice Wilkins Watson and Erick discovered the double helix structure of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecule, a substance that transmits the genetic characteristics from one generation to the next.) Christensen’s use of the term DNA as a metaphor clearly implies the values like research-oriented learning, the irresistible desire to invent and a genuine desire to improve the quality of higher education and the nation’s economy. The next most significant point is that the present speaker is emphasis on the formation of consortia. The consortium at the Boston University, The Vasculites Clinical Research Consortium (VCRC) is an integral group of academic centers.

ZEBRA® ZXP SERIES 7™ CARD PRINTER: PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTIVITY OUT-OF-THE-BOX! Zebra® ZXP Series 7™ Card Printer Benefits – Affordable IDs for Education You need a fast, easy way to print secure student ID cards but don’t want to bust the budget. Zebra introduces the new ZXP Series 7 printer to help you create cards with crisp image quality—quickly and affordably. Whether you’re printing ID cards for students or visitors, the ZXP Series 7 is easy to use, delivering flexibility at a low cost per card. Designed with your needs in mind, the ZXP Series 7 takes little effort to set up and get started creating secure, near photo-quality cards quickly and efficiently while future proofing your printer investment. High print speed means shorter wait times for students, plus ZebraCare™ extended warranty allows you to do more for less. To find out more, visit www.zebra.com/zxpseries7 For further enquiries, please email SGMarcom@zebra.com Zebra Technologies India Pvt Ltd Boomerang A202 Near Chandivali Studio Main Chandivali Farm Road Main Andheri E Mumbai 400072 T: 022 67275555 F: 022 67275522 © 2013 ZIH Corp. All rights reserved.

Perspective

Essence of Education Integration of technology with latest infrastructure definitely helps students keep themselves updated and be prepared for the corporate world By Ryan Pinto, CEO, Ryan International Group of Institutions

“T

here are two educations. One teaches us how to make a living and the other how to live.” In this quote, John Adams has beautifully brought out the true essence of education. While on one hand it highlights the necessity of educating oneself to earn a living, on the other hand it throws light on the ethical dimension of human life.Today’s schools must encourage teachers to be prepared, committed and passionate about their role and responsibility. The recent study from HRD Ministry in fact reveals that India has a huge gap of teachers. It estimates this gap of 5.23 lakh vacancies at elementary level alone and if the stipulated student-teacher ratio is to be reached, there is a need of another 5.1 lakh teachers. There are about 7.74 lakh teachers who are not fully trained or are otherwise unqualified. These are figures only for the public education system.The current trend that is widely observed is that schools invest a big amount to offer the latest frills and fancies in way of facilities and infrastructure. However, schools should in-fact provide facilities appropriate for quality teaching and learning and invest in teachers training and their upgradation. Keeping with the actual concept of education, besides the current norm, the educators need to offer a plethora of enriching school activities, transdisciplinary in nature and aspire to go beyond the given requirements in enhancing the learning experience for students especially encouraging student research and opportunities to pursue various topics. The focus of

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

Ryan Pinto every educator has to be that of working on skills, attitudes and values that will enable students to be ethical individuals who are basically motivated, emotionally intelligent and responsible citizens of our country. Providing value based education and developing globally responsible citizens may appear to be very lofty. Due to which there may be a tendency that schools lay greater emphasis on mere integration of technology into education, infrastructure, etc. However, the true essence of teaching and learning does not eliminate the aspect of values, which is an integral and indispensable element of education. The need of the hour is to provide holistic education and if we as educators have the responsibility to educate ethical, motivated, emotionally intelligent, and socially responsible students, then the responsibility of nurturing highly committed and prepared teachers also solely lies on us. In this present digital edge, teachers need to make a shift from the conven-

tional teaching to new and increasingly accepted methods to develop holistic human beings. Teachers have the accountability to create critical thinking skills for academic success and also success in the performing arts, media, leadership activities and sports, etc by opening avenues to explore things beyond classroom. Teacher as a facilitator should delve on the innovative aspects of teaching and learning and make education child centred and interesting. Although technology today is seen as one of the most important component in education, integration of values, involvement of students in community transformation projects and making them aware of what the actual world is all about and what its demand are is equally important. Integration of technology with latest infrastructure definitely helps students keep themselves updated and be prepared for the corporate world. However, while technology does its bit, highly motivated and well prepared teachers as facilitators add the desired human touch and instill values for holistic development and uplift the essence of education. Right values with the relevant body of knowledge and the wisdom to use it constructively will help our children become industry ready. To be successful as professionals, children must also learn to become positive contributors within the global community. It is best summed up by “start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it”.

education.eletsonline.com

23-24 April, 2013, New Delhi

Innovations for Efficient Delivery of Education All roadblocks in the path of having digital classrooms across the country are disappearing, as computers and tablets are now becoming omnipresent. Schools and higher education institutes are engaged in making giant shift towards maximising the usage of digital technology solutions for enhancing the delivery and administration of education. The last few years have seen the emergence of several niche players who are dedicated to providing innovative solutions to enhance outcomes in education. Some of the players are targeting only the higher education segment, and there are those whose focus is solely on K-12. There is no dearth of players who are vying to carve a niche for themselves in both the segments. The barriers for entry of new players in education space is relatively low, and that is only adding to the influx. There exists a wide degree of difference in the quality and sophistication of the digital solutions for education that are available today. The most popular solutions are those that are blessed with an innovative and user-friendly interface, and have efficient troubleshooting and strong customer support mechanisms. The availability of plugins through which educators and administrators can enjoy the flexibility of transforming the applications to meet certain specific educational goals is also the hallmark of a â&#x20AC;&#x153;best in breedâ&#x20AC;? solution. Continuing with our commitment to create a world-class platform where the entities that are doing exemplary work in education are intruduced to the stakeholders in the education community, we have come up with the initaitive of giving the digitalLEARNING World Education Awards. These awards are dedicated to recognising the institutions, companies and government department that have contributed seminally to the growth of education in the country. Read on to have a glimpse of award nominations that have been received for World Education Summit 2013>>>

digitalLEARNING / May 2013

Government initiatives in Education

Computer Aided Learning Organisation: Gujarat Council of Primary Education (GCPE), SSA Mission, Education Department, Government of Gujarat Website: www.gujarat-education. gov.in/ssa/ Implementing Agency: IL&FS Objective: The main objective of the CAL programme is to attract the children, retain them in the schools and to improve the quality of the education through introduction of IT and educational applications such as multimedia based educational content Description: Government of Gujarat rolled out Computer Aided Learning (CAL) programme in primary schools of Gujarat. This programme will improve the IT literacy in the rural areas. Target Group: Students of government schools in Gujarat Achievements • IT Enablement of 5180 Schools • Facilitating CAL to more than 9,32,500 students • Employment for more than 5,500 local resources in the state • Capacity Building of 25,900 Teachers through IT Training Workshops • IT Certification from Gujarat Knowledge Society

Saksham Organisation: National Informatics Centre, Government of India Website: www.scholarship.up.nic.in Description: Saksham was initiated as a project of hope for children belonging to the weaker sections and uphold their right-to-education. The project have used IT based initiative for electronic transfer of scholarships directly to the bank account of beneficiaries. It manages the scholarship system right from the primary stage till the student attains professional qualifications. Target Group: Students of economically weaker sections Achievements • The project also facilitates about 20 lakhs students belonging to the BPL families to pursue higher education • The project has already benefited more than 40 million students. Around 1900 crores are being electronically distributed through the system annually

Smart School Organisation: District Panchayat, Lal Darwaja, Ahmedabad, Gujarat Website: www.ahmedabaddp.gujarat.gov.in Objective: Helping rural children learn through ICT to bridge the rural divide between government and private schools Description: The concept of Smart School in government primary schools has introduced with a vision to enable students to learn through technology in order to make education simple and interesting. However, the motto of introduction of Smart School is not only to build Techno Schools but also to make the entire environment of learning Smart. This is possible by introducing a single portable device,which is both a computer and projector with the in-built interactive software with touch screen facilities with calibration. Target Group: Rural children of primary school of Ahmedabad Achievements • Rural children have got faith of learning through information technology • Rural children understood difficult concepts • Better utilisation on the resources of the school • Capacity building of teacher and digitisation education material

Vignana Yathre Organisation: Department of State Education Research and Training, Karnataka Implementing Agency: Intel Technology Pvt Ltd Website: www.dsert.kar.nic.in Objective: To spread awareness on importance of science education, create action plans and showcase models to strengthen existing government eco system Vignana Yathre is a joint initiative by DSERT, Karnataka and Intel to take the spirit of inquiry-based learning closer to the students and teachers who shape the future. It follows a two pronged approach. Vignana Yathre has created

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

ripple effect in strengthening 224 science centers and has roped in more partners like Agastya Foundation in the journey to build strong science education in Karnataka. Achievements • Vignana Yathre model is being implemented in Uttar Pradesh • Renewed and rejuvenated 224 science centers in Karnataka state by training science teachers on inquiry-based approaches • Intel Future Scientist course provided science teachers with ideas and techniques to develop an inquiry-based lesson

Government initiatives in Education

Online Examination Management System Organisation: Directorate of Information Technology, Government of Maharashtra Website: www.it.maharashtra.gov.in Objective: To implement an examination management system that is reliable, efficient and transparent in all universities in Maharashtra Implementing Agency: Higher and Technical Education Department, Government of Maharashtra Description: Online Examination Management System is being implemented in all Universities in Maharashtra in Public Private Partnership model. This solution shall be effectively used for management of examinations system in universities to usher in greater efficiency, transparency and reliability. Target Group: Students of Maharashtra Achievements • Timely conduct of examination and issuance of results • Reducing expenditure and logistics • Faster process of examination system and result declaration • Going online globally

eScholarship Management System Organisation: Directorate of Information Technology, Government of Maharashtra Implementing Agency: School Education and Sports Department, Government of Maharashtra Website: www.it.maharashtra.gov.in Objective: The eScholarship Management System automates streamlines and effectively manages the processes related to application receipt, processing, sanction and disbursal of Pre-Metric Scholarship to students Description: School Education

department was using a manual system for the implementation of scholarships, which was extremely time consuming and prone to errors and duplication. To overcome these shortcomings, it has been decided to launch an eScholarship management system (EMS) for scholarship application, review and disbursal. Target Group: Minority student having family income below one lakh per annum Achievements • During 2012-2013, a total of 18 lakh students applied for the scholarship. • It drastically cuts down the time taken for manual process

Perspective Plan for Technical Education Organisation: Directorate of Information Technology, Government of Maharashtra Implementing Agency: Higher and Technical Education Department, Government of Maharashtra Website: www.it.maharashtra.gov.in Objective: To help the department exploit opportunities and bridge the gap between envisaged future vision and current state. Description: Government of Maharashtra has developed the Perspective Plan for Technical Education in Maharashtra. The Perspective Plan provides specific and measurable goals, which are to be executed in five academic years to enhance access, excellence and inclusion in technical education in Maharashtra. Target Group: Students studying across numerous Technical Institutes in Maharashtra Achievements: • It has bought in greater transparency in sanctioning approvals as the procedure is clearly defined • Institutes can plan their expansion very much in advance due to Perspective Plan • Similar Perspective Plan is being planned for other fields of higher education

ICT Enablement of IDOL, University Of Mumbai Organisation: Mahaonline Ltd (A Joint Venture between Government of Maharashtra and TCS) Implementing Agency: Directorate of Information Technology, Government of Maharashtra Website: www.mahaonline.gov.in Description: Taking advantage of electronic media and Internet facilities available, Mumbai university has taken up the initiative to make the admission process for IDOL online University of Mumbai runs distance education programmes through Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL). Mahaonline has developed a portal for Online Admission System for approximately 84,000 students.

There are about 15 programmes and 34 courses in the institute. The project also aims at allowing students to download their eidentity and e-hall tickets for examination purposes. Target Group: HSC passed, College Students, Working Professionals Achievements: • Hassle free admission process, with proper cut off dates, online payment options, timely status reports to departments, resulted in substantial increase in number of admissions from 30,000 yearly to more than 80,000 • Reduced paper work for the department

digitalLEARNING / May 2012

Government initiatives in Education

My School e-School Organisation: District Panchayat, Kutch, Gujarat Website: www.kutchdp.gujarat.gov.in Objective: Introducing ICT in government primary schools to bridge gaps in the levels of education and to turn schools into e-schools to leverage the benefits derived from the worldwide net Description: My school eSchool is an integrated ICT solution to improve both educational and administrative work of government primary schools. Under this project, Internet connectivity is provided to 224 schools in the PPP mode. Schools use Internet to log attendance daily, send reports of educational activities,

track absenteeism and drop-out children,etc. Peer learning is emphasised to meet the shortfall of skilled teaching staff. Target Group: Students and teachers of government primary schools in Kutch Achievements • It has made availability and analysis of large database of schools • Improvement in quality of education through introduction of ICT tools • e-learning through peer learning, effective use of resources and bridging the distance remarkably

MULTIMEDIA CONTENT FOR K-12 EDUCATION

Digitally Simple Organisation: Pearson Education Services Implementing Agency: Pearson Education Services Website: www.pearsoneducationservices.com Objective: To convert the traditional classrooms into interactive classroom Description: DigitALly is the teaching tool that helps teachers manage an open repository of learning objects that are multimedia-enabled and syllabus-specific. The multmedia content helps in making the classroom learning more engaging – resulting in better understanding and retention of concepts. It also empowers teachers to customise their teaching sessions, keeping the learners’ pace in mind. Target Group: Teachers and students Achievements: • DigiClass is based on Cognitive Learning and reiterates the relationship between the known and to be learnt by associating new material with something familiar • DigitALly is a Teacher Centric Application for classrooms and the emphasis is on teacher led learning

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

Affordable Education Organisation: LFX Technolgies Pvt Ltd Website: www.learningmantraa.com Objective: LearningMantraa is set to make a difference, effectively penetrating the education sector Description: A K-12 e-content initiative provides K12 content (Science, EVS, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics), which is not only affordable but with retainer ship rights for clients. In 2010, LFX Technologies recognised this need for a cost effective yet quality digital content for schools, especially in rural areas of India. Target Group: K-12 Segment in Rural Areas Achievements • Reached over half a million users in a time span of one year • Reached out to remote rural areas for providing digital education in K-12 segment • Provided K-12 content free of cost to NGOs working in the field of development of under privileged women and children

The Knowledge Pool Organisation: Harbinger Knowledge Products Website: www.harbingerknowledge.com Description: Raptivity is an interactivity building tool, which helps in creating learning content without any programming. It has a diverse set of 180+ customisable interactions (Multimedia based) across categories like games, simulations, brainteasers, interactive diagrams, virtual worlds and many more, which helps in adding a new dimension to learning Objective: To offer a platform to build an interaction without any complex coding or programming Target Group: Instructional Designers, Course Creators, e-learning and Training Professionals, Subject Matter Experts Achievements: Received various awards such as United States Patent on March 29, 2011, Best Rapid eLearning Tool at Africa Learning & Development Leadership Awards 2012, and Learning and Technology Impact Award in the Games and Simulations Category

MULTIMEDIA CONTENT FOR K-12 EDUCATION

Smartclass Content Development Organisation: Educomp Solutions Ltd

materials to assist teachers inside the classroom.

Website: www.educomp.com

Target Group: Teachers and students

Objective: The Objective of the Educomp SmartClass content development project is to create a content repository for all subjects, and all classes from Kindergarten to 12th

Achievements: • The content is now available in over 10,000 schools in the country, and reaches approximately 5.3 million students • An independent study conducted by Dun & Bradstreet Information Services in February 2010, found that: Attentiveness was found to be higher when the digital content was played in the classroom

Description: The Educomp SmartClass content development project is the creation of a repository of rich media educational content that is transforming the teaching processes across India. The Educomp Smartclass Content repository consists of digital

TECHNOLOGY FOR ENGINEERING INSTITUTES

Robotics, Virtual 3-D Simulations at JECRC Organisation: Jaipur Engineering College and Research Centre Website: www.jecrcfoundation.com Implementing Agency: JECRC Foundation Objective: The main aim behind this venture is generation of education and research at a blend for Rajasthan at large Description: Microsoft has signed an MoU with JECRC Innovation Academy, and it was renamed as Microsoft i- Spark Centre. This was the first time that Microsoft joined hands for innovation alliance in India, providing a global outreach to JECRC students. A joint cooperation between Cranes Software and TI India has been established. JECRC Foundation was selected as a first Nodal Centre of Virtual Labs in Rajasthan by IIT Delhi. JECRC provides a platform for students to extract benefits from various workshops and seminars on new technologies by World leaders.

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

Teacher Driven Engineering e-Learning Solution Organisation: Globarena Technologies Pvt Ltd Website: www.globarena.com Objective: To provide the faculty an edge with the use of technology in teaching, by effectively utilising the time by overall improving the effectiveness in delivering sessions in an interactive manner Description: TekEdge is the solution that synergises faculty efforts and ICT effectiveness, making classroom learning livelier, interactive and interesting. TekEdge facilitates faculty to explain complex concepts in an easy to understand manner through rich multimedia, audio, video, animations, simulations, etc. Target Group: Engineering students and faculty Achievements: • Outstanding feedback from colleges • Standardisation of content delivery • Ease of use

Microsoft India Student AppFest Organisation: Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt Ltd Website: www.microsoft.com/india Objective: The goal of the initiative was to ignite the imagination of students from colleges representing the full spectra of Indian academia Description: Microsoft India has organised the India Student AppFest as an initiative, which marked the single-largest live student outreach in India. This initiative helps in building the trained talent pool of engineering and technical students on priority technologies like Windows 8 / Mobile and cloud application development across universities and colleges imparting engineering/ technical education in India. Target Group: Engineering and technical students Achievements: • 13,381 STEM students trained on Windows 8, Windows Phone and Cloud Application Development in single day across 525 colleges spread across 18 states of India • Pre Event awareness campaign was organised with 25 Windows-on-Wheel College buses

INNOVATION IN TEACHING PEDAGOGY

Dual Training System Organisation: Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd Website: www.volkswagen.co.in Implementing Agency: Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd Objective: To develop students in the niche trade and makes them employable by the automotive industry Description: Volkswagen India has adopted three-year German Dual System in Mechatronics first time in India for vocational training, which imparts theoretical and practical exposure to the trainees. Volkswagen in Germany is contributing for decades in such Dual System German Dual System is also built up with an effective progress monitoring evaluation system, which ensures whether the relevant learning took place or not at the assigned places and assessed through the feedback form. Target Group: Students of 12th preferably socio-economically poor students from the nearby villages Achievements: • Tremendous response and acceptance from everyone • Recognition received from DVET, Maharashtra Government and NCVT, GoI

Hole-in-the-Wall Learning Station Organisation: Hole-in-the-wall Education Limited (HiWEL) Website: www.hole-in-the-wall.com Objective: The main objective of HiWEL is to bridge the digital divide by offering exciting and effective education and learning experiences through innovative technologies to the underserved groups Description: HiWEL established its pedagogical innovations as Hole-in-the-wall Learning Station (LS), to realise its vision of using technology as a tool for empowerment by providing free and unrestricted computer access and educational content to children in open unsupervised settings. HiWEL is committed to the mission of bridging the digital divide by offering exciting and effective education and learning experiences to the underserved groups. Target Group: Children in the age group of 6-14 years Achievements: • HiWEL has delivered over 600 Learning Stations • The recipient of 10 awards in total, the latest ones being; e-India 2009 – Best Civil society/Development agency digitalLEARNING initiative -2009 by CSDMS

The Hands-on Way to Learn Maths Organisation: Next Education India Pvt Ltd Website: www.nexteducation.in Implementing Agency: Next Education India Pvt Ltd Objective: To offer a vehicle to train students to think, analyse and articulate logically Description: MathsLab is an innovative platform where multiple teaching and learning aids are available for teachers to explain the various abstract Mathematical concepts and thereby allowing students to develop deep insights of the concepts. Based on the ideology of Learn – Analyse – Build, our MathsLab features pedagogically appropriate content, where students can learn through activities, hands-on models and simulations to gain holistic understanding. Target Group: K-10 students Achievements: It has been awarded the prestigious eINDIA K-12 Public Choice Award for its Maths lab in the Interactive Solution Provider category at the eINDIA conference 2012

Blended Model of Learning and Training Organisation: Simplilearn Solutions Pvt Ltd Website: www.simplilearn.com Objective: To consistently provide best in class quality education to working professionals via robust technology platform with a focus to achieve 100 percent customer delight Description: With study centers across the globe, Simplilearn.com offers over 50 certification courses in Project Management, IT Services Management, IT Security Management, Quality Management, Financial Management, and Technology Certification. Target Group: Working professionals Achievements: • Introduced blended model of learning to the certification training industry • Till date Simplilearn has trained 50000 aspirants across 145+ countries

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

INNOVATION IN TEACHING PEDAGOGY

Hands-on Learning Organisation: Mexus Education Pvt Ltd

student a practical learning experience through hands-on activities in science and technology.

Website: www.mexuseducation.com Objective: To introduce basic creative thinking and problem solving skills in students for any situation Description: iKen D&T Lab is an innovation that facilitates schools with the best way of getting students to learn science by testing out scientific theories in a practical space with experiments, problem solving and project based activities being the crux of learning. Complementing the existing school lab, the iKen D&T Lab is a perfect education supplement that provides

Target Group: Schools from class 4 to 9 Achievements: • Successfully running D&T Labs in more than 80 schools, covering all parts of India • Students from D&T lab are coming out with their own inventions such as Rain Water Harvesting model”, Rocket Launcher, Solar Powered Flour Mill

USE OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN EDUCATION

Promoting Collaborative and Active Learning Organisation: NIIT Website: www.niitnguru.com Objective: To bridge the gap between how students learn in school and revise at home Description: Solution delivers the video applications to run anytime, anywhere. Online test and quiz help access the learning at a click. Parents can play as a guide and can be the equal stake holder. Target Group: School, students, teachers and parents Achievements: • Anytime anywhere learning • 24/7 e-Learning for student, Assessment and performance review • Online Assignment and project report submission • Collaborative and active learning • Direct connect between school, students and parents

Empowerment of Indian Youth Organisation: Datawind Website: www.datawind.com Objective: To increase Information Technology penetration Pan India through affordable and easily accessible PC Tablet and empower Indian youth by spreading knowledge and skill-set development initiatives pre-loaded within the Tablet Description: Datawind is best known for making world’s cheapest PC Tablet with the mission to offer a gamut of educational services such as free e-books, competitive exam preparation tools and skill-set development courses to encourage and empower Indian youth with a piece of hardware – easily affordable and accessible to all. Target Group: People of 5 to 50 years of age Achievements: • Chosen by Government of India to make Aakash Tablet • Won digitalLEARNING Shiksha Ratn Award • Project Leader listed among Forbes 15 Classroom Education Revolutionaries • UK’s most innovative mobile company 2012. • Showcased at United Nations with endorsement from UN Secretary General. Ban Ki Moon

Wiziq Virtual Classroom Apps Organisation: authorGEN Technologies Private Limited Website: www.wiziq.com Objective: The objective of launching these apps is to enable just in time learning Description: WizIQ Virtual Classroom apps for iPads and Android tablets have been specially designed for students giving them anytime, anywhere access to the WizIQ Virtual Classroom. With this app, students no longer have to remain at home waiting for class to start or haul around a laptop in order to be mobile. Target Group: Teachers, Students Achievements: • More than 8000 classes have been conducted on WizIQ • More than 9000 students attended classes using WizIQ app for iPads and android tablets • More than 10,000 WizIQ app installations on iPad and Android Tablets since its launch

digitalLEARNING / May 2012

e-CAMPUS initiative

Online Counseling System for Engineering Organisation: Manipal University Website: www.manipal.edu Objective: To bring transparency in admission process and seamless counseling process across multiple counseling centers Description: Online counseling is for the students to take admission for engineering at one of the three Manipal Group Universities namely Manipal University, Manipal University, Jaipur and Manipal University, Sikkim. Online counseling takes place across four venues: Manipal, Bangalore, Majitar (Sikkim) and Jaipur Target Group: Students across India and eligible NRIs engineering aspirants Achievements: • User will have single view of the process which will also ensure Transparency in admission process • Highly reliable with data replication spanning multiple cities

Educating Women Organisation: Jayoti Vidyapeeth Women’s University Website: www.jvwomensuniv.com Objective: To amalgamate IT tool in academics like admission, teaching, mentoring, examination and library to non academics like finance, hostel and security Description: Jayoti Vidyapeeth Women’s University has gained approval of statutory bodies like UGC, PCI, BCI, COA, DEC, etc. University provides authorised certifications of IBM, Microsoft, RCSA. University has training tie ups with NIIT, Purple Leap and Placements tie-ups with Monster, HT Shine and also enjoys membership of FICCI, CII, ICCI, ASSOCHAM, NEN,ACU, IEE, Rotary International and many other social organizations Target Group: Uneducated Women Achievements: Won Women Education and Livelihood (WEAL) Award and B School Leadership Award by Dainink Bhasker

Examination Information System Organisation: FTK-Centre for Information Technology Website: jmi.ac.in Implementing Agency: Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University) Objective: It is very effective in quantifying the work loads, bringing accountability, transparency and efficiency in an Institution. It minimises the time required for declaration of exam results. It is cloud-based and can be accessed from anywhere. The system serves as an effective model that can be replicated by any educational Institution Description: The Examination Information System (EIS) being presented in Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi is a unique and innovative modulem, which is also part of the University ERP. EIS addresses all issues related to the examination. The system provides timely alerts to users through SMS/email and also supports synchronous communication between online users. Target Group: University/college teachers including evaluators, examiners, tabulators /administrators, students/employers/general public Achievements: • Successful preparation and declaration of semester results of all PG courses • Successful implementation of the system for all UG / Diploma / Certificate • A number of University processes related to examination were re-engineered

Active Learning Organisation: Gujarat Technological University Website: www.gtu.ac.in Objective: To focus on motivating faculties to develop innovative, animated, digitised course ware using multimedia techniques like Power Point Slides,preparing Videos, small animations, pictures, etc for better understanding of the subject Description: The Activ(e)- Learning project, was initiated by the Vice Chancellor, Dr Akshai Aggarwal keeping in mind the changes that need to be implemented in the traditional chalk-talk method of teaching

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Target Group: Students Achievements: • Within a span of 10 months, GTU, ALCE has been successful in content creation for all the targeted subjects • Under ALCE GTU has received almost 20,000 graphical animated presentations from below mentioned 15 affiliated colleges

GLOBAL COLLABORATIVE LEARNING

International Exposure Program

Competence Development in Product Lifecycle Management

Organisation: Dewan VS Group of Institutions

Website: www.jssaten.ac.in

Website: www.dewaninstitutes.org Description: DVSGI’s International Exposure Program is the way institution is attempting to empower its students to help them gain the international and intercultural knowledge with mutual respect .The program is to promote diversity of ideas, culture and skills across campus. Objective: To promote critical thinking and also to manage change and create solutions to pressing problems ethically Target Group: Students, Teachers, Administrator, Alumni and Community Achievements: • Students started focusing on their responsibility to get involved in their community through Philanthropic activities • Empowered the youth through technical and management education and providing professional leadership

Organisation: JSS academy of technical education Description: The Competency Development Centre established in the year 2003 complements the syllabus-driven engineering education by imparting additional engineering skills that lead to better employability and encourage students to do projects that increase their depth of thinking for better research-oriented careers Objective: To build competencies in students and working professionals in the understanding and use of PLM tools that enhances their employability in the field of Designing and Manufacturing Target Group: Students, working professionals and unemployed graduates Achievements: • 200+ students trained and sent in the industry to further their careers in Designing and Engineering • Over 600 hours of step by step course material prepared and used for trainings

Cisco Networking Academy Organisation: Cisco Systems India Private Limited

Objective: To develop ICT skills among students through the programme

computer networks for increased access to career and economic opportunities in communities around the world. Networking Academy provides online courses, interactive tools, and hands-on learning activities to help individuals prepare for ICT and networking careers in virtually every type of industry.

Description: Cisco Networking Academy is a global education programme that teaches students how to design, build, troubleshoot, and secure

Target Group: College-level students with or without prior technical knowledge, women, underserved sections and people with special needs

Website: www.cisco.com Implementing Agency: Cisco Networking Academy

Internationalisation of the Hindustan University Organisation: Hindustan University Website: www.hindustanuniv.ac.in Objective: The goal is to turn Hindustan University into an international institution, where foreign students, teachers, and employers can deal with their counterparts and come to understand Indian beliefs, ideas, work approaches and practices, as well as social and cultural habits and lifestyles Description: Hindustan University has established collaborations and associations with various universities across the globe for various courses in technology, management and at Doctoral level. These include in the fields of research, technol-

ogy exchange programmes, faculty exchange programmes, and students exchange programmes at bachelor, master and doctoral levels. The collaborations are spread across academic and research based specialties. Target Group: Faculty and students Achievements: • Connectivity with NASA by way of internship and competitions • Created international internship opportunities • Implementing over 20 international collaboration and having our programmes recognised as international level

digitalLEARNING / May 2012

Green campus initiative

Green Campus Initiative Organisation: Sona College of Technology Website: www.sonatech.ac.in Implementing Agency: Department of Civil Engineering Objective: To promote optimum utilisation of renewable resources, to reduce the destruction of natural areas and damage to the surroundings, to maintain green performance levels, etc

Green Campus at UPSES Organisation: University of Petroleum and Energy Studies Website: www.upes.ac.in Objective: Design and implement practices, processes, and material selection to promote energy efficiency and sustainability to create a green and sustainable university campus Description: University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun, is a young institution, which has been acknowledged in India and abroad for its academic programs focused on energy and core sector domains. UPES has consciously adopted contemporary techniques in its curriculum design, pedagogy as well as its industry interface. UPES has adopted the same advanced approach in developing an eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable campus. Target Group: Local community, students, faculty Achievements: • Top soil preservation and re-using preserved top soil for landscape purpose • Demonstrated reduction in water consumption by 33.16 percent compared to the base case scenario by adopting necessary water saving measures • Use of 100 percent CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) and HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) free refrigerant and insulation • UPES received GRIHA award from the Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India

Description: Green campus initiative started from the inception of the Institution in 1997. The entire 45 Acre campus is planned keeping in mind the holistic perspective of land use, social well being and preservation of the environment. Development of infrastructure ensured that no damage is caused to the natural surroundings.

Organisation: DRMK Engineering College

Target Group: Engineering colleges

Website: www.rmkec.ac.in

Achievements: • Energy saving of at least three percent • Higher comfort levels inside the building, even during the peak summer days • The waste is converted into a precious, useful resource

Objective: Green Campus Challenge has been designed with a vision of making campus more sustainable and green, and promotes the idea and the necessity of the same

Green Campus Challenge

Description: The college has a landscape consultant and comprehensive set of garden equipment. The college has green and pollution-free ambience, which has been conducive to a good educational ambience. Achievements: • Green and Clean Campus award by Rotary Club of Chennapatna in 2006 • Purified drinking water is provided to all students and staff • High level of appreciation by all stake holders for the maintenance of green environment • Capacity building of teacher and digitisation education material

Green all Around Organisation: ACCMAN Institute of Management Website: www.accman.in Objective: To encourage healthy and eco-friendly environment in and around the Institute Description: ACCMAN has more than 80 percent green coverage filled with beautifully laid-out landscape, lush green parks running around the five-acre campus. The garden and greenery are daily maintained / looked after by permanent expert gardeners. Only natural manure is used.

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Achievements: • Clean and green environment • Bio-diversity awareness • Clean air/environment • Vermiculture awareness • Waste management awareness

Green campus initiative

Sustainable Green Campus Organisation: Swami Parmanand Group of Colleges

Target Group: Demographic-Youth from all over India. Socially and economically weaker section of society. Faculty, staff and students.

Website: www.spcet.org Objective: To protect and preserve environment Description: Swami Parmanand Group of Colleges started a mission of making the Campus green in which management, staff members and students have contributed to its efforts in decreasing energy consumption reducing our energy cost, and increasing understanding and awareness of environmental concerns, all have worked to gather to produce energy efficient, sustainable and healthy college environment

Achievements: 1. Best upcoming Engineering College from Punjab awarded by India Achieve Podium. 2. Best Public Choice award for ICT enabled Higher Education Institute 2011 by World Summit. 3. India Leadership Award for Education Excellence by India Economic Development & Research Association.

Green Technology Mission Organisation: Sagar Institute of Research & Technology Website: www.sirtbhopal.ac.in Objective: To demonstrate and develop feasible production technology of Bio Diesel Description: Dependency on fossil fuel can be reduced greatly through revolutionary green technology. Production of Bio Diesel from various vegetable oils is one of the promising technologies to achieve such target. Sagar Institute of Research

and Technology has conceived the idea of design and develops low cost Bio Diesel Reactor. Target Group: Village Community Achievements: • High Efficiency is achieved • Low Cost Reactor developed • One of the vehicles of the Institute is still running Using Biodiesel

INNOVATION BY ENGINEERING INSTITUTE

Bharathi Educational Society Organisation: Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology

Programmes at IIGN Organisation: Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) Website: www.iitgn.ac.in

Implementing Agency: Jamnabai Narsee School

Description: A five-week Foundation Programme for First Year B Tech Students. The programme has no formal classroom teaching for first five weeks. Instead there are structured activities under various topics like social awareness, ethics and values, creativity, Fine Arts, physical activities, team work and communication.

Objective: To develop India by providing quality education along with requisite personality traits

Objective: The foundation programme aims at nurturing creativity, communication skills, ethics, teamwork, social engagement and physical fitness among the students.

Description: Establishing various colleges and institutes and providing quality education to the students. Following simple living and high thinking philosophy to develop India

Target Group: UG and PG students

Website: www.cbit.edu.in

Target Group: Rural Area Region People

Achievements: • Programme helps the students to get de-stressed • Areas of concern can be addressed timely and talented students are encouraged to pursue their talents enthusiastically • Project based education encourages the students to solve socital problem

digitalLEARNING / May 2012

INNOVATION BY ENGINEERING INSTITUTE

Technology Integrated Education Organisation: Dr K N Modi University Website: www.dknmu.org Objective: Dr K N Modi University is driven by singular focus on the value of open rigorous and intense inquiry Description: Dr K N Modi University is dedicated for betterment of teaching facilities through the use of modern technologies. DKNMU uses computer supported synchronous and asynchronous learning approaches in which learning takes place via video interaction, live chat and time delayed communication tools.

Enterprise Knowledge Management Organisation: KLE Society’s BV Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology Website: www.bvb.edu Implementing Agency: Dassault Systemes India Pvt Ltd Objective: To promote research and innovation in undergraduate engineering education, which will enable the engineering graduates to play a vital role in the socioeconomic development Description: KLE Society’s BV Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology was established in the year 1947 in Hubli. To grow innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem in Hubli, a number of academic initiatives are introduced in the undergraduate education. These initiatives have established a curriculum thread in the form of a course on social innovation, engineering design, mini-projects and capstone projects. Target Group: Students of engineering at BVBCET, Hubli Achievements: • 200 socially-relevant projects successfully completed by the students • Recognised by ‘International Institute for Developing Engineering Academics (IIDEA)’, USA as OBE (outcome based education) trainers • Multi-Disciplinary form of Engineering Education is becoming a reality

Practice School

Target Group: Students

Organisation: K L University

Achievements: • DKNMU effectively applies technology in the curriculum and throughout the course • One major achievement of incorporating technology into instruction is to avoid a one-sizefits-all approach to learning • Create opportunities for students to access technology outside of the classroom and university

Website: www.kluniversity.in Objective: Make Students Tailor Made for industries through Six months Internship and evaluation based on their learnt skills and technologies, which is a supplement to the BTech (UG- Engineering degree) project work as is practice in all other Engineering Colleges in India Description: Practice School is an innovative method started by K L University for its graduating engineering students to make them benefited from Industrial trends and practices while their Under Graduation (UG) is ongoing Target Group: Under Graduate (UG) Engineering Students Achievements: • Industrial exposure • Hands on training • Managerial skills

Building Innovation and Research Capability Organisation: ITM University Website: www.itmindia.edu Objective: ITM University Gurgaon aims to bring a strong research and innovation capability in the University and be known and distinguished by original research and innovative outcomes which would contribute to the larger good of the industry and society Description: Innovation is one of the crucial distinguishing features at ITM University. The university is innovative due to its small size, a niche University of 3000 students, being responsive

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

to new ideas, and most important possess a high intellectual capital in terms of faculty Target Group: Students, industry, and society Achievements: • HT Campus declared ITM University as winner in the Excellence in the Engineering category in National Capital Region in 2013 • ITM University figured amongst the niche group of IITs and IIMs and was rated at par with IITs in logistics research in India in a white paper by top German technical universities in Germany

INNOVATION BY ENGINEERING INSTITUTE

Diya cell Organisation: Vidhyapeeth Institute of Science and Technology Website: www.vistbpl.org Objective: To educate and prepare multiple handicapped children to live within the community, having achieved three-fold independence – physical, social and financial to the best of their abilities

Innovation in Energy Organisation: SAL Institute of Technology & Engineering Research Website: www.sal.edu.in Objective: The main objective behind all this invention is to conserve the energy and try to develop extra energy from the surrounding environment Description: A novel speed breaker will utilise the speed and weight of the moving vehicles to generate electricity. – A novel drip irrigation system will save water and very much economical in compare to current drip irrigation system. A novel water power clock will replace all the clocks that run on cell, because the present invention will run the clock with the help of water.

Description: The students are motivated for teaching and helping the needful children who are actually not able to study himself. Students visit the government handicapped Bal Ashram and teach them. They also help the poor students by providing the scholarships.

Automated Classrooms

Target Group: 5 to 21 years

Organisation: Maharaja College of Engineering

Achievements: • Admitted several students and providing them free education • During extra classes, senior students teach junior students in the guideline of faculties, which helps the seniors for preparation of competitive exams.

Website: www.maharajacolleges.org

Achievements: • Received various awards • All the invention are inspected by government and appreciated by the local people

Objective: The institute is set-up with the objective of providing quality technical education while sensitising students towards the needs of the society Description: The education programme of the institute is designed to respond to the intellectual capital requirement of business and industry. The institute’s mandate is to create technology enabled management solutions for nation building. Maharaja College of Engineering creates an effective blend of activities and interactive multimedia demonstrations to make learning more engaging and fun Target Group: Students Achievements: • Education Excellence Award 2012 • Best Citizens of India Award 2012 • Rating B++ By ICRA • Indian Leadership Award in Education Excellence 2011

INNOVATION BY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

Abhyudaya Organisation: S P Jain Institute of Management and Research Website: www.spjimr.org Objective: The objective is two-fold; experiential learning for management participants, at the same time contribution towards society Description: Abhyudaya means Prosperity and Development of All. As a part of the curriculum, the mentorship programme aims at preparing the management students for top management roles for socially responsible business leadership. Beginning in 2008, Abhyudaya is conceptualised and guided by the Honorary Dean Dr

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

ML Shrikant. Abhyudaya is a 1.5 credit mentorship programme for the first year PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management) participants wherein each participant mentors one Sitara for one year Target Group: Talented MBA participants and underprivileged children Achievements: • GMAC MET Fund 2012, USA has recognised Abhyudaya as the unique pedagogic innovation, as the “Big Idea to Solve a Big Problem” in the Ideas to Innovation • 825 mentors have completed around 40,000 mentoring hours

Organisers

academic partner

knOwledge partner

INNOVATION BY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

OutcomeBased Learning Organisation: TA Pai Managment Institute Website: www.tapmi.edu.in Objective: TAPMI believes in integration of education through a balanced mix of class room activities and field activities Description: TAPMI, in its mission statement has stated that: we shall continually benchmark ourselves against the best-in-class institutions. To this effect, it continuously takes part in important public rankings to compare itself vis-à-vis its peers. It also conducts promotional activities to make itself visible among all its stake holders such as potential students, alumni, corporate sector and fellow B-schools Target Group: Post Graduate Students Achievements: The outbound programme is an important component, which presents the student with highly challenging situations and forces them to work in teams

Centre for Spiritualism and Human Enrichment Organisation: School of Management Sciences Website: www.smsvaranasi.com Objective: To amalgamate ethics, values and spiritual (EVS) elements in management education, and education delivery process Description: Centre for Spiritualism and Human Enrichment was established by School of Management Sciences (SMS). The B-School is the breeding ground for future business leaders. It pertinent to catch them young and design innovative ways and means to incorporate probably the most vital elements of human beings, viz. ethics, values and spirituality (EVS) in academic delivery process in such a way that it stays and makes a positive impact in all the stakeholders for the benefit of the mankind. Target Group: Management students, students from other professional education streams, Academicians

Business Exposure Organisation: MIT School of Management Website: www.mitsom.org Objective: To make students understand the working of a business unit from different angles like HR, Finance, Marketing and Operations Description: The institute offers a student learning activity called Business Exposure. The project is about exploring any business venture. The best part of this activity is that it helps students develop leadership and managerial qualities. Target Group: Students Achievements: • Exposure to Business unit in informal way • Team work and coordination • Planning and execution

Facilitating Millennials at NCM Organisation: Nehru College of Management Website: www.nehrucolleges.com Objective: To make classes more interesting and informative with latest trends and technology Description: The Programme aims at differentiating in the way contents are delivered at B Schools. It inculcated learning by doing process along with the academic work. Hence we have got students loving their classes.

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Target Group: MBA Students Achievements: • Zero Absenteeism • Remarkable attentively • Higher retention • Higher understanding of Subject • Improved results in Exams

Student

Teacher

Innovation in Open and Distance Learning

Virtual labs Universalising Education Organisation: Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Website: www.amrita.vlab.co.in Implementing Agency: Amrita University, IIT Delhi, IIT Kharaghpur, IIT Mumbai, IIT Chennai, IIT Guwahati, Dayalbagh University, COE, Pune Objective: To provide remote-access to labs in various disciplines of Science and Engineering Description: The Virtual Labs project addresses these issues of lack of good lab facilities, as well as trained teachers, by making remote experimentation possible. Also, in a country such as ours, costly instruments and equipment need to be shared with fellow researchers to the extent possible. Target Group: Higher Education Engineering and Science Students Achievements: • Largest venture in the world to build Virtual Laboratories. • Broad multiple disciplines of sciences and engineering have been covered as part of this initiative

LPU e-Connect Organisation: Lovely Professional University Website: www.lpu.in Objective: To act as an Information Hub for the students by providing them personalized learning environment so that they can learn as per their convenience along with their other commitments Description: LPU e-Connect, an exceptional and user friendly online platform of Lovely Professional University Distance Education (LPUDE), offers ‘anytime, anywhere’ strong and secure online connection that links its various users viz University Target Group: Students of distance education, study centres, management and staff members of the university Achievements: • With LPU e-Connect, the University is able to save lots of papers in University and Study Centres to make University and its Study Centres paperless and truly Online • Online Sharing of Data, Records, Information, Updates and Important Documents for fast and better communication

Empowering Youth Organisation: Amity University Online Website: www.amityonline.com Objective: To reach the nook and corner of various geography of world using higher ICT involvement in academic delivery of MBA programme Description: Amity University Online (AUO) and the programmes offered currently, along with its some important outstanding features in terms of triple e-Advantages as easy; economical; and enhanced Learning. The institution is a virtual university campus, which facilitates fast track admissions, interactive multimedia rich e-contents, live virtual fully interactive classes from expert faculty from academia and industry and convenient online assessment and examinations. Achievements: • Proud participant in the prestigious GOI’ pan African e-network project • Secured highest accreditation from European foundation for management development, technology enhanced education, Switzerland • Also honoured with the IIND Indian e-retail award 2012 under the best e-educational services.

Distance Education Organisation: Shree Balaji Institute of Professional Studies Website: www.sbipsnagpur.com Objective: To motivate students and get enrollment for a course with a specific objective Description: Distance Education provides access to higher education to a large segment of society. The need for distance education can be attributed to the information explosion, to an increasing population, and to its cost effectiveness. The conven-

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

tional system of education has not been able to cope with the increasing demand for education. Achievements: Won Rashtriya Vidya Samman Puraskar, Rashtriya Shiksha Samman Purskar, International Status Award for Education Excellence, Indo-Nepal Ratan Award, Nepal

Working Memory Training Working Memory Training

An An evidence-based evidence-based online online intervention intervention for for improving improving attention, attention, academic performance academic performance and and behavior behavior Do you have students who are easily distracted Do you students who are easily distracted and havehave trouble completing tasks or following and have trouble completing or following instructions? Do they struggletasks particularly with instructions? Do they struggle particularly with reading comprehension and math? Are they failing reading andmotivation math? Areand theyhard failing to meet comprehension their goals despite to meet their goals despite motivation work? Poor working memory could be and parthard of the work? Poor working memory could be part of the problem. problem. attention is crucial for children and Adequate Adequate attention crucial forsettings. childrenStaying and adolescents in schoolisand social adolescents school and social settings. Staying focused on aintask, reading, solving math problems, focused on task, reading, solving math problems, planning anda following conversation all rely on planning memory. and following conversation all rely on working working memory. Cogmed Working Memory Training is a rigorous Cogmed Working Memory Training is a rigorous web-based intervention shown in controlled web-based shown in controlled research to intervention improve working memory capacity. research to improve working memory capacity. Training can be taken at school or home Training can be taken at school Can be completed in ďŹ ve weeksor home Can be completed in ďŹ ve weeks Cogmed Coach supports training Cogmed supports training Based on Coach solid research Based on solid research Pearson Clinical and Talent Assessment Pearson Clinical and Talent Assessment For orders and enquiries contact us at: M 99013 T contact 080 4215 For+91 orders and30409 enquiries us 3438 at: / 37 EM cogmedindia@pearson.com SMS3438 <Cogmed> +91 99013 30409 T 080 4215 / 37 to 56767 www.cogmed.in E cogmedindia@pearson.com SMS <Cogmed> to 56767 www.cogmed.in

ALWAYS LEARNING ALWAYS LEARNING

Watch a Cogmed demo Watch a Cogmed demo at www.training.cogmed.com at www.training.cogmed.com User I.D : test | Password : test99 User I.D : test | Password : test99

school contact Pranjal Barma at school contact Pranjal Barma at pranjal.barma@pearson.com or pranjal.barma@pearson.com or on 080 4215 3437 / 38 on 080 4215 3437 / 38

INNOVATION IN teaching pedagogy

Education Portal

Micro-Collaborations on SQA for Collaborative Learning

Organisation: Dr A Kumar Institute of Education

Organisation: RMIT University Website: www.rmit.edu.vn Objective: This project aims to use the micro-collaborations to return relevant answers, given a newly posed question Description: Social question answering (SQA) services are dedicated platforms where users ask, answer, rate and comment content. Micro-collaborations in SQA services are referred to as brief, informal episodes of collaborative information seeking where users engage in asking, answering, ratings, and commenting. Piazza is an example of a SQA service that helps a community of learners to interact among themselves and with their instructors Target Group: Graduate Students and teaching staff. Achievements: • Won RMIT Vietnam Research Grant for 8000USD • Use of social media components in collaborative learning • Identify the topic of interest based on students’ participation • Increased students online participation that result in building collective intelligence

Website: www.akie.org.in Objective: To undertake the task of shaping impressionable young mind with moral values and leadership qualities. To enable them to attain a very high level of academic excellence and to achieve this objective, provide best infrastructure, Opportunity and environment. Description: Dr A Kumar Institute of Education (AKIE) has made its remarkable presence in the global arena. AKIE is one of the autonomous institutes in Bihar with ISO 9001:2008; ISO 2700:2005. In a small town in Bhagalpur, AKIE initiated online education through education portal. It helped students living below poverty line in great manner Target Group: Graduate to PG Students Achievements: • 600 students since 18 months. • eBook mainly for the weaker section of society • Video lecture • Interest in education enhance • First portal in Bhagalpur

Working Together as Health Professionals Organisation: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (National University of Malaysia) Website: www.ukm.my Objective: The project aims at introducing the concepts of inter professional education and collaborative practice among students from various healthcare programmes Description: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised inter professional education (IPE) as necessary to produce collaborative-ready healthcare professionals. In February 2011, a twocredit co-curriculum module to introduce

the concepts of IPE was developed at UKM and offered to all first year undergraduate students from faculties of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and health sciences. Target Group: First year students from different health disciplines Achievements: • University accepted Innovative projects. • Improvement of collaboration among staff from different faculties. • Improvement of inter professional collaboration among students • Involvement of multidisciplinary healthcare services

Tailor-Made Business Simulation Software Organisation: Amity University, Gurgaon Website: www.amity.edu/gurgaon Objective: To develop a scalable solution to cater to the growing student base, institutes, professors and the whole industry, by leveraging technology and without compromising on the quality of education Description: This new pedagogy is highly engaging thereby enhancing the retention and clarity of knowledge of the student as they experience real life like business scenarios virtually. Amity University, Gurgaon is revolutionising the management

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

education with global best practices of giving students hands on real life. Target Group: Management students at both undergraduate and postgraduate level Achievements: • Participants live the experience with a more analytical way of thinking • Technology allows participants to develop a long-term • The approach reinforces competitive thinking and market understanding

academia-industry interface

Pratibha Job Fair Organisation: Kamala Education Society’s Pratibha Group of Institutes Website: www.kes.org.in Description: The project Pratibha Job Fair was initiated for a social cause to benefit the younger generation of India. It is observed that the huge quantum of unemployed or under employed youth in the age bracket of 16-24 needs a platform that will bridge the gap between employment opportunities with potential employers in various sectors and the challenges the youth faces in reaching them Objective: To bring together the potential employers and the job seeking candidates under one roof Target Group: Fresh graduates, Post Graduates, ITI’s, Engineers, Diploma Holders Achievements: • 100+ renowned employers participated with around 10000 openings • The objective of making employers aware of the need to give opportunities to candidates from small towns/cities was successfully fulfilled.

Online Examination Management System Organisation: Directorate of Information Technology, Govt of Maharashtra Implementing Agency: School Education and Sports Department Website: www.it.maharashtra.gov.in Objective: The eScholarship Management System automates, streamlines and effectively manages the processes related to application receipt, processing, sanction and disbursal of Pre-Metric Scholarship to students Description: School Education

department was using a manual system for the implementation of scholarships, which was extremely time consuming and prone to errors and duplication. To overcome these shortcomings, it has been decided to launch an eScholarship management system (EMS) for scholarship application, review and disbursal. Target Group: Minority students Achievements • During 2012-2013, a total of 18 lakh students applied for the scholarship. • It drastically cuts down the time taken for manual process

Innovative Academic Programmes Organisation: VelTech Dr RR & Dr SR Technical University Website: www.veltechuniv.edu.in Objective: To develop the ability among students to design, create, test and implement the industry technologies and thereby becoming industry – ready, when they pass out from the university Description: The increasing frequent changes in technologies and the demand for industry ready engineers and the lack of interest among the students to pursue higher education paved the way for the introduction of innovative UG / PG programmes specially called as ndustry Linked Programmes. These programmes are offered in collaboration with premier institutes and Industries like ARAI, CDAC, GARC, TAFE, etc. Target Group: Undergraduate engineering students passing out from universities, industries requiring skill upgradation for their employees are the direct beneficiaries Achievements: • More than 100 active MoUs and interactions with more than 2500 Industries in India and abroad • The students are industry ready when they pass out and are readily absorbed in top OEMs and core industries

Value Added Courses Organisation: RMK Engineering College Website: www.rmkec.ac.in Objective: To Bridge the gap between Industry and the Institution and to increase the employability and conduct various softskills and technical training programmes Description: The institution offers value added courses such as IBM – DB2, RAD, Tivoli, CISCO – CCNA, LABVIEW, Infosys Campus Connect, Ericsson EXCEL Certification, Improving Programming skills workshop by TCS, Mobility Challenge contest by TCS, Accenture – Nurturing Young Minds, Innovation Jockeys, Accenture

Career Day, Cognizant – Evolve, Cognizant Certified Student Target Group: Students Achievements: • Around 90 percent placement record, consistently for the past five years on an average 90 companies visited our campus for recruitment and more than 60 percent of eligible students placed in first 3 companies every year. • More number of MoUs with leading software and core companies like TCS, Infosys, HCL, Wipro, IBM, etc

digitalLEARNING / May 2012

academia-industry interface

Shadow Engineering

Center of Excellence for Innovation in Design

Organisation: VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology

Organisation: Takshshila Institute of Engineering and Technology

Website: www.vnrvjiet.ac.in

Objective: The platform creates an environment to spark innovation in students, design professionals, university students, faculty, entrepreneurs and governments access to world-class resources

Objective: Shadow engineering aiming at creating a series of interactions with the industry professional, thereby attracting projects to department / students, enhances the teaching skills with the knowledge of practical and real time implementation in the industry Description: VNR VJIET debut a programme called Shadow Engineering. This new programme allows prospective Engineering students to see industry from a professional perspective and allow them to spend a week time with a multidisciplinary area at the industry and experience the industry life. The Shadow Engineering programme is an opportunity for a budding engineer to learn what it means to be an engineer. Target Group: Students and faculty Achievements: • Explore the real time environment • Students physically experiencing the process and products

Website: www.takshshila.org Implementing Agency: Dassault Systemes

Description: The Center of Excellence (CoE) is aimed to be a collaborative platform for design innovation. This platform is a hub for collaboration on innovative, technology or design solutions, involving a combination of colleges, universities, government, quasi-government bodies, industry and industry body and partners Target Group: Mechanical Engineering Students Achievements: • Getting the educational organisation except the things necessary changed to brought for engineering education irrespective the direction provided by the governing technical university

Quality Engineering Education in Rural Haryana Organisation: Delhi Institute of Technology & Management Website: www.ditmcollege.com Implementing Agency: SR educational & welfare trust Objective: To provide a great educational resource and high quality engineering education in rural Haryana Description: Engineering College is running a four year B Tech Programme in CSE, IT, ECE, ME and Civil Engineering Target Group: 10 +2 students Achievements: • Excellent Results • Best Edupreneurs Awards and Educational Awards

Creating Employment Generators Organisation: Jagan Institute of Management Studies Website: www.jimsindia.org Objective: To be an Institute of academic excellence with total commitment to quality education and research in management and information technology with a holistic concern for better life, environment and society Description: JIMS provides an environment, which brings out the latent skill and competence of the students so that they could ultimately become entrepreneurs. The institute encour-

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ages students to be employment generators and not employment seekers Target Group: UG Students of all major discipline with inbuilt managerial and entrepreneurial capability Achievements: • Inculcated Managerial Capability • Ensured Employability • Promoted Entrepreneurship

Innovation in Language(s) Education

Mangoreader: Brings Books to Life Organisation: Mangosense pvt ltd Website: www.mangoreader.com Objective: MangoReader aims to bring books to life by making them interactive, engaging and fun, using videos, quizzes, games, animation, audios, collaboration, sharing, discussions and providing a better learning experience. We want to build an ecosystem where publishers, authors, educators, instructors and content curators can come together and build better content collaboratively focusing on their strengths. This provides better value proposition for students as they get better learning material and through the platform, can now engage with content, discuss and collaborate with each other and experience the real world learning through an online platform Description: With MangoReader – the vision is to bring books to life by making them interactive, engaging and fun, using videos, quizzes, games, animation, audios, collaboration, sharing, discussions and providing a better learning experience. Target Group: Kids and students Achievements: • Improved understanding of language • Higher time spend learning • Improved engagement

Language Learning Labs Organisation: Sri Guru Harkrishan Sr Sec Public School, Amritsar Website: www.sghpsgtroad.com Objective: To make education system more clearly accountable for the funding it receives Description: Innovation in language education has become a major growth area in recent years. It includes all the four skills of a language that is listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition, increasing student engagement, voice thread motivates students to express themselves in the target language and collaborate with each other in a comfortable setting Target Group: Up to 1500 people Achievements: • To increase language awareness • Effective and efficient communication • Activating self discovering

Enabling Correct Pronunciations Across Cultures Organisation: School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia Website: www.usm.my Objective: To design and develop an interactive multimedia student-cantered learning management system to support learning of correct pronunciation among non-native English speakers Description: Epronounce project explored the innovative use of phonetic symbols with full human face gestures to help non-native English speakers acquire correct pronunciation as they tend to carry the phonological processes of their mother tongue to the pronunciation of English language. Target Group: Elementary and primary school students Achievements: • Systematically developed a repository of more than 1,500 sample word pronunciation systematically following the syllable-word positions, and open and closed syllable structures • Successfully designed and developed interactive record and play features with novel online submission for every individual recorded pronunciation

Tablet Based English Langauge Lab Organisation: Liqvid eLearning Services Pvt Ltd Website: www.liqvid.com Objective: To enhance English communication skills especially spoken English skills of school students Description: The tablet based portable English language Lab is a trolley that comes with centralised charging, in-built Wi-Fi device and can house up to 40 tablets loaded with English language content. There is no investment needed for a physical space for

classroom/lab and an institute can run a complete day’s class without any interruption, even in the absence of electricity. Target Group: Schools Achievements: • Enables less confident speakers to express uninhibitedly in front of fellow learners • Allows for creation of user generated videos that can be shared for immediate and active feedback in the classroom

digitalLEARNING / May 2012

Innovation in Language(s) Education

Learning Values Through Tamil Songs Organisation: Gateway The Complete School Website: www.gatewaytheschool.in Objective: To inculcate among students a sense of pride in learning Tamil and also values of life and various forms of learning language through songs of the past and present film music Description: To inculcate the values of life various Tamil movie songs were gathered from the late 1940′s till date of all the songs that carry values for life and for learning school based particularly IGCSE based skills for language development Target Group: Children in the age group of 8 to 15 Achievements: • Children easily remembered the objectives of learning values, • Children score well in tests using these tools

Innovation in English Language Education Organisation: Jamnabai Narsee School Website: www.jns.ac.in Objective: To develop and integrate the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. To develop the skill of communication through written correspondence Description: The English department focuses on inculcating well defined linguistic skills by providing an atmosphere conducive to creative thinking and learning. The teaching methodologies used in the classrooms are innovative, thought provoking and instill in the students an insatiable thirst for knowledge. An array of interesting activities and evaluation worksheets are prepared to test the students speaking, reading, writing, listening and comprehension skills. Target Group: Students of Grade 5 to 12 Achievements: • Concept formation and awearness of English education • Variety in classroom stimuli

Innovations in Hindi Curriculum Organisation: The Cathedral and John Connon School Website: www.cathedral-school.com Objective: The curriculum gives a holistic experience of learning to the children Description: The children are taught to read using the phrasing technique. The “10 minute daily grammar” is conducted to teach grammatical concepts and generate. The aural curriculum includes audio-visual resources – edited Bollywood songs, contemporary poetry and short Hindi films. The creative writing curriculum is divided into creative thinking and creative writing. Target Group: Children of age 7 – 9 years Achievements: • Children have expressed their eagerness to participate in activities conducted in Hindi, be it Quiz, discussions, skits, word games, etc • The Hindi teachers have been able to adapt to the new methods and handling a variety of teaching material, given support as and when needed

e-school INITIATIVE

Blended Model of Learning and Training Organisation: DAV Public School, Chandrasekharpur Website: www.davcsp.org Objective: To empower the students by providing e-study materials to them, and to cater to the need of the 21st century learners all the teachers are made proficient in IT – enabled teaching through orientations and workshops on regular intervals Description: Under this initiative, the students use Core i3 Systems with LAN connection. They prepare and present PPTs

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on different concepts. Subject teachers prepare PPT and have Audio-visual classes to introduce new concepts. Regular online courses are taken by them to keep themselves upgraded. Target Group: Students, teachers, staffs and parents Achievements: • Teaching-Learning process became interactive, interesting and vibrant • Go Green Environment with limited paper works

e-school Initiatives

Georgean e-School Initiative Organisation: St George’s School Website: www.sgs.edu.in Objective: To bring about effective, diagnostic and remedial learning through interesting e-tools providing opportunities to the students to improve upon their domain knowledge and aid in self assessment Target Group: Students, teaching staff and their families Description: St George’s school organises and integrates technological resources to ensure effective learning. Students are able to gain knowledge through attractive visual and audio representation of each topic that increases the attention span of students. e-Learning activities have aided in building investigative acumen of the students, making them highquality global learners. Achievements: • The school has received global training award - ‘Golden Peacock National Training Award for 2011’ • The classrooms have become more interesting, techno-savvy and innovative

e-Initiatives at Greenwood Organisation: Greenwood Public School Website: www.greenwoodindia.org Description: This initiative includes ICR Classrooms, NIIT Nguru IT Wizard, Educomp Smart Classes, English Language Lab, e-Library. Objective: To sharpen up students with latest technologies Target Group: From Classes V – XII

Affordable Education at Unexplored Rural Areas Organisation: Calorx Public School Website: www.cps.calorx.org Implementing Agency: Calorx education and research foundation Objective: Development of the children, and creating national assets and global citizens through strong values of dedication, devotion and compassion Description: Calorx Public School, Rajula District, Amreli was started on 26th June 2010 from Nursery to Class V to provide NCERT syllabus in English Medium education to the children of Rajula which is growing as Port City in Saurastra region of Gujarat. Today the school is up to class VIII and each and every class is equipped with ‘smart class’ where syllabus mapped lesson plan, teaching aid, CCE testing are provided. Target Group: All the areas where English education is not available Achievements: • Calorx is first choice • Provided affordable English medium CBSE education • Catered to far flung villages • Successfully designed and developed interactive record and play features with novel online submission for every individual recorded pronunciation

e-School Programme Organisation: Doon Public School Website: www.doonpublicschool.in Objective: To enable the students to devote complete attention towards the concepts by making learning more interactive and to bring innovations in teaching Description: Starting with the digital library, the school has 15000 books uploaded in the computers. It includes the latest Encyclopedia, talking dictionary and thesaurus. Through talking dictionary, the students understand the meanings and pronunciation of the words. Digital library creates an augment-

ed learning environment where technology is used to aim at maximising the child’s participation in the learning process Target Group: Students of pre-primary to class 12, teachers and parents Achievements: • Students learn in a self directed way • Our initiative to introduce the digital facilities in the school for education has enabled us to win the ‘Best ICT Laboratory’ in school- Digital Learning School Education for the year 2010

digitalLEARNING / May 2012

e-school INITIATIVES

Online Interactive Virtual School Portal Organisation: Dr Kedar Nath Modi Foundation Website: www.knmodifoundation.com Implementing Agency: Super Infosoft Pvt Ltd Objective: To make the students learn to use latest technologies of using the PCs, Laptops and Tablets for effective learning purposes and be abreast with technological advancements Description: SIS’s Online Interactive Virtual School Portal initiative is taken to make teaching /learning captivating in the classroom delivery system to make the lessons innovative and enjoyable for enabling learning. Target Group: Children from the age of 5 to 19 years Achievements: • Students who did not like to do home work, now look forward to doing that • This system of teaching has helped the students to remember lessons easily as its always easy to remember what you have seen • Teachers find this easy and effective as definitely this system is better than read out of book system

Advancement in Information Technology Organisation: Holy Heart Presidency School Website: www.holyheartschools.org Objective: To develop a powerful medium of formal and informal learning environment which will empower, those who encounter difficulties in traditional learning situations Description: The school has taken a keen initiative in implementing the project of advancement in Information Technology. Around 90 classrooms have been provided with the facility of Educomp Smart Class system. The teachers are utilising the latest educational strategies in order to update the students with the latest learning concepts. Target Group: School children of age from 2 to 18 years Achievements: • digitalLEARNING Shiksha Ratan Award 2013 by State Government of Punjab • Students and teachers being updated with the latest education system • Improvement in board results by leaps and bounds • Variety in classroom stimuli • Outreach programme to initiate awearness of English education

Technology Aided Lessons Organisation: Oakridge International School, Newton Campus Website: www.oakridge.in Objective: The basic objective of this is to cater to the needs of this generation and facilitate deeper learning and understanding Description: As the e-school initiative states that e-Schools are rich in technology and takes advantage of the modern innovations to ensure that children get the best education possible. Oakridge International School, Newton Campus, involves all stakeholders to be a part of the technology initiative. This year, it has taken a leap by making the classrooms, aided with projectors. Students are given technology aided lessons. Target Group: Students from Pre-primary to Grade 6 Achievements: • Various school connects, help students to learn collaboratively • Increases thinking skills, creativity and boosts confidence

Étude-An Initiative for e-Learning Organisation: Sir Padampat Singhania Education Centre Website: www.spsec.co.in Objective: Liberating the minds of students, thus collaborative learning along with new innovative teaching methods is the hallmark of our institution Description: The school introduced the project ‘é-tude’, an e-Learning based programme to incorporate technical knowledge in their day to day life so as to lead the world in scientific and technical race. The students have carved a niche for them

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by energetically participating in different national and international competitions. Target Group: Students Achievements: • Computer based testing (CBT) and on demand test (OTE) schemes for students • The annual techno-fest ‘TECHNIKA’ and a Mega Science Festival “GENESIS” generate a lot of interest in technology, innovations and robotics

GLOBAL COLLABORATIVE LEARNING

Exploring the World Organisation: Ryan International School, Greater Noida Website: www.ryangreaternoida.com Objective: The project brought about linguistic and cross cultural diversity for all the students enabling them to enhance their communication and visual skills Description: The students of Ryan International School, Greater Noida effectively accomplished an international project in which the students were able to form global cross

cultural bonds. They were also sensitised about multicultural and the intrapersonal aspects of communication. Target Group: Students of Classes 1to 6 Achievements: • Global interaction interspersed with cross cultural bonding • Enhancement of analytical and creative skills globally • Two way learning by stimulating the collaborative learners

Study in Migration Organisation: Bal Bharati Public School Website: www.bbpsgr.edu.in

plan titled Who we are and where we are going – Self-Images and Migration in Delhi and Cologne.

Implementing Agency: Goethe Institute, Max Mueller Bhavan

Target Group: Students

Objective: Students explored migration in personal, social and political contexts in their own as well as partner country

Achievements: • Collaborative experiences from the project promise to play a significant role in the development of students’ personalities • Students from both schools got ample opportunities to learn and appreciate differences as well as similarities in the sociocultural milieu of both countries

Description: German-Indian Classroom is a programme supporting collaboration between Indian and German schools. The program constitutes project work carried out over a period of one year with two integrated exchange phases. Under its aegis, Bal Bharati, Ganga Ram and Genoveva Gymnasium, Germany have been working collaboratively for a year on a joint curriculum

GREEN SCHOOL INITIATIVE

Green Earth Venture

Green School Organisation: B-Kanae School Website: www.b-kanae.edu.in

Organisation: Greatmen International School Website: www.greatmensagar.com

Objective: There is no blueprint for being a green school. The hallmark of this movement is its diversity

Description: Greatmen International School has been trying to create awareness among the people of Sagar to save the environment by planting more and more trees at every possible inch of the land. The Ozone club of the school took the initiative in 2010 when nearly 1100 saplings were planted. In 2011, a press conference was addressed by the scholars and role plays and skits were staged as well as poster competition was organised on the theme ‘Know Me Know Life’ that is ‘No Me No Life’

Description: Green School is an amazing initiative, pioneering sustainability within education. It is pushing boundaries in schooling at a time when the world must review whether more of the same is acceptable. It is preparing students to be critical and creative thinkers who are confident to champion the sustainability of the world and its environment.

Objective: The main objective of Ozone Club is to create pollution free nature, to sensitise the parents and scholars about various environmental hazards

Target Group: K-12 Students

Achievements: • Distribution of 11,100 saplings by the school which will be continued in the coming years • Distribution of saplings and plantation in every year since 2010 in and around Sagar district

Achievements: • Student result enhanced • Teacher’s efficiency enhanced • Operational cost reduced • Students fitness level enhanced • Student’s absent ratio reduced

digitalLEARNING / May 2012

GREEN SCHOOL INITIATIVES

Towards Green Organisation: Guru Teg Bahadur Public School, Bardwal Website: www.gtbps-bardwaldhuri.com Objective: To be a school where learning is enjoyable, exciting and challenging Description: The school is situated on Dhuri-Malerkotla Road, in the sylvan beauty of 100 acres and pollution free, congenial environment amidst bush green surroundings. It is a picturesque and ideal site for an educational institution Target Group: School Achievements • The Global Award for Perfection, Quality & Ideal Performance 2010 from Otherways Management & Consulting Association Paris-France held at Berlin • The Golden Award for Quality & Business Prestige 2011 from Otherways Management & Consulting Association Paris-France held at Berlin.

Safeguarding Resources Organisation: Delhi Public School, Sonepat Website: www.dps.in Objective: To reduce the consumption of energy and resources as much as possible and minimise waste production and achieve more sustainable waste management practices Description: Delhi Public School, Sonepat has taken some more green school initiative by providing new methods like solar panel, the school switch off electricity every day for two hours to conserve energy. There are eight water harvesting plants in the school campus including swimming pool. Sewage treatment plant is available where the school recycles the water for other uses. Achievements: • Organic farming provides us with pesticides free vegetation • Chemical free manure • Minimised waste production

Green School Programme Organisation: St Kabir’s School, Hisar Website: www.saintkabir.com Objective: To remind each one of us that we are integral part of environment and its our moral duty to work for environmental conservation. Description: St Kabir’s school initiated the Green school initiative in the year 2006 by constituting Kabir’s Eco Club with the aim of environmental awareness. In last couple of years, it has gained momentum by expanding its boundaries to its communities Target Group: Villagers and house wives Achievements: • Active participation of maximum teachers, students and parents in Green School Programme and awareness is unremittingly expanding • The innovative model ‘Kabir’s Aqua Eco-Floating City’ participated at District, State and National levels and got appreciations from eminent scientists including Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India. The model was blueprint for future living on Earth by overcoming global warming and climate change

Green School Project Organisation: Dasmesh Parivar International School Website: www.dpis.ac.in Objective: Green School Project is to make the students aware about environment Description: Under Green School Project, the students are motivated every year through lectures, slides, competitions, models, science exhibitions, celebrating Van-Maha-Ustav, etc in the school. In 2012-13 sessions, the students grew plants

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celebrating Van-Maha-Ustav in school. The school motivates the students to grow plants in their homes/ localities. Target Group: School students Achievements: • Students are becoming members of Eco-Club and becoming aware about the environment • Plantation of trees by students and zest of students to take care of them

GREEN SCHOOL INITIATIVES

Save Earth Organisation: Gyan Ganga International School, Jabalpur

porary social and environmental crises.

Website: www.gyanganga.ac.in

Target Group: Young generation

Objective: Save Earth, Save Mankind programme aims to save environment and sustain the resource for longer time

Achievements: • Sewage water treatment plant has been successfully installed • Green Angles has made school environment green and fresh by their continuous efforts by planting trees every year and taking care of them

Description: Save Earth, Save Mankind programme was initially started in the school with the foundation of Eco Club in 2001. The purpose of founding Eco Club in the school was to raise awareness about what it identifies as root cause of contem-

INNOVATION IN MATH EDUCATION

DPS East Mathematics Rolling Trophy Organisation: Delhi Public School, East Ahmedabad Website: www.dpseast.calorx.org Implementing Agency: Calorx Education and Research Foundation Objective: To bring awareness of the existence of the school and prepare the children for future competitions in Mathematics Description: With the support of our promoters Calorx Education and Research Foundation the school took a small step in January 2009 and hosted Inter school Mathematics competition coined DEMART(DPS East Mathematics Rolling Trophy) for students of class1 to 12 Target Group: Children of Age group 6 to 18 years Achievements: • Approximately 5000 students participated • Reached to five states in India • Reached to three countries

Application of Math in Life Organisation: The Orchid School (TOS) Website: www.theorchidschool.org Objective: To build the confidence of the students in their Mathematics skills and add the fun element to the teaching-learning process Description: Math Fair at TOS was a culmination of the process that began with the planning, exploring, brainstorming and zeroing down upon concepts. It culminated in the form of an exhibition-cum display with children participating in hands-on activities Target Group: Orchid students, parents and students from other schools Achievements: • The Fair has helped in concept clarity and has developed interest in the subject. This was reflected in the scores. The evidence can be seen in presentation • Extrapolating simple mathematical concepts to high order thinking and creating a spark among children for whom Math was always a challenge

digitalLEARNING / May 2012

Innovation in Pre-School

How to Think

Making of Global Citizens

Organisation: Shri Ram Global Pre-School

Organisation: Kangaroo Kids Education Ltd

Website: www.shriramglobalpreschool.org

Description: Kangaroo Kids Education Ltd is a fully integrated education service provider supporting a network of owned and franchise schools. Under its umbrella it has Kangaroo Kids Pre-Schools, Billabong High International School, and KITDR (Teacher Training Institute). Having established itself as a brand name in quality education in Mumbai, today, KKEL supports 56 preschools and 18 high schools in India, Dubai and Maldives and is still growing

Implementing Agency: Shri Ram New Horizons Objective: To ensure that each student is endowed with the qualities and traits that are hallmark of every Shri Ram Global Student

Website: www.kkel.com

Objective: To introduce an empowering system of education that would enable learners to integrate the derived knowledge with different areas of application seamlessly

Description: Shri Ram Global Preschool accepts and appreciates the uniqueness in each child and thus aims at teaching children how to think instead of what to think. Their primary target is to encourage selfdiscovery through exploratory learning and to aid them in the process, the school prepares its environment to not only be child-safe but also childstimulating

Target Group: Parents 25-32years

Target Group: Children between the age group of 2 to 4 years

Website: www.dpsbopal.calorx.org

Achievements: • State-of-the-art Learning Centres provide our learners a dynamic and nurturing environment • Awarded the Best Innovation in Pre-School at World Education Summit 2012 • Felicitation of the school with the “Education Excellence Award 2012” recognised as the best play school in Gurgaon

Achievements: • Footprints over 25 cities in India, Dubai and Maldives. • Maintaining the ideal teacher – student ratio across all grades (K-12) and monitoring the same across the owned and franchising schools

Multiple Intelligence Learning Strategies Organisation: Delhi Public School, Bhopal Objective: It aims at providing children the opportunity to receive education designed to capitalise on each child’s unique gifts through the use of enriched curriculum and a supportive nurturing environment Description: Catering to multiple intelligence of a child Multi-sensory, thematic, play way methods are ideal to educate the young minds. DPS, Bopal Preschool lays emphasis on child’s growth through play and fun activities. A child’s learning style-audio, visual, and kinesthetic and multiple intelligences are kept in mind while designing activities and lesson plans. Achievements: • It has helped in developing the confidence in each one of them • We have been able to involve parents in their education • It has helped in catering to all three types of learners

Promoting Early Childhood Education Organisation: D Intellitots Learning Website: www.intellitots.in Objective: To promotes excellence in early childhood education and has developed a curriculum framework and methodology that is both effective and customised to children’s different learning styles Description: Intellitots is a world class early learning center that strives to promote excellence in early childhood educa-

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tion through research and development of innovative, fun and learning oriented programs for pre primary and primary years Target Group: Children from 6 months to 6 years and their discerning parents Achievements: • Best Women Entrepreneur Award 2011 • Most Favourited business on mycity4kids that has over 100,000 parents as members

Innovation in Pre-School

Step Ahead Programme Organisation: Shalomhills School, Nirvana Website: www.shalomhills.com Objective: To ensure that the little learners of the school take confident steps forward in their academic journey Description: The Step Ahead Programme is specially conceptualised by the Founder-Managing Director of Shalom Hills Group of Schools. It is designed to ensure that the little learners of the school take confident steps forward in their academic journey; they are invested with life skills and ultimately prepared to leave an impact in the adult world. Achievements: • The curriculum and innovative pedagogy ensure that teaching of concepts encompasses seven different MI techniques along with an experiential approach, age appropriate activities and multi-media aids • To be able to participate in competitions both within and outside school

A Proposed Nationwide Chain of Pre-Schools Organisation: Dudes and Dolls Website: www.dudesndolls.com Implementing Agency: Rawal Educational and Cultural Society Target Group: Children from the Age of 15 months Achievements: • New concept syllabus • New concept Activity Zone • Societal integration • Career germination

Uncover Discover Organisation: Sanskar School Website: www.sanskarjaipur.com Objective: The objective of designing the Theme Books lies in a sound foundation in the students Description: The teachers at Sanskar have devised theme-books which are based on various activities like match the objects, read and write, colour the pictures, sorting, discuss about pictures etc. These exercises are in accordance to the syllabus of each class in all subjects – English, Hindi, Maths and General Awareness Target Group: Pre-Primary Students Achievements: • Stress free learning • Experiential Learning Activities • Vocabulary Development • Better Understanding of Concept • Develop Speaking Skills

Developing Young Inquisitive Minds Organisation: K R Mangalam World School Website: www.krmangalam.com Objective: The main objective of our system is to up bring a generation of Indian creative in thought and molistic and respectful in deeds Description: The School’s motto is to develop young inquisitive minds and citizens who are well groomed. Keeping this in mind the school has designed its education system modern in

nature but based on traditional values. Teaching and learning at KRM is a fun filled experience as all the methods are based on activities and play way. Target Group: Pre-school students Achievements: • Child centric education system • Knowledge based teaching • Motor development of child

digitalLEARNING / May 2012

Innovation in Pre School

Learning at a Holistic Level Organisation: Oi Playschool

across India winning the most promising playschool chain in South India award by Brands Academy

Website: www.oiplayschool.com Objective: Oi Playschool is committed towards providing quality education not only in terms of class room learning but also learning at a holistic level. Description: Oi Playschool is an initiative of people that has transformed itself into a diversified, mega corporate hub today with interests in Education. Started with just two centers in Hyderabad, Oi Playschool today stands at more than 50 centers

Target Group: Children in the age group of 1 to 5 year Achievements: • Beyond the Bell– an after school programme involving fitness education, dance, music, art and craft, recreational activities and many more • Online integration of all the admin, academic, accounting and parent related information under Oi Web making the entire management process simpler for the school and also parents

Innovation in TEACHING PEDAGOGY

Change the way India Teaches

Dalimss Sunbeam Schools

Organisation: Golden Bells Pre School

Organisation: Dalimss Sunbeam Schools

Objective: DMIT helps parents, educators, doctors, counselors discover innate strength/weakness, enhance learning experience by identifying learning style

Website: www.dalimss.com

Description: Dermatoglyphics is the Science which studies the patterns on the fingerprints of human beings and reveals the congenital link between the fingers and the inborn qualities and traits. DMIT helps in identifying the multiple intelligences, preferred learning style and personality type of the individual.

Target Group: Primary to senior secondary education Achievements: • Educating more than 15,000 students • Twenty one branches in eastern Uttar Pradesh • CBSE based education • Free education to over 1,600 students • Vast social service network in orphanages, old age houses and various disease centers

Website: www.goldenbellsdelhi.com Implementing Agency: Telescope Solutions Plc

Achievements: • Identifying innate Multiple Intelligences • Identifying preferred Learning style • Identifying Brain Dominance • Identifying Personality Type and Identifying Possible Career Choices

Making No Bones About It Organisation: Mahatma Gandhi International School Website: www.mgis.in Objective: The objective was to make students learn about the Skeleton System in an interactive way and make them work on science topics with fun Description: The curiosity of what actually is happening in our body is the most interesting thing for a student. The whole class was asked to choose a sport and draw the actual function. For example, playing football the leg was drawn in a particular manner. The process involved learning about the human body, bones, its functions. Target Group: K-12 student Achievements: • Working in teams with entire class involvement • A model skeleton was made, which could be used for any further reference • Very concrete documentation was made and preserved

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Innovation in TEACHING PEDAGOGY

Most Beneficial Learning Environment Organisation: Excelsior American School Website: www.excelsioreducation.org Objective: The school’s mission is to develop a strong sense of self worth and responsibility among its students that will in turn prepare the child for a lifetime of achievement and contribution to society Description: The Excelsior approach differs from traditional education in several important ways. Learning is achieved through direct experience and active involvement. Students learn at their own pace. Self direction is encouraged. Small sized classrooms Excelsior programme takes into account that each child develops at his or her own pace. Target Group: Students Achievements: • Child centered • All aspects of the child are developed (physical, emotional, moral, social and intellectual) • Learning is achieved through direct experience and active involvement

Inclusion of Social with Academic Organisation: The Millennium School, Noida (TMS) Website: www.illenniumnoida.com Objective: The school’s aim is to empower the differently abled children as the productive members of society. TMS, Noida impart education as per the level of the differently abled child irrespective of time taken by the child Description: The school is following a child centric curriculum. At TMS, the differently abled children are placed in the class as per their chronological age. Being a tech savvy school, some software are also used to help these children. Target Group: Autism, Border line intelligence, Ataxia, Dsylexia, ADD, ADHD, Syndrome, Behavioral issues and other childhood disorders Achievements: • Used software for better retention ability in students who have problems in recalling the concepts • Students who had inclination for music were trained by using song with the help of the music teacher in such a way that they are now capable enough to compose their own music

Radio Masters Organisation: Hansraj Public School Website: www.hansrajschool.org Implementing Agency: IRJ Institute of Radio Jockeying Objective: The main objectives of the projects launched and initiated by the school are to inculcate content of social media, vision, ethics and actions Description: In order to use social media in education, the school has been undertaking various projects to offer a practical application of social media tools in the school environment. It provides information to films, TV, Print, Radio and Internet Achievements: • The foremost achievement of the programme is remarkable improvement in voice modulation and voice culturing of the students. • Communication skills development through public speaking among students • Enhancement of student’s script writing skills editing and conceptualisation • Team spirit, event management and co-ordination as well as group discussions • News reporting radio programming by students which also includes stage anchoring

Expanding Capacities of Individuals Organisation: MRV School Website: www.mrvps.org Objective: Bringing youth at peace by culture of heart through art and music and enabling school education to develop knowledgeable, skillful and value oriented programme Description: The school took the initiative to make behavior policy, which will be accepted by all members at home and school to avoid unnecessary pressure. It pamper the child educate the parents - the slogan is taken forward because love

and affection make children relaxed and happy and only happy children can explore and create. Target Group: Students of class 1 to 12th Achievements: • Children do not throw litter • They have become more respectful and responsible • Noise is reduced • Bullying and fighting almost is controlled • Children/Teachers speak slowly and softly

digitalLEARNING / May 2012

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Vocational Education in Schools Organisation: IndiaCan Education Pvt Ltd Website: www.indiacan.com Objective: To include vocational education in school education for the dual purpose of enhancing employability for students Description: The Government of Assam in Association with IndiaCan and Pearson Education selected a few schools to take part in a pilot project to roll out vocational education in government schools. The project is committed to introducing National Vocational Education Qualifications Framework, a national program to establish standards and qualifications for skills trainings. Target Group: Secondary students enrolled in government Schools Achievements: • Complete cooperation from parents to hold sessions after school hours • 96 percent of total grade IX students enrolled for the sessions to be held after school hours • 93 percent students attended sessions regularly with attendance averaging around 80 percent • A mere 0.05 percent of drop outs with letters from parents stating the reason for dropping out

Masterconnet Organisation: IACM SmartLearn Ltd. Website: www.iacm-india.com Objective: Need to establish improved technical training institute for these students offering programs that address skills, remedial education and employable IT training. Description: IACM was founded with a mission to build a “learning society” to produce versatile and resourceful professionals. In 1999, IACM became the first company to announce the International Certifications in combo packages at affordable price. Target Group: 12th pass students from tier-2, tier-3 cities, rural BPL, underprivileged and economically weaker section of the society. Achievements: • More than 50000 students are trained and placed. • First Skill Champion of India Award, Honour Roll 2012 awarded by LeapVaul, FICCI on Skill Development & Vocational Training. • IACM tops Score Card-Avaya Global Connect Award 2007 for innovation & placement cell performance.

Mobile Vocational Education Organisation: AMMACHI Labs (Amrita Multi Modal Applications Using Computer Human Interaction) Website: www2.amrita.edu/centers/ammachi/ Objective: To deliver high quality Computerised Vocational Education and Training (cVET) and Life Enrichment Education (LEE) to the economically marginalised sections Description: AMMACHI Labs has developed Mobile Vocational Education – MoVE, which employs a classroom on wheels, powered by solar panels, to provide technology enhanced vocational education using computers to geographically diverse areas. Target Group: Illiterate or semi-literate women living below the poverty line Achievements: • Developed high quality computerised vocational education and training courses in extremely remote areas • Conducted successful deployments in 35 villages • Reduced dependence on trainers by deploying fully computerised VET & LEE courses

Training Programmes for Rural Youth Organisation: IIET Website: www.iiet.net Objective: To provide placements to all candidates with the attention on unemployed rural youth Description: Integrated Institute of Education Technology is committed to provide the highest quality services to our customers to satisfy their needs and expectations of quality, reliability. The institute ensures this through providing quality education and training to unemployed youth.

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

Target Group: Unemployed rural youth Achievements: • Completed 500 villages in IT Training for youth • Completed 1,00,000 youth under software courses • Completed 50,000 youth under Hardware course • Completed 10,000 youth under teaching skills • Completed 5,000 youth under Hotel Management course

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Employability Enhancement Organisation: Prabhaav Learning Pvt Ltd Website: www.prabhaav.com Implementing Agency: ITM University Objective: Prabhaav works for crime free, intellectually strong and employable India Description: Prabhaav works for value based education and skill development. It works for women empowerment. It has recently started gender sensitisation workshops and effective parenting. Most of the projects are less or zero profit making. Target Group: Students in colleges and universities Achievements: • Students are groomed • Students are job ready • Placed the underprivileged students • Received NABET accreditation

Vocational Education and Training Initiatives Organisation: AISECT Website: www.aisect.org Objective: AISECT’s objective is to reach out to the remotest corner of India and promote skill based training to empower people, generate employment for the youth and unfold entrepreneurship based initiatives to create an inclusive society Description: AISECT has imparted training to over 1.2 million students in semi-urban and rural areas as well as generated over 10,000 rural entrepreneurs. The organisation is listed in the World Bank-IIM(A) joint study as one of the most successful initiatives on Information & Computer Technology (ICT) for rural development. Target Group: People from rural and semi-urban areas Achievements: • The AISECT centres are located at the district, block and panchayat level and not in the larger cities or metros. The organisation focuses on all categories of people from the community • AISECT has set-up Dr CV Raman University and AISECT University. The organisation has launched ‘aisectonline.com’ to empower students with anywhere, anytime accessibility • AISECT has pioneered various initiatives to generate awareness about the IT-based education

The eLearning Portal Organisation: GurukulOnline Learning Solutions Pvt Ltd Website: www.gols.in Objective: To provide high quality education with the best faculties at highly affordable fees Description: GOLS provides elearning coaching for all the streams of ICSI ie foundation, executive and professional eLearning coaching and also provides all the mandatory trainings required to be completed by students of the ICSI. Achievements: • Students are standing in the merit list and hundreds of students are passing with flying colors • Provided an affordable and high quality option to coaching classes who are charging exorbitant fees and providing many a time shoddy quality of education • Helping students to complete the mandatory trainings of the ICSI

Trained Leaders Organisation: YMCA College of Physical Education Website: www.ymcacollegeofphysicaleducation.edu.in Implementing Agency: National Council of YMCAs of India Objective: The basic objective was to fulfill the need for trained leaders in the field of Health, Physical Education, Sports and Recreation Description: The YMCA College of Physical Education offers degrees at doctoral, post graduate, under graduate and diploma levels. A degree course on Bachelor of Mobility Science focused on disabled was introduced in 2006-07. It is recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India.

Target Group: Students and local community Achievements: • The first Indian Olympic team was trained in the College grounds and led by the first Principal of the College Mr Buck, to the Paris Olympics in 1924 • Accredited with “A” Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council, confirming the quality of education • Enabled and encouraged rural and economically weaker sections of the community to join this premier College. Around 90 percent students belong to this category

digitalLEARNING / May 2012

non government sector initiative in education

Skill Development Training Programme Organisation: Centre for Entrepreneurship Development Madhya Pradesh (CEDMAP) Website: www.cedmapindia.org Objective: The prime objective of the project was to impart appropriate trainings to all un-skilled, semi-skilled household assistants Description: The District Urban Development Agency (DUDA), Ujjain and Directorate of Town Administration and Development, Government of Madhya Pradesh selected CEDMAP as its Implementing Agency (IA) for their prestigious Skill Development Training Programme in MP. Target Group: Un-skilled, semiskilled household assistants and workers Achievements: • CEDMAP’s success has greatly contributed to bringing in remarkable change in the socio-economic conditions of their families • Skoch Financial Inclusion Award 2013 along with the Certificate of Merit for Gender Empowerment under Mukhyamantri Shehri Gharelu Kamkaji Mahila Yojana

Imparting Quality Education Organisation: Shri Ram Education Trust Website: www.shriramedutrust.com Objective: To impart quality education and to enable students to lead their lives in a more accomplished way. Description: Shri Ram Education Trust has been founded with a vision to create, promote, support and manage educational institutes from pre-school to university level. The Trust also envisions contributing to the well being of children, the environment, communities and mankind through well planned activities. Target Group: Middle and lower class Achievements: • The trust has opened world class schools across India • The trust is approaching its goal of the school expansion program in India and abroad

A Global Educational Initiative Organisation: Indian Spinal Injuries Centre Website: www.isiconline.org Implementing Agency: International Spinal Cord Society Objective: This project was aimed at developing a web-based teaching and educational resource Description: The portal addresses the lack of professional development opportunities for health professionals involved in SCI management due to the limited access of current training and learning material. Target Group: Health professionals working in the field of SCI, patients/ consumers and families, policy makers and government officials Achievements: • Involvement of professionals from around the world has resulted in offers of support to lead on translations into different languages • The effort has led to the strengthening of discipline specific networks of professionals • It is successfully helping in spreading awareness about SCI across the globe among the professionals and the patients/ consumers

Women Empowerment through ICT Organisation: Abbasi Charitable & Educational Society (ACES) Website: www.acesabbasi.org Objective: To enhance the skill levels of women students to prepare them for employment in the IT, BPO and other industries Description: ACES is setting up computer training centres in rural areas run by women. This centre will provide women with vocational and job-oriented courses like basic computer training and other courses. Target Group: Women, adolescent girls and unemployment youth

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

Achievements: • Privileged and less privileged poor and Dalit adolescent girls are endowed with employable skills • Privileged and less privileged poor and Dalit adolescent girls are able to earn their livelihood and upgrade their socio-economic status • These girls families would be able to acquire assets and livestock and that would lead to reduced poverty, hunger and dependency

non government sector initiative in education

Isha Vidhya Organisation: PIsha Education Website: www.ishaeducation.org Objective: Isha Vidhya aims to provide high quality school education to rural children who cannot otherwise afford it Description: Isha Vidhya’s English-medium schools open the door for rural children to successfully pursue higher studies and gainful employment. The holistic, activity-based approach nurtures children’s development beyond just academics, ensuring that students realise their full potential and learn in a joyful manner. Target Group: Economically backward rural children Achievements: • Noon-meal kitchen started in all seven schools in Tamil Nadu and nutritious meal at highly subsidised rate provided to all children in 2011 • A new school started at Vanavasi, Salem District in 2010 • Tribal children given full support besides tuition and notebooks

Training Working Professionals Organisation: Indian Institute of Financial Accounts & Information Technology Website: www.iifaindia.weebly.com Objective: IIFA helps Students attain outstanding Career in the field of Commerce, Finance, Accounts, and IT Description: IIFA was established in 2009 with the primary objective of providing world class quality accounts & IT and management education to budding professionals, to create Accountants for the 21st Century. Target Group: People and handicapped students who are not able to pay the money Achievements: • Best Education Award from Uttar Pradesh Education Minister • “Srestha Gurujan Award” from Jyoti Vidyapeeth University, Rajasthan • Best Excellence Award from Bajaj Hindusthan Ltd, India

Empowering Deaf Kids through Mobile Phones Organisation: Sounds of Silence (SOS) Website: www.soundsofsilence.in Objective: The main objective is to break a social stereotype wherein deaf and mute children find it difficult to openly communicate with people due to lack proper training Description: Sounds of Silence started with a simple idea of giving deaf and mute children old donated mobile Phones for communicating to the outer world. SOS is a leadership initiative which is aimed at freeing a million lives from the pain of silence and lack of expression. Target Group: Deaf and mute children from the underprivileged sector- age group 12-18 years Achievements: • SOS, within a time frame of six months empowers 500+ deaf and mute children in Mumbai and Delhi alone through SMS communication technology target • SOS has reached from a team of 5 volunteers to 90 volunteers in a span of just two months • A stupendous Increase in IQ in Deaf/Mute kids within 3 months of time across India

Coursehub Organisation: Aurus Network Infotech Pvt Ltd, Government of Gujarat Website: www.aurusnet.com Objective: Accessibility of quality education to masses at affordable price Description: CourseHub, the flagship product from Aurus Network, is a state-of-the-art solution for lecture capturing and delivering distance education. It makes it possible to easily capture the lecture videos and deliver them in HD-quality to students. Target Group: Educational and Training Institutes

Initiative by start up Achievements: • Successful deployment of CourseHub at IIT Kanpur • Winner of Microsoft’s Bizspark India Startup challenge – 2012 in Cloud Application Category • Used by institutes like Career Launcher, Career Point, Academy of Commerce, etc. as easy-to-use, cost-effective and low-maintenance alternative to costly and involved VSAT solutions • Funded by Indian Angel Networks (IAN) – a testimonial to the huge opportunity present before the company

digitalLEARNING / May 2012

Initiative by start up

Touch-on-cloud Callerobics: The Finger Gym Organisation: Harness Handitouch Private Limited Website: www.harnesstouch.com Objective: To make teaching and learning more engaging, efficient and fun Description: Touch-on-Cloud is a learning operating system, which disrupts the idea behind traditional learning management systems (LMS) and enables the comprehensive use of interactive technology inside classroom as well as outside using the Cloud. Target Group: K-12, Higher Education, universities and coaching institutes Achievements: • Successfully piloted in leading institutions all over India • Implementation in progress for many clients • Awarded as India’s best education start up by Accel Partners and Intel • Awarded among top two early stage start ups across sectors by Sequoia, Citrix and Amazon

Organisation: Kriyative Learning Solution International private limited Website: www.kriyativeedu.com Implementing Agency: jeyappria dhevi Objective: To establish Callerobics in at least 100 schools across India by 2014-15, thereby to improve at least 25000 students across India Description: Callerobics is a hand development concept, which makes writing a fun filled activity. As the name suggests, the program is a combination of calligraphy (the art of penmanship) and aerobics. Callerobics focuses on improving writing skills using finger and hand exercises with writing practice in scientifically proven way. Target Group: Our target group is school students Achievements: • A handwriting programme like Callerobics is launched first time in India • Callerobics is being used by more than 3000 children this year • Many parents appreciated the improvement in control and flexibility of hands in their children.

Next Generation Identity Systems Organisation: JNTU Hyderabad Implementing Agency: JNTUH College of Engineering Website: www.jntuhcej.ac.in Objective: To use biometric access control as a means of combating truancy and ensuring learner’s safety, convenience and security Description: The Next Generation Biometric technology improves the recognition accuracy, achieves scalability to accommodate hundreds of millions of users, ensures interoperability, and protects user privacy while reducing system cost and enhancing system integrity. Target Group: Students, administrators, staff, parents, government officers, bus drivers, etc Achievements: • Accepted as the best technology around the globe, which identifies the academic fraud that exists in academic universities or colleges or schools • Project framework published in ACM Proceedings 2012

Estadio Organisation: Glotera Pvt Ltd Website: www.iscuela.net Objective: The objective of Estadio is not only achieving a gradual growth in the student’s knowledge and skills but also the student’s confidence Description: Estadio is a competitive yet a fun way for the kids to engage themselves in a quiz like environment with other kids of the same age, one-on-one. The quiz takes place in a live environment with live screen sharing, giving feedback about your

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

opponent’s status and progress. Target Group: High School Children Achievements: • Building an environment which excites students to come and practice • With Innovation, the organisation has opened up new possibilities by delivering effective study learning methods • Enhancement of student knowledge and confidence

Events

Events Calendar 2013

EVENTS DATES VENUE 3rd Annual digital LEARNING

world education summit 2013

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23 - 24 April, 2013

Le Méridien, New Delhi

Education

9-10 May, 2013

Taj Vivanta, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai

e-Gov

23 - 25 May, 2013

The Lalit Grand Palace, Srinagar

e-Gov

21 June 2013

Le Méridien, New Delhi

e-Gov

2nd Annual

Steering e-Inclusive Economy

Knowledge Exchange

SRINAGAR PSE Summit

9th

india’s premier ict event

Knowledge Exchange

Hyderabad International 23-24 July, 2013 Convention Center, Hyderabad

e-Gov Education eHealth

30 Aug-1 Sept 2013

e-Gov

The Leela, Kovalam, Kerala

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Financial Inclusion & Payment Systems

19-20 Sept 2013 Eros Hilton, New Delhi

Financial Inclusion & Payment System

November, 2013 Mahatma Mandir, Gujarat

e-Gov Education eHealth

10th

india’s premier ict event

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Initiative by start up

Search Engine A Vision of World Class Education Optimisation of Roperty Matrix Organisation: Confluence World School Website: www.confluence.edu.in

Implementing Agency: GSIC Education

Organisation: Hi-Tech Institute of Technology

Objective: To provide the best of education to one and all with a belief that education is the basic right of every citizen, irrespective of where they are born

Website: www.hit.ac.in

Description: The school has tied up with research based partners like The Shri Ram Schools, Jodo Gyan and ThinkLabs for an edge in terms of curriculum design, pedagogy and delivery. It believes in imparting education through constructive interactions and hands on experiences.

Implementing Agency: Webgen Infosystems Objective: The main objective of this project was to generate more traffic to the website, brand promotion, search engine marketing and get ranked in Top five in google.com Target Group: Business Men/ industrialists, who look to invest in properties Achievements: • Website ranked number two in Google Page Rank • Ranked fifth in Google on keyword Property in Bhubaneswar in one month • Ranked first in Google on keyword Premium land in Bhubaneswar in two months • Received five times more visitors in just three months • Client generated 300 percent more revenue (still counting) in the current quarter

Target Group: Students of the age group of 2.5 to 17 years Achievements: • The school’s social connect initiatives • Collaboration/partnership with research organisations. • Professional Development Programme

Transformation of Existing Educational Groups Organisation: Econs Profit Solutions Website: www.econsprofitsolutions.com Description: Overall transformation of any project along with systems and strategies is the forte of the organisation and it has successfully carried it out in a group of colleges and Schools with very good results. Objective: To Transform the working and up lift the ranking of college/school Target Group: School, group of Institutions Achievements: • Brand upliftment • Improving Quality • Raising Placements • Increasing Admissions • International Presence

Recruitment Assistance Organisation: Substance Website: www.substanceindia.com Objective: The organisation intends to be a leading resource of information, insight on education and credentials. Description: Substance is working with institutions and employers to identify top global talent and make better hiring choices. Within this framework and by measuring and adjusting their recruitment efforts Substance assists and helps institutions to achieve higher enrollment yields. Target Group: Universities, Education institutions

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

Achievements: • Many academic institutions and employers / corporates rely on the substance for trusted and accurate intelligence • Successfully conducted events along with the renowned people from corporate industry addressing the students of various institutions. • The organisation is associated with large institutions and more than 50 Large and SME employers

Initiative by start up

Synergize Organisation: Esquvi Technologies Pvt Ltd Website: www.esquvi.com Objective: Synergize helps optimising training and placement process and enhances T&P efficiency by creating corporate outreach Description: Esquvi Technologies is in the process of creating a software platform Synergize that will enable the professional education institutions streamline their day-to-day operations. It brings in operational efficiencies for all the key stakeholders of

any professional educational ecosystem. Target Group: Professional educational institutions Achievements: • Enabled seamless connectivity between all stakeholders of an institution • Optimised training and placement (T&P) process • Enhanced T&P efficiency • Created corporate outreach • Created social momentum for grants and charity

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digitalLEARNING / May 2012

SPECIAL FEATURE

Learning English through Digital Labs

Station-e as a Model By Dr Haresh Tank

ndia is poised to assume its rightful place in the world and the Indian youth is teeming with confidence to make a mark on things at the national and international levels. In such a scenario, English is of paramount significance for India as it is the medium of global discourse and international dialogue. Education as a domain can no longer operate without ICT-centric and sooner rather than later, English will have to be integrated at all levels. Sensing the urgency of offering an alternative forum for learning English defined by the extensive use of ICT, Station-e Language Labs was conceptualised as a mode of national empowerment of the youth. Transacted through ABL (Activity Based Learning) and tools, English language learning at Station-e is an accomplishment which calls for due recognition. In a country where all parents want to put their children into English medium schools and as we know that it is impossible, alternative platforms such Station-e should not only be recognised but also be encouraged and strengthened. This paper wishes to throw light on the state of language learning and the value of Station-e as an alternative model for the state and the country.

Education and employability English has a strange history in India because it is less a language and more a tool of upward mobility. Education has had interesting tryst with it. English medium schools blazed a new trail in India and created a new breed of students who can work at the national and international levels through their proficiency in English. Colleges that offer English medium education throb with an urban, cosmopolitan culture

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

with a thrust on English and allocating grants, however, meager it may be.

Establishing language labs

Dr Haresh Tank that was unhear. This led to the mass obsession of English medium education in India and a country which is largely made of villages and small towns began to dream of development via English medium schools in rustic, remote and interior places.

Conundrum called English â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe English is about access, it is one of the tools of access that we need to provide all our people. I have always advocated the teaching of English to everybody so that they get access to modern society. English has been limited to a few people, and people who have not learned English have been denied a chance to participate in society, because a lot of our education, a lot of our jobs, are in this English-speaking world. If you really want inclusive growth, part of inclusive growth is making English access ubiquitous.â&#x20AC;? Mainstream system of education has not found the answer for the conundrum called English. Policy makers have found contentment in drafting papers

Station-e is a chain of language labs, spread across the country and scientifically designed and customised to the core for proficiency in English at all levels. Station-e language lab is different as it is not 25PCs stationed in cubicles but a cozy lab with flexi tools for listening and recording, playing back the audio video files on the plasma TV and a host of technology-defined ways of learning. The course material provided to learners is designed by nationally acclaimed experts in the field and advanced technology is integrated into the activity-based and learner-centric modules of language learning. In the language labs at Station-e, we have evolved a technology based model of language learning to address the diverse requirements of the scores of people who aspire to communicate in fluent English. Till now, Station-e has lent material shape to the dream of attaining communication proficiency of over 10,000 learners. As regards the learners located at far-off places from the premises of Station-e, we have envisaged a way of reaching out to them by way of the replica model of language labs in existence at Station-e. This model is called BOT.

Build, operate and transfer With Station-e model, the difference is that our BOT model means build, observe and transfer. To define it in concrete terms, Station-e carries out the BUILD part of it by meticulously establishing a language lab on the premises of the concerned institution, to be fol-

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lowed by OBSERVE, which means that we keep the language lab of the concerned institution on the observation mode and continue to contribute to the effective and efficient functioning of the lab for the period of one year. At the end of one year, we carry out the last part of the process- Transfer. There are some additional advantages of our BOT model compared to the traditional one. We keep it openended and flexible enough for the concerned institution in many respects. For instance, although we do provide salient training programs along with our BOT model, we do not make it mandatory to run only those training programs which are designed by Station-e; the concerned institution can also run courses evolved by their own team. Thus, they can operate in both waysthey are free to use or not to use training modules devised by us. In addition to the establishing the language lab in the form of BOT, Station-e provides service to the concerned institution for one year in various capacities. To cater to any technical concerns regarding running a language lab, a technical expert from Station-e will pay at least one visit every month. On the academic front, Station-e will also provide the requisite training to the staff of the concerned institution whenever needed, especially whenever there is fresh recruitment. Moreover, Station-e will always be ready to design any training program which the concerned institution may require at any given point of time. For the concerned institution, there is one more advantageous dimension to this association. If the concerned institution so desires, they can continue the association after one year also and avail of the benefits of service and expertise of Station-e for the following year at nominal charges. Installation procedure will take merely one monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to set the language lab in motion.

Smart class and language lab We have conceptualised a model of a

smart class cum language lab wherein ICT in education can take material shape in every school affiliated with CBSE. It will serve as a space for the audio-visual learning resources designed to ensure that the learners remain on par with their global counterparts. In the smart class, the teacher will have no traditional role to play but will need to assume a new role of the facilitator of the knowledge acquisition. It will serve as to connect the learner with the information revolution being played out in the world. Moreover, it will ensure that the process of teaching is rendered extremely learner-centric with a thrust on customised mode of learning. In terms of actual operation, we propose to establish smart class cum language lab in one of the classrooms in each one of CBSE schools. We propose that the use of smart class should

class would mean a transformation in the skills set of students and they will be able to operate in the 21st century with confidence and ease. As we are aware, graduates and postgraduates in India today are found unemployable, pointed out by many agencies including World Bank, we believe that if we initiate the Smart Class initiative in each school affiliated with CBSE, we will create young minds that will be competent enough to pursue successful careers in their chosen field of endeavour.

Lead Out: Station-e as a model Station-e marks a new beginning in the realm of English training because it is a non-government initiative but effective nonetheless. It is a new window that opens to the world of corporatisa-

Station-e is a chain of language labs, spread across the country and scientifically designed and customised to the core for proficiency in English at all levels

be initiated from Standard 6 as the students will be at the proper age to grasp the knowledge offered to them through the ICT resources. There should be two lectures (45 minutes each) on the time-table of the students of Standard 6. Each lecture will deal with one unit. All the units form the part of a larger training program which we have devised keeping all the sessions of the year in mind. There are, as per our reasoning, approximately thirty five working weeks in a year, which means students will learn seventy units in a year. This should go on in Standard 7, 8, 9 and 11. We propose to exclude Standard 10 and 12 as they are very crucial years for students and they may not be able to spare time. The entire Station-e product of smart

tion and professionalisation of training and teaching of English. Station-e is a phenomenon, a landmark and a model of how to go about it. In this world increasingly defined and redefined soft skills such as communication skills, Station-e is a model of language training, designed in a customised way, devised with the ICT tools at their sophisticated best and delivered with human excellence. As long as there is a debate on language training in India, Statione will serve as a model of excellence in English training.

Dr Haresh Tank is Director, Station-e Language Lab. In the capacity of Director, he is in charge of conceptualising and operationalising initiatives with a special focus on skills development

digitalLEARNING / May 2013

LEADERS SPEAK

Q& “We Understand the A

Potential of ICT in Education” “If ICT is properly implemented in education and we have properly trained teachers, then we can bring revolutionalry changes in our education system,” says Brij Kishore Sharma, Minister of Education, Rajasthan. In conversation with Mohd Ujaley

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

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The Education Department initiated first phase of ICT implementation in August, 2008 and now you are entering into third phase. Where do you see ICT in education today? Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education is an asset. The old way of teaching has to be changed. When Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi expressed his desire to bring computer to India, some people laughed at him but today one canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t imagine a day without computer or mobile phone. Similarly, ICT in education, if implemented with proper infrastructure and trained teachers has the potential to bring revolutionary changes in the way we impart education in our country. However, the sad reality is that we do not have adequate infrastructure and enough trained teachers, even in the cities. We are struggling to match the demand of electricity and we have a long way to go especially in rural areas. As far as Rajasthan is concerned, we are trying to provide modern technologies, such as computer, laptop, smart-boards etc. to schools in phasewise manner. We understand the potential of ICT in education and our aim is to be self-dependent in electricity, if we are able to do so, rest will automatically fall in line. Today, many of us use smart phones quite efficiently, so if a teacher can use a smartphone then he can also use a smart-board. However, we need to provide basic infrastructure to the teachers. Prime Ministerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office has asked the MHRD to give emphasis on teaching moral science at the school level and include chapters on value education in textbooks. Do you agree that value is eroding from society and our education system has failed to address it? I may or may not be agreeing with you though we all understand that

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education is an asset. The old way of teaching has to be changed. ICT in education has the potential to bring revolutionary changes in the way we impart education in our country. As far as Rajasthan is concerned, we are trying to provide modern technologies, such as computer, laptop, smart boards, etc to schools in phase-wise manner our society is going through a period of change. We are young country; more than 65 percent of population in India is going to be below 30 years of age. These young people are quick and fast, they have access to all the modern technologies. Their aspiration and way of life is different from older generation. So, definitely value system is changing and certain things are out of order. Nevertheless, it is the collective responsibility of parents, teachers and society at large to correct it. Teachers or syllabus in schools alone cannot do it. However, I agree that we need to emphasise on teaching moral science at the school level and include chapters on value education in textbooks, it will help us inculcate right values in the young generation. There are some bills directed towards raising the quality of education in India are pending in Parliament because states are creating the issue of federalism, hence not allowing them to be passed. Why it is so? Is the quality more important to you or federal structure? Both are very important. Government of Rajasthan has not opposed any of the bills; therefore it is clear that we need quality in education. However, these bills are for higher education. I feel, we should focus on quality education from Kindergarten (KG). If, we

have quality education at early stage, it will help us in implementing it to higher education. It is also true that even after allowing private organisations to set-up higher education institute in the country, we are still struggling to provide access and quality in higher education. You have been the education minister of Rajasthan for the past one and half years. How has your experience been and what are the critical areas that need immediate attention? My experience as an education minister has been good. As you mentioned, it has only been one and half years, however I must tell you that it is not the duration of your tenure that matters but your approach to work should be considered. I feel I have done whatever I could as Minister in these years, and I am quite satisfied with it but there is a lot more to focus on. In Rajasthan, we are giving special emphasis to girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education. We are providing various benefits to people through welfare schemes initiated by central as well as state government. We have distributed cycles to students, we are also offering Priyadarshini Puraskar to meritorious girl students, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas are also doing good work. All of these have yielded better result for us and now more and more girls are appearing in board exams.

digitalLEARNING / May 2013

Perspective

Wake up! I

ndian education system is plagued by a number of ills; out dated curriculum, shortage of teachers, poor infrastructure and lack of research. The system churns out graduates, where the majority of them are unemployable. Fundamentally the education system is caught up in the industrial age while the world has moved on to the information age. The education is still treated as an assembly line system with students joining at a fixed time period in batches and graduating after a certain number of years in the system. We hardly realise that our method of teaching has to change for the Google age students. Even while expanding education, the government has chosen to set up new IIMs and IITs rather than exploit the power of networking and technology. Fundamentally the existing IIMs can easily reach out to two lakh students through the use of technology. We have failed to take advantage of the power of networking using ICT. Institutions are functioning as independent entities without many linkages with the industry. They go to the industry only for placement of their students. Government, on its part has made huge investments in ICT without a clear vision or direction. There is a big disconnect between the government, industry and the institutions. We need to fundamentally build ecosystems for knowledge creation and delivery. There is a ray of hope. NPTEL (National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning) has built an ecosystem comprising of IITs, IISc, Google, NASSCOM, TCS, Cognizant and Indian Institutes of Information Technology

May 2013 / digitalLEARNING

(IIITs) as partners. NPTEL is about to start with certification for three computer science courses â&#x20AC;&#x201D; algorithms, data structures and programming languages. While the course is free, a fee will be charged for certification. IIM Ranchi, in part-time Executive MBA program, has already recorded all the class sessions of the past two years and made them available to the new batch of students. With this the institution has managed to cut down the classroom timing by half due to these recorded lectures.

National Knowledge Network (NKN) NKN is intended to connect all the knowledge and research institutions in the country using high bandwidth / low latency network.

Unfortunately, education is a subject that is handled by many different government agencies leading to confusion and conflict. NKN is under National informatics Centre while MHRD controls the broader educational policies of the country. NKN itself was borne out of collaboration between Office of Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India and the National Knowledge Commission (NKC). Industries ministry controls vocational education; Planning commission has its own education wing; and in addition to all these, we now have the National Skill Development Commission (NSDC). There is no clear identifiable owner of education in this country. Different agencies can at times work at cross purposes with each other.

We need to build fundamental ecosystems for knowledge creation and delivery Though it is a laudable initiative, it has only met with limited success. IITs and some selected institutions have set-up smart classrooms, which can be accessed by other NKN connected institutions. Typically the best departments and best teachers should become available to the entire country. However, there is no mechanism to ensure that classes and resources are shared across institutions. There are also copyright issues in storing and re-broadcasting these lectures as the Indian teachers tend to use books by western authors. Our teachers should start preparing their own course materials, case studies and exercises.

NKN has to enhance its reliability. Even NPTEL is not using NKN cloud; but Youtube for content delivery and is considering the use of Edex or Coursera platform for their MOOC initiative. Many private institutions use Amazon cloud for content delivery. NKN needs to wake up and pick up speed if it has to set standards for the rest of the world to follow.

Prof M J Xavier Director, IIM Ranchi