digital LEARNING Magazine May June Issue 2017

Special Stories Sports-Key to Character Building of Schoolchildren

THE PREMIER PRINT MAGAZINE ON ICT IN EDUCATION SINCE 2005 IN ASIA & THE MIDDLE EAST digitallearning.eletsonline.com VOLUME 13 ISSUE 05 MAY - JUNE 2017 ISSN 0973-4139

Summer Camps Ensuring Holistic Development of Children

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Transforming School

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Special Interviews

SPECIAL STORY ON INNOVATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION ANIL SWARUP

Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, MHRD, Government of India

Prof ANIL D SAHASRABUDHE

Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)

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11 ISSUE 04 APRIL 2015 VOLUME VOLUME 13 ISSUE 05 MAY-JUNE 2017

POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE

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Joseph Thomas

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Anil Swarup

Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, MHRD Government of India

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Chairman Mount Litera Zee School Mysore

Prof Anil D Sahasrabudhe Chairman AICTE

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Dr Priyadarshi Nayak

COVER STORY

Principal Prelude Public School

INDUSTRY SPEAKS

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Abhishek Ballabh

Co-Founder ExtraaEdge

Transforming School Education Practices Through Innovation

SPECIAL STORY

Karan Garg Founder and CEO IFW Techno Creations Pvt Ltd

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Ensuring Holistic Development of Children

Sports-Key ICT in Higher Education Taking to Character Learning Process to Building of Schoolchildren the Next Level

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DIFFERENT STROKES

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Haulianlal Guite

Secretary Jaipur Development Authority

Innovation Transforming Indian Education System With India working on transforming its education system, embracing most innovative methodologies and modern technologies appears to have become a significant norm in the country.

As the education segment of the country is in a transition stage, with a large number of schools adopting finest teaching-learning practices from across the world, our latest issue has tried to find out the practices that are improving and enriching educational experience in the Indian schools through the cover story “Rehashing School Education Practices Through Innovation”.

Through our three special stories “Ensuring Holistic Development of Children”, “ICT in Higher Education Taking Learning Process to the Next Level”, and “Sports-Key to Character Building of Schoolchildren”, the magazine has attempted to touch upon some latent dimensions of the existing education scenario of the country.

Considering the need to discuss and highlight some of the finest global education practices at one platform, we have decided to organise the 10th Elets World Education Summit 2017 on 11-12 August at Le Meridien in New Delhi. The special conference will witness a big confluence of various educationists, experts and stakeholders from different parts of India and the world.

As digitisation is turning very important from school education perspective, and growing importance of skilling youth and training the teachers appropriately for refining the school education practices, we decided to carry interview of Anil Swarup, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.

Another prominent interview is of Prof Anil D Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, AICTE, who has talked about the council’s various steps undertaken to improve technical and higher education in the country and these initiatives being in line with the Narendra Modi government’s “Digital India” and “Skill India” drives.

With this bouquet of special stories and interviews, we hope our latest endeavour would interest our esteemed readers.

Looking forward to your invaluable feedback.

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GOVERNMENT PERSPECTIVE

Unifying Policies to Rehash School Education Digitisation is important from school education perspective. Along with it, skilling the youth and training the teachers appropriately are required to refine the school education practices in India, says Anil Swarup, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, in an interview with Gautam Debroy of Elets News Network (ENN).

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he Government of India is emphasising on Digital India, how are you implementing the concept of Digital India in your department?

First of all, we have dispatched all the files and papers in the ministry. Everything has been digitised. So, we don’t have files and papers and every proposal moves on an electronic file. As everything has been digitised, so everything has been electronically handled within the department. Secondly, we are trying to use a lot of technology in the field to see how education can be delivered through it. A number of steps are being taken, an electronic platform is being created to provide teachers’ education. Similarly, NCERT has digitised all its material that is available online for students. For delivering education in schools, initiative is being taken to use tablets, computers and smart screens. These are the ways how we are trying to digitise the school education segment.

Is digitising school education being followed across the country or in a particular State?

It cannot be done in one go in all the schools.

There are more than 15 lakh schools in the country, so it can’t be implemented immediately. But selectively, it is being done in a few schools and gradually it will be taken to other schools as well.

With Central Government’s emphasis on bringing rural and urban areas at par, what initiatives

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have been taken to promote school education, especially in the rural areas?

in many States of the country, is there any strategy followed by your department to change the practice?

Similar facilities are being provided in the schools located in urban areas and rural areas. We do not discriminate between schools in urban and rural areas in terms of providing infrastructure related facilities.

From June onwards you are going to initiate Central Curriculum Assessment, what is the motivation behind this decision?

We are doing an assessment. The Right to Education Act provides that there should be learning outcomes on the basis of which we should determine, how much a child has been able to learn so far. We have been providing lots of inputs but how much a child has learnt was not determined through the specific learning outcomes. Now, these learning outcomes have been announced. Post announcement, we are going to conduct a national assessment survey through which we are going to assess the students of class 3, 5 and 8 as to how well has the child progressed? So, that is what we are going to do under Central National Assessment Survey (CNAS). By 31st December, we expect to get all the results. It will be rolled out in schools on a random sampling basis. This will help us to figure out the bottlenecks for every class and in adopting corrective measures.

What is the significance of skill education in schools?

Skill education is extremely important be-

cause only through skilling we can nurture a student's capability of getting a job. Ultimately, whatever he or she learns, it is for a purpose and that purpose can only be served if the student is skilled enough to get a job. Hence, we all believe that vocational training and skilling are very important components of school education.

For skilling students, it is very important that the teachers train them as per their abilities, has your department undertaken initiatives in this regard?

In the context of teachers, a number of steps are being undertaken by the department. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) is working very hard in bringing out a regime, wherein the teachers are appropriately trained before joining the service. What we are attempting to do is that for B.Ed colleges, we are trying to bring an accreditation system. Only the colleges that are accredited by the NCTE will only be allowed to run B.Ed courses.

Parents usually prefer private colleges over government colleges

We are improving the quality of education in government schools and the moment it is done, the children will start returning to government schools. In the States like Bihar and in some parts of Maharashtra, the children are coming back to the government schools as they have managed to improve the quality of education. Since there is no compulsion on where a child should study; only with the help of good quality education, we can attract the students towards government schools.

What are the most prominent challenges in school education segment and how are you trying to overcome it?

One of the major challenges is to have good teachers in schools. Teachers are the fulcrum and we have to improve that aspect. We are trying to provide pre-service training and improve the training process as well. We are trying to improve the process through which a teacher gets selected and to figure out a system through which a teacher gets trained.

The other challenge is using technology for teachers to attend the school. As per the presently available data, one-fourth of the teachers don’t go to school. As a pilot project started in Chhattisgarh, tablets are provided to every school and biometric attendance systems are installed to confirm that a teacher does go to the school.  digitalLEARNING

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POLICYMAKER’S PERSPECTIVE

AICTE Mentoring to IMPROVE Higher Education

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hat new initiatives have been taken by the AICTE to promote technical education in the country?

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) started four new schemes

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The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has taken various steps to improve technical and higher education in the country. The council’s initiatives are in line with the Central Government’s initiative like Digital India and Skill India, says Prof Anil D Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, AICTE, in an interview with Gopi Arora of Elets News Network (ENN). Excerpts:

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last year—Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, Trainee Teacher Scheme, Adjunct Faculty Scheme, and Margdarshan or Mentorship scheme.

There are several initiatives embarked upon by AICTE this year such as, mandatory internship for students (4-8 weeks during summer vacations), training of teachers (both induction and annual in service training), single entrance examination for admission in undergraduate engineering programmes, induction training for first year students (PCM, English, communication skills, ethics, values etc), regular revision of curriculum (annual feature), industry interaction cell in each institute, promoting innovation in study and startups, exam reforms with more emphasis on practical subject understanding and skills than mere subject knowledge and preparing perspective plan for the country with inputs from all the States.

At present, barring the IITs, not many Indian engineering colleges are known globally for imparting quality education, how can this scenario be improved to bring engineering colleges in India at par with the finest colleges across the world?

All the aforementioned schemes are meant for creating academic excellence in the institutes and inculcating problem-solving ability and innovative spirit amongst students. We recently concluded “Smart India Hackathon”, a non-stop coding competition of 36 hours conducted at 26 different centres across India. Over 10,000 students participated in the hackathon and solved 598 problem statements prepared by 29 different government departments and Ministries. The hackathon has empowered the young students, helping them in building confidence.

What are the three most significant challenges you see in the technical education domain?

Currently, we have an acute shortage of good faculty. Attracting bright and good students to teaching profession is one of the biggest challenges. Along with this, 40% of seats remain vacant in engineering colleges of India and the second challenge revolves around it. It is important to improve the quality of technical education along with attracting students from across the country and also from abroad to make use of the capacity built across engineering colleges.

The third major challenge is the employability of students after graduation

We have an acute shortage of good faculty. Attracting bright and good students to teaching profession is one of the biggest challenges. Along with this, 40% of seats remain vacant in engineering colleges of India. which needs to be improved by bridging the industry and education gap.

What are the key areas where AICTE needs to change for good?

The AICTE is acting as a mentor and facilitator to improve quality of technical education in India. As a regulator, the council is inspecting the performance of every institute in the country and suggesting measures for improvement in the institutes. Sometimes, AICTE also has to take strict actions against poor performing institutions such as closing a course or an institute.

Digital divide between rural and urban areas is a big issue in the country, what challenges are you facing to bridge this gap? What role does technical education play in empowering the rural masses?

Internet is an empowering tool. SWAYAM, an online Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS) platform is being developed by AICTE with the support from MHRD. It will help the students from different areas of the country to be at the same level as far as access to good quality education content is concerned. Best faculties from every domain are requested to develop MOOCs content which will be available free of cost to all students.

“Digital India” and “Skill India” are the two most ambitious projects of the Government of India, what is the role of AICTE in skilling and provid-

ing jobs to the youths under these two initiatives?

All our transactions be it related to approval, finance, education content, courseware, admission processes, degrees are all becoming digital. Thus, AICTE is working according to the true spirit of Digital India.

For skilling country’s youth, AICTE has asked all the colleges to provide skill education to school dropouts using their existing infrastructure. The initiative is also supported through “Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana”. AICTE has also permitted to use the premises of polytechnics for starting ITIs. Research and Development in higher education doesn’t appear to be getting due attention, what are the challenges in this regard? How are you trying to overcome these challenges?

It is not true that research and development is not getting due attention. We may require enhancing our efforts. AICTE has a number of schemes to support research initiatives in technical colleges such as “Quality Improvement Programme” to upgrade qualifications of faculty by pursuing PhD in reputed institutes, “Modernisation and Removal of Obsolescence” for equipping colleges with latest equipment, “Research Promotion Scheme” for supporting research projects, support for E-cell and Research park, support for innovation labs, support for attending and organising research conferences.

How has been your experience working with the government?

The experience is very good. The Central Government is supporting the council at every level to improve the quality of higher education and research. Recently held “Smart India Hackathon” and AICTE's start up policy are two examples where the Government has provided its full support for the betterment of higher education sector.

What inspired you to be a part of the teaching fraternity?

During my engineering studies, I used to help my classmates in resolving their subject related queries, either in hostel or at my home. That was the best example of peer learning. I had gauged my potential as a teacher right at that time. Hence, after completing Masters and a short stint in industry, I started pursuing PhD and continued my passion for teaching. n digitalLEARNING

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COVER STORY

The education segment of the country is in a transition stage with a large number of schools adopting finest teaching-learning practices from across the world. Akash Tomer of Elets News Network (ENN) tries to explore the practices that are improving and enriching educational experience in Indian schools.

Transforming School Education Practices Through Innovation

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hether it’s about bringing continuous improvements or complete transformation, the goal of education has largely been the same – creating a bright future with newer practices.

Today, students and their parents wish to have an educational experience that not only caters to individual needs but it also paves the way for being future-ready.

It should also ensure that the students get connected to what is happening around the globe. To meet these expectations, developing innovative teaching and learning methodologies seems a necessity.

For every educational institute, there is a need to develop an exciting, challenging yet rewarding learning environment.

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Looking at the existing scenario in big cities, students’ world of imagination is full of numerous ideas and mobility. A guided access to knowledge as per their requirements can help them acquire knowledge beyond boundaries while enabling them to compete globally.

It looks as if the education must be delivered with integration of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and in ways that are compatible with and supporting their worldview.

So, it is not only about improving the education delivery methodologies. Rather, each and every education stakeholder needs to have a bigger ambition of revamping the education sector. Also, we have the opportunity to involve families and communities in the way young people learn because learning forums are so

much more open, transparent and collaborative.

Today, technology can be used more creatively. It should not be only limited tothe classroom walls, but something which should lead to innovative ways of learning the required skills.

Innovative methods need to be unique. Be it for continuously improving existing practices or changing the way we achieve goals.

In education sector, from learning about Indian history through an audiovisual illustration to participating in enhanced science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programmes, requires creative innovation. Some of its examples are: Open lessons: These are 45 to 60-minute lessons which have come into

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the practice in different parts of the world in recent times. It has compelled teachers to execute their lesson plans with precision before the school is over for the day.

Increasingly, however, schools are moving away from this concept and instead embracing the idea that a lesson can be learnt in many ways: organic or structured, long or short, based within or beyond school premises.

Modern-Day classrooms: In an age, where we are surrounded by information, the concept of walled classroom is no more the ideal option to propagate education everywhere.

The classroom concept was only applicable when teachers were the students’ most accessible and the only source of information. In an age of wireless inter-

Today, technology can be used more creatively.

It should not be only limited tothe classroom walls, but something which should lead to innovative ways of learning the required skills.

net, perhaps traditional methodology of having classrooms with rows of benches and chairs is fast turning obsolete. But it cannot limit the role of teachers. Now the teachers are meant to guide, discuss and measure the progress of students.

Nowadays schools are designing classrooms which can easily and effectively impart education.

Personalised learning: Today, every student has special educational needs and their problems need to be addressed in a unique but personalised way. After understanding students’ problems, teachers must be able to tackle it on their own.

But the teachers should respond as per students’ needs. Though good teachers have always taken note of it, the structure of conventional schools limits the extent to which they can personalise learning.

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COVER STORY similar things. What is personalised generally is how much they are expected to understand. This has happened because when a teacher is presenting material to a big class, and then personally gauging how much of it an individual student has learnt, there is not enough time to provide each student a tailor-made learning course. However, this has started to change, partly (though not entirely) because of digital technology.

Tapping into students’ digital expertise: Imagine you have been given an urgent task at work, requiring a bit of research, but you have just 60 minutes of computer access today, and it doesn’t begin for another four hours. You have a smartphone. But you’re not allowed to use it in the building. What would you do? It is obvious that any professional work produced in this context would be lacking depth and accuracy.

Some Innovative Schools’ Interesting Characteristics Globally

Assessment matters.

What we choose to assess inevitably determines what is taught. And how we assess it influences how we teach it. Therefore, the question that every educational system must ask is, are we assessing what we want students to be able to do once they finish school?

“The Big Picture Learning model breaks down the walls between education and the working world. From the beginning, K-12 students learn that their creative passions will come first. To help stoke those passions, students are paired with mentors who work in the fields the students want to someday enter.”

Technology has revolutionised our relationship with information in the real world, and we take for granted our ability to access it anywhere, anytime. This is even more integral to youngsters’ lives who are growing up in the shadow of fast changing technology. These skills can be put to use in classrooms: the days of IT as a discrete subject, taught at designated times in computer laboratories, are numbered.

Get real with projects: Today, a rising number of young people are learn-

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SUMMIT SIERRA, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

“It is a charter school that caps its student body at 200. Each day, kids read for 30 minutes, solve math problems for 30 minutes, take online courses, talk with mentors about their career and life goals, and meet with other students to talk and share their feelings during Community Time.”

ØRESTAD GYMNASIUM IN COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

“Ørestad Gymnasium is one giant classroom, where 358 high school students learn in an expansive glass cube — a "gymnasium," as parts of Europe still call secondary schools. The open spaces, which are adorned with spacious "drums" for a more relaxed learning environment, encourage students to assume an active role in their own education. Kids break off into groups and form makeshift classrooms, sometimes with teachers to guide them.”

BIG PICTURE LEARNING IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

EGALIA PRE-SCHOOL IN STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

“The Egalia school system is founded on total equality between students. The system is made up of two schools, Egalia and Nicolaigården, which both reject gender-based pronouns in the hopes of grooming kids to think of one another on equal terms. Instead of he and she, the kids are either called by their first names or referred to as ‘they’. It's part of a mission to avoid discrimination of all kinds. Kids learn to judge each other on their actions, not stereotypes.”

ALTSCHOOL IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, US

“AltSchool is a complete departure from traditional education, shirking the standard testing model for a curriculum that improves technology skills and gets kids thinking flexibly so they can adapt as the world changes. Established in San Francisco in 2013, it educates kids aged 4 to 14 and is now expanding to Brooklyn, New York, and Palo Alto, California.

SRA POU VOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN SRA POU VILLAGE, CAMBODIA

“The all-ages Cambodian school was built by community members, for community members, to learn how to turn their passions into full-fledged businesses. A local NGO provides teachers that guide students on that path.”

P-TECH HIGH SCHOOL IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, US:

“P-TECH was launched in 2011 by IBM to give teens in New York a way into college that avoids the usual four-year high-school track.

Instead, P-TECH students complete a six-year degree. Boosted by mentorship and internships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, students spend the fifth and sixth years earning an associate's degree from the nearby New York City College

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of Technology. Many go on to pursue a bachelor's degree afterward.”

STEVE JOBS SCHOOL IN AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS The Steve Jobs School rejects the conventional wisdom in full. Instead of corralling kids through the same educational system, they go at their own pace. According to Maurice de Hond, the school's founder, each student begins with an Individual Development Plan (IDP), which is evaluated and readjusted every six weeks by the child, his or her parents, and the coach. (The school doesn't call them "teachers".)

BRIGHTWORKS SCHOOL IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, US

Launched by visionary Gever Tulley in 2011, Brightworks takes some of the most dangerous things parents tell their kids not to do and makes an entire curriculum out of them. Kids in grades K through 12 get dirty, play with fire, take apart home appliances, and complete art projects all in the same day.

CARPE DIEM SCHOOLS IN AIKEN, OHIO, US

The Carpe Diem school looks more like an office building than a classroom. Inside the main room, known as The Learning Centre, there are 300 cubicles (one for each student). These cubes house a computer that guides the student through his or her education. It's a model that has paid off big time in the handful of Carpe Diem schools, which go from grades 3 to 12, across the US.

INNOVA SCHOOLS, PERU

Innova is Peru's response to failures in standardised education in the country. The school combines several different forms of instruction — tech-heavy online learning, guided lessons, group work — in a setting that was designed to be modular and adaptable to the location.

BLUE SCHOOL IN NEW YORK

Creativity is king at Blue School, founded as a playgroup in 2006 by the Blue Man Group. As part of the curriculum, kids in grades 2 to 8 come up with ways to improve recycling, create 3D models of New York City, and fix home appliances. They gain an intimacy with real-world problems that few kids are exposed to when learning their times tables with flash cards.

SAMASCHOOL IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

In-demand jobs are hard enough to find, especially for people in low-income areas. But those are the people Samaschool wants the most. The school gives adults, struggling to find employment, a leg up with an education focused on the digital and entrepreneurial skills necessary in today's market. Students can choose between the 10-week course, lasting 80 hours, and the online course, which takes between 20 and 30 hours.

THINK GLOBAL SCHOOL AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ALL AROUND THE WORLD

Though it's headquartered in New York City, THINK Global School is a high school without walls. Students spend each semester in a different country, learning about local culture, studying natural sciences, and reading classic literature from the area.

ing by doing projects that require them to carry out research across all the subjects, create a professional quality product that demands multiple drafts, and publicly present their work to peers, their parents and rest of the world.

Expect (and help) students to be teachers: The job of a teacher is a challenging one, encompassing a diverse range of roles and responsibilities.

But this does not mean that teachers have skills and qualities that belong exclusively to them: students, too, have long been informally inspiring, advising, supporting and offering a listening ear to their friends and classmates. Indeed, schools are beginning to recognise the potential of harnessing and developing these assets in order to help students to work in complementary ways alongside teachers, enabling them to play a more active part in shaping their own education and that of their peers.

Help (and expect) teachers to be students: The challenges of the 21st century place demands on young people to be good learners. They need to be resilient learners, able to make mistakes and learn from them. To be independent learners, willing to take ownership of their learning. And to be flexible learners, ready to use different learning strategies to navigate and adapt to a rapidly changing world. If students are to achieve this they must have effective ‘teachers of learning’, who fully understand the process of learning – and the best way for teachers to achieve this is to become learners themselves.

Measure what matters: Assessment matters.

What we choose to assess inevitably determines what is taught. And how we assess it influences how we teach it. Therefore, the question that every educational system must ask is, are we assessing what we want students to be able to do once they finish school? If we want students to leave school prepared for adulthood, we need to make sure they have experienced and mastered the skills they will need in a context that accurately reflects the world outside the school walls.

Work with families, not just children: Today it is well recognised that involving parents in their children’s education can be vital – there is a strong association between family involvement and student achievement. Many schools are recognising the need to work with parents in a variety of ways to help their students be the best they can be.

And some schools are going much further, finding holistic and innovative approaches that form bridges between the school and the community.

Empowering student: ‘Student voice’ – that is giving students the opportunity to have a say in issues that affect them, has come a long way since the experiments of a few radical schools in the 1970s. Many schools now boast student-led School Councils, for instance. One might argue that students have more control over their education than ever before. However, it remains the case that very few students are involved in key strategic decision-making in their schools, and fewer at a regional or national-level. n

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SPECIAL STORY

Ensuring HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT of Children Riding on the back of rising disposable household income of middle-class Indian families and growing awareness of parents about the profound positive impact recreational activities have on children, the summer camp industry in India, which is valued around Rs 1,000 crores, is playing a crucial role in helping mainly school-going children acquire life-long skills.

Rashi Aditi Ghosh of Elets News Network (ENN) explores the contribution of summer camps in the holistic development of kids.

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hy Summer Camps are important?

Summer holidays is a time when children get enough time to indulge in fun-filled activi-

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ties, participate in adventure sports, family outings and lots more. At a time when urbanised middle-class nuclear families with both the parents working are witnessing a rise in their disposable income, summer camps are emerging as a viable alternative to

help kids develop good personality traits and skill sets that can be useful for them life-long.

Following are some of the learnings offered by summer camps to children: Teamwork: At summer camps, kids learn to work together to achieve a goal. It

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helps them to understand the importance of team work and help them become a team player. Through the teamwork activities at summer camps, students discover and realise the true value of relationships.

They learn that the team gets benefitted as a whole when mutual support is strengthened. Each child as an individual empowers him/herself to contribute towards the success of the group as a whole.

Self-Motivation: At summer camps, activities like ropes course are conducted to inculcate fighting spirit in children.

Summer camp activities are designed in a way to help kids endure setbacks, try new things, and see how improvement comes when they give something another try. As they proceed through the course their confidence builds, and in turn they accomplish a task that seems impossible.

Children’s accomplishments act as a catalyst and empower them to tackle a more challenging task.

Decision Making: Experience gained at the summer camps provide children an opportunity to become self-reliable immensely confident to take decisions on their own in any adverse situation.

Flexible to Changes: Summer camps enable kids to try new things by putting themselves out there. They improve themselves to obtain desired results.

Living in tents, cooking food, climbing ropes, and overcoming obstacles are life accomplishments that kids are nurtured within a camp. These skills help in building charac-

ter and boosting courage and determination of the children.

At home amidst all the luxuries, it is tough to enhance confidence, courage and flexibility. Countering an unpleasant or unfamiliar situation at summer camps provides an opportunity to children to grow in ways they never would by remaining confined in their comfort zone.

Future Ready

Summer camps help children gain self-confidence as they learn new skills, in a safe and secure environment. The camps let children develop a variety of social skills like communication, conflict resolution ability and make them future ready.

Summer Camp: The Flourishing Industry

Summer camps for school children are now a booming industry. According to the ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation (ASDF) survey, the industry is expected to be valued around Rs 1,000 crore by 2017-18.

The survey further suggests that middle class families in metropolitan cities, with both parents working, find summer camps useful to keep their children busy during holidays.

Nuclear families and higher disposable incomes have led to the rapid growth of the industry, ASSOCHAM survey adds.

Another survey – “Rising craze for summer camps in metros” – shows that on an average, single-child families are spending Rs 2,000-6,000 on summer camps. The survey was conducted among 3,000 parents residing in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and Dehradun.

The survey findings also showcased that working parents in a busy city like Delhi spend least amount of time with their children at home (less than one hour daily). However, parents in cities like Bengaluru spend maximum time (around four hours daily).

Majority of the respondents of the survey said that learning together gives us an opportunity to be cordial, respect others’ views and understand each other better.

Organisers are encasing on this trend by giving discounts if parents make their wards join summer camps, adds the survey.

The survey result suggested that joining a summer camp is more popular among the children. 65 per cent of parents allowed their children to join a summer camp, whereas 95 per cent of the children were ready to join a summer camp. n

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SPECIAL STORY With Class 12th results out, students and parents have been searching for suitable colleges. High on their list are educational institutions which are innovative and offer programmes which impart skills that are in high demand in the job market.

To meet this growing demand, Indian educational institutions have been quick to adopt Information and Communications Technology (ICT), taking the teaching-learning process at universities and colleges to the next level, observes Priyanka Sharma of Elets News Network (ENN).

ICT in Higher Education

Taking Learning

Process to the Next Level

I

t has been estimated that in the next 10 years, more than 50 crore Indians will be attending higher educational institutions. With demand for colleges projected to go up, innovation and changes in curriculum are required to

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meet the growing demand. The globalised labour market requires students with new skills. With IT industry laying-off people at a large scale, educational institutions and universities need to adopt new ideas and pedagogies to enhance the learning of students and skill them simultaneously.

How technology is changing higher education in India?

As technology has become an integral part of everyone’s life, the Indian education landscape has been quick to adopt Information and Communications Technology (ICT). This transformation is taking

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the teaching-learning process at universities and colleges to the next level. Today, technology-based tools are gaining prominence to impart education to students.

Such tools are helping students to learn, communicate, collaborate and study on and off campus. Following are some of the exciting technology trends in Indian universities: Digitisation of books: Learning from the West, Indian universities are now creating their own digital repository of books so that students can be provided a digital learning environment. It enables students to learn through e-books, pictures, videos, simulations and visualisations.

Using ICT, the National Mission on Education is trying to formulate new online course content for Undergraduate (UG), Post Graduate (PG) and Doctoral students. Course content for more than 130 courses, both in UG and PG, is underway.

New age technology platforms that help in assessing performance of students, teachers and institutions as a whole are increasingly being adopted by educational institutions in India.

“We have installed smart board in our classrooms. It enhances the teaching experience and ensures the learning in classroom is more interactive and participative.

We encourage the practice of conducting lectures through audio-video/video conferencing, as it is a very engaging and interactive tool of teaching,” says Dr Minu Madlani, Principal of Mumbai’s KPB Hinduja College.

New methods of teaching: Universities are also rendering content through radio, TV and satellite. The All India Council for Technical Education – Indian National Digital Library in Engineering and Technology (AICTE–INDEST) is a consortium which has been set up by the Ministry of Human Resource Development to make journals and bibliographic databases easily accessible to the students.

University Grants Commission (UGC) has also created its digital library consortium access to journals and bibliographic databases covering subjects such as arts, humanities, technology and sciences.

“New age technology platforms that help in assessing performance of students, teachers and institutions as a whole are increasingly being adopted by educational institutions in India. Cloud-based platforms such as Microsoft’s Edu-Cloud, which helps classrooms go paperless, are also finding takers. Also, apart from the latest developments in smart classrooms, 3D printing and virtual reality are being adopted in the field of education,” says Monica Malhotra Kandhari, Managing Director of MBD Group.

The National Mission on Education is also in the process of establishing a virtual technical university to impart training to UG/PG students along with new teachers.

Mobile phones: With the increased use of mobile phones, educational institutions can easily approach students to make them aware about the courses. Tasks like administration, sharing class notes, downloading lectures, instant messaging, etc have been made easy by a simple smart phone.

Mobile phones are also being used to access computer files from remote locations. There are services like “Soonr”, which allow students to access their assignments on the computer, even if they have forgotten to bring them to the college.

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SPECIAL STORY ed reality and game-based learning (applied games), if implemented correctly, can bring about a major shift in the way students and teachers interact with each other,” says CEO and Founder of WITS Interactive Hitesh Jain.

Social learning: The internet has provided students with a variety of options to get additional information on their courses. Delivery websites such as Youtube, iTunes U and Big Think are introducing a new trend in higher education. Students today are using various websites, blogs and social media channels, as well as new online video repository to get the content for a specific subject or course.

“The method of teaching has changed over the years, as students like to go beyond textbook. Online learning tools help students grasp concepts easily. Graphical and visual representation of complex topics and concepts make learning easy.

It is necessary to evolve newer teaching techniques with time because of digitization and information technology developments. Teaching now is not limited to chalk and board. Teachers use power points, case studies to connect with students. This has to be incorporated in day to day learning,” adds Madlani.

With effective implementation of ICT, India is using open source software, satellite technology, local language interfaces, easy to use human-computer interfaces,

digital libraries etc with a long-term plan to reach the remotest of the villages. Community service centres have started to promote e-learning throughout the country.

Notable initiatives for implementing ICT in Indian education landscape include: l Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) uses radio, television and Internet technologies to provide content and deliver lectures l National Programme on Technology

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Innovative deployments of ICT solutions have been instrumental in transcending multiple barriers in providing access to education in the country. With increasing digital literacy in the country, ICT solutions have gained momentum in driving quality education.

Enhanced Learning: A concept similar to the open courseware initiative of MIT. It uses Internet and television technologies. l Eklavya initiative: It uses internet and television to promote distance learning. l IIT-Kanpur has developed “Brihaspati”, an open source e-learning platform (Virtual Classroom).

Many institutes have collaborated with NIIT for providing programmes through virtual classrooms. Jadavpur University is using a mobile-learning centre. IIT-Bombay has started the programme of Centre for Distance Engineering Education Program (CDEEP) as emulated classroom interaction through the use of real time interactive satellite technology.

“Technology and innovation are creating progressively appealing alternatives to

current systems of education. Moreover, by incorporating experiential learning into daily teaching practices, students have a higher retention of data and concepts due to the hands-on approach as compared to traditional teaching practices,” added Jain.

The UGC initiated a scheme called – ICT for teaching and learning process to achieve quality and excellence in higher education. Along with this, UGC has launched a mega programme namely – UGC INFONET. It is a network of Indian universities and colleges with integration to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the process of teaching, learning and education management.

In addition, UGC is encouraging creation of e-content for improved teaching-learning processes in colleges and universities.

Education Challenges in India

‘Digital India’ is a dream which was envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India is moving towards digitisation at a fast pace, but still there are many challenges like: Limited access to computers:

Higher education without laptops and computers cannot be imagined today, but there are a large number of colleges in rural areas where computers are yet to reach.

Rural India is still far behind in adoption of information technology. One of the main reasons for it is inadequate infrastructure.

“In India, there exists a huge gap in accessibility to higher education. A majority of the population lives in rural areas where the facilities for education are simply unavailable. This makes it extremely important that innovative ideas and platforms are developed that can take education to the masses. The young population needs easier access to knowledge and training if we as a country are to positively leverage our demographic dividend. And for that, technological as well as systemic innovation hold the key,” adds Kandhari of the MBD Group.

Innovative deployments of ICT solutions have been instrumental in transcending multiple barriers in providing access to education in the country. With increasing digital literacy in the country, ICT solutions have gained momentum in driving quality education to the nooks and corners of the country. With government initiatives such as “Digital India”, with a vision to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy, ICT solutions will play a more critical role not only in promoting education but also towards boosting digital literacy. n

SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE

Mount Litera Zee School: CONFORMING Best Global Practices To develop students holistically, adopting best global practices is important for schools. Our school has received international awards for good practices, says Joseph Thomas, Chairman, Mount Litera Zee School, Mysore, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN). Excerpts:

M

Which software do you use to eliminate paperwork and promote digitisation in your institution?

ount Litera Zee School is in the education domain since 1994, how has been its journey so far?

In our schools, we have started the green school drive to monitor paper consumption in different processes on a monthly-basis. We have a school management software (SMS) that enables parents to get updates from the school pertaining to school and examination time-table, circulars, homework and other important communications.

Mount Litera Zee School has metamorphosed and leveraged the Higher Order Thinking Skills in its curriculum in the form of emerging student profile. The school has pioneered the concepts of internationalism in its curriculum with 21st century learning skills such as creativity, imagination, digital literacy and communication. At Mount Litera Zee School, demonstration classes and workshops are organised for teachers to explore how students can best identify sustainable developmental goals prescribed by the UNESCO. The teachinglearning process is measured by the analysis of students’ assessment data which helps the schools to build strategies in the TLP. How are your services contributing to innovations in the education sector?

We have developed the FLiP (Financial Literacy Programme) to nurture our students in the skill of financial management. Our programmes such as Digital Citizenship, School Entrepreneur's Club have empowered the new generation to venture outside the four walls of the classroom.

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Your institution has received the International School Award (ISA) 2016-17 by the British Council, what is the way forward?

Tell us about Litera Octave, your research and development model.

Litera Octave caters to all eight sections of the school that include parents, teachers, students, assessments, workshops, competitions, networking and infrastructure. Our content team brainstorms ideas and build the curriculum on par with the global standards. It helps our students to become an independent learners.

ISA has infused the essence of internationalism in the curriculum and invoked collaboration of our students with the partner schools outside India. Students have embarked on a journey of appreciating the cultural differences and understanding the similarities as well. ISA has helped in the school development by interweaving the international dimensions in the curriculum, climbing the ladder of professional development with the teachers and of all parents have been sensitised with the skill-based education rather than measuring learning outcomes with percentiles. As per our future plans, we wish to continue to embark on the journey of ISA in tandem with the schools’ international policy. 

Open Up | JIE School India Pvt Ltd

Successful Entrepreneur in the field of Education Business Mrs. Avneet Kaur M.A, B.ED, Special diploma in child care & development and authorized Multi Intelligence consultant from Singapore having more than 11 years experience feels, there is a big need gap when it comes to professional and high quality childcare and preschool education. Her career is exposed to a variety of aptitudes and skills including the natural ability of working with children, the power to create effective teaching methods in a suitable learning environment.

Besides being a mother, and entrepreneur she lends her experience to other social activities.

She feels that the inputs a child receives at a formative stage are critical to his / her long‐term development to become a responsible and contributing global citizen. Her efforts are being focused to provide the right environment for the children and support for working parents, especially mothers. Keeping this ideology in mind she was instrumental in designing the curriculum a unique in concept where the child`s age and mind development are taken into consideration.

Honors to Mrs. Avneet Kaur

Her participation and interaction with the Early Childhood method of teaching and the zeal with interest with which she stresses to imparting quality education is well appreciated by parents of all the associated centers of JIE Pre School. Mrs. Avneet Kaur is very much interested in taking up and participating in social activities also related to the field of Education. She had shown keen interest for the “Girl Child”. JIE under her leadership has come up with many schemes like “Nanni Muskan” a scholarship cum financial assistance to girl students getting admitted into the Pre School of JIE. Similarly young girls who have taken the burden of studying along with taking care of their families both financially and giving a respectful image to their families in the present day society were honored which also was well received and appreciated by the society. These girls were honored and felicitated with certificates and cash awards at a public function in coordination with Amar Ujala on International Girl Child Day 2014. In recognition of her services in the field of education she has been awarded as the best upcoming youngest lady business entrepreneur in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand by Amar Ujala in an event. She was chief guest in many a functions organised by different organization and Media Group where she argued for a better living of women folks and in particular girl students who wanted to pursue their studies but were not able to because of financial or family issues.

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Sports - Key to CHARACTER BUILDING

of Schoolchildren

There is need to realise the importance of sports in children’s lives instead of just remaining occupied by the idea of ensuring one’s wards emerging as the topper in every school examination they undertake, writes Sandeep Datta of Elets News Network (ENN).

"I

t's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get up,” Vince Lombardi, one of the greatest American football coaches of all times once said underlining what games teach us all in life.

Away from rubbishing games as a wasteful activity or something limited to winning medals, there is need to explore the significance of our children playing games or showing interest in various sports. Parental worldview about games that their children like or dislike needs transformation.

Sports are about such incredible moments where sheer human will and a strong desire overcomes the odds. This is the spirit that sports evolve in students when they are exposed to various games.

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These are the moments that make some moments memorable.

There is growing requirement to realise the importance of sports and games in school encompasses more than just the benefit of physical activity. Increase in selfesteem and mental alertness make school sports and games necessary for every school age child.

In many foreign countries, students’ education is no longer limited to just lecture-theatres. The monotony of lectures has been very much minimised by outdoor work and participation in games and sports and various athletic feats. These develop healthy competitive spirit and interest in students’ life.

We all know children should be active for optimal health. But it’s not very uncommon to find many of them leading

sedentary lifestyles due to smart phones, computers, video games, television and lack of physical education in many schools.

According to The American Heart Association, one can swap one’s child's TV time for a fun 60 minutes of physical activity every day and help to protect them from childhood obesity, high-blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.

Significance of Games in Education

There are many benefits of games and sports in education. Outdoor games such as cricket, football, badminton, tennis, etc. have various benefits. Even though they may not result into immediate gain, the participation in any one of them does have its positive impact. They may tell upon the health for the time being and may also affect education temporarily.

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dren. Spin students around in circles 10 times. Have them try to run across the gym. Time each student. The student with the quickest time is the winner.

Reluctance to Play Big Games

As parents, we should think if our kid needs motivation to play? Perhaps, yes.

SIGNIFICANCE OF HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ANGER MANAGEMENT During the difficult time of adolescence, sports provide adolescents an outlet. Hitting a baseball or tennis ball can release tension and frustration after having a bad day. In addition, the activity can release "feel good hormones" (endorphins).

But the outdoor games gradually build up a healthy body and make the mind energetic.

ADVANTAGES OF SOME INTERESTING GAMES Balloon Blitz

Balloon blitz, an appropriate game for students of all ages in an elementary school, helps to improve coordination of children as well as enforcing the importance of teamwork. This exercise also provides vigorous activity for children.

Scooter Soccer

Scooter soccer helps to teach teamwork, coordination as well as following directions. The class should be split into two.

Each team will need a goalie. Children will use scooters to maneuver around the gym.

Children are only allowed to use their feet to kick the ball around the gym and attempt to score a goal.

Spin-and-Run

Spin-and-run is a simple race game that provides entertainment and helps to improve coordination in elementary chil-

SOCIAL AND PARENTAL BONDING Teenagers, who play a sport, will most likely bond with their teammates. It improves their social skills. Sports can also maintain and improve parentteen bonding, if the parents are involved and encourage their son or daughter.

TEAMWORK SKILLS As a teenager grows up, he or she will mostly have to work as part of a team on a job or in college. Understanding the meaning of turning a team player can benefit teens for the rest of their lives.

MOTIVATING TEENAGERS FOR SPORTS As a parent, you want the best for your teenager.

However, it's important not to push your son or daughter into something he or she is reluctant to participate in. Playing a sport should be voluntary and a fun experience. While many coaches and parents pressurise teenagers to do his/ her best to win a game, it's not the best way to encourage him or her to love sports.

There is need to understand some children do not consider themselves athletic and may prefer not to play organised school sports. They may be cut from the school team for lack of ability. For this group, there are intramural teams, which are sports for those not interested or able to play higher level athletics.

In such cases, it is important not to make your child feel guilty of not being a higher level athlete. Rather, such kids should be reminded about more important benefits of playing sports, and encourage them in this endeavour.

Obstacle Courses

Kids love fun and obstacle courses are a creative way to get them motivated and moving. Obstacle courses are simple to set up at home, the park, the playground or the beach, and one can use a variety of things as equipment.

There are ways to do it. Get creative and use toys in the closet, stuffed animals, soccer balls, footballs, jump ropes, soup cans and old dish rags to set up as the obstacles. Make each obstacle fun and challenging and keep the game going for 15 to 30 minutes.

Training for Building Strength

According to the American Council on Exercise, strength training with light weights and body resistance exercise is safe and effective for nearly all healthy children.

Strength training promotes healthy bone growth, improves self-confidence and improves muscular fitness and motor fitness performance.

Follow the Leader

It’s fun to involve the family in fitness activities and set a good example. One can attempt this workout anywhere, inside, outside, at home, in a park or at the beach, without requiring any equipment.

Begin with slow movement such as marching or walking with silly arms and hands for five to eight minutes. Next, move into the active phase of faster, bigger movement, such as kicks, punches, jumps and sprints for 15 to 30 minutes.

Modern-day parents need to understand, it takes years to prepare a star child.

They should never forget to pat on the back of children on their every little or big victory. Most importantly, in case, they are not performing well, don't berate him or her. Just remember. It takes years of practice in the playground and street-matches to grow up as cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar or Virat Kohli.n digitalLEARNING

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SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE

Nurturing 21st Century Students Holistically It is important to inculcate confidence among students to hone their skills along with imparting knowledge, says Dr Priyadarshi Nayak, Principal, Prelude Public School, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

W

hat are the practices followed at your school to embed best future practices and innovation with the teacher learning process?

At Prelude Public School, our vision is to develop students as locally-rooted, globally competent citizens. We strive to achieve this by creating a community of life-long learners through integrating student-based learning, curriculum-based learning and experiential learning.

At Prelude Public School, we don’t just train students in 21st century skills but also encourage them for active participation in teaching – learning process.

It enhances students’ learning as well as improves the scope for application of the same in real-life situations. We believe this holistic approach, that gradually increases in terms of its complexity, contributes to it being relevant and having a meaningful impact on a student’s learning capabilities.

Since monitoring progress, performance and behaviour of students in schools is considered important, what initiatives has your school undertaken in this regard?

To monitor students’ progress, our teachers have planned various aspects as per

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Such groups also facilitate peer-learning and group-learning. Other measures such as using hearing aids for hearing-impaired child and mobility aids for the physically challenged child are adopted to improve the classroom environment, ensuring every child’s participation.

For innovation in schools, it’s necessary to have skilled teachers, what measures has your school undertaken to improve the teaching experience?

Every stakeholder expects a lot from our teachers. Without empowering them, it is impossible to equip our students with skills. At our school, teacher-training and capacity building is done regularly. Our teachers develop a learning environment in the classroom where students naturally express their views and reflections through healthy discussions and queries.

It improves students’ thought process and helps them in understanding every minute detail of chapters.

We also provide subject-specific training to our teachers. The training includes content development, latest innovation on how students can learn a specific subject better. The training is aligned with the school curriculum and also ensures that best practices are followed during teaching.

Being an educator, I firmly believe that one of the greatest tests for a teacher is to motivate and educate weak students.

We train teachers to become a researcher who is always in search of new teaching techniques and opportunities.

It’s very important for schools and parents to ensure the holistic development of children, will you throw some light on this process?

students’ individual learning requirements introducing a wide range of activities as per their learning pace, style and level. At Prelude, we try to provide opportunity to every child who is lacking, confidence to perform a certain task. For instance, a child who is hesitant of public speaking is encouraged to share his/her views by forming a group constituting children.

Taking into consideration the holistic development of a child as mandated under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, it’s important that the focus of learning and assessment of children needs must include different skills, concerns, values, attitude and sensitivities.

The holistic development helps students to imbibe all of the above aspects.

Simultaneously, teachers are also needed to monitor children regularly to bridge the gaps between learning and teaching.

We are also trying to develop students’ abilities in a fashion which enables them to critically analyse and evaluate their own progress. 

INDUSTRY SPEAKS

To help progressive educational enterprises acquire, serve and manage their students, ExtraaEdge develops software solutions for them, shares Abhishek Ballabh, Co-Founder, ExtraaEdge, in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).

Excerpts:

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W

Gesture Based Technology’s more immersive and applicable for K12 and learning domain.

Can you share the kind of products you are developing for your clients?

hat was your vision behind establishing ExtraaEdge

company?

To pursue our passion for education, Sushil and I founded this company. During our jobs, both of us used to teach and develop software. After gaining experience in various verticals of education sector like learning, employability, flipped classroom, etc, we found “Student Acquisition and Education Marketing” as the most prominent segment of the education industry for our company to focus on.

Student acquisition for educational institutes is a highly expensive and conventional segment that offers a $22.6 billion global opportunity including $1.6 billion of India's share in it. The opportunities are primarily in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Australia and New Zealand.

The last decade of the current century witnessed the emergence of various companies in this segment. To pursue higher studies, more than five million students from all over the world travel to other

countries. It is a big global business opportunity to help educational enterprises in finding the right prospective students by judging their behaviour and course intent. Moreover, it is also important to build a cost-effective and scientific datadriven enrollment decision engine for the educational institutes across the globe.

Till date, the company has powered over 45 educational institutes in India, thereby reducing their student acquisition cost and increasing their enrollment ratio.

To provide best digital experience to your clients, which advanced advertising technologies are being used by your company?

Understanding the prospective students and their social behaviour is the key to selling courses and our platform (await-

ing patent) exactly does that. The company is developing solutions for institutes to manage their sales and digital marketing expenditure.

Solving student acquisitions by understanding their behaviour and using data-driven approach will help in understanding the course they wish to enroll for. We also have to integrate data-driven approach with social media, various websites and mobile- friendly smart solutions to understand students’ requirement.

Our business model is based on the leads we generate. We also use Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) enabled landing pages for institutes integrated with Ad-words and Ad-sense campaigns.

What is the importance of augmented reality and virtual reality for developing the products as per the customers’ requirement?

The two technologies have less scope as far as the student acquisition space is concerned. However, these two technologies are very much required for 21stcentury learners to enhance their learning capabilities. In future, augmented reality and virtual reality will help the students in immersive learning.

Can you explain about Multi-touch Technology and Gesture Based Technology?

With the evolution of iPads, tablets and smartphones, sales and marketing automation software of ExtraaEdge ensures its customers anytime and anywhere availability of their sales report. The company focuses majorly on mobile applications that have taken a huge prominence as far as usages are concerned.

We help educational institutions to enhance and manage their admissions. We deliver value to institutes by reducing student acquisition cost, enhancing counsellors’ efficiency, brand recall, mobile presence and social engagement.

It is important to define the “Objective of a Course” to sell it. Our software echoes this principle. Our product “PotentialEDGE” is a sales management and digital marketing software (web + mobile app) for educational institutes. This helps in a cost-effective and data-driven student acquisition for the institutes primarily in four ways: Qualifying Leads via our patented methods – to analyse students’ digital footprint and intent behaviour via our analytics.

Persuade Leads to provide seamless communication and automated workflows for counsellors and admission team for converting leads to enrolments.

Measure Enrollments via our detailed sales and marketing reports plus analytics Generating Leads via innovative social, gamified and online channels.

Some of our customers are: Aptech India, SEED Infotech Pvt. Ltd., BSE Institute, D Y Patil Group of Institutes, MIT Institute of Design, MIT Skills, ISDI Mumbai, Ecole-Intuit Lab, SeamEdu, ASM Group of Institutes, Amplify Mindware, ICA Group, MIT School of Broadcasting & Journalism, Akemi Group of Institutes, Times & Trends Academy, INIFD etc.

What are your plans for the future?

We are planning to expand our business in the southern region of India along with penetration in the northern vocational training and coaching market.

Along with this, we are trying to engage new clients in the Middle East Asia Region for various pilot projects and to enter the international market.

We are also building a product roadmap with data science capabilities to understand student’s intent and behaviour for helping institutes to make smart enrolment decisions. 

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SCHOOL PERSPECTIVES

Chitkara International School Ensuring Change with Best Future Practices Chitkara International School believes in developing a learningcentered approach with a positive learning environment for every student to ensure success in future, says Dr Niyati Chitkara, Principal, Chitkara International School, in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).

I

t is very important for school and parents to be in sync for the holistic development of children, what are the processes you follow for it?

Being the vital stakeholders of a school, parents should know about every activity within the school. It is a responsibility of the school to determine and fulfil parents’ demand by conducting need and expectation analysis at the school.

This not only ensures absolute transparency but also gives both the school and parents a chance to work in sync to ensure children’s holistic development.

Our processes include: 24/7 Redress Mechanism for Parents: Through a software called “SchoolPad”, we have maintained a 24/7 redress mechanism. This redress mechanism of the school provides important feedback to the parents on the school’s working.

Orientation Sessions/ Hand-holding: Orientation sessions help the school to impart its vision, objectives, prospects, working and future initiatives for students to the parents.

School Visits and Polls: The school arranges school visit for each and every parent at the time of admission so that they get to know each and every aspect of the school culture. Apart from this, regular polls are conducted on “SchoolPad” incorporating new initiatives to encourage parent's opinion.

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Evidence of Learning – On Facebook, Instagram and Website: We make sure that every activity in the school is notified to the parents. The social media network helps the school to convey its ethos to parents and keep them updated so as to meet their expectations.

For innovation in school, it is very important to have skilled teachers, what measures have been taken at your school to improve the teaching experience?

With the changing needs of classrooms comes a change in teaching methodology.

The landscape of education has changed drastically. Now the teaching methodologies involve smart tools along with chalk and board method for effective delivery.

The teachers at Chitkara International School are the 'Learning Designers'. Everything at Chitkara has been designed under the tutelage of our teachers along with the matrix of innovation. Some of the measures taken at Chitkara include: Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs): At Chitkara, teachers get enough exposure with the right training and guidance through international travels, conferences, seminars, workshops and visits. It helps them to know about the latest and the best trends in the education industry.

Faculty Exchange Programmes: Faculty Exchange Programmes provide our teachers an opportunity to come across the best global practices and improve their delivery methods in the classroom.

Digital Environment: Various technological tools in the classroom assist teachers to inculcate innovation among students.

Stretching from the digital library to software, the school has fabricated a digital environment so as to provide teachers with the best teaching experience.

Motivation in the form of Green Cards and Appreciation Letters: We feel that a great teaching experience comes with motivation at every step. Appreciation in the form of green cards and letters are given to our teachers to appreciate their contribution and skills, and motivate them to grow in every dimension for their own and the school's better future.

Research is very important for a school and its teachers to acquaint themselves with the changes taking place in the education industry. We ensure that through extensive research we imbibe innovation in the school's practices and render the best teaching experience.

It is important to monitor progress, performance and behaviour of every student at school, what initiatives has your school undertaken in this regard?

What are the practices followed at your school to embed best future practices and innovation with the teaching-learning process?

When it comes to monitor progress, performance and behaviour of every student, the best and concrete practices need to be defined and implemented. Only futuristic initiatives or practices are fruitful and informative. At Chitkara International School (CIS), we make sure that teachers, parents and school management work hand in hand for the holistic development of every student.

Assessment Booklet: Through Assessment Booklet, scholastic and co-scholastic performance and progress of a student are monitored on yearly basis.

Planner Performance: Planner Performance monitors students’ topic-wise performance every month online to know their areas of improvement.

Performance monitoring through RTTs, OBRs, Open Door and Knowledge Polish: Practices like Revision Through

Everything at CIS falls under the realm of research. Be it ideas, strategies, new methodologies, the curriculum or the infrastructure, everything is research-based and well thought out. The whole idea behind doing extensive research is to adopt the best future practices for students.

Collaborative Learning helps the school to impart quality education on a larger forefront. Various national/international sessions, workshops and expert talks focused on multi-cultural aspect are included in the curriculum to prepare students for future.

School’s academia-industry interface, Change the Game, offers our students a wide range of opportunities and programmes. It allows students to interact with the industry professionals, educationists, leaders, and entrepreneurs and make them industry-ready.

TED Talks: Videos and live speakers

Teaching (RTT), Open Book Revision (OBR), Open Door and Knowledge Polish, help the school to evaluate a student’s performance on a monthly and bi-monthly basis.

SPOC/Chat Sessions: SPOC (Sole Point of Contact) and Chat sessions are conducted to review and examine students’ performance and help parents with any hassles or query.

Daily Academic Track and Behavioural Track of Students: Daily Academic Track is uploaded on “SchoolPad” daily. It helps parents to know about the classwork and homework given to students. Similarly, to gauge the behavioural patterns of each and every child, Behavioural Track is devised.

combine to spark deep discussion and connection with students. The practice offers the school an exposure to different ideas and inspires to think out-of-the-box.

The Outdoor and Indoor Learning Spaces of the school cater to the present curriculum needs. Every corner of the school talks about its unique pedagogy and offers an experience of learning while walking.

Our academic and co-curricular planners, co-curricular squads, and innovative methods of teaching such as enquirybased learning, flipped learning, blended learning and home learning programmes offer a blend of innovation and research for the improvement of the teachinglearning process. n

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INDUSTRY SPEAKS ADVERTORIAL

Seth Anandram Jaipuria School

Nurturing Global Citizens

S

eth Anandram Jaipuria School is one of the most reputed names in the education domain.

In just over a decade, the school with its commitment to empower, enthuse and excel is now among the progressive and innovative schools. The school offers the best value for money with a fee structure similar to other day-schools in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The school stands out in terms of the quality of education it offers, most importantly, in teaching and learning practices along with infrastructure. The air-conditioned campus of the Jaipuria School is located in Vasundhara, Ghaziabad. Spread across a sprawling five acres, the school’s campus is equipped with some of the best amenities available in schools across the NCR. In line with the changing needs of education, Jaipuria School has taken upon the challenge of imparting students varied yet effective learning experiences and

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opportunities to become competent and ethically strong individuals.

The school is setting up a benchmark for adopting latest technological innovations in teaching-learning processes under the mentorship of Principal and Director Manju Rana. As a premium institution, the school offers three progressive streams – Science, Commerce, and Humanities.

Propelled by the missionary zeal to keep the flame of knowledge ablaze, the curriculum is designed to offer opportunities for holistic development in the multi-dimensional world. The school boasts of a competent faculty to guarantee enriching learning ambience. A dynamic teaching-learning methodology is adopted in the classroom that is comprehensively supported by audiovisual aids, ICT along with a dedicated pre-primary Block that ensures complete enhancement of Multiple Intelligence of the learners.

Other areas where the school has been cited for excellence include co-

curricular activities, leadership and management, sports education, life skills education etc. The school has always invested heavily in its teachers’ professional learning and development and has adopted experiential learning methodology and pedagogy.

In the relentless quest to endow a Global Education, the school has been accredited with the International School Award by British Council 2016-2019. It is also the recipient of numerous awards in the category of innovation and technology, outreach programmes and environmental initiatives.

The latest Education World Rankings have placed the school among top co-educational day schools in Ghaziabad and among the top-100 schools nationally.

The school espouses its prime mission to empower the students to be compassionate, responsive to our culture and heritage, academically excelling and thereby nurture extrovert global citizens of 21st century. n

INDUSTRY SPEAKS

IFW Offering USER-FRIENDLY ERP Solutions Campus management solutions and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software are the need of every institution nowadays. IFW Techno Creations Pvt Ltd is providing these software as per the customers’ requirements using latest technologies, says Karan Garg, Founder and CEO, IFW Techno Creations Pvt Ltd, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

W

hat important things are considered while installing campus management solutions in your institute?

Like any other sector, the use of technology in education sector is evolving and growing constantly. A good campus management solution has to be dynamic enough to serve the ever changing needs of an institution. A gap between the institution’s expectations and deliverables of the campus management software will force the institution to change the software. We, at IFW, try to come out with innovative ideas to make the Enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions more user-friendly and dynamic to cater all the requirements of users.

Campus Management System must be flexible enough to meet the demographical shift, how do you fulfil the requirements of a customer in this regard?

A good campus management solution will have all the features and processes that are needed for its targeted regions and type of institutions. Rules, regulations, policies, sometimes language etc

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need to be changed in the software as per the demographic changes. A good campus management solution should be able to incorporate all those changes to stay relevant in all its target regions.

We at IFW make sure that our solutions primarily should at all times accommodate the needs of Indian institutions from all states.

What tools do you use to develop the software that involves student details, study programmes, faculty workload, scholarships and other administration related activities?

Various platforms such as Net, PHP, JAVA, Oracle etc are available in the market to develop campus management systems. All these platforms are very popular across the world. Irrespective of the technical platform on which an application is made, the load on software can be managed with the help of optimised code for the software that can generate quick results. Understanding client’s requirement before starting software development is also very essential as it helps the developer to understand key needs and objectives of software. Moreover, it’s important to have a robust internet, hardware and networking framework as per the software’s requirement before its implementation.

How important role does Cloud Technology play in the development of a school or college management system?

Cloud is the future of all school and college management systems. After easy access to internet through Mobile/Smart Phones penetration in all parts of the country, it is must to opt for Cloud Technology. The

technology has major advantages like easy and quick implementation, secured data backups, no need of local servers, any time anywhere usage etc. We, at IFW, also know this from our experience that Cloud applications take less time in implementation and thus provide a quick Return on Investment (ROI) to the clients.

In order to improve the performance of campus management software, what processes you follow along with the user feedback?

At IFW, we have a dedicated call centre working 24X7 for our clients. The call centre provides online on call, e-mail and remote desktop support to the clients.

Dedicated support agents monitor the usage of the clients and provide solutions to their problems accordingly. The agents not only support but also make sure that all the features of the solutions are understood by the clients and they can use the software as soon as possible. The support team also collects feedback and suggestions from the clients and forwards them to the development team, where after the evaluation and in detail discussion, the enhancements are provided to the client in new upcoming versions.

How would you describe corporate and educational institutes you partnered with to incorporate some of the best ideologies and practices into your solutions.

Jayoti Vidyapeeth Women’s University, Jaipur, Rajasthan: We are providing our core ERP named “IFW Campus ERP” to the university. We are also managing the online examination and distance learning processes of the university.

BRCM Group of Colleges and Schools, Bahal, Haryana: We are providing “IFW Campus ERP” software to the university. We are also managing the online examination and distance Learning processes of the university.

St. Francis Institute of Management and Research, SFIMAR, Mumbai: We are providing “IFW Campus ERP” software to the management college for managing all the departments like library, admissions, exams, events, TPO, attendance etc.

Salem Swadeshewari Educational Group, Salem, Tamil Nadu: The campus of the group includes a school and a college. We have provided them IFW Campus ERP for the College and Software as a Service (SaaS) for the School.

They are successfully using our solutions since last six years.

GANGA Group of Schools and Colleges, NCR, Delhi: The group has more than 12 institutions in different parts of Delhi-NCR. The group’s school and colleges under are using “IFW Campus ERP” successfully for managing all the processes from admissions to accounts.

What are your upcoming projects and plans for the future?

We are aggressively working on mobile applications for students, parents, staff and campus administrators etc. These apps are in direct integration with our ERP Applications and will work on real time basis. We are also planning to expand our reach to more and more institutions this year. We are also coming up with our ERP Solutions for education sector using latest technologies to provide our clients a solution on the platforms of their choice. n digitalLEARNING

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HIGHER EDUCATION PERSPECTIVE

AISECT University: Refining Private Education Space AISECT, the first private university of Madhya Pradesh, has taken various initiatives on different fronts to provide quality higher education in the State.

The University has also made efforts to ease the norms for operating a private university in India, says Santosh Kumar Choubey, Chancellor, AISECT University, in an interview with Arpit Gupta of the Elets News Network (ENN).

W

ith the changing times and maddening race to emulate competitors, what prominent challenges a private university like yours is faced with?

The biggest challenge for the university was to change the perception of education stakeholders and build reputation. Earlier, the rules of operating a university were harder, which continues to be the case. Private universities were deprived from the funding benefits and various types of assistance that State and Central Universities enjoy.

To improve the situation, an All India Private University Conference was organised by AISECT University in 2012 where all universities from across the country were invited.

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The Central and State Government regulatory bodies discussed about challenges and anomalies faced by the private operators in higher education system at the conference. Almost everyone in the conference agreed to the problems faced by private universities in terms of regulation, multiple commands and operations.

Since then efforts have been made to ease the norms for operating private universities across the country. It is also expected that in coming time all the universities, irrespective of private or government, will be provided a level field to operate.

professionals who are industry-ready after graduation. More than 50 per cent of our students get placed before completing their respective courses. A strong incubation centre is one of the most important dimensions of our placement. With an abundance of startup competitions, thereby enabling us to produce not only good number of employees but also successful entrepreneurs.

What are some of the innovations being introduced in AISECT University vis-a-vis State and Central Universities?

Right from the beginning, AISECT University has given lot of importance to expand its horizon across the academia, industries and research labs. We have identified organisations in India and abroad for collaboration and to gain from their expertise in specific fields. Some of these collaborations include: NCTU, Taiwan: We are working together with IIT Delhi to enhance spectral efficiency of solar cell in a project costing about Rs 40 lakh.

ICEWaRM, Australia: This collaboration involves working jointly in the field of water resources and management.

In this context, we organised a four-day international conference on Water, Energy and Environment where 350 research papers were presented by 20 countries were being published by Elsevier.

KIEV University, Ukraine: This entails collaboration in the field of space and earth-science.

MoI University Eldoret, Kenya: This is a research project in the pipeline on water resources.

KAIST, South Korea & RPI, USA: It involves collaborative work on Renewable Energy.

PetruMaior University of TarguMures, Romania: We are working jointly on environmental science/engineering.

Similarly, there are more than 15 research laboratories, industries and institutes in India, including AMPRI, CIAE, NITTTR, IIT New Delhi, TATA Motors, Reliance, BSNL, etc, with whom AISECT University has a collaboration for skill delivery, research projects and exchange programmes.

Some of the important innovations introduced by AISECT University include: l Promoting Skill Development by setting up skill academies, collaborating with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and making one skill course compulsory for each year at UG and PG level i.e. four skill courses in an undergraduate (UG) course and two at PG level. l Establishing Renewable Energy Centre and Energy Park in the University to develop green energy culture, the only campus in Madhya Pradesh and amongst 17 in India to be selected for Green Campus by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). l Adopting three villages and holding week-long camps in the villages at regular intervals for awareness and training of villagers in the areas of health, cleanliness, education, literacy, digital communication, banking etc. l Developing an incubation centre to promote the best startup projects and conducting startup competitions at national-level. The centre has also attracted industry mentors who have supported the finest startup projects at AISECT University.

With placement of students becoming a yardstick to evaluate a university's status, what has been your achievement in this context? How significant innovation is to your university?

Placement is an important mark of credibility for an institution. Our University’s innovative Training and Placement Department serves this aspect. Our emphasis is on producing well educated, skilled and confident

Almost every other university is collaborating with foreign universities and government departments, what initiatives have been taken by your university in this regard?

What steps your university has been following to ensure the finest faculty delivering in this fast developing world?

Rigorous faculty selection process is undertaken by the university to ensure highly qualified and experienced teachers. Almost 50 per cent of which are PhDs and around 20 per cent are having industry experience. Moreover, collaboration with seven foreign universities, 10 Indian institutes, research laboratories and industries, facilitates exchange programmes for students and renowned experts. We promote a strong culture of national and international academic events, about five every year, where experts expose students to latest development in technology, corporate, industries and academia.

What steps have been undertaken for research-based learning by your university?

Research-driven education is an integral part of our vision and mission. Following initiatives have been taken in this regard: l The University has identified four areas to encourage researches – Renewable Energy, Material Science, Environmental Engineering and Water Resources, and Earth and Space Science. Advanced research labs in these four areas have been developed with an investment of more than Rs two crore. An advanced software lab covering these areas is also available.

These resources are available from undergraduate to research scholars. l The university has been publishing two bi-annual peer reviewed research journals - "Anusandhan" for Science, Management and Technology and "Shodhaytan" for Non Tech discipline from the past five years. l A Core Research Group (CRG) has been formed to promote research projects with external and internal funding. CRG has pan India experts in the field as members. In this context, the university has one ongoing IndoTaiwan project in the field of solar cells, five ongoing internally funded projects marked at Rs one crore each and four projects have been currently put up to various external agencies for funding. l The university has an incentive scheme for research activities and writing. This has resulted in publishing of more than 300 research papers in national and international conferences and seminars and more than 20 books. In last three years, more than 15 faculty members and students have gone abroad related to research activities. n digitalLEARNING

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DIFFERENT STROKES

GOD'S DISCOVERY

Helping An IAS to

REDEFINE Governance Style From being an atheist to a person of deep faith in God, the journey of Haulianlal Guite, an IAS Officer from Manipur, has been an odyssey of a man’s exploration of the almighty, which has helped him better understand and serve the most deserving of government schemes with compassion.

Having penned a non-fictional novel “Confessions Of A Dying Mind", Guite, currently posted as the Secretary at Jaipur Development Authority, shares with Kartik Sharma of Elets News Network (ENN) the philosophy behind this novel and its influence enabling him to better serve the society. Excerpts: 38

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about?

hat is the “Confessions of A Dying Mind” all

‘‘Confessions of A Dying Mind’ is the title of my novel. It is arguably the first philosophical novel to be written on the subject of God. I am hoping that more and more people will be exposed to it, even those who don’t have the philosophical background. The book deals with the most pressing modern-day questions, centered on this: whether modern science has done away with God. What is the theme of the novel?

There are various themes. The major plotline being followed is that whether one decides to believe in God or not, the evidence is not in favor of either. It all boils down to faith. I am trying to show, therefore, that just as religion is based on faith, so is atheism too. And that atheism has nothing to do with evidence or science.

Philosophy has a lot of abstract applications. It helps you to look at things in a more holistic way, which is essential even for the IAS. You start to look at things from different angles.

What stories does ‘Confessions’ tell?

Confessions presents arguments against atheism that are found nowhere else, and it does this by using the theories and findings of atheists themselves. Case in point, the philosophy of the acclaimed philosopher W.V Quine. All these are dealt in the neardeath experience of the protagonist, Albert Dyers. As for the experience itself, are Mr. Dyers' experiences with the angel, real? Or are they delusions caused by his accident?

Can reality as it is, be really known to us? Is

modern science against religion and faith? Is atheism based on evidence?

I have explored these all-important questions by telling various stories woven into the plotline of the novel itself. In doing so, the exploration delves into the nature of science, religion, evidence, even love - including visits to other worlds, to past events, to surreal places, and so on. And it accomplishes all these without using complex or unnecessary jargon, so that the educated lay reader without philosophy background will be able to understand them.

What is closer to your heart? Philosophy or Bureaucracy?

Entering the IAS was never my dream, but that I became one due to my father's pressuring. It was always my dream to be a philosopher, due to an inborn talent at philosophic speculation that was richly cultivated during my college years in St. Stephen's. But I never looked back, and never regret becoming an IAS officer.

I often recall how my knowledge of the Indian Administrative Service was most limited and misleading; but that when I actually work as an IAS officer, in learning that the amount of good an officer can do can be quite critical, I realize how great the service is.

Nevertheless I continue pursuing philosophy as a favourite hobby. And the consequence is this! book, "Confessions Of A Dying Mind" You have served as the executive magistrate of Mount Abu, the municipal commissioner of Ajmer City, the OSD to the State Finance Commission, Rajasthan, and currently the Secretary of Jaipur Development Authority, So how do you find the time to write all these? what inspired you to write this novel?

Like everyone else, every IAS officer develops hobbies, to alleviate the tensions of work and pressures of life. Some choose to play golf or badminton, others learn music or swimming, and still others entertain themselves in various other ways. My hobby is to read and write.

I may state further that philosophy comes naturally to me. I am involved with it right from class XI. I took the subject in my college as a result. After coming to service, it is easy to philosophize about anything including infrastructure, government, religion or anything. So in a sense, it has become my second nature. Writing it down, therefore, is only natural.

Have you inculcated any special practices to improve your writing?

I read a lot about philosophy. The format of the novel is inspired by Jostein Gaarder book called Sophie's World: A Novel about the History of Philosophy (1991). This book is about philosophy, but written as a novel. My other inspiration is German philosopher Immanuel Kant, from whom I derive much of the book's thesis; and other is Karl Popper, who is a great philosopher of science again.

I must mention at this point that I was an atheist for a couple of years during my college years, but after reading Immanuel Kant, I return to belief in God. How do you use this inspiration in your administrative work?

Philosophy has a lot of abstract applications. It helps you to look at things in a more holistic way which is essential even for the IAS. You start to look at things from different angles. For example, I was working as OSD in the Finance Commission. There we have to look at things financially of course, but other elements also, including the issue of allocating funds. It requires critical, often qualitative, thinking.

Philosophy can train us to make more judicious choices as it is all about reasoning.

UPSC understands that and hence, a lot of reasoning questions come in the civil services. Ethics, which is another branch of philosophy, has become another optional paper in the UPSC now. So for civil services, the philosophical bent of mind is very essential. n

About the Author: Haulianlal Guite has already served as the executive magistrate of Jaipur (S) and of Mount Abu, and the Municipal Commissioner of Ajmer. As the SDM of Mount Abu, he is credited with effectively halting illegal construction activities during his tenure; and as Ajmer Municipal Commissioner, he had introduced various smart solutions to city governance.

His previous assignment was as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Rajasthan Finance Commission. Currently he is posted as Secretary at Jaipur Development Authority.

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ADVERTORIAL

How Lecture Capture is

Changing the

Paradigm of Engineering AMIT MAHENSARIA

Co-founder and CEO Impartus Innovations

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R

apidly changing nature of the global industry and the subsequent restructuring of technology aggressively demands to change the conventional style of teaching, especially in the engineering colleges.

With tonnes of information around and new innovations happening almost every day, many institutes have started to identify the necessary changes and pursue appropriate reforms.

One of these reforms is to include videos as an integral part of education and the primary source of creating video content is through lecture capture.

Predominantly in the case of an experiment, practical demonstration, teaching formulas or equations the video-on-demand allows students to closely examine the steps or pause and focus on important information.

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The s o lution along with the video and audio of the professor, records the slides and other material used for the lesson. The videos are then uploaded to the cloud and are made available for the students to watch anytime and anywhere. Students can consume them at their own pace and gradually inculcate the subject being taught.

“Predominantly in the case of an experiment, practical demonstration, teaching formulas or equations the video-on-demand allows students to closely examine the steps or pause and focus on important information. This allows students to reduce any cognitive gap between what they understood in the class and what actually was the intent of the lecture,” says Amit Mahensaria, the co-founder and CEO of Impartus Innovations, India’s leading Lecture Capture solution provider.

Impartus is providing their solution to more than 50 engineering colleges across India.

The company provides lecture capture as a turnkey solution and integration compatibility with many popular LMS’. Their video platform for education also works as a feature rich eLearning platform. Other than just record-

ing videos, the platform enables the instructor to enhance the audio/video quality, ensure content security and adaptive distribution. All these are done in an automated fashion and backed with a powerful analytics to track the usage.

Lecture capture also enables institutes to focus on the performance of their faculty. With the availability of video capture, educators can easily review their lectures and reflect upon their own performance to recognise the fallouts and improve accordingly. The utility of the solution is well evident from the fact that it is highly appreciated by corporates who come for placement as well as accreditation agencies like NAAC / NBA. n

Positive Education is the buzzword in Dubai. This form of education is designed to promote character and wellbeing of a student alongside ensuring academic achievement as elements of a sustainable and holistic approach to education.

Dubai, the city known for its skyscrapers, with its diverse and vibrant private education system, is all set to scale new heights.

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In an endeavour to explore solutions for ensuring education, equality, and employment for all, Elets’ World Education Summits (WES) bring together under one roof top-notch thought leaders, stakeholders and edupreneurs from different parts of the world be it public, private or social sectors. For two days, about 500 delegates share, debate, and figure out new ways to for imparting education in a better way to transform the world. Offering an opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge and in-depth insights, the 10th WES Delhi 2017 will feature over 100 education visionaries and edu-tech experts within two streams of the event.

We bring to you key topics that are of utmost interest in education sector and set to be discussed threadbare by experts in a congenial enviornment.

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