Knowledge & Education
The promise of educational radio
(Draft-should not be cited), April, 2008, Sajan Venniyoor
Radio has always been an extremely useful tool in imparting education to diverse communities. Traditionally this role has been played by the All India Radio in India. Recently there has been further expansion in this field with the result of a range of productions to aid learning. However, the most exciting development in this area has been the government allowing the functioning of community radio.
Technology as a tool and enabler in the post-NCF 2005 constructivist classroom in India
2007, Shuchi Grover
This paper, written in the context of the proposed National Policy on ICT in Education of the Government of India, illustrates the possibilities of using technology in various constructivist approaches, discusses the ideas for technology planning within constrained budgets and outlines considerations for policy decisions on the use of ICT in education in India. The key argument is that technology should be used with a more conscious educational purpose, as a cognitive tool, and as a means to facilitate more meaningful learning rather than an end in itself.
ICT in the context of education system
(Draft-Please do not cite), April, 2008, IT for Change
The article profiles the use of ICTs in the field of education from various aspects. These include the direct application of ICTs to teacher education as well as secondary education, which involves both the teacher and the student.There are also other important areas where ICT is proving to be a differentiator in the quality of education being imparted, one of which is the collection and collation of the large amount of data which facilitates education administration to a great extent.
Kerala shuts windows, schools to use only Linux
March 05, 2008, The Indian Express
Kerala is setting the trend in IT policy by making the use of GNU/Linux free software mandatory in all schools for computer education, says this report. Known for several innovative experiments in development policy in the past, the state has already been using FOSS for e-governance.
Virtual education goes rural
November 27, 2007, H Chethana Gadiyar, Dataquest
This article focuses on the Nemmadi centres in Karnataka that train rural students to prepare for the highly competitive Common Entrance Tests (CETs). These centres are equipped with computers, VSAT and microphone making them virtual and interactive classrooms.
A model of how children acquire computing skills from hole-in-the-wall computers in public places
2006, Ritu Dangwal, Swati Jha, Shiffon Chatterjee & Sugata Mitra, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Information Technologies and International Development
This paper explores the possibility of constructing a “minimally invasive” learning model from the results of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) Icon Association Inventory (devised by Dangwal and Inamdar [Mitra 2003]).The authors discuss the results obtained from four playground (hole-in-the-wall) computer kiosk sites in southern India, made freely available to children, without supervision, for nine months.
Taking sharing to the classroom: The case of FOSS in schools
Fredrick Noronha
This article by FOSS activist Fredrick Noronha gives a very practical insight into why schools in India should impart computer education based on the principles of free and open source software(FOSS). Apart from the regular reasons of cost and affordability, the ability to tweak with the source code and create new/modified versions of a particular piece of software are the main reasons why schools should actively promote deployment of FOSS. FOSS does not demand high end hardware configurations which result in lowered carbon footprints.
Computer education for rural kids riddled with obstacles
Infochange features, Frederick Noronha
The article discusses the primary barrier to expanding computer literacy to rural india, viz. the lack of local language based software. For children coming from underprivileged backgrounds, introduction to computers should be facilitated via applications that are based on the mother tongue as this will eliminate the initial difficulties to a great extent.
Women's literacy and Information and Communication Technologies: Lessons that experience has taught us
November 2006, Anita Dighe and Usha Vyasulu Reddi, CEMCA
This paper highlights why women's illiteracy needs to be addressed and outlines documented experiences in using ICTs to address illiteracy. After reviewing some of the salient experiences of running literacy programmes for women in developing countries, the authors discuss the support needed from a broad array of sources and areas for meaningful use of ICT interventions in women's literacy.
E-learning comes of age in India with 'Sakshat'
October 31, 2006, Akshaya Mukul, The Times of India
Sakshat has been introduced by the Indian Minstry of Human Resource Development to function as a one-stop education portal in all fields of study, including vocational education. The portal indicates a positive trend of non-ICT ministries taking up ICT projects in India.
