3 Mar 2010 14:20
Re: ICT as a solution for rural education
Hi
I read a post on this list a few days ago about 35,000 Cr coming from 3G or something like that. Surely with that kind of money education can be implemented, whether its with technology or without. Also I think the way in which we are trying to address the problem is wrong, i.e the direction.
The end goal of education for most in rural India is a good job. The end goal for a company is to get good talent, this is where we need to create the bridge, between companies and education, and not just teach for the sake of teaching. A company which builds relationships with children early on, will have a lifelong supporter. Aside from this there are further benefits. If we can provide a bottle of coke to someone in rural india, it already means we can "reach" them physically. If there is an office with some form of IT presence in a district, it means you have some physical space which can be (evenings) used as a classroom. I know this maybe way out there thinking, hopefully not too wild.
I guess what I am trying to say, is that we already have the reach, and the chances are the infrastructure, (I know its not perfect, but then even in delhi, infra still sucks) all we need to do is to use is effectively.
On top of the infra, if the companies are incentivsed to help teach & reach, and the tier 1 educational establishments are also, then and only then will this be possible. Waiting for ICT, and some miracle iphone app to allow people to learn howto count, and speak, will not happen, we just need to go back to basics, chalk + board in a existing office, and use it at weekends + evenings.
Encourage large instituions to "donate a lecture room", during evenings or weekends, and get 1000 local students from surrounding villages in for a weekend, all uni's have IT access if needed, and worst case they have a blackboard and chalk. Imagine what a child would think, instead of sitting under a tree learning to count, he sits as a desk, like a "proper" student...its all about selling the dream, and then making it real.
Regards
Iqbal Gandham
I read a post on this list a few days ago about 35,000 Cr coming from 3G or something like that. Surely with that kind of money education can be implemented, whether its with technology or without. Also I think the way in which we are trying to address the problem is wrong, i.e the direction.
The end goal of education for most in rural India is a good job. The end goal for a company is to get good talent, this is where we need to create the bridge, between companies and education, and not just teach for the sake of teaching. A company which builds relationships with children early on, will have a lifelong supporter. Aside from this there are further benefits. If we can provide a bottle of coke to someone in rural india, it already means we can "reach" them physically. If there is an office with some form of IT presence in a district, it means you have some physical space which can be (evenings) used as a classroom. I know this maybe way out there thinking, hopefully not too wild.
I guess what I am trying to say, is that we already have the reach, and the chances are the infrastructure, (I know its not perfect, but then even in delhi, infra still sucks) all we need to do is to use is effectively.
On top of the infra, if the companies are incentivsed to help teach & reach, and the tier 1 educational establishments are also, then and only then will this be possible. Waiting for ICT, and some miracle iphone app to allow people to learn howto count, and speak, will not happen, we just need to go back to basics, chalk + board in a existing office, and use it at weekends + evenings.
Encourage large instituions to "donate a lecture room", during evenings or weekends, and get 1000 local students from surrounding villages in for a weekend, all uni's have IT access if needed, and worst case they have a blackboard and chalk. Imagine what a child would think, instead of sitting under a tree learning to count, he sits as a desk, like a "proper" student...its all about selling the dream, and then making it real.
Regards
Iqbal Gandham
From: Sanjay Verma <sanjaysverma-PkbjNfxxIARBDgjK7y7TUQ@public.gmane.org>
To: india-gii-exipcMZXGhH9nmKIgjYY/w@public.gmane.org
Sent: Tue, 2 March, 2010 7:32:05
Subject: RE: [india-gii] ICT as a solution for rural education
Dear Banibrata,
I find the Tehelka article a bit sensational although not to be rubbished entirely. Similar to the TV talk shows which try to address and find solutions within the specified 1 hour to long standing and complicated issues (and end up distorting the real issue) this article is also trying to reach a conclusion within the operational limitations, ie oversimplified approach.
Nonetheless the issue of ICT being the guiding light for rural education has to be viewed holistically. I believe that education/ rural education is a subset of Social development which includes employment, infrastructure, poverty alleviation, health and many other attributes. If ICT is used for education and the other attributes are not addressed then it may result in a skewed situation which may even become self-defeating. ( Not to mention that ICT for education may also fail).
eContent for education is also an issue which needs a lot of attention.
I believe that ICT for social development should be rigorously debated and cautiously approached to avoid its premature failure for, ICT to my mind is still the most promising way to go to speed up social development.
Sanjay
Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 00:58:26 +0530
From: banibrata.dutta-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w@public.gmane.org
To: india-gii <at> lists.cpsr.org
Subject: [india-gii] ICT as a solution for rural education
Hi,
Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now.
To: india-gii-exipcMZXGhH9nmKIgjYY/w@public.gmane.org
Sent: Tue, 2 March, 2010 7:32:05
Subject: RE: [india-gii] ICT as a solution for rural education
Dear Banibrata,
I find the Tehelka article a bit sensational although not to be rubbished entirely. Similar to the TV talk shows which try to address and find solutions within the specified 1 hour to long standing and complicated issues (and end up distorting the real issue) this article is also trying to reach a conclusion within the operational limitations, ie oversimplified approach.
Nonetheless the issue of ICT being the guiding light for rural education has to be viewed holistically. I believe that education/ rural education is a subset of Social development which includes employment, infrastructure, poverty alleviation, health and many other attributes. If ICT is used for education and the other attributes are not addressed then it may result in a skewed situation which may even become self-defeating. ( Not to mention that ICT for education may also fail).
eContent for education is also an issue which needs a lot of attention.
I believe that ICT for social development should be rigorously debated and cautiously approached to avoid its premature failure for, ICT to my mind is still the most promising way to go to speed up social development.
Sanjay
Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 00:58:26 +0530
From: banibrata.dutta-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w@public.gmane.org
To: india-gii <at> lists.cpsr.org
Subject: [india-gii] ICT as a solution for rural education
Hi,
Probably, a case for ICT in remote education, as a solution to what this Tehelka article highlights.
Quite shaken after reading the article.
The article (and the accompanying slide-show) is quite graphic in highlighting the woes of women teachers in Rural India (Uttar Pradesh to be precise, in this case). Much of their pitiful state, has much to do with the perilous distance they travel every day to teach. If the teacher (a human) can give individual attention remotely, thanks to ICT (I know, I am dreaming here -- probably), the net-effect could be really win-win.
- Teachers are no longer so insecure and in constant state of mental agony and fear.
- Teachers are hopefully less tired thanks to little need to travel (probably once in a while -- very infrequently).
- Children get richer, continuous and seamless education (s.a. replay pre-recorded titles/sessions, insert multi-media for demonstration etc.)
- Quick and easy evaluation of both students (and teachers).
- Enable the process to weed-out the blood-sucking middle-men (the BSAs and Gram-Pradhans). There is no need for proximity or contact between these so called approvers and evaluators (of the teachers).
What say ?
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