Challenges in

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Challenges in Use of ICT in Rural Indian
schools 23 April 2005
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A not for profit organization
Operational since 2001
135 plus full-time professionals 600 plus in
field - project based
Vision Significantly contribute to achieving
quality universal education to facilitate a
just, equitable and a humane society.
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RATIONALE OF TECHNLOGY INITIATIVES
LEARNING PLAY ASSESSMENT FUN EQUAL KNOWLEDGE FOR
ALL
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TARGET GROUP
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Currently prioritized
Classes covered
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OUR EXPREINCE FROM
1299
(Punjab)
108
(Uttaranchal)
200
(Rajasthan)
517
(Gujarat)
28
(Chattisgarh)
600
49
(Orissa)
(Maharashtra)
3273
(Andhra Pradesh)
467
(Karnataka)
41
(Pondicherry)
No. of Schools as on 31 March 2005
(Andaman Nicobar)
323
Program currently active 5089
Program being activated 1816
No. of teachers trained 7824
No. of Children covered 745000
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The imperative need to scale
165 Million Children in 1 Million schools
325 languages spoken
Literacy is 65
18 of world Population 2.4 of land area
35 less than 15 years
Only 1 out of 3 completes up to 10th standard
35 million in the age group of 6-14 out of school
1 out of 3 children in 5th standard unable to
read write
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ON-SCHOOL MODEL
The ON-school model

• Standalone Multimedia Desktop PCs
• Different Platforms
• No internet connectivity
• No trained person
• Few Schools provided with printers

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OFF-SCHOOL MODEL
The OFF-school model

• Situated ½ to 1 Km from school
• Centres not exclusively used for children
• Internet facility available
• Trained person present
• Microsoft Operating System used

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PARTNERSHIP
Community
State Government
Content validation, Resource persons, Infrastructu
re Monitoring
Ownership Sustenance
Content, Teacher training Support
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THE TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGE

• Schools get Computers from multiple sources
• Centrally sponsored Innovative Education fund
• Used computers through donation
• Elected representatives Local Area Development
  Fund
• Locally mobilized resources
• Challenge is to make content work on
• All Platform
• Lowest available Configuration
• In adverse power situations

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CONTENT
Type of Content Description Applications developed in
Child centric Learning Content Curricular concepts taught in classes 1-8 Macromedia Director and Flash MX
Assessment Software Computer Based Assessment MSDE and Visual Basic 6.0
Monitoring Software Tracking usage of computers MS Access and Visual Basic 6.0
Software being field tested
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RESEARCH
Karnataka
Computer aided learning found to have beneficial
impact on children with learning disabilities,
mainly on their social behavior, attention, oral
communication skills and motivation. Study
conducted by the Spastic society of Karnataka
Difference in performance between experimental
schools and control schools found to be
significant in Andhra in classes 3,4 and
5. ANOVA (ANalysis Of VAriance) conducted in
AP
Andhra Pradesh
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SPECIFIC CHALLENGES
Hardware Configuration
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Costs of Hardware
Electricity/Power availability
Monitoring Up time
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OPERATING SYSTEM
Operating system Learning content Assessment software Monitoring software
Win9X, Win2K, WinXP Above Win2K
Red Hat Linux 8.0 and above, Debian Linux, Mandrake With Wine Tool Being tested
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HARDWARE CONFIGURATION
MINIMUM H/W and S/W REQUIREMENT FOR BEST
PERFORMANCE OF LEARNING CONTENT Hardware
Pentium III 500Mhz/128 MB SDRAM/20GB HDD/Multi
media kit Software Windows98SE and above
Linux 8.0 and above Linux with
Wine for Director based Content
ISSUE To make the learning content work
satisfactorily with low end PCs
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COSTS OF HARDWARE

• Issues
• High Costs of computers a hurdle in reaching
  larger number of schools.
• Cost a severe restriction in ensuring adequate
  Student computer ratio.
• Operating expenses like electricity/maintenance a
  drain on community resources.

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COSTS OF HARDWARE

• Solutions
• A model with 3 terminals connected to single PC
  (P-4, 2.8, Prescott, 1 MB cache, 865 G, 512 MB
  RAM) deployed.
• Model provides for simultaneous and multiple
  access to learning content. No performance
  deterioration noticed.
• Acquisition costs, maintenance costs and
  consumption of electricity has been substantially
  impacted.
• Solutions being sought
• Improved hardware device/software to enable
  additional connections of terminals.
• Low power consuming and low cost desktop
  computers.

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ELECTRICITY - ISSUES

• Lack of power
• Quality of power
• Faster Recharge of Batteries (tubular) and
  prolonged battery life
• Solutions
• Lack of Power
• Deployed Solar power pack to provide 3 hour back
  up.
• Quality of power
• Developed step up stabiliser with capability of
  stepping up voltage from as low as 55 v to 215v.
• Higher battery charging current

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ELECTRICITY - ISSUES

• Solutions being sought
• Desktop PC which can operate in low voltages
• Low Cost Solar panel
• To address issues of corrosion in batteries.
• To recharge the batteries in shorter durations.
• Low cost equipment for Wind power.
• Feasibility of Fuel cell technology

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Monitoring

• Issues
• Tracking usage of computers by children
• Real time monitoring
• Solutions
• Pilot version of the Software to track usage of
  computers and access of content by children is
  under test.
• Proposed
• To deploy tracking software and provide for daily
  reporting of consolidated usage of computers
  through GSM/CDMA devices.
• Solutions sought
• Low cost devices/modems enabled to operate on
  both GSM/CDMA.

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COMPUTER UP TIME

• Solutions sought
• Diagnostic tools for early warning on health of
  PC.
• To Guide user on preventive maintenance
• System triggered warnings to supplier/ supervisor

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Technology for Teacher centric Content

• Solutions being sought
• Low Cost LCD Projectors/display equipment
• Low Maintenance costs.

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(Punjab)
(Rajasthan)
With Appropriate Technology we can reach 1
million schools and 200 million children
(Gujarat)
(Chattisgarh)
(Orissa)
(Maharashtra)
(Andhra Pradesh)
(Karnataka)
(Pondicherry)
(Andaman Nicobar)
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THANK YOU visit www.azimpremjifoundation.org