Intel, Karnataka Govt Launch 'Computers On Wheels'

Intel India and the Government of Karnataka’s Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), announced the launch of Computers On Wheels, an e-learning pilot program, in five districts across Karnataka. The pilot will include digital instruction materials from Educomp. A total of five Government Higher Primary Schools in Karwar, Mysore, Davanagere, Yadgir and Bangalore Rural districts will be covered by this pilot.

The program enables teachers to utilise a variety of learning strategies and tools to cater to the diverse learning styles and abilities of students, making education more engaging and inclusive for all.

The initiative is based on the Intel Learning Series, an education solution, including infrastructure, hardware, software, content, training and support, designed to deliver one-on-one e-learning in classrooms that is matched to local needs.

More from Biztech

Future Group - Reliance Retail Deal approved by CCI RBI ban on cryptocurrencies takes effect; prohibition could force investors to tap the black market

Intel and Educomp plan to support a repository of digital instruction materials, consisting of animated, lesson-specific multimedia modules, mapped to meet the specific objectives laid out by different state learning standards. The curriculum provided for this project will cover key concepts in mathematics, science and English. One-on-one teaching and learning tools will be provided in the Kannada language.

Under the Computers On Wheels approach, netbooks are housed in a cart that can be moved between classrooms as needed. The cart is used to both store and charge the netbooks, and provides a wireless access point. Computers On Wheels brings technology into classrooms where it can be utilised to teach students core subjects and provide teachers with access to laptops to develop and deliver lesson plans. The program utilises technology as a tool to transform teaching and learning through teacher professional development and creating a localised digital curriculum, laying the foundation for twenty-first century skills.

“Advances in technology continue to transform how we live, work, play, and learn. Intel is committed to making education accessible and engaging for all students. Computers on Wheels offers a highly effective one-to-one e-learning environment, enabling teachers to impart twenty-first century skills, such as critical thinking, analytical skills, problem solving and communication and collaboration skills, in an engaging manner, motivating students to attend classes and thus improve student retention,” said R. Ravichandran, Director-Sales, Intel South Asia.

“This is a very useful mechanism to enhance student learning by integrating innovative teaching methods in the schools of Karnataka,” said Shri Visvesvara Hegde Kageri, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Government of Karnataka. “The Government of Karnataka along with Intel is enabling a learning system that provides a more engaging, interesting and experiential form of teaching and learning through smart use of technology,” he added.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Intel on the Computers On Wheels pilot program. Educomp’s high-quality curriculum and digital content in local Kannada language will help create an engaging, multimedia environment in the classrooms in the government schools. Along with our resource management and effective monitoring, this will allow teachers and students access to cutting-edge technology resources to assist core teaching as well as help develop much needed 21st century skills in students like collaborative learning and problem solving,” said Soumya Kanti, President, Edureach (Educomp’s ICT Division).