Visakhapatnam City Corporation partners with Google to provide smart classrooms to schools

Greater Visakhapatnam Smart City Corporation Limited (GVSCCL) on 28 June announced a three-year partnership with IL&FS Education and Technology Services Ltd, a premier partner of Google for Education , to provide holistic education solutions to the schools in this coastal city. IL&FS will provide solutions, including hardware, software, training and certification, to 31 schools. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the India Foundation Day for Smart Cities Mission here.The solution is in keeping with the Smart City mission to create internet-connected and future-ready classrooms. Google’s education offering enables the students to learn using open web technologies, including apps and interactive content, said a statement. The future classroom lab set-up blends the need of a digital classroom through the use of K-Yan, an integrated computer projector and personalised learning through the use of Chromebooks for each student. Under the partnership, the schools will be provided Chromebooks with GSuite for education. The content on the Chromebooks will be available in both English and Telugu. The devices come with Chrome Management Console (CMC) for managed and secure learning experiences for the students, when accessing the internet and professional development for teachers. “Under the Smart City initiative, our vision is to transform conventional classrooms by empowering teachers to integrate digital tools and aids seamlessly in their teaching process. Our aim is to accelerate learning for students and encourage creativity and critical thinking,” said M. Hari Narayanan, Managing Director and CEO, GVSCCL. “What’s coming next in technology will shape our future. We are committed to empowering schools and teachers with 21st-century learning skills of collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity,” said Bani Paintal Dhawan, Head of Education, Google India.