The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Making education inclusive socially

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Friday, Mar 04, 2011
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Making education inclusive socially

R. Ravikanth Reddy

HYDERABAD: Inclusiveness is the mantra these days and the Central government has been harping on making education inclusive from a social point of view. But schools in India, particularly in the private sector have been raising a different kind of inclusiveness – that of technology where creativity, logical thinking and innovation find an important place right from kindergarten.

User-friendly

With the user-friendly technology now easily available and accessible, the votaries have increased for using it to make this generation children understand it easily and effectively. Creating 21st century learning environment in schools is the solution not only to meet make education inclusive socially but also make them globally acceptable and competitive.

Among the many supporters to the argument is Chitra Ravi, Founder and CEO of EZ Vidya and a banker turned educationist. She feels 21st century learning environment is created when there is a seamless integration of three important elements -- 21st century curriculum, technology and a teacher who is both ‘Hi-Tech' and ‘Hi-Touch'. She was sharing these views with a section of school principals in the city recently.

Role of teacher

The role of teacher is extremely important and so is their training to prepare the children for the global environment. Making teachers think before they attempt to create a thinking classroom is the key to creating the next century learning environment.

Having presented several research papers on various aspects of teaching and learning process at national and international conferences, Chitra asks whether what is taught and learnt in today's classrooms would be relevant and useful for the learner.

An outcome of her agony is EZ Vidya that emphasises the point, “Let the child blossom.” Chrysalis, EZ Vidya's ICT curriculum concept is now being followed in more than 300 schools covering more than two lakh children. Moreover, about 3,500 teachers have also got their perspective changed with it.

New age teachers believe creativity, collaboration, conceptualisation and being connected are the demands of the future and children should be trained in learning and innovation skills, life and career skills, information and technology skills and global awareness.

S. Ganesh, Director, EZ Vidya says Chrysalis addresses various kinds of talent present in students using technology like spreadsheets, programming, presentation and data manipulation so that children can express their natural abilities effectively.

As E.Prasada Rao, Chairman of Paramita Group of Institutions, Karimnagar points out, “The programme is child-friendly and promotes thinking abilities.”

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