IIT-Madras to teach students in rural UP via online classes

The effort attempts to close the ‘knowledge gap’ that has grown as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak. The lessons include the foundations of languages as well as mathematics and science.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation has joined with ‘Vidya Shakti,’ an OpenMentor effort to educate children in rural Uttar Pradesh using online lessons and virtual reality. Softsmith Infotech Private Limited’s CSR project is OpenMentor.

The effort attempts to close the ‘knowledge gap’ that has grown as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak. The lessons include the foundations of languages as well as mathematics and science. The idea has already been implemented in 100 villages in the Varanasi district, with sessions offered in Hindi medium for pupils in classes 6 and 8.

The use of numerous technologies has boosted student retention. STEM teachers will bring VR headsets to courses so that students may ‘act’ on educational information and ‘feel’ the surroundings (the subject) through sensors.

Short 3D films are used to demonstrate ideas in Science and Mathematics. The visualisation sessions are made interactive through question and answer sessions to make the experience more memorable for pupils.

By ‘telling’ responses during Q & A, students will quickly acquire more responsiveness, communication and engagement. For each session, the STEM instructor will bring three to four VR devices and will visit one school in the morning and one in the afternoon.

The concept will be briefly introduced to the students before they are requested to watch the VR films in small groups. IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation is the institute’s technological innovation centre. It is a non-profit organisation supported by the Government of India’s Department of Science and Technology.