Rakesh Mishra, a 13-year-old student in Bherunda village in Nagaur district Rajasthan is just learning how Rakesh Mishra, a 13-year-old student in Bherunda village in Nagaur district Rajasthan is just learning how a heart dissection of a toad is to be done. But his hands are not messy nor does he feel disgusted watching a heart dissection of a toad is to be done. But his hands are not messy nor does he feel disgusted watching the procedure. He is, in fact, watching the whole process on the screen using a digital classroom in his the procedure. He is, in fact, watching the whole process on the screen using a digital classroom in his school. Mishra may be disappointed that he belongs to a lesser known village, but is delighted that he can school. Mishra may be disappointed that he belongs to a lesser known village, but is delighted that he can avail of ICT enabled solutions in
avail of ICT enabled solutions in his village classroom similar to hhis village classroom similar to his urban peers. is urban peers. Digital classroom serviceDigital classroom service providers including Educomp Solutions, Pearson Education Service, Tata Interactive Systems (TIS) and providers including Educomp Solutions, Pearson Education Service, Tata Interactive Systems (TIS) and Birla Shloka Edutech have percolated into the non-metro regions of India to provide such services. Birla Shloka Edutech have percolated into the non-metro regions of India to provide such services. "We have customers across Tier
"We have customers across Tier 1, Tier 2 and smaller 1, Tier 2 and smaller towns also. towns also. Schools whether big or smSchools whether big or small haveall have realised the power of getting multimedia based content to support the teaching in the class room," said realised the power of getting multimedia based content to support the teaching in the class room," said Meena Ganesh, MD and CEO, Pearson Education Service. Ganesh also added that since they offered Meena Ganesh, MD and CEO, Pearson Education Service. Ganesh also added that since they offered solutions to schools on a build operate transfer mode, the affordability is very high. The schools acquire the solutions to schools on a build operate transfer mode, the affordability is very high. The schools acquire the solution over a 3 or 5-year c
solution over a 3 or 5-year contract period through a monthly payment basiontract period through a monthly payment basis. This typically is in the range s. This typically is in the range of of Rs 100 to 150 per student per month.
Rs 100 to 150 per student per month.
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Digital classrooms open a new chapter in schoolsDigital classrooms open a new chapter in schools
The total market size for digital classrooms was an estimated 3000 crores in 2011 and is expected to grow The total market size for digital classrooms was an estimated 3000 crores in 2011 and is expected to grow at over 25% this year, according
at over 25% this year, according to Abhinav Dhar, Director K 12, Eto Abhinav Dhar, Director K 12, Educomp Solutions. He informed thatducomp Solutions. He informed that there is still potential for digitizing over 800,000 classrooms among the smaller towns. This is not just there is still potential for digitizing over 800,000 classrooms among the smaller towns. This is not just restricted to private schools, but Smartclass pilots are also underway in some government schools. restricted to private schools, but Smartclass pilots are also underway in some government schools. Educomp's Smartclass, the digital classroom solution has been adopted by over 10,000 schools across Educomp's Smartclass, the digital classroom solution has been adopted by over 10,000 schools across cities/small towns and rural areas spread across 560 districts in the country. Besides metros, large cities cities/small towns and rural areas spread across 560 districts in the country. Besides metros, large cities and towns, Smartclass is present in schools even in little known places like Bherunda (Rajasthan), Barot and towns, Smartclass is present in schools even in little known places like Bherunda (Rajasthan), Barot (Himachal Pradesh) and Samba (Jammu & Kashmir) among others. Today over 70% of Educomp
(Himachal Pradesh) and Samba (Jammu & Kashmir) among others. Today over 70% of Educomp
Smartclass adoptions are taking place in schools in Tier 2/3/4 cities and deep rural countryside, said Dhar. Smartclass adoptions are taking place in schools in Tier 2/3/4 cities and deep rural countryside, said Dhar. The child centric concept in classrooms is what has prompted schools to adopt this technology believed N The child centric concept in classrooms is what has prompted schools to adopt this technology believed N Srikrishna, Managing Director, Birla Shloka Edutech. The company which has offered ICT solutions to 542 Srikrishna, Managing Director, Birla Shloka Edutech. The company which has offered ICT solutions to 542 tribal schools across Maharashtra and are present in 200 private schools in the state, now are looking to tribal schools across Maharashtra and are present in 200 private schools in the state, now are looking to expand in the nearby regions of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Pondicherry. The company gets expand in the nearby regions of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Pondicherry. The company gets 40% revenue from technology solutions.
40% revenue from technology solutions.
Birla Shloka Edutech, going a step further, is planning to build 100 plus schools across India enabled with Birla Shloka Edutech, going a step further, is planning to build 100 plus schools across India enabled with digital classrooms. Srikrishna further added that to
digital classrooms. Srikrishna further added that to make the solutions affordable, the company has make the solutions affordable, the company has twotwo different school solutions. One is the 'Open-Mind' schools for the affordable category and other is the different school solutions. One is the 'Open-Mind' schools for the affordable category and other is the Shloka schools for the affluent category. Both the schools would have hi-tech classroom solutions. Shloka schools for the affluent category. Both the schools would have hi-tech classroom solutions. The potential of the market is so high, that even big corporate players like TIS are aiming for deeper The potential of the market is so high, that even big corporate players like TIS are aiming for deeper
penetration. Rajesh Shethia, Head-Sales & Marketing-Schools Division at TIS explained that they are looking to extend the solutions to each and every district in the coming years. They have even started getting 50% revenue from Tier 3 and Tier 4 regions. "It is a logical step. Availability of decent teachers in smaller towns has always been an issue. Therefore, it makes sense for teachers and parents to go for these solutions instead of shifting the child to a larger town for education," he explained. The content
offered is customised to the needs of the particular school, to be able to meet their particular requirements. On an average, the cost per classroom is Rs 5,000 per month and if the whole school is to be digitised, it may cost about Rs 1 crore. Players see smaller towns going for overall digitisation, rather than single classroom digitisation. "This is, inspite of the fact that the costs for the solutions, in small towns and big cities being the same," added Shethia.
Challenges are also present in these markets, said industry players. Internet connectivity, to enable cloud solutions has been a major challenge, according to Shethia of TIS. Getting the infrastructure down to these areas is another challenge cited by the players. But, the acceptance overshadows the challenge. "Three years back, schools in smaller towns were averse to the whole concept. Now atleast they are open to it," opined Shethia.
The service providers, however, believe that this is not the end. "There are close to 15 lakhs government schools and 1 lakh private schools in the country. Out of this, only 7-10% of the private schools have tapped the potential of multimedia classroom teaching whereas in government schools, it has barely made any inroads," Dhar concluded.
http://smartinvestor.business-standard.com/market/story-117550-storydet-Digital_classrooms_move_deeper_into_India.htm
Digital classrooms: The future of young India
Kalpana Pathak / Mumbai Feb 21, 2011, 00:47 IST
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Keeping pace with students who are becoming more tech-savvy, schools in India are taking
to the concept of digital classrooms
—
a new education technology that assists teachers with
course-ware and maintenance support in digital format.
When Mrinalini Kaura, the principal of Venkateshwar International School (VIS) in Dwarka,
New Delhi, heard of this concept, she did not think twice before digitising 45 classrooms.
Barely a few months into revamping the classrooms, Kaura was so impressed with the
results that she plans to implement it in the remaining 23 classes of her school.
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Lenovo tablet launch in next two quartersKaura says she sees digital classrooms as the way ahead for all schools because it makes both
teaching and learning simple: Better assessment system, real-time paper evaluation and
abstract concepts made easy to understand.
VIS is not the only success story with Educomp Solution’s smartclass in i ts classrooms. Several schools in Ludhiana – including Kundan Vidya Mandir, Satpaul School and BCM School – too, have caught up with the trend and are experimenting with technology to impart knowledge to up to class VIII students.
Educomp, till a few years ago, was the only player in the digital classroom segment, but today the market has over half-a-dozen players – like Everonn Education, EdServe Softsystem, Core Projects and Technologies, NIIT and Manipal K-12 Education – who have made learning easy through IT-enabled systems.
There’s no denying the fact that schools and educational institutions are waking up to the opportunity of IT-based solutions and service providers are reckoning its potential.
Chennai-based Everonn Education lists its growth plans for its i School. ―This segment will see huge growth in the days to come. At present, we are in 1,370 schools. We plan to take that number to 5,000 schools over the next three years,‖ says P Kishore, founder and managing director of Everonn Education.
Educomp has 5,534 schools – including Delhi Public School and Bal Bharti in New Delhi – and 3.9 million students using its Smartclass solution.
The digital classroom services include: setting up of infrastructure and technology in schools; providing digitised course-ware and maintenance support to teachers; educating teachers and the management on technology usage and conduct special interactive sessions, sometimes through VSAT.
The market has evolved with the Central government’s move to fund Sarva Siksha Abhiyaan for ICT@Schools programme with a Rs 15 lakh per district per year budget. Under the government’s Technology in Education Initiative, out of a total 10,00,000 schools in the country, the programme will cover 6,42,600 schools at the primary, upper primary and secondary levels.
Every school will have a server, five PCs, printer and internet connectivity. State governments will outsource installation andmaintenance of hardware, content and training to a private party. The information and
communication technology (ICT) business is tender-based. It functions under the build/own/operate/transfer model.
Many service providers are using the powerful channel of 3D animation videos to explain concepts like formation of block-mountains or volcanic formation. And, schools are using the available technology to explain and simplify concepts in subjects like Chemistry, Physics, History, Biology and Science. ―The key is t o make learning as interactive as possible,‖ says Kaura.
According to analysts, visually improved presentation through use of graphics increases students’ interests in classrooms. With more and more companies realising the potential, analysts expect the market to grow ten times in the next five years. ICT inflows t o private-sector players is pegged at around Rs 4,500 crore by March 2012. The service charges vary for each player. For instance, while Educomp charges between Rs 155 and Rs 160 per student per month (for an average class comprising 40 students), Everonn charges Rs 15,000 for one classroom. Everonn, however, provides a 50 per cent subsidy if it caters to the needs of more than five classrooms in a school. Industry experts believe that by March 2013 around 200,000 public schools will be able to offer computer training to their students.
While Educomp did not divulge how much it s pends on digitising an existing classroom, Everonn said renovating each classroom costs between Rs 60,000 and Rs 100,000.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/digital-classroomsfutureyoung-india/425889/ 25thjune 2012-06-25
BANGALORE: Children sitting with books open in front of them while
the teacher scribbles on the board - that's a typical image of any
classroom. For generations, schools have meant books - a lot of books.
But that seems set to change. Loaded schoolbags and crammed library
shelves are set to make way for laptopsand tablets.
Some Bangalore schools are going digital, dispensing with textbooks and
printed material. Among these is Indus International School.
"All our content is online and digital. So when a student enters
the classroom, instead of looking at the blackboard, she opens her
teacher's webpage and goes to the day's lesson. She can also access the
student activity guide, open a document on her desktop and start
working from there," says Sarojini Rao, principal of Indus International
School.
Students are provided notebooks with all the course material uploaded.
They can browse the web for additional information.
"The traditional way of learning through textbooks no longer exists in
our school. Children open laptops, not textbooks. We want to do away
with textbooks. For this, the mindset of parents and teachers needs to
change. We have provided textbooks to students for occasional
reference, but they do not carry these to the classroom. We are slowly
reaching that point. It's more like a homoeopathic dose of medicines
rather than a surgical dose," says Rao.
Information in books gets outdated, whereas online information is
constantly updated, say school authorities.
"While studying from a textbook, you cannot play videos or look at
relevant pictures and reference material simultaneously. Going digital
will enable kids to use such facilities," says Mansoor Ali Khan, member,
board of management, Delhi Public School (DPS). All branches of DPS
will completely do away with textbooks from the next academic year.
"The process is on. We will distribute tablets with applications that will
be used to upload the course material. Many publishers are working with
children from classes I to class VI," says Khan. The tablets will be
available on installments.
The school is replacing 5 lakh volumes in its library with an e-library.
In Ebenezer International School, it's only the library books that are
being digitized. "We are digitizing our library first. We may do away with
textbooks in the future. Doing away with all printed stuff right now will
be too early," says Indrani Sudarshan, the school's director, academics.
Way forward
The move is definitely a way forward. As far people's reaction to the shift
is concerned, voices were raised even when we moved from palm leaves
to textbooks. No doubt, that it will be more engaging and absorbing. But
care should be taken to give more importance to the content, and not to
the carrier (laptop or tablet). Moreover, now that we are back to LCD
and LED screens, what worries me is the harmful effect it can have on
the eyes of youngsters.
The increasing use of digital technology in course curriculums has been
instrumental in presenting different perspectives to students and
widening the reach of education. In the mass communication course
offered by St Xavier's College, we teach filmmaking and the changes that
have occurred in this field will illustrate my viewpoint. The phasing out
of celluloid and the advent of digital video has led to filmmaking
becoming more affordable and open to experimentation. Previously the
marginal groups who had no access to such a medium can now present
and propagate their viewpoint.
Handycams and mobile cameras have made it easier for people to film
and represent their point of view by uploading it on social networking
sites like Facebook and YouTube or post a link on blogs. Several groups
ranging from alternate sexuality, women's groups and marginalised
sections of society have been able to voice their ideas. It is important for
students to learn this 'other' point of view which is opposed to the
mainstream voice.
The chalk and talk medium of teaching which might become obsolete in
the next 20 years is now being complemented with digital technology. If
the mode of delivering education used to be preachy, now it is
interactive. This is the era of liquid information where information can
no longer be rigidly structured. Many private colleges have virtual
classrooms which use digital technology such as 3G connections to reach
out to towns and rural villages where the teacher cannot be present
physically.
Though familiarity with digital media is a prerequisite for students of
journalism and mass communication, it is advisable for students from
other streams as well. At St Xavier's, the English, History and Sociology
departments use digital films made by alternative groups as references.
For example, a film made by Dalit groups can be screened for
sociological studies.
Digital technology has helped us to move forward, people are writing
their copies on the computer then mailing it across it in no time. The
earlier concept of a layout room with artists from the paste-up
department manually cutting and pasting copies is outdated. Nowadays,
pages are made digitally by sub-editors making news faster and it is also
possible to make changes at the last minute before the copy goes to
print.
We provide journalistic education with more emphasis on application
than theory as students need to understand the dynamics of the market
and do hands-on work. An important component of the course is
pagemaking where they learn page-making on QuarkXPress along with
Photoshop and Corel PaintShop Pro as the design element is crucial. We
also teach them web-hosting where they learn how to work on a website
as epapers as all newspapers have become digitised. It gives them a head
start over others when they graduate.
The scope of digital technology is immense in all fields and it also makes
the subjects more interesting. The use of ICT in education has become an
integral part of the academic curriculum and this phenomenon is here to
stay.
JAIPUR: Instead of a teacher's monologue explaining the food-chain of animals,
these day sclassrooms are abuzz with video clips streaming on YouTube. Students are
more comfortable in giving power-point presentations and audio-visual techniques
while teachers make most of the 3D images to explain the toughest of lessons.
Welcome to the world of digital classrooms in schools which are slowly, but steadily
replacing the traditional classrooms having chalks and blackboard.
About a decade ago, one dreamt and talked of 'open-air classrooms' for better
learning. The closed room teaching with teachers scribbling on black boards was
much criticised. However, that was then. The rooms might be the same but the
environment within the rooms has changed completely. The conventional
black- board has made way for digital equipment, making the learning process not just
more colourful but also more interesting.
Pearl Singh, a Class XII (commerce) student of Maharani Gayatri Devi School,
observed that the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system is good
for students who are consistent in studies. "This system has partly put an end to
mugging of lessons and jotting notes. It has more scope for students to sharpen their
creativity and showcase skills in different spectrums. I found it far interesting and
easy to understand the subjects than the earlier form of textbook learning,'' says
Pearl.
To make education more interactive and learning a fun experience, many schools are
opting for Information and Communication Technology-enabled smart classes where
digital black boards, audio-visual rooms and interactive sessions have replaced
traditional blackboards and textbooks. The tech-savvy students not only enjoy their
studies through these methodologies but keenly participate in the learning process.
Audio-visual rooms, e-boards and knowledge centres are adding a new dimension to
the teaching style.
"Smart classes have changed the process of learning. These days it is happening more
through screens -- be it television, laptop or films. Students are very quick in learning
new technologies and if they are used to impart education, it enhances the
understanding of the concepts. Also, students do not want to hear teacher all the
time. There has to be a bit extra to keep them hook. Technology help s in that," said
Seema Bhatnagar, principal, Delhi Public School.
Use of technology is not restricted just to classrooms. Teachers are using social
networking sites and emails to engage with their students and parents. The
assignments are now accepted through emails. Groups are made on Facebook to keep
the students updated about classes and school activities. Similarly, students are using
it to upload interesting videos and articles about topics of their interest on the group
page and share it with everyone.
"We allow our students to submit their assignments through emails. It saves paper
and students also find it easy. We also encourage them do more research and find
various dimensions of the particular topics on internet. In the periods at smart
classes, the attention of the students is very high. Digital learning gives the exact
reproduction of the concept," said Bela Joshi, principal, Subodh Public School.
Viewing the change, the libraries in schools are also getting IT enabled. With every
textbook, a CD version is also available for students. Smart cards have made inroads
which keep track of books issued online. "Administration of books is done through
software. This help us in making list of popular books and keep a tab on the reading
trends among children. The ebooks are all available online," said Jayshree Periwal,
director-principal of Step By Step group of schools.
Educationists feel that teachers act more as facilitators, while ICT provides
elementary and sometimes even detailed understanding of subjects. With a shift in
learning process, it is not just students who are learning but teachers too often learn
from their students. "With students quick in adapting to modern technology, very
soon they will lead the classroom discussion and tell teachers what is happening
around," added Bhatnagar.
Going out of tradition is hard-hitting and resistive on Indian mindsets. Developing human
capability through education technologies is yet to catch up in India. digitalLearning
brings out a comprehensive reportage of IWB market scenario in India. Equipped with
perspective of service providers and education stake holders we bring out the
emphasising on the status of IWB usage in India and level of acceptance among
educators. Read on to get an in depth analysis of overall global trends and how IWBs
have impacted the Indian education sector
India's Education sector is likely to step up its IT spending to about USD 704 million in 2012,
reflecting in a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 19 percent during 2007-2012 says the
Springboard research report. Traditional education system has undergone a vast change moving
out of the era of the blackboard, classroom and conventional methods of teaching to a more
intelligent, digitised and smarter way of imparting knowledge. One of the major tools emerged in
this changed education system is interactive whiteboard. According to Future Source Consulting,
an independent global research company that tracks interactive whiteboard sales, about 7,500
(Rs 75 crore in value terms) IWBs were sold in India in 2009. The agency projects this to touch
28,000 units (Rs280 crore) this year and 70,000 (Rs 700 crore) in the next.
The Indian education segment has realised the potential and effectiveness of imparting
knowledge through technology, more and more institutes are adopting interactive whiteboards
and various audio-visual techniques like projectors and LCDs. Interactive Whiteboards in the
Indian education system has started playing instrumental in enhanced teaching experience.
However, the market is still in the nascent stage but almost majority of schools and higher
education are showing interest in Interactive Whiteboards into their classroom. Metro cities have
grasped the IWB technology very well.
Interactive Whiteboards help teachers to record sessions and share them with students. IWB
have tools for presentation like spotlight, snapshot, reveal, sharing. Using the software, teacher
can write, draw and annotate on its surface and navigates the computer functions from
interactive whiteboard with finger or pen. This powerful versatile teaching tool allows electronic
files to be used later for repeated sessions or mails to absent student as an attachment. The
software has a built in library of images on different subjects which the teachers can use into
their lessons.IWB enables the user to draw, write or making notes, drag and mark up onto the
surface controlling the PC. Looking at the lurching market third party research has shown that
students and teachers around the world are benefiting from the use of interactive whiteboards
and are witness to increased student engagement, learner retention and motivation, improved
test scores and attendance are among few of the results.
There are various types of interactive whiteboards and devices available in the Indian market.
Interactive white boards are boards which are truly interactive by nature and Devices help in
converting normal LCD screens to interactive whiteboard. IR (Infra Red) interactive whiteboard
uses infra red beam to make the board touch sensitive. A resistive membrane board consists of
two resistive sheets separated by air gap. Electromagnetic Board is composed of grid of wires,
operated with stylus.
about 7,500 interactive whiteboard were sold in India in 2009. The agency projects this to touch
28,000 units (Rs280 crore) this year and 70,000 (Rs 700 crore) in the next
Whiteboard market in India is divided broadly into four categories: Branded boards, Chinese
boards, and Indian boards and Devices players.
eInstruction, Genee, Hitachi, Panasonic, Promethean, Samsung, SMART come under branded
segment. In Chinese segment, Zoulong has been doing well in the Indian market. Globus
Infocom is the Indian player predominantly catering to the government vertical. Mimio and
eBeam offers devices to the market to convert LCDs into interactive boards.
Emerging Technologies for 21st Century Learning
The future of the IWB is vivid. More and more players are coming in with innovative technology and solutions. Here are some latest solutions are about to hit the market.
Cybernetyx:Cybernetyx plans to launch interactive, multi-touch 77 inches video wall for the education and government vertical at affordable prices significantly lower than generic video walls. Cybernetyx is planning to launch its interactive video wall ONFINIA I nteractive Video Walls with rear projection and multi touch
technology in the fourth week of April in India and Germany. However, the solution is deployed in some premium schools in the country.
Mimio:It converts ordinary whiteboard into an interactive whiteboard – instantly. The MimioTeach interactive system is a device in a compact bar shape which is to be placed on existing whiteboard. It connects computer to a standard projector. It makes everything accessible on a computer from a whiteboard. It also lets the teacher create engaging lessons with MimioStudio software.
ScienTech: ScienTech has launched eBeam Engage. Their interactive whiteboard device combines more than ten multimedia and navigation tools in one sleek console to make lesson delivery effective and fun. Wireless keyboard eliminates need to toggle between computer and interactive surface combined with high fidelity JBL speakers.
SMART:SMART plans to launch its latest interactive and intuitive product SB885 ix in July. It enhance the power of collaborative learning by enabling two users to instantly and easily work on its surface at the same time using their fingers or a pen. The integrated system combines an interactive whiteboard with an ultra-short-throw projector that virtually eliminates shadows and glare, a multiuser Pen Tray and a control panel that enables teachers to manage all classroom technology products from the front of the classroom.
Clarity :ONFINITY Portable Interactive Whiteboard System Model CM2 Max helps to convert whiteboard, projection screen, plasma or wall into an interactive whiteboard instantly with help of existing multimedia projector.
Leading Players
(In an alphabetical Order)
Aveco: Aveco offers include the most basic features to the most sophisticated technology which
are for the customer's benefit and substantial value
Clarity: Clarity India Learning Solutions is a subsidiary of Young India Films, and focuses on
Primary, Montessori and Secondary Education. They offer activity based learning offering high
quality teaching learning material.
Cybernetyx: Cybernetyx's approach is to introduce further newer devices, and disruptive
technology in the learning space. ―The rapid benchmarks esta
blished by our EyeRIS interactive
systems in such a small time, in terms of the user acceptance, and technological breakthroughs,
would be made incrementally progressive in the other parallel devices and technologies from
Cybernetyx. One of the major fundamentals of the Natural User Interface paradigm of
Cybernetyx's Visual Touch technology is ―creation through collaboration‖ enabling collaborative and distance learning through the cloud,‖ informed Nishant
S. Rajawat, Director-Technology
(APAC), Cybernetyx India
Disprovisual: DISPRO interactive boards are made with latest American E-Beam technology,
needs multimedia DLP or LCD projector and a USB port to convert in to interactive whiteboard.
eBeam: The ebeam is a dongle that converts any flat surface into IWB. It's at the centre of many
IWBs on the market and uses IR signals for input. It accepts input from a battery powered pen. It
needs calibration of the board.
Genee: Genee have comparatively low price complete classroom solutions including visualises
and slates.
Globus: It is an Indian manufacturer and their IWBs are reasonably priced.
Hitachi: Hitachi Starboard offers good quality in terms of robustness, accuracy and warranty; it
allows interaction from finger and pen. It allows two handed interaction allowing up to nine people
to use the board simultaneously. It can use dry wipe marker on the board.
Mimio: Mimio offers devices that convert normal LCD into IWB. It accepts input from a
battery-powered pen along with handwriting recognition.
Promethean: Promethean ActivBoards offer interactive whiteboard solutions. Interactive
whiteboards are a key component to Promethean's all-in-one 21st century classroom solution:
The ActivClassroom. Promethean offers a range of interactive whiteboard solutions to meet
needs of today's classroom.
Samsung: Samsung India Electronics (P) Ltd recently unveiled its solutions for the education
segment with latest display solutions and customised applications on the Galaxy tab making the
classroom room experience more interactive.
Teachers the world over are respected because of their ability to mould students and prepare them for the future. Students are a big part of society, as they hold the key to the future. It is, therefore, very important that they are molded into individuals that will contribute to the advancement of society. This can be a difficult task, as students have a mind of their own, and are constantly trying to exercise their free will. It can also be difficult for them to follow instructions, as at this age, almost everyone does not see the importance of school and gaining an education. Sometimes teachers have to get some help from teaching tools and devices such as interactive whiteboards, Internet. The use of whiteboards resources, such as Dell interactive whiteboard, help to effectively teach children, and prepare them for the future.
The first thing that will become obvious after the adoption of an interactive whiteboard is how much simpler the presentation process will become. Presentations need to be clear and
precise in order for them to be effective, and an interactive whiteboard will help the teacher achieve exactly this.
Interactive whiteboards also save valuable time. There are programs and softwares that allow the teacher to get to notes instantly. Many modern w hiteboards allow the user to capture notes and save them on to a hard drive and can be accessed simply by the click of a mouse. This gives the teacher the ability to access notes faster, thus leaving more t ime for teaching.
The use of interactive whiteboards in schools also saves money in the long term. The
interactive whiteboards can easily pay for themselves in a considerably short period of time. Productivity in schools is increased due to the advantages of using these whiteboards, and more emphasis can be added to the learning process.
Using interactive whiteboard resources make learning fun for students. Many students, especially those in their teens, do not feel that they need to be in school in the first place, and so it is essential that teachers effectively capture their attention. Because interactive whiteboards incorporate the use of images, the students' attention is drawn to the topic being discussed. Images are also much easier to remember than words, and this puts students in a better position when it comes to exams.
There are many more advantages attached to the use of interactive whiteboard resources. It is important that schools take advantage of these tools, to ensure more effective learning. The whiteboards are readily available and relatively cheap, and their use is a good addition to any learning institution.
Rajeev Singh, Country Head & GM, BenQ India talks about the role of Projectors in
enhancing teaching-learning outcomes
Rajeev
Singh
Country Head & GM, BenQ India
Please give an overview of projector for education market in India? What part of your projector business comes from education?
Technology adaptation in India is happening at a very rapid pace, BenQ is leading the charge
with its futuristic technologies and products customized for the Indian market. Projectors are
used in India in a big way in the education sector for schools & professional institute. Our
education system is evolving with digitization of content which makes it simpler for students to
learn new things with high level of retention. In the education industry the trend started with
SVGA projectors. However due to advances in Short throw technology and our constant
promotion of the same, the trend has now started to favour Short Throw projectors due to
inherent advantages in a classroom environment.
The projector market in India is growing at an annual rate of 75 percent over the last three years.
Our market share under the projector category business in India is more that 20 percent, we
have more than more than 35 percent market share in education segment and are clear leaders.
Education is contributing to 50percent of our total projector business, hence is the most important
vertical. In the year 2011 we installed projectors in more than 20000 class rooms which in itself
tells that BenQ has been the choice of educationists.
Please comment on the factors driving the Projector market in Education.
The market size for digital classrooms is likely to touch almost 1,00,000 classrooms with a
phenomenal growth rate of more than 100 percent in the recent years. This trend is expected to
continue for the next several years. While private schools and colleges are going for a digital
classroom concept for each of their classrooms, in government schools, trend is to make atleast
one classroom digital. However, it will still take few years to reach a high level of adoption as
sheer number of schools itself is very high, with government school number touching 15 lacs
while private schools are almost 1 lac.
The way education is delivered and the importance it has in developing modern India is driving
the changes in the educational set up. Also, globalisation is effective in bringing the latest
teaching methodologies and tools to Indian market. The latest teaching delivery mechanism
includes the student having a networked computer at his disposal, fully networked classrooms,
multimedia method of delivery and study content in soft form. The class rooms are becoming
connected in real time and interactive in nature
What is the role of BenQ in this space?
