Technology Barrier Reduction Program

Introduction to ICT

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) happens to be the sine qua non of the present day society to catch up with the emerging trends and holds a lot of promise for posterity.

The State of Karnataka has gained world-wide recognition for being in the Vanguard of the revolution in Information and Communication Technology. It is all the more necessary for the State to produce bright scholars who are skilled in computers to meet the requirements of the present day society. Realizing this need Government of Karnataka in 2000 took a decision to introduce Information Technology in schools.

Computer Education and Computer based education was introduced in 1000 government secondary schools under the Mahithi Sindhu project, which was funded exclusively by the state. In addition, 150 government secondary schools under Revised CLASS project, 88 government secondary schools under the Eleventh Finance Commission project and 480 government secondary schools under ICT Phase-I project and 1571schools are covered under ICT Phase-II project in the State.

Vision statement, which translates:

The Objective is to build the needed capabilities to those who pursue higher education and necessary skills for those who desire to enter the world of work.
Our children who come out of the education system should also be physically strong and sound, intellectually competent, mentally and emotionally matured, intelligent, creative innovative and exploring.
Every child coming out of the secondary system will be a computer literate.
Physical qualities should include internally sound and disease free life, physical skills of work and play – reflecting learning to know and learning to do.
Intellectual skills would include displaying multiple intelligence, cognition, creativity and learning to know.
Emotional intelligence that promotes healthy social life and learning to live together.
Linking oneself and work to larger social, national, global goals.

Based on the vision statement as mentioned above, the Objectives of ICT projects are as follows:-

To establish an enabling environment to promote the usage of ICT in secondary Government schools in rural areas. To enable the rural students especially the scheduled Cast, scheduled Tribes, Backward class and minorities that to for girls to gain the complete knowledge of information technology and capacity building using the internet.
To enhance the learning levels of the students in Mathematics, social science, science and co-curricular activities using Information and communication Technologies.
To promote critical thinking and analytical skills by developing self learning. This shall transform the classroom environment from Teacher centric to Student centric Learning.
To enable students to acquire skills needed for the Digital world for higher studies and gainful employment.
To provide effective learning environment for children through Information Communication Technology (ICT) tools.
Capacity building of teacher for effective Teaching-Learning Process by using Information and Computer Technology tools.

ICT PHASE I : The Government of India in 2005 – 06 has approved ICT@ schools under phase I scheme in 480 schools and under Phase II scheme in 1571 schools in Karnataka state. With this the coverage of computer education program in the state has gone up to 3298 government secondary schools.

ICT@ Schools project Phase –II : The Government of India (G.o.No. FNo-11-20/2007 dated 27-09-2007) in 2005 – 06 has approved ICT@ schools scheme in 1571 schools in Karnataka state.

Program Objectives

Under this program, FAER intends to select ninety students from rural schools in Karnataka and provide them a one month summer internship. This program will be conducted at three premier engineering institutions. FAER intends to select about 90 students from rural schools in Karnataka (student from 9th standard or 8th standard) in association with DSERT, Govt. of Karnataka, and conduct 3 internship programs at each of selected institutions for a set of 30 students during summer 2014.The program will be of one month duration (21 April to 16 May 2014) during the summer holidays of schools. The main objective is to provide exposure of a good institution to rural based high school students. There are primarily three components of this program:

To provide a reasonable exposure to language – speaking and writing.
To provide exposure to some aspects of mathematics
To familiarize them with some gadgets and ways of living in an institution including several normal functions like eating in a mess, using libraries, living in a hostel, etc. The students will get some exposure to laboratories, sports facilities and other campus facilities.

Role of Premiere Engineering Institutions

The principal of each of the identified institution is designated as the Chairman of this program and he will be responsible for conducting this program at the respective institution.

The institute will identify one faculty coordinator and 6 student coordinators (including 2 girls) who will design, own and implement this program effectively. FAER will provide suitable honorarium to the identified coordinators at the end of the program. FAER can also pay suitable honorarium to all resource persons, who play a role in this program.

The institution needs to provide appropriate accommodation in hostel and mess facilities to a set of 30 school students and 2 teachers accompanying them on a chargeable basis. The period is expected to be 4 weeks during summer (21 April - 16 May 2014). FAER will make payment towards these facilities directly to the college.

The institute needs to ensure the safety and security of the students during the time of this program. The institute also needs to ensure appropriate access to amenities like health center, sports centers and library, associated with the institute and generally available to its students. The institute will conduct suitable inaugural and valedictory functions for this program.

Selection of Students

The selection of the students for this program will be done in association with the Director, Department of State Education Research and Training (DSERT), Govt. of Karnataka.

Students who are in 9th standard in rural Karnataka schools would be selected. A batch of 5-6 students will be selected from each school, based on merit. A few bright students currently pursuing 8th standard can also be considered based on the recommendation of schools / teachers. 50% of the students will be selected from general pool, another 20% from girls and rest 30% from disadvantaged groups (SC/ST).

Each batch of 30 students will also accompanied by 2 teachers (1 male and 1 female). Over all we will be requiring 3 male teachers and 3 female teachers to be associated with these 3 batches of internship students.

All selected students will get a small stipend in addition to their stay and mess expenses. They will be given a certificate of participation during the valedictory program at the completion of internship

Program Overview

The program will consist of some lectures, a lot of discussions, interactions, home work / assignments, video / DVD viewing, sports and visits to some labs. The student coordinators will act as a mentor for a group of five school interns. FAER and Motorola intend to provide some voluntary support in terms of specific lectures on some topics by identified volunteers, during the course of this program.

There will be weekly feedbacks received from student interns, student coordinators and faculty coordinators. A feedback report also will be received by the college Principals at the end of the program. At the end, all student coordinators, faculty coordinator and resource persons will get an appreciation certificate from FAER.

Tentative topics overview:

Mathematics - Algebra, solution of equations, calculus (based on 10 std curriculum)
Science - simple principles of electronics, Magnetism, electricity, mechanical etc.
English writing/Reading/Speaking – précis, Abstracts, describe some events like a Fest (Jathre), festival, biography about great personalities in field of science, freedom fighters, famous personalities, Magsaysay award winners.
Gadgets Instruments – Thermometer, Refrigerators, Motors, Phones incl. mobiles, Printers, UPS, modems, Construction materials, Solar water heating, solar lamps, wind mills, bio gas plants etc.
Nature – Need for Dams, Ecology of nature (Soil, water, forest, rain)
Medical – Blood groups, functioning of various organs
Practical – show difference between liters & Kilograms, Clinical Thermometer & Lab Thermometer
Others - water / energy/ resources conservation, health etc.

Followed by question & answers. Slots for games and sports and cultural programsto be included

Induction Program for Organizers

An induction program will be conducted for all persons involved with the program. The main objectives are, to explain the working of this program, the methodologies involved, activity planning and sensitization. This will be conducted by Motorola volunteers in the respective colleges on the day of inauguration, 21st April 2014

Committee

Prof. D. K. Subramanian will be the program chairman and will be assisted by a steering committee. Steering and organizing committee members comprise of principals of the participating colleges, volunteers from FAER and Motorola solutions and few noted educationalists from Industry. The steering committee during its meeting would recommend a program structure for the overall internship program, based on the stated objectives. However, the program at each institute will be designed and delivered by the identified coordinators to suit the overall framework identified by the steering committee. The organizing committee will support the steering committee to ensure smooth operation of the program.

Roles & Responsibilities

Faculty coordinator The Faculty coordinator with the support of 6 student coordinators will design, own and implement this program effectively will also ensure the following:

Program implementation

Availability of faculty for the various classes
Availability of lab instructors
Ensuring the conduct of classes as per syllabus
Ensuring the conduct of classes as per schedule
Aware of the student interns at all times during the program.

Facilitating

Stay and learning & safety of the student interns
Stay of the accompanying teachers
Handling any support requirements

Student coordinator : The student coordinators in addition to increasing the comfort levels and mentoring of the interns will also ensure the following

Guiding the student interns in their stay and learning
Mentoring the student interns to follow the safety and security procedures of the hosting institute
Mentoring the student interns in utilizing the amenities of the institutes
Being available for any clarification / support / emergency requirements of the student interns
Assist them in labs
Support them in learning language and communications skills.
To ensure that the student interns stick to their class schedules.

Care Taker / Hostel Wardens for Student Interns : The accompanying care taker in addition to monitor the overall well being of their student interns will have to ensure the following:

To engage them and help the student interns in case of any home sickness.
To ensure that the student interns stick to the rules and regulations of the hostel faculty.
To ensure that they are aware of their student interns at all times during the program
To facilitate communication of the students, if required, with their parents/guardians

Student Interns : The Student interns in addition to ensuring 100% attendance have to ensure the following:

To always inform their accompanying teachers about their whereabouts
To never to leave the premises without appropriate permission and accompanying teachers or student coordinators
To get back to class rooms and hostel rooms as per said timelines
To intimate either the accompanying teachers or student coordinators in case of any sickness or difficulty at any time during the internship
To never to indulge in any form of activity which violates the rules and regulations of the institute.