Internet, technology to be integral teaching tools in state board schools

Teachers will soon use the Internet and computers as integral teaching tools for classes IX to XII in state board schools across Maharashtra, reports Serena Menon.

Teachers will soon use the Internet and computers as integral teaching tools for classes IX to XII in state board schools across Maharashtra.

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For instance, instead of having to plot a graph manually for the oscillations of a pendulum, a teacher may soon use a technological interface that will convert the data into a graph displayed on a computer screen.

Such technological instruments are being presented to school authorities in an ongoing three-day workshop organised by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education in association with the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education.

The state board is organising a series of such workshops to ensure fast and effective implementation of the national policy on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in school education. Drafted by the Department of School Education and Literacy and the Ministry of Human Resource Development earlier this year, this policy aims to reform teaching methods.

Teachers will also use Internet websites like www.curriki.org and www.wikiversity.org where research studies from universities around the world are published as references in addition to prescribed textbooks for physics, chemistry, biology and math.

“Children can learn certain things by exploration instead of being spoon fed,” said a representative of the state board, on the condition on anonymity, as he was not authorised to speak to the media. “Teachers and textbooks have their own limitations. The use of the Internet and videos will give them an added opportunity.”

However, some representatives expressed worry about implementation of this policy in rural areas.

“It is indeed a dire requirement and the need of the hour,” said Pathak R M, a biology professor from the Yogeshwari Mahavidyalaya at Ambejogai, in Beed district. “But the implementation assumes that all schools have access to computers.”