Introduction to the American India Foundation (AIF)
The mission of the American India Foundation (AIF) is to catalyze social
and economic change in India. AIF mobilizes resources in the United
States and India and invests these to improve education, livelihoods and
public health for the marginalized in India. It has implemented
programs through over 115 Indian non-governmental organizations since
its inception in 2001.
AIFT singed a MoU with Punjab Govt. in year 2005 for monitoring &
evaluation of ICT project in govt. schools. In year 2006, AIFT started
the Digital Equalizer (DE) program in 200 govt. schools after signing
MoU with GoP.
Till now 850 teachers of DE schools have taken training on technology and
pedagogy.
What is Digital Equalizer (DE) Program?
AIF's Digital Equalizer (DE) program is a Techno-Pedagogy (Integration
of Technology for general subjects) program that is bridging the
education and digital divide in India, and preparing tens of thousands
of children to compete in the digital economy. Targeting children in
grades 6 and above, AIF supports a DE school for 3 years and prepares it
for self-sufficiency after this period. DE imparts computer and
internet education to subject teachers and students through
project-based learning techniques. The program is tightly integrated
with the school curriculum thereby improving subject matter expertise
through the use of technology. To date DE has covered 24,000 teachers
and 750,000 children in 2054 schools across India.
VISION: "An India where ALL children have access to technology and information to prepare them for the emerging Digital Age."
MISSION: "To advance the use of technology to engage, educate, enrich and empower India’s under-served children."
VISION: "An India where ALL children have access to technology and information to prepare them for the emerging Digital Age."
MISSION: "To advance the use of technology to engage, educate, enrich and empower India’s under-served children."
Components of DE Program:
DE program can be categorized into three broad categories:
A. Training
We provide technical & pedagogical training under the program. We impart the training at three levels:
I. Training for Subject Teachers Training on Technical Part Our main objective is not make subject teachers to be an expert of computer we just want teachers to use and explore their subject and create interest of their student by using technology as teaching aid.
Training on Pedagogical Concepts In pedagogical part we have planned tools to understand the mind of students how to build his interest in their subject, how to explore the qualities of students, boosting their confidence, learning in groups, building the questioning spirit of Student, how change their misbehavior’s into learning and making student creative.
II. Training for Students Making the effective and productive use of technology by helping them to explore their subjects through technology or use of computer like searching their subject content on internet, Developing presentations and let them to explore his thinking through the use of Technology. In Student training our major part is PBL ( Project Based Learning) , in which student work in groups to explore and research on the topic in the real world and with use of technology which help the students , Like in building the confidence , more concept clarity , Sharing of thoughts & Presentation skills etc.
III. Training for Administrative staff (i.e. Principal, clerks etc)
B. Development of Digital Content
A. Training
We provide technical & pedagogical training under the program. We impart the training at three levels:
I. Training for Subject Teachers Training on Technical Part Our main objective is not make subject teachers to be an expert of computer we just want teachers to use and explore their subject and create interest of their student by using technology as teaching aid.
Training on Pedagogical Concepts In pedagogical part we have planned tools to understand the mind of students how to build his interest in their subject, how to explore the qualities of students, boosting their confidence, learning in groups, building the questioning spirit of Student, how change their misbehavior’s into learning and making student creative.
II. Training for Students Making the effective and productive use of technology by helping them to explore their subjects through technology or use of computer like searching their subject content on internet, Developing presentations and let them to explore his thinking through the use of Technology. In Student training our major part is PBL ( Project Based Learning) , in which student work in groups to explore and research on the topic in the real world and with use of technology which help the students , Like in building the confidence , more concept clarity , Sharing of thoughts & Presentation skills etc.
III. Training for Administrative staff (i.e. Principal, clerks etc)
B. Development of Digital Content
What is the Training Module under DE?
AIF has a well defined training manual named; Instructor Led Training Manual (ILTM),
which covers the concept of IT training, Integration of Technology,
Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Multiple Intelligence and
Collaborative Learning. It is a 85 hours training content.
Role of Subject Teacher for Content Development
IT enabled teaching- learning is one of the most valuable features of DE
program. A list of the hard-spots has been compiled at state level by
subject experts across various subjects. Teachers are assigned the topic
out of this list on monthly basis in the school. Subject teacher review
and authenticate the content. He looks after the necessary video clips,
animation and pictures, respective to the content with the help of AIF
coordinator.
Teacher selects 3-5 students to work along with in project development.
They collect and compile the data/ information and put in presentation
form. After the quality check by the concerned subject teacher and
coordinator, projects is shared with other schools also.
Role of AIF Coordinator for Content Development
AIF coordinator work on designing the out-frame of the project in
coordination with subject teacher. He also extends his support in-terms
of technical issues, animation, videos etc if teacher is not competitive
enough to do the needful. Coordinator is also responsible for meeting
with time-line and helping to students.
Additional Features/ Supports of DE
Content development is a major aspect or the DE program. And
dissemination of the projects across the schools was a crucial issue.
Punjab team developed a website (www.depunjab.org) for various kind of
programmatic support i.e. sharing of projects, DSTs and teachers forum
etc. Teachers can download the projects anywhere and use for their PBL
classes.
Besides the website, awareness campaign & quiz competitions are
regular feature under DE program.
Now DE program is Centralized training at DIET/GITC. AIF Trust developed an association with Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, Punjab in 2012 and signed a MoU for the period of 2 years to impart training to teachers at state and district level. AIF Trust is also imparting DE training to teachers in 50 government schools in Patiala. AIF Trust and RMSA, Punjab has agreed to impart training to subject teachers at DIET/GITC centres’ together in 12 districts of Punjab from academic year 2013 for the period of 2 years. The training is based on pedagogical concepts (Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking & Collaborative Learning) and integration of technology into curriculum. Each batch of teachers would be given 5 days training per year, out of which 3 days would be taken by AIF and 2 days by RMSA Resource persons. AIF Trust has already developed a training module for DIET level training in coordination with RMSA, Punjab.
It is very appreciable step by RMSA and AIFT. It will enhance the teaching skills of teachers with the help of which students can relate their study with outside world. With the help of Pedagogical concepts teachers can identify skills and talents of each students and can help them in choosing their Carrier.
Centralized Training
Now DE program is Centralized training at DIET/GITC. AIF Trust developed an association with Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, Punjab in 2012 and signed a MoU for the period of 2 years to impart training to teachers at state and district level. AIF Trust is also imparting DE training to teachers in 50 government schools in Patiala. AIF Trust and RMSA, Punjab has agreed to impart training to subject teachers at DIET/GITC centres’ together in 12 districts of Punjab from academic year 2013 for the period of 2 years. The training is based on pedagogical concepts (Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking & Collaborative Learning) and integration of technology into curriculum. Each batch of teachers would be given 5 days training per year, out of which 3 days would be taken by AIF and 2 days by RMSA Resource persons. AIF Trust has already developed a training module for DIET level training in coordination with RMSA, Punjab.
It is very appreciable step by RMSA and AIFT. It will enhance the teaching skills of teachers with the help of which students can relate their study with outside world. With the help of Pedagogical concepts teachers can identify skills and talents of each students and can help them in choosing their Carrier.
Is there any further reading you would recommend on this?
ReplyDeleteAmela Jones
Training