Ram Mohan, CEO of Edyounet, tells SANGEETA YADAV about Teleclassroom which connects students and teachers globally
What are the latest developments you have seen in the field of educationIJ
Digital invasion into the education sector has already begun. Technology-based education is gaining momentum. Students are looking for digital content with audio and video. They’re also discovering the convenience of online tests and evaluation. The most recent IIT entrance results show that studying with the help of distance learning platforms is no longer a disadvantage and students doing so are securing good ranks.
What are the changes you would like to see in this fieldIJ
Digital distance learning classrooms need to be professionally set up with more focus on education. At the moment, basic video conferencing technology is put to use for providing distance learning classrooms. But education isn’t mere video conferencing.
It has to have the highest degree of interactivity in terms of students and teachers talking and seeing each other, even collaborating on the writing board. Students must be able to ask questions and seek clarifications, teachers must be able to answer these the same way as in a classroom setting, attendance needs to be marked, regular examinations conducted and progress assessed.
Tell us about EdyounetIJ
It is a concept that emerged in response to the existing gap in the demand for quality education and the dearth of really good teachers. Students, particularly in the rural areas, are left out when it comes to getting competent teachers and courses. Educational institutions in cities offer quality courses which aren’t available to students who stay in remote places.
Edyounet introduces a 100 per cent interactive technological platform that enables educational institutions to offer courses live to students in far away places.
What is the TeleClassroom platform all aboutIJ
It is a traditional classroom equipped with large lCD screen and allied computer and gadgets. Teachers aren’t physically present in the classroom; instead they teach from an educational studio from where the lessons are streamed live on to the screen fixed in the Teleclassroom.
It is 100 per cent interactive and futuristic. Teachers and students communicate seamlessly, write on digital boards, can present slides and play videos. Fingerprint scanners are used to take attendance.
How does it workIJ
Anyone with an interest in education can set up a TeleClassroom franchise. Usually, TeleClassrooms are set up in colleges or schools. Edyounet collects ‘Expression of Interest’ from Principals of colleges to set up TeleClassrooms within their campuses. Franchisees are roped in to invest and manage the TeleClassroom.
Since there is an entrepreneurial interest, a TeleClassroom franchisee tends to work like a private business. The colleges also get a portion of the revenue generated in the academic process, it becomes a collective business to provide quality education to discerning students.
The biggest challenge in this is the availability of proper infrastructure like electricity, Internet etc...
Almost all colleges we’ve tied up with are power generators. We’re also encouraging franchisees to equip TeleClassrooms with solar power.
Solar power has been tested successfully with the TeleClassroom equipment. Internet connectivity is far better in India today than before. Since we are using leased lines, there are Service level Agreements with providers and assured quality of service is taken care of. Over 95 per cent of India is covered with good quality Internet.