Institute of Professional Studies Allahabad University are all set to introduce the concept of mobile-learning

Updated on: Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Very soon teaching would not be confined to four walls of classroom as authorities of the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) of Allahabad University are all set to introduce the concept of mobile-learning. The needed infrastructure for this technique would soon be in place and authorities would start with trial run of this novel concept on the campus.

Detailing on the initiative, director, IPS, Prof GK Rai, said, "IPS has taken a new technology based initiative that of using mobile technology enabled learning solution for English proficiency and work-place skill". The initiative plans to utilise portable device (tablet) based language lab wherein 'm-Education' represents a profound shift in the way education is delivered and received, he added.

"The programme would be launched at Centre of Food Technology on August 13 through joint training programme of teachers and learners", informed Prof Rai.

About the technology, Prof Rai said that mEducation is a technology-enabled learning solution available to learners anytime, anywhere. Any portable device, such as a tablet, laptop or even mobile phone that provides access to educational content through mobile connectivity (2G, 3G, or 4G complemented by mobile-based Wi-Fi) can be a tool for mEducation.

"Mobile technology has begun to permeate our daily lives, providing unparalleled access to information. It is also raising the quality of education and improving access to it", he said. The portable language lab consists of 21 tablets (20 student version + 1 teacher version), packed in a trolley (which provides storage, wireless access point, transportation & charging). Internet connectivity is provided through a CISCO router. The trolley also has a projector and speakers so that teacher can project from anywhere. The tablets are pre-loaded with the course work, English Edge designed by LIQVID, a Noida based company.

Prof Rai further informed that mEducation offers three advantages with the potential to improve imparting education and thereby enhance learning outcomes which includes simplifying access to content and experts, overcoming traditional constraints of time, location and collaboration.

It also personalises education solutions for individual learners, helping educators customise the teaching process, using software and interactive media that adapt levels of difficulty to individual students' understanding and pace.

Talking of the course, the director of IPS said that the course provides interactive multimedia content keeping in mind the Indian context for listening, reading, writing and speaking-based interactive activities and exercises covering fluency and confidence building, grammar-tenses, articles etc. along with pronunciation, accent reduction, comprehension issues and written communications.

Likewise, for communication, the course would cater to personality, confidence, presentation etc. covering verbal, narrative structures, non-verbal i.e. body language, group discussions, role plays, interview and presentation skills, he said.

The course would also have video recording and playback facility. Students can do a whole lot of project based learning exercises, like video shoot a conversation and comment. "There is a master teacher tablet that controls the activity of all the student tablets and this leads to an undivided attention of teacher to each of the student and hence is helpful in monitoring and regular feedback", said Prof Rai.

He further said that for learners this is a unique opportunity, as everyone gets a chance to register their response to a particular question and hence is an equal participant in the classroom activity.

This ensures that no student is devoid of the opportunity to learn and tablet becomes an invaluable companion for learning. The other advantages of the portable lab include battery powered tablets ensures uninterrupted sessions and in portable lab, no additional infrastructure and space is required.

Institute of Professional Studies Allahabad University are all set to introduce the concept of mobile-learning

More Education news