Tech-savvy govt teachers help take education forward

Nagpur:Tech-savvy teachers from government and government-aided schools are coming together on an online platform and building an immensely powerful knowledge-sharing resource community. The state education department has succeeded in most of its initial goals by getting tech-savvy teachers in touch with their counterparts, and helping them leverage technology as a tool for teaching.Going by the name ‘Techno Teachers’, the online community is increasing fast and has thousands of teachers voluntarily registered in its database. Information about registration details spread from education department officials to teachers under their jurisdiction, and all those willing can join. The education department’s brainchild is already providing benefits to the last mile.
Amol Duryodhan, a teacher at a government school in Naxal-infested Gadchiroli district said, “My school is situated in the most backward area of Bhamragadh. The biggest problem I used to face was that there was a fear among my students about me and other teachers, since they were not used to learning in Marathi and we were not able to understand Madiya Gondi. Now, through Techo Teachers, memory cards have been developed which carry different words in Marathi as well as in Madiya Gondi. This ensures that the teacher and student learn each other’s language. Now, as we are able to speak their language, they don’t fear us and the technology makes them more curious and enthusiastic about learning.”
Changdeo Sorte, official of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) at Bhamragadh, said, “We developed applications to teach simple words, letters and things in their surroundings, which help them to grasp better. Out of 107 schools, two schools are completely digitalized with computers and in the remaining schools projection screens and object magnifying devices are present, which help students to learn what the things in their language are called in Marathi. In the techno teachers’ programme, 30% teachers are from our district whereas 70% teachers are from other districts. We are able to learn skills which we don’t know from them and develop more applications so that our system is strengthened.”
Dyaneshwar Kendre, principal at Tadgaon (Gadchiroli district) school, said, “The most important thing about Techno Teachers is more people are coming together and helping us to take our district forward. With their help we are able to develop more applications and flashcards to make learning easier. Earlier, as the students were not able to understand what we were teaching them, the learning involved just mugging. Now, the students are not bored, they are very enthusiastic about their studies and learn faster.”
Santosh Temburne, teacher at Dhodraj area school (Gadchiroli), said, “Through Techno Teachers we are learning things like how to make Power Point presentations and applications and how to download different videos and applications. So, now we are able to enhance the curriculum and take immediate action on the problems the students face in learning. Now due to digital methods, the students are encouraged to study in their own district rather than going outside. The overall attitude of parents and students is more positive. Now, there is a fire in students to come to school and learn.”