Understanding very well that only through education, the world can be changed for the better, Rajasthan’s Pali District Collector Namit Mehta decided to spend 1 crore fund received from the state government on improving the education sector. He introduced innovation in the government schools of the district so that students can study using modern technology like smart interactive flat panels with large 65 inches screens.
For the children,it is like sitting in the theatre with a special kind of sound system that makes this panel more interesting and attractive. Installed at around Rs. 1 lakh 60 thousand per panel, this new form of teaching has raised the bar in teaching and the interest of the students in learning. Indian Masterminds interacted with the brain child behind this step, 2012-batch IAS officer Namit Mehta, to get more details.
SMART CLASSES TO CREATE SMART CHILDREN
At present, this scheme has started in about 50 schools while the tender process for the panels is about to be completed in others. How did this come about? The Rajasthan government had given a fund of Rs 1 crore to the collectors as ‘innovation fund’ for utilising on innovative policies. When Mr. Mehta was posted in Bikaner, he decided to start innovative smart classes in schools with this fund.It was a success.
So, when he got posted in Pali, he decided to implement it here also, while improving upon it. So, modern smart blackboards were installed with everything from internet studies to pre-loaded education material inside it.
“I started on pilot basis in those schools which have very good results, whose team educator is very good,so that the whole system would be put to much better use. There are 10 blocks in our district,and we have identified five schools in each block to start smart classes. So far, smart panels have been approved for 35 schools while 15 are in the process. A total of 50 schools will benefit from this scheme.”
WHAT IS SMART INTERACTIVE FLAT PANEL?
The interactive flat panel with modern technology can be operated from Android phones. The special feature of this interactive flat panel is that the entire syllabus can also be viewed from the pen drive. Special training is being imparted to the teachers so that they can guide the children.
Interactive flat panel displays are collaboration solutions designed for interactive whiteboarding or smartboard, videoconferencing, screen sharing, and more. The latest technology allows participants to securely connect to the panel, whether they’re in the room or joining remotely. It assists both teachers and students by providing them with an interactive and collaborative learning environment.
