Students act... part one

The students operating the system on their own just before their virtual classroom.


ok, that doesn't need a lot of work :) but she wanted a picture taken to show her dad :)


Once the power is on, it's a simple press on the CPU.
the screen would require some adjudgements... but that's about it.

Some pics with Amongla teacher :)

I see them all--each one from my desk in office



and they see me--loud and clear :)

as I teach away from the comfort of my desk...



Interaction at its heights. They love to talk. Like teacher like students.


(Click on the image for a better view.)

in words and pics...

After three virtual classes I wanted to see for myself how my students were responding to the whole new change. From the other side of the table, as it were. So this morning, I walked down to the school and sat with them as my friend and ex-colleague agreed to volunteer for the class.

The girls were a little shy initially but felt comfortable soon and started to interact as usual. Being seated on the floor did not deter them from carefully taking notes. I remember being such a diligent student only when we had to crack the Pythagoras theorem in school. I was particularly impressed with how comfortable they felt in this virtual classroom. In terms of discipline and in terms of their attention and level of interest there was no difference from a real classroom. In fact, this new way of learning seemed to have created much more interest.

Afterwards I spoke to my friend about how he felt teaching in this novel way. This is what he said:

“I’m impressed by the fact that these girls are very keen learners and refuse to let any learning opportunity be wasted. They had lots of questions and as a group they made sure that everything that needed clarification was in fact clarified then and there.

As a teacher with previous classroom experience I also felt comfortable using the virtual classroom which provided all the essential elements that a classroom needs. In less than ten minutes I was comfortable using the technology, was extremely pleased with the high level of interactivity, and at the end of the class came away convinced that I could actually teach using virtual classroom for an entire year.”

The class was on the basics of punctuation and I wish learning punctuation was as easy as this for me too. Apart from lil glitches here and there, the technology does look like a little wonder of wonders!

Red Cross School girls...

This afternoon I took the engineers to the school to examine the room where the Virtual Classroom technology will be deployed. As they got busy discussing the logistics and stuff I went out and took some pictures of the girls. Not just the uniform but they are bright in every way!




The 7 graders--the girl in glasses (front) stood first in the previous year...this morning she read out a poem in Hindi and translated bits and pieces of it in English for the non Hindi speaking audience :)
The lower graders waiting for their parents to pick them up.

I lifted the red schoolbag just to get a feel of how heavy they were and goodness me!They were as heavy as a ten kilo rice bag!

Buying guava from a fruit seller through the grill of the school gate.

It's 2pm and they are dying to go home but the gate is locked and will be opened only after the long bell is rung :)

Red ribbons and plaits

I conducted the first unit test today despite resistance from some of the students. Everyone hates exams, including my students! so I decided to treat them with some photos and a video. They were so pleased with the idea that they actually started waving and smiling ...I had to literally force them to 'pretend' to be writing. Take a look...

40 girls in total, but only 33 were present today.

One of my favorite students. She proudly showed me her mehendi (the print on her hand) She must have done for the festival yesterday.

I love the way the girls wear their hair. Everyone of them neatly plaits her hair and tie it up with those red ribbons. It's a part of the school uniform. It seems elder sisters and moms help with the styling.

I did the writing on the blackboard and surprisingly not many of them have problems reading it. I consider that as an achievement :)

Kondakal High School: Seeing is believing!

The pictures below were taken during our visit to Kondakal High school which is about 35 kms away from Hyderabad. What we saw was a pleasant surprise. The scene was very different from all the government schools we visited. For a change, this school had excellent infrastructure: sufficient classrooms, a laboratory, a computer room with some 15 computers, a playground, clean toilets, just to list a few. The teachers owe their thanks to the villagers who donated land and exhibit tremendous support and interest in the functioning of the school.

Scroll down and see it for yourself to believe it.

The students were busy preparing for the Independence Day celebration program

they even have a green and clean compound

You will notice that all the students are wearing uniform

The laboratory cum Art class

she proudly showed me her drawing :)

that's a real skeleton!

the computer room

most students use bicycles to commute

Kondakal Primary School

This school has 126 tiny tots and 5 teachers. Out of which, 2 are on long (read 3-6 months) leave. A school with classes from I-V, and only 3 teachers to teach, they have no choice but to conduct combined classes. No wonder most children there are unprepared for higher studies--class VI, that is.

He prefers to do some extra studying instead of playing with friends

captured them just as they were rushing out for a break

break time...tamarind time :)

simply love this photo!

Photo courtesy: N.J

Million dollar smiles :)

Janwada High Scool: a visual tour

The morning assembly was still going on when we reached the school. I saw the children going up to the stage and speaking on the mic. On being asked, I was told that each of them was asked to speak about themselves briefly and students took turns everyday. This was a daily exercise, to make them bold and expressive. I thought that was pretty neat!

The school has just received some books from the government.

This book caught my attention. supposedly new, but torn.

caught them listening to the teacher

a group study. I think.

posing for the camera :)