Awesome day to remember

 Nearing the dawn of the day of 25^th August ’18 our three and half hours journey was coming to an end as we reached the rural Zphs School at Gandeed. It was quite exciting to travel in the pleasant and cosy monsoon weather overlooking green rice fields, tall trees on either side of the country road, small oasis of villages surrounded by greenery all around. The scarcity of traffic helped us overlook the imperfections of the road and added to the enjoyment.

The faculty and the H.M. welcomed our volunteering team with warm smiles. The team consists of people with varied interests and professions who evaluate the progress of students and how good a job the EFF teachers have done using their virtual classroom for three months. We were even more eager and excited as, from our point of view, the whole school was present and made us proud by participating in all the activities and proving their progressiveness in harmony with the EFF curriculum's based on spoken English, Grammar, and speech, written test drawing and so on...

In spite of these regular assignments, we got them involved in quiz competitions, storytelling and essay writing on topics such as “Independence day, Rakhi, friendship day, teacher’s day and so on. Most of the students did an excellent job. We appreciated them for their willingness to show their abilities and talent. At the end of the day, we, with the help of the staff, rewarded the best performers in all the above spheres.

Last but not the least, the faculty and the pupils, with smiles on their faces, saw us off as the eventful day came to an end. We felt proud of ourselves for extending our helping hands in motivating these students to polish their skills and guiding those to successful careers. They are cool, great fun, adorable and shaping up towards great contributors for our future. All in all, it was a day to remember!

Here are some pictures from the event, let them speak for themselves:

Seasonal visit with new volunteers

We, EFF team, visit our distant schools once in 3 months, to check the progress of our virtual classroom teaching. This year, the first visit was paid on 21^st Sep’13. The trip was wonderful with our new set of volunteers from different backgrounds. Here is the list:

• Sai Sudher - Sr.Software Engg.
• Santosh  - Graphic designer
• Basha - Works with Telecommunications
• Azeez - Works with Telecommunications
• Bharadwaj - Graphic desinger
• Anupama - a BTech student

Probably, students won’t get a chance to meet people from various work fields in the school. It’s our privilege to offer guidance of these techies to the students at least once a while. The students and volunteers, gained knowledge and had fun together.

Bharadwaj, with class-7TM students. He was so attached to the students that he continued the class from morning to evening.

Sai Sudheer, interacting with 8EM students about careers guidance.

Basha, with 9EM students, engaged in a classroom activity – “What will you do if you become the C.M.?”

Santosh, with 8TM - introducing 2D art with simple cylinders, cones and circles.

Anupama, engaged in a classroom activity with 8TM. 

Sudha, teacher, with 6EM students; giving rating for their speaking skills.

Me with 6TM students; pupils giving a speech on self introduction!

The students of 6^th std are lagging too far behind in comprehending English. It’s obvious, they are from vernacular medium. We make our teaching child-centered which enhance their speaking skills in English. I am sure that these students will pick up English communication by the end of the year.

 EFF team conveys a big THANKS to all the volunteers for spending their valuable time and sharing knowledge with the students.

Abbreviations:

TM – Telugu medium

EM – English medium

Eenadu: Press release

It’s for the second time that Eenadu covered Education For Free; the article had been released on 29^th July’12, in RR district edition.  The post is in regard to the virtual teaching at ZPHS, Gandeed, with feedback from a  few students.

Here is the paper cutting of the edition – 

For those who are not able to read Telugu, here is the translation of the article…courtesy - Sudha teacher J

Online Education…students’ reception..!

Every year there is a substantial increase in the number of students joining private schools. Government schools are struggling to retain their students. Even though they have implemented a particular program named “success” which was introduced to improve their language skills, especially English. It has started two years ago but the students could not get acquainted to it. In such situation a private organization has thought it essential and came up with dedication to provide online teaching system for the schools.

 

      In the year 2008 in Hyderabad, a city-based Software Company named “PurpleTalk Inc” collaborated with Masab tank Red Cross Government Girls High School and established this unique system of online teaching. Since last 4 years from that particular school, students were imparted language skills and vocabulary which provided great results. Presently the management is planning to introduce this online teaching to government schools in rural areas and reach out to the underprivileged children. Mr. Sridhar Muppidi (founder) of PurpleTalk Inc, Mr.Rama Krishna, Mr. Hari, Mr. Sateesh,  Mr. Neelakanta and Mr. Suresh, Mr. Bhanu have worked hard together to develop this software without any help from other networks. They have used the latest technology to make this program a success. They have selected a locality which is 130 kms away from Hyderabad city, viz, Gandeed and spent more than a lakh to arrange a big screen, video projector, Internet, camera and audio system.

        From 11^th 29th October 2011, the higher standard classes are directly reached through video conference online teaching. The students interact with teachers through bi-directional video and audio. There will be approx 2 to 3 sessions per day based on the convenience of the students. Apart from concentrating in English, they are bringing importance for subjects like math and other subjects too, with ample examples and videos. Every month exams are conducted to test the knowledge and understanding of the students. Recently the volunteers of the company has renovated a few rooms in the school, which was in a damaged condition, in order to continue classes.     

Response of the students about online education:

Rajesh – 8^th standard

                       “I lost the fear of English”

I have joined the “Success school” which was a Telugu medium, when the management has introduced English medium, I found it very difficult to cope up with the teachings in English, gradually the new method of teaching through video conference interested and encouraged me to continue studying in English medium without any fear. I have improved my language skills, vocabulary and grammar too. And moreover I am gaining knowledge in lot of other subjects through this online system of education…!    

 Sravani – 7^th Standard

                  “Better than the usual classes”

 The power point teachings (visual displays) through this success school has helped me in grasping knowledge on various subjects such as language, communication skills and English because the online teaching has attracted us, which is different from other regular teachings. The teachers repeat the lessons until we are thorough with the topic- by this method of online teaching we have learnt to use the English language fluently.

Ambica-Teacher:

 It is our purpose to develop the language skills and to boost the talents of the students, particularly children belonging to downtrodden and underprivileged sections living in villages. Our determination in providing well qualified faculty to train these children through this online teaching program have reached many students. Thus far, it is an encouragement for those people, especially teachers who are basically service oriented, to achieve satisfaction by getting acquainted to this environment of online teaching program.