Over the years technology has been solving issues related to human beings, at work and with life. It has helped us to overcome scarcity in almost every aspects of life. Now it is time to think of technology as a means to solve issues related to education in India. Technology can be defined as putting scientific knowledge to practice.

Problem that India faces

As any other country across the globe, India too faces problem with its education system. India has the` largest rate of population growth in the world and is the second populous country in the world. So providing education to this large population is a challenge to the government. In order to overcome this challenge India has to improve upon its basic educational infrastructure and technical infrastructure. The conventional education system that we are now following is not going to solve the current problems. So cost effective technological solutions should be identified, developed and implemented.

Need for technology integration in Education in India

According to research, technology has a greater role to play in improving education system. A study conducted by experts shows that students who used computer based tutorials to study mathematic and science has scored exceedingly well than those students who used traditional methods. According to the study the test scores has increased by 22 per cent. Simulation software has helped students in scoring higher marks in test and increase of 16 per cent in scores was observed.

Students using computers to write stories have shown an increase of 30 per cent in their reading skills. The study also reports that students making use of computer software for writing has improved their writing skills by 12 per cent.

Technological initiatives in education in India

During 1980’s Texas instruments had realized that India is a budding centre for Research and Development. Now it has started to consider India as a potential market for its semiconductor products. Texas Instruments has been serving the technology space for past twenty years. Recently Texas Instruments have introduced its education technology solutions in India. They consider it as a means to solve issues in the Indian education sector.

Texas Instruments has partnered with CORE Education and technologies in India in order to serve the Indian market. The Indian based CORE Education and technologies operates in the area of content development and teacher training which offers a solution called STEMpower. STEM is the abbreviation of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This solution aims at equipping teachers with laptop computers, students with handheld devices which can be connected over the internet, software that assist in learning and content. What has made TI interested in India is the adoption of continuous and comprehensive evaluation and formative assessments. They plan to modify their education technology solutions to cater to the specific needs of the Indian education system, according to Jagan Chelliah, director of sales and marketing, education technology at TI India.

According to Sanjeev mansotra, chairman and CEO, CORE, the STEM solution is not mere education; it isabout the future of our economy. He said that without STEM literacy it will be difficult to find jobs in the future.

Intel, another technology giant has collaborated with the government of Karnataka for its new initiative in the education sector. The collaboration has declared the launch of e-learning program, named Computer on Wheels. This program will be launched in five districts in Karnataka as a pilot program. Intel learning Series forms the basis of this solution which incorporates infrastructure, hardware, and software. This solution also includes content, training and support. With this solution Intel plans to provide one to one e-learning to students, which is customized to meet local needs. Technology has been changing our lives, work and entertainment, and now Intel plans to bring changes in the education system so that it can be accessed by every student in India, says R. Ravichandran, director of sales, Intel South Asia.

According to the minister for primary and secondary education in Karnataka government Visvesvara Hegde Kageri, the initiative undertaken by Intel will help students to improve the process of learning by incorporating new methods of teaching. The solution engages students in the learning process, which will be of interest to them. This makes the process of teaching and learning more effective with the help of smart technology.

The present education system has four important parts and they are lectures, life, laboratory and life and technology has profound influence in all these parts. So in order to bring about changes in the present education sector, focus should be given to these so that it can directly impact the way teaching and learning process works.

Dilip Rangekar, co CEO of Azim Premji Foundation suggests that the role of technology plays an important role in education only when basic infrastructure is improved. Azim Premji Foundation is an NGO which works for the improvement of primary education in India. Rangekar opines that majority of the schools in India lack basic amenities such as power, water and sanitation. He added that quality of teaching is poor and that teacher involvement is inadequate. He concluded that without focusing on such basic issues, it would be meaningless to look for positive impact from technology.

Technology in education

Technology in education will break the barriers of region and age. It will enable teaching and learningprocess anywhere and everywhere, any time. It will promote interest in students and make the teaching process effective as well. The effectiveness in teaching comes form proper training that the teachers get as a result of use of technology in education. Both students and teachers will have easy access to information which will contribute to effective learning.

Learning through puzzles and interactive softwares help students to improve their analytical skills. Use of computers in education will improve their reading and writing skill as well. Let us hope that e-learning will be reality across all schools in India and that every student has access to quality education.