Computers for Whole-Classroom Instruction in Developing Region Schools
Computers have found their way into several schools in developing regions but in most cases, they are used in these schools only to supplement classroom instruction. Schools are equipped with computer labs where groups of children sit around a computer and engage with content that is designed specifically for computer-aided self-learning. Core teachers are often not involved in this learning process (except in an administrative capacity) and as a consequence, there is a severe disconnect between the learning that takes place in the classroom and the learning that takes place in the computer lab.
We are trying to address this gap by developing software that enables teachers to use computers for whole-classroom instruction. Our main focus is on teachers in developing region schools (who are typically not very proficient in computer usage) and we are building a novel authoring tool to help these teachers create digital content that can be delivered to an entire classroom of students.
Our tool is intended to be run on a laptop connected to a projector for classroom viewing, similar to a PowerPoint presentation. It is typically used for displaying content derived from textbooks, and provides facilities such as word highlighting and freeform inking to make the presentation of such content effective. Textbook content may also be augmented with complementary multimedia resources (images and videos) obtained from any external source, or locally created material such as photographs and drawings. Field trials indicate that the idea of using textbook content for whole-classroom teaching has several benefits: Not only does it help teachers create content easily, it also helps students improve retention of the visual materials that they are exposed to.
Scope
The scope of the research project encompasses the following activities:
- Regular visits to government and private schools in Karnataka (India) to observe and analyse how lessons are delivered
- Developing the software prototype and evolving it based on the team's observations and the teachers' feedback
- Testing the software prototype by deploying it in a number of classes
- Discussions with the school teachers to elicit their requirements and recommendations
- Running formal studies to determine the effects of integrating digital visual materials with textbook pages
Photos
People involved
Saurabh Panjwani, Karl Fenech, Luana Micallef, Kentaro Toyama
Acknowledgements
The research team thanks the American India Foundation for their collaboration, as well as the staff and students at the schools for their cooperation and hospitality.