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How NGOs are using technology to make education more accessible?

Introduction

There was once a time when education could only be gained by sitting in a classroom; children had to be physically present in the room and there had to be a teacher interacting with them, teaching all the nitty-gritties. However, in the past few years, we have been able to see an evolution of education - not only is technology starting to play a major role, but it has also made the passing on of information and knowledge a lot easier and more effective. It comes as no surprise that several of the mainstream schools are now using computers, projection screens, and other such devices to teach children.

As per government data, there are almost 1.2 million children who are not in school and there are also those who have limited or absolutely no access to digital means. As a matter of fact, a survey conducted right before the pandemic suggests that close to 29 million students of varying ages, had no access to digital devices, which could be used to enhance their education. The loss they might have faced during the pandemic when all the learning went online, can only be imagined.

The potential that technology unlocks for NGOs is impressive – here are just some of the benefits that students can receive through digital learning:

  • When you have a handheld device or a portable projector system, you are no longer bound by a physical classroom. You will be able to set up your classroom, anywhere and anytime.
  • Because you are no longer bound by the limitations of a physical room, you can take the classes to the children, no matter where they are. So, now, education can be made accessible in even the most far-flung corners of the country.
  • For many children, the very thought of having to sit with books and notebooks takes the charm of learning away - however, if the learning happens through games and interactive screens, it becomes a lot more interesting.
  • By offering digital learning material, learning can happen at a more personalized pace - children can work at a speed that is comfortable to them and learn a lot more comfortably.
  • There is also the option of reaching out to a larger audience more quickly – when the entire learning is projected into a wall, plenty of children can attend the learning session in the same sitting, creating a tech classroom.

Several NGOs have understood the benefit of using technology to further education, especially for children who come from underprivileged and marginalized backgrounds. For children who might not be able to attend the traditional classroom, using technology might be the better way.

Here are just some of the NGOs that are using technology for teaching and learning and the methods they are employing:

  • Bengaluru-based Agastya International Foundation works with the idea of stimulating the creative thinking of children from the rural belts. With an emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), this NGO has set up several science centers, which allows children proper access to education. But then, it is not possible for several children to come to these centers, because it might still be far from where they live; so, with the support of Lenovo, Agastya launched a project they have named iMobile Labs. These small vans have been equipped with the latest laptops and travel to the remotest areas to bring unique and truly multi-sensorial learning opportunities to the children. Today, the program has reached 15 million students and is aiming to reach many more in the years to come. Moreover, the program trains the youth of the same local communities to become teachers, so that they can help keep the learning opportunities alive and thriving.
  • The evolution of technology in education can also be seen in the manner in which Learning Equality functions - by providing educational technology tools with an open-source code, they are allowing learners the chance to learn at their own pace. They have developed a platform named Kolibri and through it, they offer a range of educational content in several formats and all of these are available offline, allowing children to learn at their own pace. In addition to this, they work with teachers, educators, and academic organizations and provide all these resources, free of cost. The platform is part of an entire ecosystem that includes several educational tools as well as libraries of resources. Presently, Kolibri is being used in several parts of the country and more than 200 countries!
  • Working with children who come from low-income families, The Akanksha Foundation has been using technology to improve their teaching methods and make learning fun. Through their programs, children and teachers get access to a range of resources and tech tools. How they have imbibed the evolution of classroom technology is by taking the classroom out of the four walls - their 'School on Wheels' takes the classroom to the communities! These mobile classrooms have everything a student and teacher might need - from books and learning materials to technology-enabled resources. Currently, the foundation supports 13,000 students who are a part of the formal school education program, because they run 26 schools, free of fees, with the help of local municipal corporations.
  • DSS or Door Step School is an initiative run by The Society for Door Step Schools - it was established in Mumbai to offer education to children who came from the most marginalized sections of society, including slum dwellers and construction workers. Lenovo is working with DSS to help teachers use digital content, which can be used to teach children using phones and tablets, allowing educators to go to the children. DSS also trains local teachers to conduct classes using online platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet. DSS programs were a blessing during the pandemic because the teachers were able to reach more than 1140 students.
  • eVidyaloka has taken an approach different from the traditional computers in the classroom - they provide online education as well as digital classrooms to children residing in rural and remote parts of the country. By using technology, they are able to connect volunteer teachers with children who need education. What started off as a pilot program in 2011, became a full-fledged initiative in 2 years.
  • When Lenovo joined hands with Meghshala, it was the intention of offering government school teachers the tools they would need to teach more efficiently. Through their platform, they are able to provide teachers with a range of multimedia tools that can be accessed via simple Android apps, which can be used as preparatory tools or for in-class teaching. To date, the NGO has been able to impact the lives of more than 2,10,000 students across the country.
  • TechnoServe is an NGO that works in more than 30 countries, including India, with the intention of bringing technology into the mainstream lives of people who come from marginalized sections of society. Through brand partnerships with tech giants like Motorola and Lenovo, they have been able to offer technical skill training to female students, which allows them to get hired in the IT sectors and be a part of the evolution of technology. Lenovo has gone one step further and offered on-the-job training to 150 students at their own plant in Puducherry, after which, three-quarters of the students will earn confirmed placements.

There is no denying that there have to be advancements in education and even the NGOs need to keep up with the changing times. When technology is taking over aspects of our life, it needs to enter the classroom as well, because children deserve a chance to be prepared for the changing world. While NGOs are doing their best to not only introduce technology to these underprivileged children, they are also making the effort to make it a part of their daily lives. You can play your part by donating to the cause and allowing more and more children to become tech-savvy!