It's time for change in the schools of Chandigarh. It's time to say bye to the traditional chalk-and-talk method and go for the hi-tech multimedia labs. All the laboratories of Chandigarh schools will be computerised and have latest technological tools to aid in teaching English, Hindi and mathematics. To implement the project Sarva Siksha Abhiyan has roped in the Regional Institute of English, Chandigarh. “Multimedia labs in schools will be equipped with 16 computers, 15 for the students and one for the teacher. To make them familiar with this innovative way of teaching, all teachers of these seven schools are being imparted training,” the official added. Initially, the multimedia labs will come up at seven government schools. Once the project is implemented successfully, all schools will boast of multimedia labs. The lab for training at the Regional Institute has 31 computers, hi-tech software and an LCD projector, giving the teachers a feeling of a virtual classroom. “The UT Education Department has plans to introduce multimedia labs in 20 more schools. For this, proposals have been made in the annual budget,” an Education Department official said. As many as 45 teachers are being trained. Before the new session begins in April, all of them will be ready to operate multimedia labs, he further said. The media labs will facilitate computerised listening, speaking and writing. The virtual programme will give the students an option to decide their own rate of speed to learn their lessons,” the official informed.
