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Government of Maharashtra partners with Khan Academy to improve Math Learning outcomes of Government School students in Maharashtra

Math Learning

Maharashtra

The Government of Maharashtra’s School Education and Sports Department has partnered with Khan Academy India to improve math learning outcomes for students across Grades 1-10 in government schools in Maharashtra. This partnership will enable access to high quality math learning content in Marathi so that students can learn in their own language. The first phase of the implementation will empower 488 model schools in Maharashtra with new math content and  advanced online resources. Additionally, all teachers in these government schools will be trained to leverage online teaching resources and offer personalized learning experience based on progress data of individual students.

Since 2021, the Government of Maharashtra and Khan Academy India are working together to recreate Khan Academy’s high quality math content consisting of 700+ videos, articles, and practice exercises in Marathi which will be available on SCERT Maharashtra website in addition to Khan Academy. This will allow students to build a solid foundational understanding in Math, at their own pace, using any device and free of cost. Further, teachers will have access to necessary online tools and real-time data to identify learning gaps and address them, at a classroom and individual-level.

As a part of this partnership, the team at Khan Academy is working closely with the Maharashtra Government to educate over 2000 teachers, 36 District Nodal Officers, and 488 Principals on the use case of Khan Academy and how to use Khan Academy’s learning content and effectively implement personalized math learning in the classroom. In its first phase, the focus will be on successfully implementing a personalized math learning environment across 488 schools  for over 1,00,000 learners in Maharashtra. This will further be extended to more schools and independent learners who can benefit by accessing the entire library of content for free.

Launching the Khan Academy initiative on International Women’s Day, Ms. Varsha Gaikwad, Minister of School Education, Maharashtra, expressed her profound excitement on the partnership. “It is our duty to offer the best quality education and facilities to our students who are the future of the society and the country. I am happy how organizations like Khan Academy are working together with the state government towards a common vision of creating better learning infrastructure.”

Talking about the initiative, Mr. Vishal Solanki, Commissioner, Education added “ Our partnership with Khan Academy is aimed at offering the best learning infrastructure to our learners aided by technology and world-class content in their own language. As schools are reopening, we are enabling a superior classroom experience that will help us address the learning gap in students by offering them personalized learning.” Additionally, Mr Devendra Singh, The SCERT Director, said, “I am delighted that the new math learning content will be on SCERT Maharashtra website in addition to Khan Academy enabling students to access world class education for free of cost.”

Commenting on this development, Mr. Sandeep Bapna, MD, Khan Academy India, said, “We are honored to be working with the Government of Maharashtra on this noble project of improving learning quality in government schools. We are jointly aligned in our vision towards making high quality educational content available for free in Marathi. We are grateful to the State for their support and for making their teaching resources available to us for creating this Marathi content.”

Khan Academy is committed to making world-class education accessible to students in India and all over the world and currently available in English, Hinglish, Hindi, Kannada, Punjabi, and Gujarati, aligned to the Indian curriculum.

IIT-Madras develop AI-powered algorithm with US university to enhance 3D effects in smartphone videos

IIT-Madras ai

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

A team of researchers of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras and the US-based Northwestern University have developed deep learning algorithms that can greatly enhance the depth perception and 3D effects in videos shot using smartphone cameras.

According to the officials, such algorithms will prevent mobile phone images from being “flat” and impart a realistic 3D feel. A crucial advantage of the algorithm developed is that it eliminates the need for fancy equipment or an array of lenses to capture videos with depth.

“It is a common complaint, especially among amateur and professional photographers, that photographs and videos shot using smartphone cameras have a flat, two-dimensional look. Apart from the flat look, some 3D features such as the Bokeh Effect, the aesthetic blurring of the background that is easy with the DSLR camera, are challenging in smartphone cameras,” Kaushik Mitra, assistant professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras said.

“While a few mid and high-end smartphone cameras are now programmed to incorporate such effects in still photographs, especially in portrait mode, it is not yet possible to render them in videos captured using smartphones,” he added.

Mitra explained that the advanced professional cameras capture information about both intensity and direction of light in a scene, known as Light Field (LF), to give the perception of depth.

“The LF capture is achieved through the use of an array of microlenses that are inserted between the main lens of the camera and the camera sensor. Multiple microlenses cannot be placed on mobile phones because of space constraints. Instead, algorithms that can post-process the image captured by the existing mobile cameras are being developed.”

“Artificial Intelligence and machine learning techniques are used for such image manipulation. Our team looked into this issue and has built a deep learning algorithm that converts the stereo images captured using a smartphone into LF images,” he said.

“A crucial advantage of the algorithm developed by our team is that it eliminates the need for fancy equipment or an array of lenses to capture videos with depth. The Bokeh and other such aesthetic 3D effects can be achieved with a smartphone that is equipped with a dual-camera system. “In addition to providing depth, our algorithm enables us to view the same video from not just one point of view but from any of the 7×7 grid of viewpoints,” he said.

Be a part of the conglomerate of best from the Higher Education sector at the 23rd World Education Summit 2022 – Higher Education

he PR

Get ready to witness the best from the Higher Education sector coming together and discuss the most pertaining issues at the 23rd World Education Summit 2022 (Higher Education) on 24, 25 and 26 March 2022. The virtual summit is being organised by Digital Learning Magazine and is Co-Powered by Adobe. The partners for the three day event are UpGrad (Skilling partner), Samsung (Display Partner), IES University (University Partner), TruScholar (Credential Partner) and Ecophon (Associate Partner)

The event is the biggest platform that brings together the best of the Higher education sector and witnesses them sharing insights and views on topics that trend in the education ecosystem.

Giving details about the event that explores the latest innovations in education, Dr Ravi Gupta, CEO, Founder and Editor in Chief of Elets Technomedia said, “Elets has always been a pioneer in showcasing innovations in education and WES has been a global event which is in its 23rd edition now. In the Higher education edition, we have some of the top names from Universities and institutions from across India.”

It is a well aware fact that the education sector has undergone a major transformation during the pandemic times. Blended learning, E-learning and technology support played a vital role in transforming the education ecosystem and ensuring continued education even during the lockdowns. in a big way. The three day event would see experts talking on the need for constantly evolving technology and learning technologies to ensure industry ready curriculum.

The event will also see the experts and educationists talking about the best practices that has been used in the last two years and share their experiences on the same.

Here are a few topics that will be delved upon by experts –

  • National Education Policy (NEP): Approach, Opportunities and Challenges
  • Impact and Role of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education
  • Education & training for integrated urban & rural development; stepping stones for curriculum development & skill enhancement
  • Reimagining Higher Education: The Post Covid – Campus
  • Rise of Massive Online Open Courses – Roadmap Ahead
  • International Collaborations for building Future Ready Workforce – a Global perspective
  • Block chain technology redrafting the blueprint in the Indian Higher education sector
  • Creating a synergy between technology and curriculum for better employment ready courses – How can digitalization help this goal ?
  • New UGC Reforms: How should HEIs adopt?
  • Challenges in intersection of SaaS and Higher education to deliver exponential growth for the education sector
  • Blended and Multi format digital learning – can they be the building blocks of higher education in India.
  • Enhancing classroom experience – Key Infrastructure aspects which can aid the teaching-learning process

Do not miss a chance to be a part of the event.

Visit Here: Education Conference

IGNOU extends admission deadline for PG and UG programmes

IGNOU

New Delhi 

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has  extended the deadline for fresh admissions for the Post Graduate and Under Graduate programmes — both for online and ODL mode, and re-registration for the January 2022 session. Candidates should note that this extension will not be applicable for semester-based and merit-based programmes.

As per the official notification issued by IGNOU, the new deadline for re-registration and fresh admission is March 25, 2022.

Interested candidates can apply for ODL programmes on ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. The Online Programmes on offer can be applied through ignouiop.samarth.edu.in and candidates can submit their re-registration form for the next year/semester through onlinerr.ignou.ac.in.

Candidates are advised to read and check all the given instructions carefully before registering and submitting the admission application.

The last date for registration, re-registration for January 2022 session was earlier scheduled to be March 5, which was then extended till March 15, 2022. Now, the university has announced that candidates have time till March 25, 2022.

Former Director of AIIMS Dr. Gitanjali appointed as Pro VC Medical Sciences in GITAM Deemed to be University (Vishakhapatnam)

Dr. Gitanjali Batmanabane

The former director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (Bhubaneswar), Dr. Gitanjali Batmanabane has been appointed as the Pro VC Medical Sciences at GITAM Deemed to be University in Visakhapatnam. Along with the GIMSR Medical College and Hospital, Dr. Gitanjali will also oversee the schools of Nursing, Paramedical Sciences, and Physiotherapy in the Visakhapatnam campus.

Dr Gitanjali has retired recently after a long and illustrious career as a Professor of the Pharmacology department of Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry. She is a lifetime JIPMER product, having done all her medical studies there including PhD and serving as a faculty member there since 1984.

Dr Gitanjali held several crucial leadership positions at JIPMER in her tenure along with important deputations to WHO as Technical Officer – Essential Drugs and Other Medicines and most notably to AIIMS Bhubaneswar as its second director. During her successful stint as AIIMS Bhubaneswar director, she also held additional charges of AIIMS Patna, AIIMS Guwahati and AIIMS Kalyani as a director ranging from 1 to 3 years.

She has worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) and headed the WHO Collaborating Centre for Training and Research in Essential Medicines and Rational Use of Medicines. She has also formulated innovative academic programs in medical education and published around 78 high-impact research papers. She was the Convener, MCI Regional Centre for Faculty Development Programs.

36th Convocation of IIM-L on April 2

IIM-L

The 36th Convocation of the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIM-L) will be held on April 2, 2022. The chief guest for the ceremony will be Sanjiv Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director, Hindustan Unilever Limited.

Also read: IIM-Lucknow strikes a ton with 100% placement for Sustainable Management program

In an official statement issued from the institute, it was stated that the ceremony will also be telecast live on the official website of the institute apart from a live ceremony at the institute campus. The chairman Board of Governors will also be present at the ceremony and declare it open.

 

Get ready to meet the best luminaries of the school education at the 23rd World Education Summit 2022

23d WES School

It’s time to get ready to listen to some invigorating discussions by experts from the school education. The 23d World Education Summit (School Education) is being organised by Digital Learning Magazine, with HVB Global Academy as partner and PowerSchool & SpeedLabs as Associate partners, on 9,10 and 11 March 2022 as a virtual summit. The event is all set to bring the best of school education together and see them sharing insights and views on topics that trend in the education ecosystem.

Giving details about the event that explores innovations in education, Dr Ravi Gupta, CEO, Founder and Editor in Chief of Elets Technomedia said, “Elets has always been a pioneer in showcasing innovations in education and WES has been a global event which is in its 22nd edition now. We have witnessed the best from the education sector being a part of this glorious event.”

As we all know, the education sector has undergone a major metamorphosis during the pandemic times. There has been a rise in e-learning and technology is playing a key role in transforming the education ecosystem in a big way. The event would focus on the need for technology and how it can adapted in the modern day teaching and learning process.

After the COVID 19 hit across the globe, there has been a rapid adoption of technology and e-learning has seen a different scenario altogether. Last two years have been challenging times for learners, staff and educators. Nonetheless educators are exploring best practices and solutions that can transform the education sector.

The event would be a platform that will discuss the tech-based solutions and their rapid adoption across the sector in length by the best names in the industry. The summit will be a platform where attendees will gain knowledge, learn about best practices, get policy updates, find appropriate solutions and become aware of the latest technical know-how. ‘

Here are a few topics that will be delved upon by experts –

  • Future of School Education in India: Challenges & Best Practices
  • National Education Policy 2020 : Opportunities, Approach & Implementation
  • Harnessing the power of technology for holistic development of your School
  • Impact of Artificial Intelligence on K12 education: Are we future ready?
  • Leadership, Learning & Innovations : In the Age of Disruptive Education
  • Game-based learning and adoption of data-driven instruction in classrooms laying the future roadmap of education
  • Designing Stage for Effective Global Academia Collaboration for Future Workforce & Study Abroad

The event will focus on the gap in the education system, lack of quality research work, shortage of faculty, availability of quality institutions, less collaboration and many vital topics that need attention and development in the higher education space. The event will be an inspiration for all who will be attending it.

Do not miss a chance to be a part of the event.

Registration Link – https://avtaar.eletsonline.com/wes-school/registration

Delhi schools honoured by state government for making ‘holistic contributions’ to education field

Delhi schools honoured

New Delhi

The Delhi government has honoured schools that have made “holistic contributions” in the field of education. This was stated in an official statement by the state government.

The ‘Excellence in Education’ award ceremony was organised at the Thyagaraj Stadium on Monday and 48 schools were awarded under various categories for 2020 and 45 schools for 2021.

In addition to these, 276 toppers of class 10th and 12th were also awarded. Speaking on the occasion, Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, “teachers are the biggest partners in nation building as they influence thousands of lives with their work.  Even in the difficult times of Covid, the responsibility with which the teachers gave the message of ”learning never stops” is really commendable.”

Sisodia said that the education model of Delhi is not just a model of leadership but a result of the collective efforts of ‘Team Education’. “Schools get success when they perform well but to become excellent, out-of-the-box thinking is required and it is because of their uniqueness and new innovation that schools get these awards. But after winning the award, their challenge increases because now they compete with themselves to become better,” he said.

KIET Group of Institutions organizes workshop on GENDER EQUALITY for International Women’s Day

KIET Group of Institutions

KIET Group of Institutions, Ghaziabad organized a workshop on GENDER EQUALITY & HARMONY IN PROFESSIONAL WORLD on the occasion of INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY on March 5, 2022 for all the female faculty, staff, and students under the flagship of its Internal Complaints Committee in collaboration with the Department of International Relationship and Public Relations, KIET on March 05, 2022. Dr. Preeti Chitkara, Head, IR & PR, welcomed the guest speaker, Dr. Seema Sharma. In her welcome address, she stated the importance of the workshop by stressing that gender equality is a must for the sustainable development of any country.

The Guest Speaker of the workshop, Dr. Seema Sharma, a well-known Clinical Psychologist & Motivational Speaker shared her views on gender equality and suggested how one can live in harmony in one’s professional life. She started her talk by stating the term equality and defined that the word equal has no relevance to the genders- male and female. She asserted that both are different and have different individual abilities and capacities. It is not about equality but about harmony in relationships and negotiations between man and woman. She metaphorized by giving the example of a fish and monkey and proved that they cannot be compared as both of them have their own specialties.

She further added, “Biased means pre-conceived thoughts what we have developed that women are inferior”. She urged that they should stop comparing and categorizing rules and regulations for males & females. Rather they should insist on thinking and introspecting to explore themselves. Dr. Sharma emphasized strategies to navigate unconscious biases. She advised to follow the SPACE-2 method i.e. Slowing down, Perspective Taking-Asking yourself, Cultural Intelligence, Exemplars & Expanding. At the last of the workshop, Dr. Seema Sharma invited queries from the audience and resolved them satisfactorily.

Dr. (Col.) A. Garg, Director, KIET, welcomed Dr. Seema Sharma by presenting an Oxy plant and thanked her for her precious time. In his address, Dr. (Col.) A. Garg praised the role of women for making a continuous effort for the sustainable development of the country. He said that in all fields like- teaching, homemaking, economy, engineering, health sector, etc women have been making this world a better place with their invincible strength, dedication, determination, and belief. He added that women have proved themselves superior to men in almost all fields starting from homemaking to CEO of a company but even then, gender inequality is there on global level. He also appreciated the sincere efforts which KIET has been rendering for making it a comfy place for all the female faculty, staff, and students wherein various initiatives like the establishment of ICC (Internal Complaints Committee), on-campus availability of Counsellor, HV Cell, are some of the prominent steps. The institute is striving hard to provide all-round development to all the students with zero gender bias and can vouch on the laurels that are being brought by the female students and faculty members of the institute. He concluded his address by stating that we need to work on creating harmony within ourselves so that the relationship we have shall be equal.

The Chairperson of ICC, Dr. Ritu Gupta thanked Dr. Seema Sharma for her thought-provoking ideas and expected more sessions in the future. Dr. R. Srinivasan, Head MBA proposed the Vote of Thanks and expressed gratitude to all participants present there in the workshop. The workshop was attended in umpteen number wherein the Joint Director – Dr. Manoj Goel, Administrative officer, HODs, faculty, staff, and students witnessed the success of the event.

Scaler buys edtech firm AppliedRoots for $50mn aiming to expand online courses

Students returning

Scaler, a startup offering upskilling courses to working professionals, has stated that it has acquired online learning platform AppliedRoots for $50 million to strengthen its data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning courses.

It may be recalled that last year, Scaler had acquired Coding Minutes and CodingElements, both online tutors. AppliedRoots is known for its flagship AppliedAICourse.

Announcing the acquisition, Abhimanyu Saxena, co-founder of Scaler & InterviewBit, said: “All the co-founders have extensive experience across software development, AI & ML and the edtech industry. We feel powerful synergy with their team, their ideas and goals. Together we can accelerate the pace at which we can aid aspiring tech professionals to upskill themselves and create meaningful and rewarding careers.”

Post the acquisition, the six co-founders of AppliedRoots will be joining Scaler and lead varied projects. Srikanth Verma Chekuri, Co-founder, AppliedRoots, said. “We started AppliedRoots to democratize higher education with phenomenal quality and mentorship, and our vision is in perfect alignment with that of Scaler.”

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