TATA ClassEdge, a leading provider of innovative technology based learning solutions for schools, announced a partnership with the City Montessori School (CMS) Lucknow, one of the most prestigious schools in India. An agreement has been signed for 877 classrooms of CMS, which is by far one of the largest implementation of technology in any school globally.

This partnership is aimed at improving students’ learning outcomes by enhancing the teaching learning experience through innovative use of technology. TATA ClassEdge’s proprietary instructional framework, using the multiple learning experiences model, makes use of distinct types of activities that promotes social and thinking skills in students. Additionally, the lesson planning approach and an assessment platform helps teachers; while ClassEdge Connect lets them contribute and share their own content, within and across the schools too.

Nirav Khambhati, CEO of Tata ClassEdge, said, “We take great pride in partnering with the best schools in India and it is nice to receive this vote of confidence from CMS. We learn a lot by working with progressive schools like CMS, and that helps us stay at the forefront of introducing new technologies and innovation in classrooms.”

Commenting on this partnership, Prof Geeta Gandhi Kingdon, President and COO of CMS,  said, “CMS has always striven to harness the power of educational technology, and is careful to adopt only appropriate technology. Today we are proud to have partnered with Tata ClassEdge as the availability of textbook mapped interactive media, worksheets, quizzes and labs, lesson planning and activity based learning methods in the ClassEdge content will further enhance the engagement levels of students. ClassEdge Connect, the collaborative aspect of Tata ClassEdge platform, makes use of our biggest asset, the collective wisdom of our teachers, by enabling them to share best practices and resources across our different campuses. We look forward to a long lasting association with Tata ClassEdge.”

German TV Channel ‘Da Vinci Learning’ has launched its children’s education HD channel under a joint venture with Raghav Bahl-promoted Quintillion Media. The educational channel is owned by Berlin-based firm Da Vinci Media GmbH.

Currently available on Hathway, the channel will expand to key DTH and cable platforms in the next few weeks.

Focussed on kids aged 6-12 years and families, the channel will offer programming that will give Indian viewers a horizontal digital multimedia educational platform spanning multiple screens and devices.

Ferdinand Habsburg, Founder & CEO, Da Vinci Media Gmbh, said, “India is an important market for us and has potential to be among our top markets. We believe the mindset of Indian parents when it comes to education is significantly different; they are much more concerned about education than parents in some of the other markets. They also spend a higher percentage of income on education. So there is a big potential to offer an education product.”

He further said that given the size and diversity of the country, the company could also consider launching in other Indian regional languages.

The preset formula for a successful life needs to be reversed, said Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director-General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), at the second ‘What Works’ education event.

“The age-old, preset formula where you study and work to become successful, eventually leading to happiness must go. Now children need to be happy and kept in a creative, innovative environment for future success. That is one of the keys to innovation,” added Dr Karam.

‘What Works’ – the education event organised by schools for schools – saw an electrifying gathering of more than 600 teachers, school leaders, and educators from all subjects from private schools at the Emirates Aviation University in Dubai International Academic City on November 9, 2015.

The theme of the highlighted how schools in Dubai are creating advanced prototypes of unmanned machinery. The students’ demonstrated their skills in coding, embedded electronics, design, and all computer-related things.

As part of its expansion, Aldar Academies is to open two schools – an all-girls secondary school and an American-curriculum school – in the capital next year that will take its pupil population from 5,000 to 9,300.

The girls’ secondary will offer the English national curriculum in the primary, while the girls section will teach the international baccalaureate diploma programme for years 12 and 13.

The American school will teach co-ed kindergarten to Grade 12 and offer the Massachusetts State curriculum.

The fees in both schools will be in the medium-to-high range, starting from Dh40,000 annually, although tuition has yet to be decided.

The girls school, including the co-ed primary section, will have room for 1,800 students, while the American school can accommodate the equal number of students.

To facilitate the increased number of pupils, Aldar Academies will hire 150 more teachers and staff, taking its total number of employees to about 950. The two schools are to open in September 2016.