Teleclassrooms revolutionising education

KOCHI: Technology is changing the face of education drastically in our country. The traditional style of teaching is giving way to teleclassrooms which enable the learner to keep pace with the advances in knowledge and skills.
The lack of expertise in teaching, which afflicts our educational institutions, is sought to be solved through teleclassrooms.  Specialised education imparted from different parts of the country and abroad  by experts will reach students  by networking through a dedicated path.   
Edyounet Technologies, a platform which connects the studio and classroom, is set to launch more teleclassrooms in the state. “We plan to set up at least two teleclassrooms in each district. About 30 private colleges have expressed interest. Studios will be set up in acclaimed institutes in India and abroad from where experts in different fields will impart classes,” said Ram Mohan, CEO, of the Kochi-based firm.
Edyounet offers advanced classes in banking, shareholding, CA, graduation and  medical and engineering entrance. The initial cost of setting up a classroom is about `1.50 lakh with a rent of `20,000 per month.

First of its kind, the concept was launched on a pilot basis two years ago in the state. The virtual labs in some universities air only their content but Edyounet is an independent platform which seamlessly connects the studio and classroom through a dedicated path.
Students will be provided wireless keyboard and mouse and other audiovisual aid to regulate the buttons on the 55-inch LCD board through which they can interact with the teachers. They can even write on the board, he explained.
“We have teleclassrooms in Kottayam, Thrissur and Kannur and studios in Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Kolhapur, Mumbai. Since thrust is being given to skill development we have submitted the project to the Prime Minister’s Office at the behest of J P Rai, Executive Director, Prime Minister’s National Council on Skill Development,” he said.
But Education Minister Abdu Rabb has not heard of the concept. “I inaugurated the virtual programme in Amrita University, but this venture has not come to my notice,’’ he admitted. However, some institutes have shown interest in it. “The technology is excellent as it helps connect students in remote places to the delivery centre. Talks are on to commence three courses using this technology, a six-month certificate course, a 12-month diploma course and an 18-month PG diploma course in the coming academic year,”  according to P R S Sharma, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management, in Vishakapatnam.