eGovernance

The term e-learning stands for learning methods which are conducted by electronic media. The aim to initiate this project is to develop the self confidence of an academically weak student and make him believe in his inner strength and realize his potential. The acronym “Samarth” stands for “Smartness and strength analysis to motivate academically weak for rapid learning through highly efficient methods”. Before understanding how e-Samarth is any different, let us dwell deep into the prior existing learning ways and methods, which have been part of public schools but have been limited. Also these methods have not been able to achieve the expectations in the Govt. schools.

Upon visiting the government schools, there are few observations where we as a system are still struggling –

• The teachers are far away from the technology and are restricted to books and syllabus due to lacking or the nonfunctional resources. E.g. explanation of the working heart is limited to diagrams on the blackboards; the concept of travelling of light is limited to drawing lines on a sheet of a paper, motivation was bounded to the words only.
• Difference in the efficiency and caliber of students and teachers were found.

After these observations, E-Samarth came into existence & application using the existing software developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC), Kurukshetra and already being used in the e – library, Kurukshetra. In this software, videos cover varieties of subjects from Basics of Mathematics, Science, Career Counseling/Study Plans and Interview Tips and so on. However, few challenges during initialization of e-Samarth were electricity backup, non functional computers and devices, internet connectivity, lights etc. Hence, the team of National Informatics Centre (NIC), Kurukshetra with the support of District Administration, Kurukshetra & Village Panchayats established Solar Power panels on the rooftops of the schools for electricity backup for computers, devices, lights etc. Computers & other devices were made functional with proper internet connectivity. Further, when the team of National Informatics Centre (NIC), Kurukshetra stepped forward and took an interactive session of the students and teachers, few positive observations were: an urge to learn, desire to improve the method of teaching, willingness to adopt the advanced technology etc. After explaining the basic module of e-Samarth like tricks, tech, awareness and eminence, the excitement among the students and teachers was revealed by their excellent reviews.

Smart classes: Smart classes are generally limited to advanced hardware and software, air conditioned classroom, better ambience and targeted to smart students who have already good grasping ability. E-Samarth is different

• In e-Samarth classes, the hardware and software used are only the idle lying IT infrastructure which has been made functional by the team of National Informatics Centre (NIC), Kurukshetra with the cooperation of Schools Authorities and Village panchayats.
• The target is the academically weak student who is de-motivated by the scores in his/her exams. This helps him to believe in his abilities and stand up against all the odds and raise his/her voice with confidence to show his/her strength.
• Also the appreciation for not only the accuracy is given but for the courage to face the problems is given in the form of small gifts items like pen, pencil, eraser, notebook, medals etc.
• District Kurukshetra is the first to hold 10 e-Gramsabha through WebVC with District Administration in E-SAMARTH room.

Methodology This program is focused on academically weak students to boost up their confidence and improve their active participation. A teacher is dedicated with the students and is responsible for making the children understand the basic concepts and come out with their own ideas. The e – Samarth module covers the major areas of Mathematics, Science, English, Reasoning and Logic to help children upgrade their existing learning levels.

• Motivational Videos- to maintain positivity among the students and to motivate them.
• Career Counseling/ Study Plans
• Mathematics Tricks- The basic concept behind this component is to boost the confidence of the student by making him feel special with impressive tricks.
• Amazing Science- To make the mind of the student technical. To make the student analytical.
• Art/Craft & skills development- To improve the creativity among the students
• Sign and Symbol Awareness
• Technology & its future
• General awareness- Govt. Schemes, know world, India and Kurukshetra, famous personalities.
• Puzzles and Riddles.
• Ser-Sapata (Tourism and visiting places)
• General English

…covering more than 20 topics E-Samarth is not limited to the creativity and confidence building but also the syllabus according to the NCERT books is covered for the class 6th to 10th with all the subjects linked to the program named as “Aavlokan and Protsahan Program” where the students can attempt questions of their class of a particular subject and community participation for appreciation to the students is the highlight of this program.

An online portal (embedded with the official website of District Administration, Kurukshetra) has been set up which focuses on encouraging children in schools. The main features of this portal are –

• The students can answer the corresponding questions from their syllabus (Class 6th to 10th) in the portal which would be graded for the first 25 attempted questions.
• A unique log-in ID has been created for the school, using which the students participate in the quiz.
• The students who participate in the quiz would also be given Participation Certificate.
• An idea for supportive and collaborative community encouragement has also been incorporated in the portal. The community members can sponsor various items for well performing students. The community members can choose from various listed items in the portal – Bicycle, Guitar, Boxing gloves, Badminton rackets etc.