National Symposium
on
Future Directions for Technology in Education
21st March 2014,
Supported by UGC
Organized by Jankidevi Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, SNDT Women's University, Mumbai
Jointly with Media Lab Asia, Dept of Electronics and Information Technology, Govt. of India
Prof. M M Pant
Former Pro Vice-Chancellor Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India and Founder LMP Education Trust
Prof. M M Pant(www.mmpant.net) pursues pedagogy, technology, educational innovation, tools and curricula that help enhance the effectiveness of teachers,learners, parents and entrepreneurs in the 2nd decade of the 21st century, using Tablets,mobiles and handhelds, a framework named ‘Learning 221’.His past roles include being a Pro-Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and faculty at IIT Kanpur. He has been visiting Professor, University of Western Ontario, Canada, and visiting scientist to European research centres in Italy, England, Germany and Sweden.Prof. Pant is founder of LMP Education Trust, an organization supporting underprivileged learners.
Abstract- A perspective on next generation learning
Handheld and wearable devices that access Internet wirelessly are disruptively transforming the landscape of teaching-learning with new educational technologies including MOOCs, Gamification and Learning Analytics supported with innovative pedagogies of Flipped Teaching and peer and collaborative social learning.An overview of this scenario will be supplemented with examples and case studies of implementation.We begin with de Bono's metaphor of fixing the nuts and bolts of a ship, while being unmindful of its wrong direction, and draw attention to the purpose of education and its challenges. The significance of education when Big Data and machine intelligence is growing rapidly is considered.In the past, quality was possible only in an exclusive educational model, with small teacher to student ratios, and increasing quantity was axiomatic with reduced quality. But ubiquitous emerging technology can act as a prosthetic device to enable ordinary learners to become better learners and relatively ordinary teachers to ' stand over the shoulders' of other eminent educators to deliver a high quality learning experience, truly implementing the spirit of ' education for all'.As Clayton Christensen has suggested, the disruption as a result of these technologies is not about increased access, but more fundamentally about the " personalization’' of the learning experience.
Prof. Sahana Murthy
Sahana Murthy is Assistant Professor in the Inter-Disciplinary Programme in Educational Technology at IIT Bombay since 2009. Prior to that she worked as a post-doctoral researcher in Physics Education Research at MIT and Rutgers University, USA. She got her Ph.D. in Physics from Rutgers University in 2004. Her research interests lie in the areas of computer-based visualizations in STEM education, and development of scientific abilities through technology enhanced learning environments. She is involved in projects funded by the Government of India’s National Mission on Education through ICT. She has conducted a number of teacher professional development workshops on effective teaching strategies for engineering research methods for education.
Abstract- Use of Visualizations in facilitating learning
The benefits of using computer-based visualizations (such as animations and simulations) are well established in science and engineering education. Visualizations have been recommended for promoting conceptual and procedural understanding, improving reasoning and prediction abilities and developing mental models of scientific ideas. However, there are commonly held perceptions related to the role of visualizations in the learning process. Instructors commonly believe that showing these visualizations in class will help students learn better, since there is a visual demonstration of the concepts being learnt. Another perception is that higher interactivity in visualizations is necessarily better. Are these perceptions myths, or are they supported by research? In this talk, I will explore these issues and focus on the key features that promote student learning. I will discuss some current results from our research related to the design as well of instructor-use of computer-based visualizations.
Dr. Krishnan Ramanathan
Krishnan Ramanathan is a principal technologist with HP Technology Services.His areas of expertise are Big Data, Information Retrieval and Analytics, Machine Learning and software system design. In his current role, he is part of the pan-HP Big Data team. He is also responsible for the HP VideoBook product roadmap and development. Earlier, he was a Principal research scientist at HP Labs (2005-2013) where he worked on technology in education, technologies and applications in personailzation and document summarization and technologies for delivering print using television and sponsorship of print documents.Prior to that he was a software architect at HP's enterprise software division (2000-2004) where he worked on the HP Openview performance product and HP VirtualVault product.He started his career as a researcher at the Defence Research and Development Organization (1990-2000) where he worked on machine learning, neural networks and computer security with applications to defence.He has five granted patents and many pending grant. He received the PhD degree in Computer Science from IIT Mumbai in 2000 and a M.Sc. in Computer Science from University of Poona in 1990.
Abstract- VideoBook - a new and richer reading experience
HP VideoBook is a solution that augments the textbook experience with videos. Videos relevant to each page of the textbook are identified and sourced from multiple online video sources. The videos are presented with the textbook in a graphical user interface. Other education services like assessment and social networking can be integrated with VideoBook. A pilot in two schools demonstrated the potential of this technology to improve learning outcomes. VideoBook won the 2012 WSJ innovation award in the education category in 2012 and was launched as a product in India by HP Technology Services in June 2013.In this talk, we will motivate the need for something like VideoBook, discuss the algorithmic challenges and approach, discuss the cloud implementation and some novel approaches to improve the relevance of the videos using analytics
Mr. Sanjaya Sharma
Chief Executive Officer,Tata Interactive Systems
Sanjaya Sharma is the Founder-CEO of Tata Interactive Systems (TIS), the pioneer and global leader in E-Learning, Simulations and Serious Games. Sanjaya is now spearheading the entry of Tata Interactive into the Indian schools space with the launch of Tata ClassEdge, an innovative learning solution for all subjects and all classes from Junior KG to Standard XII.
Aiming to change the way students learn, Tata ClassEdge is designed to help teachers deliver effective instruction using a blend of classroom activities, interactive multimedia and new technology.
Sanjaya joined the Tata Group in 1980 as an officer of the Tata Administrative Service. He worked with the Indian Hotels Company and Tata Unisys before founding Tata Interactive Systems in 1990, encouraged by Group Chairman Mr. Ratan Tata.
Sanjaya holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Software Technology from the National Centre for Software Technology, Mumbai.
He has travelled extensively around India and the globe and loves reading novels, poetry and non-fiction. He also follows cricket, chess and movies in depth.
Dr. Mangala Sunder Krishnan
Dr. Mangala Sunder Krishnan has been a Post-Doctoral Fellow, A Visiting Scientist, Visiting Faculty Member, as well as an Associate Professor both in India as well as Canada. He is currently a faculty member of the Department of Chemistry at IIT Madras. He has published over 60 papers in international journals and National and International Conferences and has been invited to over 70 different institutes for seminars and conferences. He is also the coordinator and head of the NPTEL initiative of the Ministry of HRD, Government of India. The NPTEL has enabled thousands of individuals and institutions by offering over 260 courses.
Abstract
Dr. Mangala Sunder Krishnan will talk about how NPTEL has positively impacted thousands.
Dr. D. B. Pathak
Dr. D. B. Phatak has been working with IIT Bombay since 1971 and has also been the first Dean of Resources at IIT. He was also the founding head of the Kanwal Rekhi School of IT. He started country’s first interactive distance learning program-using VSATs, which is now known as Centre for Distance Engineering Education. He set up the Affordable Solutions Lab (ASL) at IIT Bombay. At present he is the Chairman of the national board of IT education and research of All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE).In the financial sector, he has been an I.T. adviser to a number of organizations. He works on several committees advising Central and State Government departments, on issues related to IT projects. He has worked on the governing boards of NIBM, IDRBT, UTIISL, ISIL, etc. He is currently on the IT and HR committees of the Board of Bank of Baroda. He was conferred the Padma Shri award by the Government of India, for his services in Science and Technology.
Dr. Srinivasan Ramani
A Visionary, an Outstanding Mentor and a Great Human Being
Dr.Ramani was born in Chennai to Mr. C. S. Srinivasan and Mrs. Mangalam. He did his Bachelor in Engineering from Madras University in 1962. He completed his M.Tech in Computer Science in the first M.Tech batch at IIT Bombay (1964) with Prof J.R. Isaac and Prof P.V.S. Rao from TIFR as his thesis advisors and project guides. He later joined TIFR (1964) where he worked for his Ph.D. in the area of Artificial Intelligence with Prof.R. Narasimhan (1969). He later worked for his post-doc at Carnegie Mellon University with Prof. Allen Newell (1971-1973).
Dr. Ramani entered the professional world starting in computer communications; and later worked in several other areas including knowledge-based computer systems and technology in education. He has served as a scientist at different levels at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (1964-1985), as Director, National Centre for Software Technology (1985-2000), Director, R&D, Silverline Technologies Ltd (2000-2001) and as Director at the HP Labs India (2001-2007). He was later Professor at the International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore (2007-2011).
Ramani has worked on computer networking for developing countries for over two decades. He created and headed a computer networks team at the National Centre for Software Development and Computing Techniques, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research starting in 1974. Working with two other Indian Labs in this area, the team created and demonstrated a packet switching network over satellite channels in the early eighties.
As Head, Computer Networks at the National Centre for Software Technology (NCST), Mumbai, Ramani played a key role in the Education and Research Network (ERNET) project that brought the Internet to India and subsequently the Bombay Library Network (Bonet). Under Ramani’s leadership, the NCST team set up the first Internet links for ERNET (1988). The link to USA was upgraded to 64 Kbps (1992); it has grown many, many times in the subsequent years. In parallel, the eight partnering institutions of ERNET, in cooperation with NCST, set up intercity TCP/IP links to Mumbai. The expertise gained during the ERNET project was used by the NCST team to help a number of Indian companies and organizations to set up their own TCP/IP networks.
Dr. Ramani was instrumental in several other areas of work at the National Centre for Software Technology. He led the Knowledge Based Computer Systems group that contributed to several areas of Artificial Intelligence. He led NCST to launch and run some of the best Software Technology courses for working professionals. While at NCST Dr. Ramani guided 6 PhD students in areas of computer communications and knowledge based computer systems.
Dr. Ramani as founding Director set the direction and vision of HP Labs India in Bangalore that had a focus on Innovation for Emerging Economies. He led several efforts looking at problems in the context of an emerging economy like India and identifying technology solutions that could have a significant impact. He was a firm believer that technology innovation should have an impact and that ideas from India could inspire innovation elsewhere in the world.
At the International Institute for Information Technology, Dr.Ramani was actively involved in research in the area of Technology in Education and Semantic Web. He led research students in this area and was also instrumental in starting the IEEE series – International Workshop on Technology for Education (T4E) in 2009. This has now established itself as a premier event in India related to Technology for Education.
Dr. Ramani was a member of the High Level Panel of Advisors to the UN on Information and Communication Technologies (2001-2004); and later he served as an advisor. He created a series of international conferences named Computer Communication for Developing Countries. He served as Editor, Journal of Information Technology for Development (1995-2000). Dr Ramani now runs an educational website www.HydrusWorld.org and blogs at http://obvioustruths.blogspot.in and http://newstudentresearch.blogspot.com. These sites give a glimpse of his passion for ideas and determination to have an impact.
Dr. Ramani is a Past-President of the Computer Society of India (1996-98), a Past-President of the International Council for Computer Communication (2001-2004), Past Chairman of the Governing Board of the Information Library Network (INFLIBNET) (1995-2000). Dr. Ramani is a Fellow of the CSI, the National Academy of Engineering and IIT Bombay. He was a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet, India (1997-1999). He was a recipient of the Homi Bhabha Fellowship (1971-73), the Om Prakash Bhasin Award (1990) and the Dataquest Lifetime Achievement Award (2000).
Dr. Ramani has been a great institution builder being the founding Director of the National Centre for Software Technology, Mumbai (1985-2000) and the founding Director of HP Labs India, Bangalore (2001-2007). He set the vision and built the strong foundations for these institutions.
With Dr. Ramani’s help SNDT established its MCA programme in 1989. Under an MOU of SNDT and NCST, the PhD programme in Computer Science got established and 2 faculty members were given guidance and facilities for conducting their research at NCST. Dr. Ramani was a member of the SNDT Senate for 2 terms (1985-90; 1995-2000) as the Governor’s Nominee.
There are several things that are special about Dr. Ramani. He is a person with a tremendous amount of curiosity and a passion for life. He is a problem solver par excellence - no matter what the problem, whether technical or personal, he always has a practical way of solving it. He has a great attention for detail. The enthusiasm and excitement of Dr. Ramani are contagious and have greatly influenced those who worked with him. Overall Dr. Ramani is a great human being with a very caring attitude and has been a tremendous role model for many of us. We felicitate and congratulate Dr. Ramani for all his contributions and are extremely grateful to him for making several of us what we are today.