{"id":760,"date":"2010-04-12T09:17:30","date_gmt":"2010-04-12T13:17:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/edutechdebate.org\/?p=760"},"modified":"2012-09-27T10:37:32","modified_gmt":"2012-09-27T14:37:32","slug":"interactive-radio-instruction-iri-improves-indian-student-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edutechdebate.org\/ict-tools-for-south-asia\/interactive-radio-instruction-iri-improves-indian-student-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI) Improves Indian Student Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"

Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI) is the use of radio to bring curriculum and teacher training to classrooms – a tremendous resource for learning and dissemination. IRI, which only requires a radio and an adult facilitator, reaches large numbers of teachers and learners who are isolated by distance and poor infrastructure. It can be used in almost any setting, from formal classrooms to community learning centers to outdoor venues.<\/p>\n

As part of the dot-EDU India Technology Tools for Teaching and Training<\/a> (T4) project funded by USAID, Education Development Center (EDC) uses IRI to improving the quality of education at the elementary level in seven states in India, namely, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi. The project has been active in India since October 2003 and aids education systems in India in attaining goals set forth by the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).<\/p>\n

In T4, the Interactive Radio Instruction Program<\/a> (IRI) has been found to have significant impact on improving student learning gains. Evaluation studies have indicated<\/a> that IRI has an impact on the Comprehension and Speaking skills as well as the Math, EVS and Social Science knowledge. T4 has also been consistently building the capacities of teachers to engage students in effective and joyful learning.<\/p>\n

Components of Interactive Radio Instruction Program<\/b><\/p>\n

Working closely with the State governments, T4 develops IRI programs in a variety of subjects based on the curriculum and targeting the needs defined by teachers themselves. The IRI lessons engage students through local stories, songs and physical activities, while supporting teachers to develop student-centered teaching skills.<\/p>\n

Group Teaching & Learning (GTL) Multimedia Software<\/i>
\nThe GTL software brings teachers and students together to conduct interactive activities around a single computer. The software allows students to focus on difficult science concepts in greater depth by providing over 10 hours of games and group activities. Students explore various science topics through a rich combination of learning resources for use both on and off the computer \u2013 songs, IRI programs, lesson plans, videos and quizzes. Current GTL titles include: \u201cAnimal Discovery\u201d, \u201cEcosystems and Habitats\u201d, \u201cSanitation and Hygiene Learning Game\u201d, \u201cWhat is Disease\u201d and \u201cFun with Geometry\u201d. An additional title on Physics is under production.<\/p>\n

Digital Library (DL)<\/i>
\nHosted by the National Informatics Center (NIC) Karnataka, the DL is an on-line searchable catalog of learning materials in audio, video and print formats. The DL allows teachers to access all T4 learning materials as well as those produced by many government and private\/public sector providers. Resources are available in English, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Oriya languages. The DL helps ensure that educational materials developed by international and national organizations and donors remain widely accessible.<\/p>\n

Life Skill Audios<\/i>
\nA series of interactive audio programs is being developed on selected \u201cskills for life\u201d topics geared towards middle-school youth as well as their teachers and parents. The underlying goals of the pilot series will be to \u201capply skills\u201d \u201cextend concepts\u201d and \u201cmake connections\u201d. The series will seek to reinforce skills already imparted by the other T4 media products (i.e., collaboration and cooperation, the scientific method etc) and extend it by bringing in new content relevant to middle-school academics, personal development and career planning. The presentation of drama\/activity-based audio segments coupled with in-class\/out-of class activities will be innovative and unprecedented.<\/p>\n

Life Skill Videos<\/i>
\nThe ten-episode, live-action series of life skills-themed fiction targets middle school-age youth in India. This series targets its audience with a plot, storyline and characters to which they can relate\u2014full of the ups and downs of adolescence and the very real challenges youth face at home and at school. As they watch the characters encounter and learn from their trials and tribulations, they will find new and constructive ways to deal with their own life challenges. <\/p>\n

Multimedia kits<\/i>
\nThe multimedia kit is aimed at higher primary schools targeting classes 6 to 8th. It aims at improving the learning gains in students as well improving the classroom transaction of teachers. It will comprise audio (cassettes or CDs) and video (cassettes or DVDs) materials that would be used off the air and supported by print guides. The off-air mode allows for pauses and repetitions while at the same not saturating the airwaves. The audio is being designed as a stand alone product, to enable teachers and students who may not have access to video technology to still benefit fully from the package The topics that are currently under production include Food, Cells, Numbers, Light and Force and Motion.<\/p>\n

Results<\/b><\/p>\n

T4 has already developed over 600 technology products designed to enhance student learning in Grades 1-5, complemented by extensive teacher training and monitoring. T4 project has been reaching out to 42 million students across 300,000 schools in eight partner states.<\/p>\n

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