An e-smart classroom was launched by Minister for Information and Technology Poongothai Aladi Aruna and School Education Minister Thangam Thennarasu at a Government Higher Secondary School in Mallankinaru near Aruppukottai on Thursday.
In an e-smart classroom, the teacher uses an interactive electronic board, supported by a computer, to teach subjects with the help of 3D images and animations.
“Research reveals that only 10 per cent of the students are intelligent enough to understand classroom teaching. Others are not able to imagine [what the teacher tries to explain verbally],” said Ms. Poongothai. The animations would help students learn subjects, especially mathematics, science and social science, in a better way.
Initiated by the departments of Information Technology and School Education, the e-smart classroom, each costing Rs.5 lakh, also has touch-screen kiosks and power backup.
“Two classrooms will be enough for each school,” said Ms. Poongothai. They would soon be introduced in at least 100 government schools. At present, the facility would be introduced in Standard Nine and extended to all classes later.
Mr. Thennarasu said that textbook syllabus could be supplemented with additional information on the subjects derived from the Internet. The government had a scheme to provide broadband facility to all schools.
Saying all high and higher secondary schools have computer facility now, Mr. Thennarasu said the Chief Minister had instructed officials to provide computers to all middle schools by end of this academic year.
Principal Secretary, Department of IT, P.W.C. Davidar, and Virudhunagar Collector V.K. Shanmugam spoke.
