QR code for three more subjects from next year

DSERT to extend facility to Kannada, Hindi, and social science from next year

This academic year, DSERT has introduced QR codes for science, mathematics, and English for classes 6 to 10.

Buoyed by the success of e-content being used by students and teachers both inside and outside the classroom, the Department of State Educational Research and Training (DSERT) has decided to extend the facility to three more subjects from the 2020-21 academic year.

The QR codes in textbooks, which allow students and faculty to access the digital content, will be placed in Kannada, Hindi, and social science textbooks next year.

This academic year, the department had introduced QR codes and digital content for science, mathematics, and English for classes 6 to 10.

This will be replicated for the remaining three subjects as well.

Mobile app

Officials in the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) said students and teachers will have to download a mobile application called Diksha to scan the QR code printed on their textbooks. The app will take them to the e-content that will help students and teachers act as an aid in the teaching and learning process.

“The purpose of this initiative is to enable teachers and students to use it both in the classroom as well at home,” said an official. The e-content includes both videos and activities that students can do once the lessons are taught by their teachers. Each of these activities are between five to 10 minutes. “While students in urban areas are exposed to such content, we hope students from rural areas will benefit immensely from this. This is also part of our endeavour to make learning more fun for students,” the official added.

Manjunath H.K., president of the Karnataka State High School Assistant Masters’ Association, said this tool had made it simpler for teachers to come prepared for classes. “Now, everything is on hand in the app. Teachers need not have to refer to different books and make notes for the class,” he said, adding that this initiative will be of big help to students from government schools to be on a par with their counterparts in private schools.

“Most private schools have audio-visual classes. With the help of this, it can be introduced in government schools as well,” he said.