Home learning may well become the norm again. Maharashtra schools are definitely gearing up for the educational revolution of sorts. In a step towards free and uncontrolled learning, Pune-based Pragatipath Educational Foundation recently launched myEshala.
myEshala is a learning tool that enables children to study the Maharashtra State (S.S.C.) curriculum from their home. Pragatipath Educational Foundation also runs the Millennium National School in Pune. The model of e-learning was tried and tested on the school's students first, before bringing it out as an open tool. The tool can be used independently and as a reinforcement to what has already been taught at school.
The tool, a demo copy of which can be downloaded from the website, www.myEshala.in, comprises of lesson-by-lesson lecture videos of all subjects as per the State (S.S.C.) curriculum, including Maths, Science, History, Geography, and English and Grammar. The lectures are designed and scripted by a young team of professionals. The website claims that each lecture has been tried, evaluated and reviewed by school teachers and students, making it effective, accurate and interesting. After small segments, preliminary testing is done to check learning levels.
A copy of myEshala is valid for a period of one academic year, between May 1 to April 30 every year. In this time period, one is free to use all the available lectures and attempt all the quizzes as many times as wanted. It is available at an annual fee of Rs. 3,500 for home use.
Available only for the English medium syllabus from Class 3 to Class 8 as of now, the Foundation aims to expand it to other classes and to Marathi medium within a few months. As mobile phone penetration in rural areas is better than that of computers, the tool will be made compatible for mobile phones within the next year, to reach out to rural students. The Foundation has also requested the Pune Municipal Corporation to integrate the tool in Corporation-run schools.
One broad aim of the Foundation is to encourage home schooling and enable children to give external exams. This will usher in more freedom from the current educational system, it believes.
