SCERT Uttarakhand’s ICT Exposure Visit to IIT Bombay: Day 1 (13th January 2025)

 

The first day of the SCERT Uttarakhand faculty’s ICT exposure visit to IIT Bombay at the Centre for Educational Technology (CET) was a dynamic and enriching experience. The program aims to equip educators with knowledge about emerging technologies and their educational applications, creating pathways to modernize and enhance teaching practices.

Inaugural Session: A Promising Start

The day commenced with a formal inaugural session, presided over by Head of the Educational Technology (ET) Prof. Sahana Murthy who warmly welcomed the visiting faculty from SCERT Uttarakhand. The SCERT team included Dr. K. N. Bijalwan, Assistant Director, Mr. Ramesh Badoni, Mr. Rakesh Rawat, and Mr. Akhilesh Dobhal, all eager to explore innovative advancements in educational technology. The day began with the inaugural session, where Dr. Ramkumar Rajendran,  from the ET Department, and Prof. Syaamantak Das, a faculty member at ET, were present. and professor Dr. Ramkumar Rajendran introduced the program's objectives and shared insights into the pivotal role of the ET department in integrating technology into education. Their interactive discussions with the SCERT team set the tone for a collaborative and enriching exchange of ideas. 

Dr. Ramkumar Rajendran introduced his team and provided a brief overview of the agenda for the day. He opened the session with an engaging talk on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in education. His discussion included a detailed explanation of the concept of linear regression, followed by an insightful demonstration of the fundamentals of machine learning. This session offered practical examples of how AI and ML can enhance personalized learning, predict trends, and improve data-driven decision-making in education.

During the workshop, the team from IIT Bombay, comprising Nagesh Karmali, Kashmira Nagwekar, Saurav Chaudhary, Shivam Singh Rawat, and Arnab Bhakta, showcased two groundbreaking platforms developed at the institution: SAFE and BodhiTree. SAFE (Secure Assessment for Everyone) is an advanced platform designed for conducting e-examinations securely and efficiently, ensuring accessible and scalable solutions for digital assessments. Meanwhile, BodhiTree, a flipped classroom platform developed at the CSE Department, IIT Bombay, is tailored to deliver accessible, quality technical education to learners through flexible, hands-on approaches. It supports interactive learning and promotes better engagement with educational content by flipping the traditional classroom model. Both platforms emphasize inclusivity, innovation, and ease of use, making them invaluable tools for modern education systems. The presentations highlighted their practical applications and demonstrated their potential to revolutionize teaching and assessment practices in educational institutions.

Engaging Demonstrations by Research Scholars

After the inaugural session, research scholars from CET presented their innovative work, showcasing how technology can be integrated into school curricula to make learning more interactive and effective. The highlights of the presentations included:

• Augmented Reality (AR) in Biology: A fascinating demonstration of AR technology that allows students to explore complex biological concepts in a highly visual and immersive way, revolutionizing how science is taught in classrooms.
• Python-based Learning Management Systems (LMS): The scholars showcased how Python can be used to develop efficient LMS platforms, providing tools for teachers to create interactive and data-driven learning experiences.
• MetaGuru LMS: This platform was introduced as a comprehensive solution for managing and delivering educational content while tracking student progress through advanced analytics.
• Bodhitree LMS: The presentation on Bodhitree LMS was particularly well-received, as it highlighted features like personalized learning pathways, collaborative tools, and innovative content delivery methods. The SCERT faculty expressed great appreciation for its potential to transform traditional learning methods.

These demonstrations, led by Dr. Ramkumar Rajendran and his team of research scholars, left a lasting impression on the participants. The SCERT faculty, including Dr. K. N. Bijalwan, Mr. Ramesh Badoni, Mr. Rakesh Rawat, and Mr. Akhilesh Dobhal, actively engaged with the presenters, asking insightful questions and exploring ways to incorporate these tools into the Uttarakhand education system.

Sessions on AI, ML, and LMS Platforms

The hands-on sessions led by Dr. Ramkumar Rajendran offered an in-depth exploration of the applications of AI and ML in education. The participants gained insights into how these technologies could be used to:

• Analyze and predict student learning patterns using linear regression models.
• Enhance teaching strategies by leveraging data-driven insights.
• Research Scholar Prajapati presented to Create engaging, interactive content for classrooms using tools like AR and LMS platforms.

Participant Reflections and Key Takeaways

The day concluded with a feedback session where the SCERT faculty reflected on their learnings. They praised the innovative work presented by the research scholars. They expressed particular admiration for the Bodhitree LMS, which they found to be a game-changer for personalized and collaborative learning. The session on Augmented Reality in Biology was also highlighted as an inspiring example of how technology can make abstract concepts more accessible and engaging for students.

Highlights

The inaugural day of the visit was a blend of inspiration, collaboration, and hands-on learning. Key takeaways included:

• The practical applications of AI and ML in enhancing education.
• The potential of AR to revolutionize science teaching.
• The versatility and scalability of platforms like MetaGuru LMS and Bodhitree LMS.

The day concluded with a hands-on session on "Phygital Tools" in education, led by experts from various domains by Sunny, Indrayani, and Jyoti about PyGuru, MetaGuru 

This engaging session introduced the participants to a range of phygital tools, combining physical and digital resources for effective teaching. Attendees explored practical applications of these tools, gaining a deeper understanding of their potential in creating immersive learning environments.