Technology Program

Working in partnership with Mumbai-based Zaya Learning Labs (www.zaya.in), Visions launched a new e-Learning Program for the benefit of schoolchildren across 9 schools in India in 2016. This innovative new initiative is designed to promote learning advancement in Mathematics, English-language, and technology literacy for Grades 1-5 youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. The underlying intent is to reduce the learning gap, develop critical skills, and promote academic achievement in core subject areas.

Now in its 4th year, this program currently provides nearly 1,000 Indian schoolchildren with access to digital learning content through the Zaya Class Cloud device (and subsequent online platform) and the provision of tablet devices. This tablet-based, self-paced learning program is taking place at schools in the state of Tamil Nadu. Based off initial assessment data, an estimated 95% of children participating in the program live at or below the poverty line, including a majority (83%) of whom live in “extreme poverty” based off international poverty definition standards.

Goals & Objectives

Improve student understanding and achievement in Math and English.
Improve student understanding of technology through developing digital learning skills.
Positively impact student school attendance and overall enthusiasm about learning.
Show students how to access educational resources, either online or offline, to improve their conceptual understanding of subject material in various subjects.
Increase the accessibility and ease for teachers in utilizing digital learning resources to supplement and facilitate in-class instruction.

Equipment & Digital Learning Software

Each of the participating schools received 1 Zaya Class Cloud wireless routing & storage device, 25 Lenovo tablets, 25 personal headphones, 1 back-up power supply device, 1 internet routing device, and a stock supply of teaching aides, books, & materials. All tablets come pre-loaded with English-language and Mathematics-learning software. Visions is concurrently working on digitizing its own uniquely designed Leadership & Life Skills curriculum, which we plan to make available on all tablet devices in 2017.

Teacher & Staff Training

Each participating school is invited to send 3 representatives (2 teachers & 1 administrator) to participate in a biannual training program to learn about the technology, increase their own proficiency & skills, and receive training in the “blended learning” methodology (that is, syncing the tech-based learning with in-person facilitation, all of which is tied to grade competency curriculum). Additionally, Visions provides supplementary leadership & capacity-building trainings and year-round support to all teachers & administrators at each of the participating schools. The first biannual training was held in December 2015 in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, and the second training was held in June 2015 in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu.