Smart interactive boards,audio response systems,e-Class teacher learning modules and a robotics lab for maths and science classes have created a buzz around the city schools. With such technology in schools,it has become easier for the teachers to help each child play an active role in their lessons. Teachers report that even those students who were quiet in class before want to come up to the front to use the boards to see exactly what they can do,making lessons even more engaging. The tech-driven classrooms seemed to have increased the potential of the classroom learning and participation. The use of robots is another emerging trend in city schools,wherein students can prepare models,which can be further used for loading and unloading machines. Saupins School,Sector 32,Dikshant School in Zirakpur,Millennium School and Gurukul School in Mohali are the schools where such laboratories have been already installed successfully. Students spread out to do their inventions,children can test and programme their robots. A continuous path control robot demonstrates the cutting and welding of machine parts. ABS Sidhu,the principal of Saupins School,Sector 32,said,Within a week or so,all the classes in our school will be equipped with smart interactive boards. Smart boards have brought in a very positive response from the students,even from those who were shy and never spoke in class,in other words,students feel intensely engaged in the lectures now. Apart from the interactive boards,we have recently come up with an audio response system on a trial basis. The system,as is used in TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC),allows students to respond to the questions in a poll format,such that the percentage of students providing the correct answer is then immediately displayed on the board in a bar graph or pie chart. It will be easier for the teachers to make every student participate in the class. We will see how successful this system will be in the classrooms,then we will install in other classrooms as well, added Sidhu. Ryan International School,Sector 49,believes that students learn better when they are fully engaged and that multisensory,hands-on learning is the best way to engage them. Principal Poonam Sharma said,The concept of the electronic boards enhance classroom instruction and learning. Visual learners benefit a lot from a clear view of what is happening on the board. Now the teachers can upload their modules,and the worksheets for the students are also attached to the boards. Students can also create their own presentations. Teachers are aware of the audio and visual learning styles,they can vary their format according to the needs of the students. Interactive boards have made the classes more interactive. With interactive teaching being the highlight,city schools including Stepping Stones,Sector 37,Manav Mangal,Sector 21 and St Annes Convent School,Sector 32,are leaving no stone unturned to make learning a fun process.
