Solving India’s Education Problem at Scale

Sridhar RajagopalanDesign and Education Conference | February 2010

The Problem we saw (2001) – then denied by most

50% of class 4 students wrote 26 on top when asked to subtract 26 from 51. Only 25% answered correctly.

Extremely low levels of learning in our government schools

Narrow Focus on Rote Learning in Private schools

In private schools, student score marks and join good colleges, but with low levels of genuine understanding

Yet, these problems were denied.

The Strategy Adopted

Identify the Problem and Make it Visible(since the problem was not even being accepted by stakeholders)

Understand & Diagnose the Problem Deeply(a systematic approach is more likely to lead to possible solutions)

Try and Devise a Multi-Pronged Solution(complex problems have to be tackled at multiple fronts)

Educational Initiatives 4

Making the Problem Visible

Making the Problem Visible – India Today cover story, 2006

Are our top schools really helping children

learn well?

This study brought the issue of Rote Learning clearly in the National Agenda and many steps were

initiated at the level of schools and also at the Board / government level.

There is always a beautiful answer to who asks a more beautiful question.

Step 2: Understand and Diagnose the

Problem in Depth

A common

Misconceptio

n

Why does the

problem

arise?

Click to edit Master title style

• Click to edit Master text styles– Second level• Third level

– Fourth level» Fifth level

2/13/2011 10

Simply using Technology is not the solution – can we see why?

A not-so-carefully developed ‘animation’

There is always a beautiful answer to who asks a more beautiful question.

Step 3: Devise Multi-pronged Solutions

Multi-pronged Solutions

Devising Learning Solutions(research-based solutions to thousands of granular learning ‘misconceptions’)

Teacher Support(Through resources and physical visits, etc.)

Policy-level Changes(Board Exam Reform, eg. in Gujarat)

Supporting the Eco-system (partnerships)

Science of Learning

A pedagogically more sound exercise that illustrates the key concept of ‘angle as a turn’

Multi-pronged Solutions

Devising Learning Solutions

A pedagogically more sound exercise that illustrates the key concept of measurement

Multi-pronged Solutions

Devising Learning Solutions

Teacher Support through Resources

Multi-pronged Solutions

Teacher Support

Multi-pronged Solutions

Teacher Support

Teacher Support through Physical Visits, etc.

Understanding How Children Learn

Lists of Student Misconceptions

Inter-disciplinary field

Like a BA in Economics, students can gain a BA in SoL (?)

Science of Learning Centre

Strong Focus Research and Training

Science of Learning

Multi-pronged Solutions

Devising Learning Solutions(research-based solutions to thousands of granular learning ‘misconceptions’)

Teacher Support(Through resources and physical visits, etc.)

Policy-level Changes(Board Exam Reform, eg. in Gujarat)

Supporting the Eco-system (partnerships)

Science of Learning

Together creating a world where every child is Learning with Understanding

Thank You

Educational Initiatives613-615, J.B. Towers, Opp.Doordarshan, Drive-In Road,Ahmedabad 380054. Gujarat. INDIA.Phone: +91-79-40269696. Fax: +91-79-26841400

www.ei-india.com