Implementation of the Proposed Plan for Action Research on Impact of Educomp classes in DPS Vasant Kunj

1. Implementation of the Proposed Plan for Action Research on Impact of Educomp classes in DPS VasantKunj

2. Introduction • The Educomp smart board along with associated software is installed in our school in two sections each of class from III to VIII. • Educomp resource centre and teaching modules provide a full digital curriculum and support the teacher with tools for curriculum planning, classroom management and student assessment. • The digital classrooms and software of Educomp are designed for a comprehensive digital curriculum based on NCERT text books in the form of learning modules.

3. The Science Modules also have virtual labs where simulated activities can be demonstrated on the Smartboard. • A quick recap at the end of each topic covered and short MCQ tests can be used by the teacher for quick feed back on the comprehension and understanding of the lessons taught.

4. Objectives of the action research project • The impact of Educomp smart classes on the teaching and learning process in the school has been taken up as a research project. • The project aims to • Examine the content of educomp teaching modules in terms of accuracy and adequacy • Improvement in key learning areas for students • Professional development of teachers in terms of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage

5. Methodology • For each subject and topic two different sections (heterogeneous composition) in a particular standard / grade were selected with one being treated as the control section (without smart class technology) and the other as the test section (with smart class technology) • The scope of the research methodology was to observe the classroom sessions by subject HODs and subject co-ordinators. With a view to identify any intangible impact of the technology on students in terms of the students’ attention, class participation etc. as well as the impact on teachers in terms of ease of topic explanation, hardware handling etc. • A short test was given of approx. 10 questions at the end of the topic- mostly consisting of subjective multiple choice questions. • Of the three key learning goals of students, namelyretention, comprehension and applicability, the tests were designed and executed primarily to capture the effect of Smart Class technology on comprehension and to a smaller extent immediate retention of topics taught. • The following sample review forms for students and teachers are to be filled in and the data analyzed would be used for compilation of the results of the action research.

6. Sample review form filled in by HODs and Academic Coordinator for assessing parameters for professional development of teachers using ICT

7. Sample review form filled by Subject Teachers for feedback on students in the test sections

8. Sample review form for students on assessment of Educomp Learning Modules

9. Sample form of class test for assessing improvement key learning areas Knowledge, Understanding and Application

10. The HODs and subject teachers after critically reviewing the teaching modules and the content available have given a mixed response Key Observations Social Science Deptt Strengths • It has made teaching more meaningful and effective as visuals have added meanings to the words • Taken as welcome break from normal teaching and has inculcated some interest in theoretical subject like history. • It has moved move away from rote learning and focussed on meaningful understanding of concepts and their applicability to the society. Weaknesses • The Social Science teachers felt that the teaching modules are good but not sufficient. Most of the topic need further explanation from teachers but it has made the content more interesting because of the visuals shown.

11. English Department Strengths • Educomp modules can facilitate learning by generating and sustaining interest in the subject, concretizing concepts, reinforcing and revising topics. • The students enjoy the lessons because of their novelty and audio visual appeal. Some of the modules facilitate better learning and understanding. Weaknesses • The English teachers felt that at present only some of the modules can act as supplements to the existing system but cannot be used as independent or complete packages. • Some standard grammar topics such as Direct and Indirect Speech and Active and Passive Voice have not been graded in keeping with the age-group of the students. They are similar across different levels negating complexity at different levels. • For classes VII & VIII the modules do not cover any lessons from literature . • Some of the modules can be used as aids and reinforcement but are inadequate for teaching any topic in entirety. • It was also observed that there were hardly any modules designed for independent or group activity. At best, most of them were substitutes of teacher talk-time.

12. Mathematics Deptt. Strengths • The audio visual content in the module helped in explaining those topics which needs a three dimensional view such as folding a net of a cube to form a cube. • Basic concepts of three dimensional geometry, statistics constructions, mensuration applications of trigonometry, solid shapes were fairly well presented Weaknesses • The content presentation were slow and incomplete content was shown in some modules • Incorrect content was delivered for some topics like functions, definition of modulus function composite function. The graphs of the functions were incorrectly drawn • The feedback from Mathematicsdeptt. was that using educomp modules required more time in completing a particular chapter and there was no reference to the NCERT text book questions.

13. Science Deptt. Strengths • The Science deptt. felt that educomp modules increase the level of interest in the topic covered with the help of good visual demonstration. • Virtual experiments allowed the students to understand the concepts involved in a better manner. • The students have found the modules an effective learning tools as it increases their attention span, improves retention and makes learning a joyful experience. • Class XI & XII modules in chemistry had good 3D presentation of the crystal lattice Weaknesses • Certain topics from class VII to X were not included in the modules for eg. Universal indicator (class VII) • Some of the modules are not in accordance with the NCERT text book and various important subtopics are missing. • The structuring and sequencing of the modules needs to be done in advance while preparing the lesson plans to prepare the students effectively

14. Conclusion • The action research project in its first brief phase of implementation in January and February has given encouraging results. • However more critical analysis is required for a longer duration to come to a concrete result. • Most of the faculty involved felt that with the introduction of educomp smart classes in the school a mix of traditional method of teaching and one using ICT was the best way of facilitating learning.