Page 25 - EducationWorld November 2020

EW SPOTLIGHT FEATURE
AryaGlobal – Leaping Forth Towards

Digitised Education

ext-Gen educationists and
entrepreneurs, Bhumika
Ray, chief design officer and
NKrishank Malik, director- IT,
AryaGlobal Group of Schools established
three decades ago, have led the group’s
technological and academic innovations to
prepare 21st century learners. The group’s
Mumbai-based schools, the Arya Gurukul
(estd. 2006) and St Mary’s High School
(estd.1989) were among the first schools to
switch to online learning and assessments
when schools in Maharashtra shut down
following the COVID-19 pandemic. Krishank Malik, Director - IT, AryaGlobal Group of Schools
Excerpts from an interview: Bhumika Ray, Chief Design Officer
Having streamlined the group’s IT
programmes, what tech innovations distributing Rs 28,000 worth software free They have really worked hard to integrate
enhanced the school’s functioning? to our students. We also had 250 of our staff different forms of learning - visual, auditory
KM: We took the first step towards trained in digital transformation processes and conceptual by using different modes
incorporating technology in our schools and soon all our teachers will be Microsoft such as 3D, storytelling, virtual trips and
back in 2018. Technology aids administra- Innovative Educators (MIE) certified. virtual labs to create online-friendly lesson
tive operations by reducing errors and What is your view about online learn- plans.
tedious paperwork making it convenient ing for young learners? How do you envisage the future of
for parents too. We innovated and built our BR: The alpha generation is born using education?
in-house online conversion and admission screen time as pacifiers but parents and KM: We have already stepped into the
platform linking it to customer relation- educators have the responsibility to make future of learning. Remote learning can
ship management software (CRM). Our sure the screen time is at least educational. continue for as long as we like – all it needs
websites are linked to bots and interactive Our students get learning kits consisting of is a change in mindset. The near future will
voice response systems (IVRS). Books and various art and craft items to create things see a rise in blended learning methods with
content is made available to the students at home thus reinforcing and assimilating a mix of synchronous and asynchronous
with a simple app-based purchase and pay- their online learning concepts. I believe, we learning to assimilate all the necessities
of education. Physical schools will still be
ment option. We use the MyLyceum app to need to reverse engineer the lesson plans, indispensable as it supports several facets
connect with parents. time limits, digital/physical interactivity etc. such as discipline, culture and sports which
In 2018, we collaborated with Microsoft to to ensure early childhood pedagogy (both requires physical presence.
become a Microsoft Aspire School Program online as well as offline) is successful. Tell us about your experience in
(MASP-Pro) school thus using technology KM: We resolved all doubts regarding designing pedagogical constructs imple-
to enrich our learning outcomes. Currently, screen time for our pre-school children by mentable in the classrooms?
we are also focusing on creating our very educating parents about the value of active BR: At Arya Gurukul we use two methods
own digital parenting module for parent on- screen time. We have used the ‘Flipgrid’ - peer assessments and group checks, for
boarding and adult education programmes tool to help children learn off-screen and internal lesson assessments and note-
as a step towards creating a digital educa- through play-based activities. book checks thus successfully employing
tional ecosystem that caters to all. What challenges did you face while ‘assessment by students as a tool for their
How did the COVID-19 disruption af- designing processes to transit to remote learning too’. Pedagogical constructs like
fect AryaGlobal schools? learning? the peer review not only helps the teacher
KM: While we were always tech-focused, BR: Bringing about a change in the understand the cohort’s cognitive progres-
the lockdown allowed us to showcase our mindset towards the use of tech is always sion, but also helps free up the teacher’s
tech prowess. We conducted our first online the most common pain point. Our teachers time to be creative. Both these pedagogical
open text book assessment (OTBA) final were comfortable using technology for staff constructs marry practicality and learning
exam on the very first day of the lockdown meetings and planning lesson plans but the outcomes.
and our transition from physical classes to idea of replicating the entire physical class To read more about AryaGlobal’s digital
remote classrooms was also smooth. We into the virtual space was a futuristic idea transformation visit: https://aryagurukul.in/
used a free music app that allowed our for most. However, our tech-focused train- https://littlearyans.in/ and https://st-
students to learn music from home besides ing helped dissipate any fear of technology. maryschool.in/

EDUCATIONWORLD NOVEMBER 2020