Some students wary of smart classes

Say too much of technology can harm their eyesight

They have the fear of the unseen. They don’t know what is in store for them but the students believe that the smart classes, started by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), have both pros and cons.

The students of NP Bengali Girls School in Gole Market fear that they would lose the habit of reading books which would help them improve their vocabulary. The students think that too much of technology can hamper their eyesight.

“We are really excited for the newly-setup smart classes because it would be an interesting experience for us where we can learn both by audio-visual medium. But again we would lose the habit of reading books which would improve our vocabulary.

“These classes will also affect our eyesight even though they will help us grasp the lessons faster than reading books and reduce the weight of school bags,” said a student of the school.

e-Learning facilities

The NDMC has planned to set up 444 smart classes in its 30 schools with e-learning facilities in classes 6 to12 to raise the standard of education. Computers, short throw projectors, white boards and CCTV cameras would be installed in schools. Students would also be given laptops to reduce the weight of the school bags.

For this initiative, digital learning solutions provider Extra marks Education has been roped in by the NDMC.

The principal of the school believes that the students can achieve high class learning from this new technology with presentation on the white board.

“The teaching would be both interesting and methodical. It will provide good understanding to both the students and teachers. The study material used by the teachers can be easily available from the web with the students enjoying the process of learning, “said Jaishree Basu, Principal of NP Bengali Girls School.

Basu said the teachers would undergo a week-long training session to understand the technology better. But regular counselling of the students is required to imbibe the habit of reading books to make them understand that books are irreplaceable.

Interest in reading books

“We counsel the students to read books in spite of advanced technology. I believe two T’s namely Television and Technology, have destroyed our society. We are trying to set up our library, books and furniture. Our efforts are to create an environment to develop the students’ interest to read books,” Basu asserted.

Lessons would be imparted in English and translations would come handy for students for subjects like social study, home science and environmental science.

The project is under process where two schools, including NP Bengali Girl’s School and N.P. Co-ed Secondary School at Kidwai Nagar, have got the services unveiled.