PCF5:Networks and Resources for Learners in Difficult Circumstances & Rural Areas

Date: 15th July 2008
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Room: 642

Title of session

Networks and Resources for Learners in Difficult Circumstances & Rural Areas

Dr. S. K. Gandhe,Reaching the unreached: A challenge for rural development.
Dr. Mehmet Girgin,Mobile technologies for students with hearing disability.
Dr. Kapil Dev Sharma,Management of technology driven learning strategies for the education of young students.

. Diversity in the kind of ‘disadvantaged’ ‘unreached’ groups, which makes the situation very complex. Each of these needs diverse strategies and ways of handling.
The need to use available human resources, particularly teachers, through whom children [whether they are ‘regular children or those with special needs, or from disadvantaged settings] will be reached more effectively
. Further, there is a gap between policies related to implementing different programs and strategies and the ground reality in most situations. This is often combined with a lack of political will and in turn has major implications for funding and resource allocations.
Finding ways of replicating demonstrated, effective strategies at a financially viable scale.

. Need to recognize that teachers are critical partners in this endeavour and that the success of ODL or other teaching/learning will more often than not get routed through them. Ways of working with and supporting the teachers must be worked out on a priority basis. This includes finding clear, direct ways of enabling as well as supporting teachers through incentives [financial as well], recognition, certification, and training.
Using resources that may have been created for other purposes [e.g. ekiosks for farmers etc. in rural areas] and putting them to use for teacher training and use as well.
‘Trust’ works. And one needs to repose that in teachers along with providing them the needed support.