MADRASSA 2 LAST

By means of computer projects after classes, a cluster By means of computer projects after classes, a clusterof ten madrassa here has adopted integrated approach totechnology in education (ITE). Tata Trusts has trained teachers on the new pedagogicframework and even provided them with laptops and Internetconnection in small computer labs. Besides this, digitalcameras have also been provided to them so that the studentscan click photos and record videos to tell digital stories fortheir project work. "What we are trying to do is to allow children findsubtle ways of linking what they are taught in classrooms withIslam using Internet. For example they are finding about thelives of Muslim scientists and Muslim astronomers when theyare studying science and geography. This increases theirinterest in the subject multiple times," Charania said. Madrassas in West Bengal have long been struggling toretain students in classrooms due to high absenteeism anddropout rates. Future career prospects of the students havealso been a concern but these madrassas are now an exception. Madrassa teacher Sugata Dey said in the new framework,teachers are only designing activities and projects aligned tocurriculum content. "Students are implementing these projects using avariety of applications. They are encouraged to collaborate,create, present and critique using technology. Thus,technology is used as a tool for students to construct theirown learning. We are only facilitators," he said. PTI NIK MDPRRT