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Education made enjoyable
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FutureSchools and Cambridge International Examinations have partnered to offer the first ever Cambridge Awards in Information and Communication Technology.
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THE ELECTRONIC age in technologically developed countries has produced a wide range of learning possibilities. The overriding trend today in the area of education is internationalism, resulting from the breaking down of geographical barriers. Children all over the world are being conditioned to expect not only information but also pleasure from the visual media. This has, without doubt, created for children a view of society, a widening of realism to take in contemporary culture, which is likely to alter their previously limited knowledge.
FutureSchools and Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) of the University of Cambridge, have partnered to offer the first ever Cambridge Awards in Information and Communication Technology, bridging regional, national and cultural differences, the world over. This partnership, which augurs well for school children in India, is to be launched in Chennai on February 16, in Bangalore on February 19, Hyderabad on February 20 and New Delhi on February 23. The choice of India as the launch country has been perceived as the outcome of our country's global reputation as a knowledge centre.
The two senior representatives from the Cambridge University, Ken Murray, Chief Executive of CIE and Deputy Chief Executive of the University of Cambridge, and Michelle Lofthouse, Director of Customer Development at CIE, will be in India to participate in the events.
The Cambridge Starter Awards (CSA) in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have been designed to provide the student with a framework in which ICT skills and knowledge can be acquired and developed in accordance with their requirements. It facilitates the student not only to acquire ICT knowledge but also develop the necessary skills to aid learning in a range of subjects such as Math, Arts, Science, Language and Social Studies. While adhering to a Cambridge approved curriculum, the modules will be emphasising key skills necessary for the young learner. Both vocational and academic education will be integrated and the programme intends to be an excellent supplement to the traditional mode of learning.
Annamalai Muthiah, founder of FutureSchools, said that this institution attempts to make education a "student-led process" as against the existing "teacher-taught process." In this context, teachers are also offered an orientation programme to work in partnership for optimum results. The programme operates at three levels of the CIE framework for qualifications: "Initial Steps" for Classes 2, 3 and 4, "Next Steps" for Classes 5, 6 and 7; and "On Track" for Class 8 onwards. Certification from the University of Cambridge is available on completion of the full Award at each level.
As Ken Murray commented, the idea is to provide an enjoyable introduction to the world of education. Both Murray and Michelle Lofthouse emphasised the idea of partnership with the school curriculum. They have a specially designed programme for schools for low income groups as well.
As education gets revitalised through technology, FutureSchools has adapted the curriculum of U.S.-based Futurekids (the world's largest computer education network) to Indian conditions. Education will no longer be the same again as the possibilities for learning through the interactive media seem endless and exciting. To our Indian students, it is a new frontier unfolding and with it a new opportunity to measure up to international standards.
PREMA SRINIVASAN
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