AmritaCREATE (Amrita Center for Research in Analytics & Technologies for Education) deployed a newly developed e-learning system at Amrita Niketan, Paripally, Kollam, Kerala on 10 October 2013. Amrita Niketan is an orphanage and boarding school for Adivasi and disadvantaged children managed by Mata Amritanandamayi Math. During the programme, 220 children from Amrita Niketan had a unique opportunity to experience the new e-learning system.
Swami Thuriyamritanandapuri lighting the lamp to inaugurate the e-learning network. Coming from the most disadvantaged sections of society, the majority of children in Amrita Niketan have never had a chance to access computers or the internet. Moreover, their modes of learning and intellectual abilities differ, as they come from different cultural backgrounds and parts of India.

Keeping in mind all these facts, AmritaCREATE developed a new e-learning network that provides free computer education and a personalized e-learning platform to provide suitable support for these children. Digital lessons in the e-learning network were designed in such a way that it will create an interactive learning environment that generates enthusiasm in students. This encourages them to gain thorough knowledge in subject areas. The teaching method includes theory, video, quiz and games in each topic in the subject area. In order to give continuous training and make full advantage of the system, the new e-learning network was included in the students’ time table. Henceforth, the students will experience the e-learning classes after their daily school classes.

The Amrita Vidyalayam e-learning network enables students to make use of Online Labs and Adaptive Learning, two research projects of AmritaCREATE, in a single platform. With the objective of making the learning experience interesting for students, Smart Class, also developed by AmritaCREATE, hosts learning tutorials in Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics for the students from class 6 to Class 12, was also incorporated in the system. This gives the students a variety of e-learning options to enhance their education.

The children from Amrita Niketan were highly excited as they experience the e-Learning network on their own for the first time. The hands-on session really helped make students understand how e-technologies can be used for educational purposes and familiarized them with the e-learning network. After the hands on sessions, feedback was sought from the children. The responses resounded with enthusiasm and appreciation for the contents of e-learning system.

“The hands-on session was really interesting. We really enjoyed learning with games, quizzes and videos,” said by a student of class VI.

“Online Learning helps to gain wide knowledge on a specific subject. Without the help of the teacher, we learned a lot of advanced topics through this network,” said by a student of class IX.

By starting this new initiative, AmritaCREATE aims to develop a learning environment for students that reduce stress and make the learning process more enjoyable and entertaining. By designing a system in such a manner, students will able to participate, discover, stimulate their thought processes, paving the way for creativity and individualization.

October 10, 2013
Amrita Niketan, Parippally