GEMS Education has ascended into the technological ‘cloud’ with the introduction of an integrated learning system which incorporates “an innovative blend of contemporary pedagogy, modern communication technology and the human touch”.
“With the rise of the internet and race to connect, GEMS has attained heights of technological aspirations with OASIS (Online Administration School Information System). Part of the GEMS Global Learning Gateway, it enables involvement of all stakeholders with special emphasis on parental engagement with the schooling process. Now, parents of GEMS schools are just one click away from being up-to-date and well-informed about their children’s academic progress. One has only to log in to zoom into the child’s world. This has been made possible by our cloud technology-enabled OASIS,” says Ajey Kumar, chief executive (South Asia) of GEMS Education which bills itself as the world’s largest private K-12 school operator with its international schools imparting holistic education to 100,000 students from 143 countries.
Oberoi International’s TED coup
The Oberoi International School (OIS, estb. 2008), Mumbai’s fully IB (International Baccalaureate Organisation, Geneva)-affiliated school, hosted Canada-based Terry Small — a learning skills specialist and an eminent, much sought-after TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) speaker who has presented his ideas to over 200,000 people worldwide — for a two-day knowledge session (November 8-9) on creative learning and human interest topics such as ‘How to help your students get better grades in school’ and ‘Engaging the brain’. According to OIS sources, this is the first time an IB school in India has invited a TED speaker to share his research and thinking on maximising learning potential.
Addressing the knowledge session attended by students, parents, teachers, leading career counselors, educationists and heads of other international schools, Small said: “With greater knowledge about the brain, anyone can learn easier, better and faster. Learning how to learn is the most important skill a person can acquire. Success is a skill anyone can learn and I believe everyone is a genius.”
Speaking on the occasion, Vladimir Kuskovski, head of school at OIS, welcomed Small and opined that the knowledge session was certain to improve learning outcomes in the school. “OIS is honoured to have hosted Terry Small to share his ideas on creative learning. They will definitely help students to learn smarter and better,” he said.
Pearson launches ActiveTeach
Pearson Education, which bills itself as the world’s largest education company “educating 100 million people worldwide”, launched ActiveTeach, a comprehensive digital learning solution for Indian schools at a November 4 Innovation in Education workshop conducted by N.C. Sridharan, educationist and NLP (neuro linguistic programming) master practitioner, in New Delhi.
“Currently targeted at classes III-VIII students, ActiveTeach is a digital solution synchronised with prescribed texts and will bridge the gap between textbooks and digital learning in classroom environments. To design and develop ActiveTeach, we acquired a large library of education videos from the BBC Motion Gallery which illustrate lessons and provide real life examples. A large team of eminent educationists, teachers, in-house editors of Pearson Education, reputed software companies and numerous animators worked round the clock to synchronise the education videos with popular textbooks,” says Naveen Rajlani, head of the schools division of Pearson Education. ActiveTeach is available in two separate packs — one for teachers and another for students, he added.
Mann Public’s Annual Day
The Mann Public School, Delhi (estb.1989) celebrated its 23rd Annual Day on November 28 with great gusto, gaiety and colour. General V.K. Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC and incumbent chief of Army Staff, presided over the school’s Annual Day function.
Welcoming Gen. Singh and presenting the school’s annual report, principal Cdr. (Retd) V.K. Banga highlighted the school’s excellent academic performance in the CBSE board exam — 56 Mann Public students averaged over 90 percent earning 241 distinctions. He also emphasised that excellent facilities for horse riding, swimming, football and flood-lit lawn tennis and other games have been installed in the school to enable holistic development of students.
After hoisting the school flag and taking the salute at a smartly turned out march past — which included the army and air wings of NCC contingents commanded by school captain Rishav Acharya — Gen. Singh lauded the “exemplary development” of the school and its strong emphasis on discipline, coordination of mind and body, and colourful extra and co-curricular activities. He also formally released The Mapsian 2011, the school’s annual magazine.
Exeter U’s Bangalore debut
The University of Exeter has become the first British university to establish a representation office in Bangalore. The office was inaugurated on November 16 by the Rt. Hon David Willetts MP, UK’s minister of state for universities and science.
During a four-day visit to Bangalore, vice chancellor Sir Steve Smith signed memoranda of understanding with the Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore, the Indian Institute of Science and National Institute of Advanced Studies. “Our representation in Bangalore is a hugely exciting new stage in Exeter’s engagement with India. We have chosen to work in Bangalore — the IT capital of India — because so many of our Indian research partners are here. We are proud to be the first UK university to have representation in this influential and dynamic city,” said Smith, speaking on the occasion.
According to an Exeter spokesperson, the university currently has an enrolment of 180 Indian students. Moreover, Exeter is conducting research studies with leading Indian universities in urban water management, marine conservation and discrimination against women in management, among other subjects.