Kerala: Hi-tech labs to aid English learning

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) has launched E3 (Enjoy, Enhance & Enrich) English, an ambitious project for enhancing and enriching the English language proficiency of students by making use of hi-tech lab facilities in schools.
“The project aims to enhance and enrich English learning of students in an enjoyable atmosphere effectively making use of technology in schools in Kerala,” said K Anvar Sadath, CEO , KITE.
The three-pronged project has three components. The first is Samagra e-Library, a digital repository of international standard digital books. The books will be available to all students in four levels. The books will be available to students in audio and video formats too. Already 200 digital multicoloured story books were uploaded to Samagra e-Library.
The second is e-Language lab, which will have language lab software that will provide opportunities for students to enhance their listening, speaking, reading, writing, pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary. Students can work in e-language lab alone with the support of the mentor teacher at their own pace of learning. KITE has already customized the engine for language lab by using Free and Open Source Software.
The third component, e-Broadcast, includes multimedia programmes. The broadcast lessons will help learners use English in conversational and academic contexts in an interactive mode. This shall also be screened in KITE Victers channel.
KITE has planned to provide training to all primary and upper primary teachers during mid-summer vacation for implementing E3 English in schools. E3 English teacher training will be a technology integrated training providing hands on experience to teachers on using Samagra e-Library and e-Language lab. Along with KITE, SCERT will do the academic monitoring of the project. The director of general education will monitor the implementation of the project in schools by teachers.