Education India Project #23888

Wings of Doon - An After School Support Program

by Aasraa Trust

Project Report | Nov 20, 2018
Digital Learning at Unnayan Shiksha Kendra

By Ekta Mundra | Communications Manager

New Computer Centre at USK

Aasraa combines traditional teaching with modern technology. Our Computer Aided Learning program improvises and enhances the learning methodologies that we adopt for our slum and street children. We have noticed that access to easy, audio and visual learning tools has resulted in better retention of concepts and improved levels of understanding among children.

The relentless support from our donors like you have only strengthened the roots of our mission. As we step up for bigger goals in the coming new year, we consider it equally vital to review the impact of some of our recent introductions in our projects.

Unnayan Shiksha Kendra (USK), a school with limited resources, is located in the heart of one of Dehradun’s oldest and most crowded slum areas. Aasraa has been using the school premises to run one of its after school ‘Wings of Doon’ projects for the last 4 years.

The USK Wings project currently has an enrolment of 224 children (105 girls, 119 boys).

In April 2018, we set up a New Computer Centre at USK. Equipped with 15 computers, the centre has become an important medium to expose our children to technology and advanced learning tools. The classes in computer education are conducted every day. Basic concepts and applications of computer system are covered for classes 1-8.

In September 2018, we introduced the Tablets-based learning program at USK with 20 android tablets. The availability of affordable tablets has made it easier to use high quality e-learning materials with students while promoting self-paced learning. It brings about a transition towards a classroom being student-centric, with the teacher as a guide-by-the-side, in addition to his traditional roles.

The tablets are currently being used by students of class 5 and 6 for 1 hour every day. Hello English! App provides a simple lesson-based progress model where students solve various questions/quizzes that help them with everyday conversational English.

The impact of digital learning has undoubtedly added enormous value to our program. Children are grasping new concepts better through this audio-visual mode. Learning has become fun for them. Their grades are improving and we’re delighted to see our children, confident and smiling as they flaunt their wings of independence.

All is owed to our generous donors and well-wishers like you who have always rendered their valuable support to us. The unending encouragement we receive from you helps us strengthen our programs for our lovely children.

Learning with Tablets (1)

Learning with Tablets (2)

Computer Aided Learning

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Aug 23, 2018
Impact Assessment Study of Wings of Doon Program!

By Ekta Mundra | Communications Manager

Traditional teaching at Wings

Aasraa continues to spread its wings across Dehradun. We have now 9 after school support projects impacting almost 1,300 children.

As excited as we are to benefit a greater number of children, we understand that it is equally important to do regular impact assessment of our programs. The Wings of Doon program at Aasraa combines the traditional teaching methodology and modern technology. Our implementation of Computer Aided Learning (CAL) is simple – interactive, colourful and high-quality teaching programs and e-learning materials used on large TV Screens, individual computers and hand-held tablets. This type of education instantly captures the imagination of the children, making learning fun.

Our constant endeavor is to offer quality education to our children. The difference in their learning levels significantly influence our teaching strategies and how we can improve to maximize our impact.

In May 2018, we initiated our first impact assessment study to:

Study the impact of Wings of Doon Program - after school remedial program.
Study the impact of CAL Wings program over the traditional Wings program.
Study the impact of traditional school teaching plus CAL Wings program over traditional school teaching plus traditional Wings program.

Sample of students selected for this analysis is based on following parameters:

Equal number of students in each group (CAL & Non-CAL) for Classes 6^th, 7^th and 8^th
Student must be enrolled in the Wings program for at least 1 year
Attendance of the student should be equal to or more than 85% in school and Wings program.
Student must be present throughout the study process in all sessions and tests

The results of the study, expected to come out by the end of September 2018, will enable us to gauge the grasp of children at the Wings program and improvise our teaching methods to ensure that they have clear understanding of the subject matter.

In 2018, 10 children sat their 12^th Board Exams out of which 4 boys have cleared the State Polytechnic exam with ranking in the top 1000 and are now enrolled at polytechnic colleges. 4 of tomorrow’s leaders; shaped by Wings of Doon.

We attribute our progress and achievements to the valuable support of our donors and well wishers like you. Your kind contributions and encouragement have enabled us to continue building our programs for the betterment of all marginalized children under Aasraa’s umbrella.

Computer Aided Learning at Wings Program

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May 25, 2018
Introducing CAL at Sneha Doon Academy!

By Ekta Mundra | Communications Manager

As we step into the new academic year, we continue our focus on the Computer Aided Learning (CAL) program at all our education projects. CAL has not only helped us in reinforcing concepts and retaining attention of our children, but has empowered them to build knowledge, broaden their outlook and perform better academically.

This month, we have installed two 50-inch LED screens for the CAL program at Sneha Doon Academy. The program will benefit all students at the school; ones who are mainstreamed by Aasraa and rest of the students. This support will prepare students to understand, use, and apply computer technology in an effective, efficient, and ethical way. Advanced technologies are more pervasive today than they have ever been, and their uses are expanding continually. Students will actively explore the fundamental concepts, knowledge, skills, and attitudes for applying technology in their personal growth. They will also learn to develop skills like collaboration, higher-order thinking, problem solving, and self-direction through effective use of technology tools and resources, thus enabling them to be lifelong learners in the twenty-first century.

Aasraa has also undertaken training in CAL teaching for the school teachers. The idea is to resource all teachers with multimedia contents to explain topics better, slowly making way for smart classes. Once the school reopens in July after summer vacation, all teachers will be equipped to take CAL classes.

The CAL program has proved to be a tremendous success in our other projects and has helped us bring computer literacy and tutorial support to children from impoverished backgrounds. The children not only have learnt how to use computers but have access, through CAL, to the latest in teaching learning materials in the form of video lectures, modules and test papers/worksheets. It has also helped children explore various subjects through an interactive medium.

We are grateful to all our donors and well wishers for their valuable support and helping us strengthen our programs for our lovely children.

Links:

http://www.aasraatrust.org/

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