2011/6/30 Rony gnulinuxist@gmail.com:
It is still young and what happened in the US is now happening here with the same players amongst the rest. What I feel individually is that these are high end presentation products meant for corporate offices and not for schools, that too in every classroom. Simply calling them teaching aids does not change things. We don't even have the entire syllabus of every class and subject available fully in professional and electronic format. If schools want to go digital then a simple projector and computer in every class or in a special room is sufficient. Schools must invest in professional grade content not gadgets.
In another place, another day I'll take offense on the suggestion that the US leads, and we follow.
As JTD explained, these "high end presentation products" allow the students to be part of the learning experience, as opposed to being detached observers. I mentioned in a previous email that I sat through a class where an IWB was in use - the kids were having fun with it, while also learning about seasons and seasonal changes around the world. It was an eye-opening experience. I suggest you too try to sit in a class where an IWB is used properly.
As far as electronic syllabus goes, a simple Google search throws these links up:
CBSE: http://cbse.nic.in/currisyllabus.htm ICSE: http://www.cisce.org/SyllabusFor_ICSE2011.html Maharashtra: http://msbshse.ac.in/newsite/newhome.html
so I don't really understand what you meant when you said syllabi are not available in electronic format.
A simple projector and computer becomes the original problem - that teachers then will have to create presentations. An IWB combines a lot of things: a regular blackboard with the capability to remember, a vast library including wikipedia, an arts room and so on.
Binand