Programme No. 1
ABSTRACT
1. Title of the Programme: Development of a testing laboratory for ICT Infrastructure for
the School System
2. Type: Development
3. Category: New
The Government of India is catalysing the infusion and adoption of ICT in the school
system through the National Knowledge Commission and the ICT scheme of the MHRD.
From time to time, the MHRD and the State school systems seek informed advise on
choices to be made while establishing ICT infrastructure. In the rapidly changing
technology scenario, a systematic mechanism to sift information derived from actual
practices is imperative. This would go a long way in making choices which will help
realise the promise of ICT for school education in the most economical means possible.
The proposed lab will set up hardware, software and digital content combinations to
simulate situations under which their effectiveness can be studied and reported. Teachers
and educators can participate in the study and take back learnings appropriate to their
situations. Developers of ICT products will be invited to assist in the testing of ICT
hardware, software, and digital content.
The lab will realise the objectives of and develop into a credible and responsive system
of research and development in the area of computer education and ICT in school
education.
4. Specific Objectives:
• To establish a laboratory and protocol for testing ICT infrastructure (hardware &
software)
• To undertake testing of hardware, software, and digital content combinations
• To develop testing reports, white papers and advisories on ICT infrastructure
5. Methodology:
Procedures adopted worldwide to test hardware, software and digital content will be
studied and adapted to evolve suitable procedures applicable to the Indian school
system. Combinations of ICT infrastructure will be established for the period of study
and subject to intensive testing, which will focus on feasibility of adaptation, ease of
operation, possible problems and workarounds, and best use in typical educational
settings. State education systems will be encouraged to depute teams of teachers to
undertake specific experiments. Collaboration of manufacturers and developers will
also be sought to technically support these experiments. The learning and outcomes
will be hosted in an appropriate section of the NCERT website for wider dissemination.
6. Total Budget: Rs 2,88,000/7. Plans for utilisation and dissemination of the end product(s): Reports, white papers
and documentation will be made available to the state system, and disseminated through the
web.
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Programme No. 1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Name of the NCERT Constituent/
Department:
Title of the Programme:
DCETA
(a) Type of the Programme
(b)Category of the programme
©If the programme is on-going or
carried over mention the PAC Code
No. and year of approval
Total duration of the programme as
phased in col.10:
(a) Date of commencement of the
programme:
(b) Target date of completion:
Target Groups
(a) If programme is meant for a
group with special needs
(b) Stage of Education to which the
programme is meant
Development
New
NA
Development of a testing laboratory
for ICT Infrastructure for the School
System
24 months
April 2010
March 2012
No, but activities specifically targeted
at such groups will also be taken up
All stages of school education and all
those who are interested in school
education.
© If the programme is State/ Region/ No
Agency specific, Please specify
All stakeholders in school education
Beneficiaries
7. Need and justification:
The Government of India is catalysing the infusion and adoption of ICT in the school
system through the National Knowledge Commission and the ICT scheme of the MHRD.
From time to time, the MHRD and the State school systems seek informed advise on
choices to be made while establishing ICT infrastructure. In the rapidly changing
technology scenario, a systematic mechanism to sift information derived from actual
practices is imperative. This would go a long way in making choices which will help
realise the promise of ICT for school education in the most economical means possible.
The proposed lab will set up hardware, software and digital content combinations to
simulate situations under which their effectiveness can be studied and reported. Teachers
and educators can participate in the study and take back learnings appropriate to their
situations. Developers of ICT products will be invited to assist in the testing of ICT
hardware, software, and digital content.
The lab will realise the objectives of and develop into a credible and responsive system
of research and development in the area of computer education and ICT in school
education.
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8. (a) Specific Objectives:
• To establish a laboratory and protocol for testing ICT infrastructure (hardware &
software)
• To undertake testing of hardware, software, and digital content combinations
• To develop testing reports, white papers and advisories on ICT infrastructure
(b) Methodology:
Procedures adopted worldwide to test hardware, software and digital content will be
studied and adapted to evolve suitable procedures applicable to the Indian school
system. Combinations of ICT infrastructure will be established for the period of study
and subject to intensive testing, which will focus on feasibility of adaptation, ease of
operation, possible problems and workarounds, and best use in typical educational
settings. State education systems will be encouraged to depute teams of teachers to
undertake specific experiments. Collaboration of manufacturers and developers will
also be sought to technically support these experiments. The learning and outcomes
will be hosted in an appropriate section of the NCERT website for wider dissemination.
9. Collaborating Agencies Name of Agency
(if any):
Nature of Collaboration
(a)NCERT Constituents
Different Constituents of Academic &
NCERT
administrative
(b) Outside Agency
Hardware and Software
developers
Technical Support
State Education system
Collaborative Testing
10. Phasing of the Programme with precise information on activities (including in
house and activities involving expenditure or otherwise clearly indicating the
methodology to be followed):
Estimated Expenditure
S.No. Activities proposed to be Proposed dates
(Rs)
organized
From
To
April
March
In house
Setting up procedures and
1
’10
’11
proposed set of experiments
2
Establishment of Infrastructure
April
’10
March
’11
3
Conduct of experiments and
reporting of results
Services of 2 CAs and 1 JPF
each for 12 months to assist in
activities listed above
April
’10
April
’10
March
’11
March
’11
4.
In house; any hardware and
software costs are met from
other budget heads
In house
Rs 2,88,000/-
Total
Rs 2,88,000/Total expenditure for the proposed year: Rs 2,88,000/-
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11. Details of each Budget Activity under Item No. 10:
12. Scheme of evaluation: Based on e-mail feedback from users and interaction
13. Dissemination of the findings: Reports, white papers and documentation to be
shared
14. Plans for follow up/Feedback on utilisation of the outcome:
The end products will help States make informed choices in establishing ICT
infrastructure. This will be followed up through the established linkages with the State
departments and undertaking studies in the states.
15. (a) Name and designation of the Programme Coordinator/s:
Dr. Rajaram S. Sharma, Professor
Dr. (Mrs.) Asha Jindal, Reader
(b) Name(s) and designation of the other faculty member(s) involved:
Dr. R.K. Parashar, Reader
Ms Pushp Lata Verma, Lecturer
Signature
(Head of the Department)
Date:
Signature
(Programme Coordinator)
Date:
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