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Time of India
23-07-2025
- Time of India
Learning in the age of AI: How Intel's campaign is shaping new conversations around tech and education
India's education system is at the crossroads of a digital transformation, with technology making learning more accessible, inclusive, and participatory than ever before. This shift is no longer about switching to gadgets for learning but about creating an ecosystem where education is more accessible, engaging, and personalised. From online classrooms and virtual tutoring to tech-based assessment tools, gamified learning apps, and collaborative platforms for group projects, technology is shaping an educational landscape that caters to diverse needs. Students can now engage with 3D simulations for science experiments, attend coding workshops online, or practice languages with voice-enabled tools. A recent survey highlights this trend, showing that over 70% of urban students now regularly use digital tools for schoolwork. 1 These tools, ranging from apps that provide interactive quizzes to platforms offering instant doubt resolution, are becoming indispensable in classrooms and homes. In rural and semi-urban pockets, the adoption of technology is gaining momentum through government-backed initiatives like DIKSHA and SWAYAM, which deliver adaptive and multilingual learning content. Tech-integrated teacher training programs and digital resource centers are helping bridge learning gaps by equipping educators with modern tools. Additionally, the increased penetration of affordable smartphones and data plans has enabled millions of students across these regions to connect with high-quality educational content. Technology is now no longer about urban privilege but is a growing force reshaping education across all strata, fostering a future where every student has the tools to thrive in a digital-first world. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) now marks the next phase of this evolution, bringing a new layer of intelligence and adaptability to the learning process. AI-driven platforms are now analysing performance patterns, providing tailored recommendations, and assisting teachers in identifying learning gaps. Industry estimates project India's AI in education market to grow at a CAGR of over 40% in the coming years, highlighting its potential to change how millions of students learn in this country. 2 Yet for all its promise, this shift is not as equitable as it appears. Access remains deeply fragmented, with only 57.2% of schools in India having functional computers, and just 34% connected to the internet. 3 At the household level, fewer than 10% of Indian families own a personal computer. 4 What emerges then is a dual reality where, while technology is transforming how learning happens for some, millions, particularly in rural and underserved regions, continue to be excluded from the digital classroom. Alongside the infrastructure gap is a more subtle, but equally urgent, mindset gap. Even in households where devices are present, questions persist: How much screen time is too much? Will technology make children dependent or distracted? Can AI replace teachers? Will this affect attention spans? Tech with context: The Learning Curve While these concerns are real and widespread, they more often than not stem from misconception rather than resistance. In many families, there is a desire to support their child's digital learning journey, but a lack of credible guidance on how to do it. This is the space where Intel, a long-time enabler of digital progress in India, steps in. Known for advancing digital literacy, skilling, and inclusive access to computing, Intel has consistently focused on how technology can empower and not overwhelm learners and educators. That thinking now shapes its latest initiative, The Learning Curve, designed in association with the Times of India. At the heart of The Learning Curve is the belief that while AI-powered tools can support learning in powerful ways, families and educators need the right knowledge to make informed choices. For that to happen, the conversation around tech in education must shift from confusion to clarity, and from fear to understanding. The Learning Curve thus presents a platform for dialogue to help parents, caregivers, and teachers make sense of a rapidly changing educational landscape. Whether it's navigating screen time, understanding how AI fits into lesson plans, or finding the right balance between traditional and digital modes of learning, the campaign recognises that the real need today is not more technology, but more trusted guidance. By combining expert perspectives, actionable insights, and accessible resources, the campaign aims to make technology feel less intimidating and more empowering for those at the frontlines of a child's learning journey. Intel recognises the urgency of transforming education to meet the demands of the digital age. With decades of experience driving digital literacy and inclusive access to computing, Intel has consistently emphasized that technology in education is not merely about devices but about creating ecosystems that foster creation, collaboration, and problem-solving. This perspective shapes Intel's vision for education– one where access to meaningful digital tools is seen as a necessity for every learner, not a privilege for a few. India has made significant progress with widespread mobile penetration and bold reforms like NEP 2020. However, smartphones, designed primarily for consumption, fall short of enabling students to engage deeply with technology. Intel believes that personal computers and laptops are critical in bridging this gap, allowing students to code, analyse, design, and learn in interactive and transformative ways. But the challenges remain stark: only 9.9% of Indian households own a personal computer, making equitable access to technology a pressing issue. Intel's approach thus goes beyond distributing devices and focuses on building ecosystems that empower educators and families to integrate technology effectively into everyday learning. Teachers need tools to deliver personalised feedback, parents need support to navigate the digital landscape confidently, and students need opportunities to explore, create, and grow with technology. Santhosh Viswanathan, Vice President and Managing Director, Intel India, underscores the importance of this shift. "The conversation is no longer about whether technology belongs in classrooms. It is about embedding it meaningfully into everyday learning," he says. His statement aligns with Intel's mission to make education a collaborative and inclusive journey, where every stakeholder– students, parents, and educators plays a vital role in shaping the future. Learning through new lenses: How new-age parents are adapting To bring a tech-enabled future closer, The Learning Curve also turns the spotlight on parents who are actively engaging with this transition. Through a series of short, documentary-style narratives, the campaign shows how families across India are responding to the new challenges and opportunities of digital learning. Take actor and author Soha Ali Khan, who reflects on how her daughter Inaaya's boundless curiosity about space and weather has redefined learning at home. Inaaya's spontaneous questions often lead them to explore visual prompts and interactive apps together, turning each lesson into a shared journey of discovery. For Soha, these moments highlight the importance of AI-powered tools in fostering creativity and critical thinking while allowing her to stay actively involved in her child's learning process. For Priti Ashwin, mother to Aadhya and Akhira, the shift has been equally transformative. Watching her daughters adapt to virtual classrooms and tech-based assignments, she's found herself learning alongside them, rediscovering the challenges and joys of education. Priti shares how she now feels empowered to guide her daughters with confidence, and how she believed that technology, when used thoughtfully, can enhance learning outcomes and deepen the parent-child bond. Actor and filmmaker Kranti Redkar describes her parenting journey as a collaborative experience shaped by her twin daughters' school projects. When tasked with creating a video about their favorite animal, a dinosaur, Kranti and her daughters turned to an AI-powered PC to research and compile information. What started as a simple assignment evolved into a day of joyful discovery, blending fun with education. For Kranti, the project proved how tools like AI-enabled laptops can transform learning into an engaging and immersive experience, while equipping parents with the resources to keep pace with their children. Together, these narratives of parents quietly adjusting themselves to the new reality don't claim to have all the answers, but they are making an attempt to normalise the questions. With over 286 million school-age students in India relying on education to shape their futures, the need for access, equity, and skill-readiness has never been more urgent. 5 These challenges demand immediate action, so that every child, regardless of their background, can benefit from the transformative potential of technology. To address this, The Learning Curve campaign draws directly from the voices of parents, teachers, and educators. A large-scale national survey was conducted as part of the campaign which captures insights from over 32,000 parents. The survey captures key concerns around tech adoption, from managing screen time to understanding AI's role in education and these findings form the backbone of the campaign as it attempts to understand what parents, teachers and educators experience when it comes to tech adoption and what they worry about. At the heart of Intel's approach through this campaign lies a vision of empowerment. It recognises that AI and PCs are not solutions in isolation but powerful enablers when thoughtfully integrated into a child's learning journey. Through The Learning Curve, Intel champions hands-on exposure to AI, strengthens data security, and advocates for affordability and policy support, working across devices, curricula, and communities to ensure technology's benefits reach every learner. With a steadfast commitment to enabling and partnering with stakeholders across the education ecosystem, Intel is now transforming the learning journey for children across India, bridging gaps and building a brighter, more inclusive future.


India Today
12-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Only 47% of schools offer skill-based courses, few students opt to enrol: Survey
A recent government survey has found that less than half of schools in India offer any form of skill-based education to their fewer students take part in the available courses, raising concerns about the future readiness of India's youth to meet job market PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024, conducted under the Ministry of Education, reveals that only 47% of schools provide any skill-based course for students in Grade 9 and More concerning is that just 29% of Grade 9 students have opted to enrol in any such findings are based on data collected from over 74,000 schools and over 21 lakh students across Grades 3, 6 and survey aimed to assess not only learning levels but also institutional practices that support 21st-century competencies such as vocational and skill FOR GREATER INTEGRATION OF SKILL COURSESThe report notes that the limited availability of skill-based education points to systemic gaps in preparing students for careers."The findings highlight the need for greater integration of skill education in schools,' the report states. It recommends that policymakers introduce diverse sector skill-based courses, enhance infrastructure, and create awareness among students about employment opportunities linked to vocational the report suggests strengthening industry partnerships to ensure that skill courses remain relevant to evolving market needs. It adds that resources like those listed by PSSCIVE can be useful in enhancing training quality and student AND AWARENESS STILL A CHALLENGEDespite the government's push through schemes like PM e-VIDYA and platforms like DIKSHA, adoption of vocational learning remains PARAKH report notes that students often lack access, awareness, and encouragement to pursue such courses, even when they are report recommends popularising initiatives like PARAKH Udyam Sansaar, which focuses on AI competencies, and embedding them into school-level WAY FORWARDTo close this gap, the report calls for strategic steps: offering financial and infrastructure support to schools, integrating skill education into regular curricula, and building awareness through career counselling moves are essential if India aims to align with the National Education Policy 2020, which promotes competency-based and career-oriented implemented effectively, these interventions could bridge the gap between education and employability, enabling students to build the practical skills needed for today's workforce.- Ends


India Today
07-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Canva partners with NCERT to offer free digital certification for teachers
In a move to equip Indian teachers with digital tools and creative teaching skills, Canva has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).The partnership introduces three free self-paced teacher training and certification programmes, aimed at boosting visual learning, AI fluency, and design thinking in classrooms across the training will be hosted on DIKSHA, the Ministry of Education's national platform for school education, and will be available in multiple Indian The initiative is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and is expected to benefit lakhs of teachers by fostering creativity and modern classroom DIGITAL LITERACY AND CLASSROOM ENGAGEMENTThrough this initiative, Canva will offer free access to its education platform, which includes tools for creating lesson plans, infographics, presentations, and collaborative learning will learn to use AI-powered tools, like Dream Lab, that help generate visuals and simplify complex topics. The training focuses on enhancing classroom engagement, nurturing students' creative thinking, and reducing teachers' workload by streamlining content AVAILABLE ONLINE AND VIA TELEVISIONIn addition to being available on DIKSHA, the certification content will also be broadcast on PM eVidya DTH TV channels, enabling offline access for educators in remote areas with limited internet completion, teachers will receive a joint certificate from Canva and NCERT, strengthening their professional certification aims to help teachers create more inclusive, interactive, and student-centred learning environments.A GLOBAL COMMITMENT TO INDIAN EDUCATIONSpeaking about the partnership, Jason Wilmot, Head of Education at Canva, said, 'We believe every teacher deserves access to tools that make learning more engaging, inclusive, and creative. This partnership with NCERT is a powerful step toward equipping educators with practical digital skills that not only save time but spark imagination in every classroom.'Chandrika Deb, Canva's Country Manager for India, added, 'This partnership brings a shared vision to life, one that empowers every teacher in India with access to easy-to-use, powerful digital design tools. By delivering this program free of cost, in multiple languages, and through a trusted national platform like NCERT, we are not only advancing digital fluency and creative confidence in classrooms across the country, but also deepening Canva's long-term commitment to India.'ACCESS TO THOUSANDS OF CLASSROOM RESOURCESCanva Education now offers teachers unlimited access to its resource library, which includes over 500 integrated educational apps. From interactive games to translation tools, the platform supports all subjects and levels of 2024, over 25 million students and teachers have joined Canva Education, bringing the total to more than 100 million users worldwide. With more than 1 billion classroom designs created globally, Canva continues to shape the future of visual and digital latest partnership reinforces Canva's vision of democratising creativity and design, helping Indian educators lead students into a more collaborative, tech-enabled future.- Ends


Indian Express
14-06-2025
- Indian Express
Aimed at sensitising teachers about child safety, SCERT relaunches POCSO training for all Delhi schools
The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has relaunched its online training programme on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, making it available to every teacher in government and private schools across Delhi. Hosted on the Centre's DIKSHA-LEAD (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) portal, the 'Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment), Act, 2019' course has been made open for enrolment and completion till June 30. 'This training is an important initiative aimed at sensitising all educators and stakeholders about child safety and legal responsibilities under the POCSO Act,' stated an SCERT circular issued this week. The course is designed to cover every critical aspect of the law, including the latest amendments, obligations for mandatory reporting, and detailed guidance on recognising and responding to potential offences, it added. The program was first introduced last October and was made open for students and faculty members of SCERT and District Institute of Education & Training (DIET), among others. Teachers who have not yet taken or completed the course earlier 'are provided another opportunity to enroll, complete, and obtain certification,' stated the circular. The department has issued detailed step-by-step instructions for enrolment. To participate, educators should first install or update the DIKSHA mobile app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store or visit the DIKSHA website on their computer. After selecting their preferred language, users must choose the role 'Teacher/Student,' set the board to 'State – Delhi,' and specify their medium and class. Once the profile setup is complete, teachers can access the course directly via a provided link or by scanning the QR code. They then click 'Join Course' and log in using an existing email or mobile-number account, Google credentials, or by registering anew with OTP verification. Successful participants are to receive a course completion certificate upon scoring at least 60%. 'Course completion certificates will be generated 15 days after the date of completing the course,' ensuring sufficient time for verification. Certificates will reflect the name appearing on the teacher's DIKSHA profile at the time of completion, the circular noted. Educators are encouraged to finish the training 'without disturbing their school/Institute routine work' and at their own pace, from any location. SCERT has called on all Heads of Schools and district coordinators to promote broad participation.


The Hindu
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
NEP changed country's education system: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (April 29, 2025) said that since the launch of the New Education Policy, the country's education system witnessed significant changes. He said steps such as the National Curriculum Framework, learning-teaching materials and new textbooks for classes 1 to 7 have already been prepared. He was addressing the Uniting Academia, Industry and Innovators for Viksit Bharat (YUGM) conclave organised jointly by the Union Education Ministry and Wadhwani Foundation in New Delhi. 'Under PM e-Vidya and the DIKSHA platform, a 'One Nation, One Digital Education Infrastructure' has been created. This infrastructure is AI-based and scalable. It is being used to prepare textbooks in over 30 Indian languages and seven foreign languages,' Mr. Modi said. The Prime Minister added that through the National Credit Framework, it has become easier for students to study multiple subjects simultaneously; students now have access to modern education; and new career pathways are opening up for them. He added that in the last decade, significant progress has been made in improving the research ecosystem and necessary resources have been enhanced. 'In 2013–14, the gross expenditure on research and development was only ₹60,000 crore. We have more than doubled it to over ₹ 1.25 lakh crore. Several state-of-the-art research parks have been established across the country. Research and Development Cells have been set up in about 6,000 higher education institutions. Because of these efforts, a culture of innovation is growing rapidly in the country,' Mr. Modi said. He said the number of patents in the country increased from around 40,000 in 2014 to over 80,000 now. 'This shows how much support the country's youth are getting from our intellectual property ecosystem. To further promote research culture, the National Research Foundation has been established with a budget of ₹50,000 crore. The 'One Nation, One Subscription' initiative has reassured young people that the government understands their needs. This scheme has made access to world-class research journals easier for students pursuing higher education,' he said. The Prime Minister's Research Fellowship has been introduced to ensure that talented individuals face no barrier in advancing their careers, he added.