technology

The Effects of AIF and TMS at Work

Today we went to visit the MG school, after a visit to Sultan Bazaar yesterday. Both schools are partnered with The Modern Story through AIF and the organization’s initiative to donate computer resources to government schools. I was touched by the enthusiasm of the teachers and administration at both schools. When we sat down with the headmistress of Sultan Bazaar to discuss the days we will be coming to teach the class, we agreed to come on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The next question she asked us was, “Can you start now? Today is Tuesday.”

The teachers at both schools seemed eager to participate and learn more about the digital skills taught in the TMS curriculum. As a teacher myself, I understand where they are coming from. I am also eager to practice and develop my skills working with and teaching photography and film-making over the next six months. Upon my return, I know I will incorporate my new expertise in the classroom in a meaningful way for my students.

At MG we sat down in the computer lab on the customary plastic chairs with three teachers and the AIF coordinator. We went through the general and slightly awkward pleasantries of a first meeting, and then, presumably to fill time, the AIF coordinator began to show us a Power Point presentation the Biology teacher had created about different organisms and systems of nourishment. We all huddled around the computer and watched as the pictures, animations, and text scrolled across the screen. I was catapulted back to my high school and early college experience where I recall first being presented with information through Power Point. I remember thinking how refreshing and exciting it was to learn information through a new method of teaching. I was also touched by the glowing sense of pride the teacher took in her work as we “ooooh-ed” and “aaah-ed” over her animations and transitions. She immediately opened up and began showing us the YouTube videos she had downloaded to bring the natural world around us to life for her students.

It felt like a poignant moment, seeing the promise and importance of initiatives such as TMS to bring technology to these classrooms. In the US, I realize how much I took these basic resources for granted, when I sat next to these teachers who were overjoyed to explore the potential of new teaching methods. It was just the meeting I needed to open my eyes to the significance of the work we will begin tomorrow at Railway.


Meghana’s Dream

When I ask the typical question, “what do you want to be when you grow up” to my TMS students or other kids I meet in Hyderabad, the most common answer is software engineer. It makes me wonder what the answers were before the IT boom hit Hyderabad. Below I’m posting a homework assignment by one of my students, Meghana. The prompt was, “Think of one thing you are good at. Imagine that for one day you are the best in the world at that thing. Write about your day!” I’m surprised how sometimes we give short directions and the students totally get it, while other times, we try to give lots of direction and it’s confusing. Meghana’s response is not specific to one day but she does give many other clear details about her future goals. Though it’s not a digital story yet–it’s leading up to a project Ilana and I are calling “About Me & Super Me”–it is a modern story in its reflection Hyderabadi youths’ goals, as well as economic and societal expectations.

As some of my students like to write at the beginning of their assignments, please read and enjoy the story:

Meghana, Railway Girls High School

I think one day that i became a good worker in one good company as software engineer. I have to do good work in America. After some day’s and i come to India, first i see my parents. they should feel very happy. I buy one ‘car’ and my parent’s, my grandmother and my sister should go in that car. It is my dream. I should think I the best in the world and my aim. I will do that aim. On that time my parent’s feel very happy. I shall thank parent’s and my teacher. I shall thank to my project work teacher’s also. Again I should built one house. This is my ‘dream.’