In a one of its kind move, the Tamil Nadu government has provided two of its schools with a cloud computing facility. The Cloud Computing system, though already in vogue in the education sector, has been largely restricted to the private sector. The pilot programme to provide the cloud computing facility is thus slated to be a booster for the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) learning solutions in the state.
The project was implemented at the MGR Nagar Higher Secondary School and Sriperumbudur Girls Higher Secondary School. The project at the MGR Nagar Higher Secondary school was inagurated on Thursday by the Higher Education Minister P Palaniappan. Speaking at the event, the minister pointed out that the Tamil Nadu government has already implemented ICT programmes to provide computers in 4340 higher secondary schools in the state.
The project has been undertaken by the Tamil Nadu government in association with the Little Links Foundation and Dell India. The companies provided the school with laptops, tablets, projectors, interactive board, printer and wifi. A technical expert has also been appointed at the schools to facilitate the learning process through cloud computing. The cost for the project for the two schools has come to `50 lakh.
The cloud computing facility will help the schools to access a whole range of computer solutions through shared usage through the cloud computing facility. This not only ensures cost effectiveness for the school but helps increase its access to a whole range of technology. The project has also incorporated several designs that will help students in learning through animation videos and power projects.
Apart from learning solutions, the cloud computing systems also allow teachers with a range of record keep and performance monitoring options including keeping track of students performance over large periods of time, effective communication with parents and coordination and information gathering.