Andhra govt-Samsung to start smart classes in 14 govt colleges

Korean electronics company Samsung Monday entered into a pact with the Andhra Pradesh government to set up 'Samsung Smart Class' in 14 government colleges that offer Bachelors of Education (BEd) and a diploma in education (D Ed) in the state.

The smart class would deliver 200 hours of course curriculum being developed for the government under the UNESCO-MGIEP initiative 'Teaching Teachers for Technology,' a press release here said. UNESCO-MGIEP ( Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development) is developing the content of the course so that future teachers could be trained to teach students with the help of the latest technology by using digital pedagogies, the release said.

"We are going to introduce digital instruction design and training as part of the B Ed course with 200 hours of curriculum developed by UNESCO-MGIEP. Samsung has been an enabler in this endeavour by equipping all government B Ed and D Ed colleges with smart class, the release quoted state Special Chief Secretary (education) Adityanath Das as saying.

The partnership seeks to help teachers adopt digital teaching technologies to bring in a behavioural and attitudinal shift for integrating new educational possibilities offered by technology, the release said. Every smart class would be equipped with interactive Samsung Smartboards, Samsung tablets, printer and Wi-Fi connectivity, the release added.

(With inputs from agencies.)