ICT Based Solutions for Education in Rural India- A Case Study Using touch screen networked devices to increase literacy among the poor

Knowledge is power. In today's Information age, education is the de facto tool which enables thinking by transforming information into knowledge. It is valued to such an extent that the right to education is considered to be one of the fundamental rights of the people. However education is often disparaged. According to the United Nations, India is home to a staggering 287 million illiterate adults [1]. 50% Indian children in the age group of 6-18 years do not go to school [2]. On the other hand, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become ubiquitous in today's world with an ever increasing adoption rate. This paper showcases the promising results of an experiment done in some schools of rural India and the tremendous potential of ICT to help solve the problem of mass illiteracy. The methodology used is described in detail in modular form with the significance of each part highlighted. The proposed model is cost effective, robust, easily implementable and highly scalable. This novel approach is flexible and 5 times less expensive than the model currently being used by many Governments and Non-Governmental Organisations to disseminate ICT for education. It also takes lesser time to deploy and is more efficient in facilitating learning among children. The later part of the paper covers possible extensions and describes adjustments to the proposed model which will facilitate implementation in other geographic regions, thus empowering developing countries marred by mass illiteracy.