Rajeev Tiwari is an Innovation and Tech Evangelist. Rajeev is a strong supporter of Leveraging Technology as an Enabler to Address Real Life Challenging Problems surrounding us. He also has 20+ years of experience. Currently, co-founder at STEMROBO Technologies Private Limited focused on designing and making Innovative Electronic Devices, Software, Pedagogy, and methodologies around STEM Robotics for the K-12 segment. he has a broader understanding of the K-12 segment as he is working on benefiting students and providing them with services that will enhance their learning experiences. In conversation with Rajeev Tiwari.
What is the role of STEMROBO in setting up Tinkering & Innovation labs in approximately 1200+ schools?
STEMROBO Technologies Private Limited is an Educational Technology Company focused on leveraging Technology in Education, which will act as an Enabler for Students to Learn and Innovate in the field of STEAM, Robotics, IoT & Artificial Intelligence (AI). STEMROBO is Involved in End-to-End Process of Setting Up Tinkering and innovation Labs using Innovative DIY Kits and Products; post Lab setup STEMROBO provides complete Pedagogy including content, methodology and execution so as to meet the desired learning outcome. There is also a hybrid model of delivery (in a mix of online and offline mode). Today, we are working closely with 5,00,000+ Students and Teachers on a daily basis, developed 30+ activity centers and 10+ robotics labs across the country. The learning occurs through Tinkering Lab Systems, Tinkering Digital Systems, Tinker Club, Learning-based Toys and Educators Training Programmes.
How are robotic labs going to help in education?
Robotics Lab are an excellent way of inculcating interdisciplinary approach in school students as it combines different elements of STEAM (Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering and, Maths) in one go; Robotics provides an excellent opportunity to Analyse and Develop Problem Solving and Activity-based learning approach.
What should one understand about ed-tech in tinkering lab systems? How does this work?
Tinkering Lab is more of a hardware and software setup in terms of platform, DIY kits so as to foster innovation and get the young minds to tinker or experiment with newer ideas; Ed Tech is a prominent way of delivering these Tinkering Lab Execution in a scalable and technology-oriented way.
Is STEMBORO working with the government or have private/public schools approached them to provide ed-tech solutions?
STEMROBO is actively working with Govt and Pvt Schools both in Setting up and Executing Innovative Tinkering, Robotics and AI Lab. STEMROBO Tinkering Labs are successfully running in Central and State Govt Schools, in Pvt schools’ chain of DPS, Central Academy Group amongst others.
As part of the AI Connect Platform’ with NITI Aayog, what is ed-tech supposed to do in educating a child?
AI Connect platform by STEMROBO, lets you run and write code in any browser, on any device. It works instantly without downloading plugins or installing software. AI is becoming pervasive these days and young students in schools need to be given an orientation of these emerging technologies while they are in schools. The Jobs and Careers of school students as they venture into the professional world 7-10 years down the line will be totally different given the phenomenal impact AI, ML, IOT, AR, VR is going to make on our lives and so they need to be prepared on across the horizontal use cases and significance of AI.
What have been your observations regarding growth and challenges in pursuing ed-tech in learning?
EdTech gives you scale, a multiple and networking effect; and the challenges are how to make it pervasive as EdTech delivery is still dependent on gadgets like Laptop, PC, SmartPhones and good broadband which not everyone in the country possess or can afford.
How can ed-tech be inclusive and ensure no one lags behind or drops out?
EdTech needs to focus on cheaper and cost-effective way also like delivery via Satellite TV, ability to deliver to non-smartphone users, etc – if it has to reach every length and corner of the country and across masses.
What are your views on educators’ ability to teach and learn ed-tech? If there are any initiatives taken to ensure educators are taught before they go and teach?
STEMROBO lays a strong focus on Train the Teachers model; and we have conducted several free orientation programs so as to impart skills-based training to teachers so that they can get an orientation to EdTech Delivery, Pedagogy and Content for imparting Experiential Learning and Coding. Tinker learning is one such initiate by STEMROBO.
Why do we need ed-tech, what are the important changes expected with blended learning?
COVID19 has accelerated the adoption of EdTech by at least 2-3 Years; as we slowly move out of COVID19, I see that down the line, we need to have a more pragmatic approach. Fully Online will also not survive, nor will Fully Offline; Schools needs to go for Blended and Hybrid Model (a mix of Online and Offline mode) with seamless integration. School Time can be used for brainstorming, freewheeling discussions; doubt clearing sessions and hands-on approach; and Quizzes, assignments, Contents can be put online so as to devise a Competency Driven, Outcome Oriented, Personalized Learning Path for the students which can then be used by Teachers as a tool to gauge, customize and navigate the students learning path.