Sugata Mitra - a second approach at using technology to expand the reach of education

 GRANNY CLOUD TEACHING

SUMMARY

Following the self-instruction discovery that students teach themselves in India through the hole-in-the wall experiments Sugata Mitra went on to further these findings. The Granny Cloud Teaching approach attempts to 'Deepen the students learning experience' (Sugata Mitra) using the method of or like a Grandmother-stand behind the children and admire them. Using a recruitment base in the UK, where he lectures at Newcastle University - A recruitment for 'grandmother' volunteers who had broadband and were willing to devote an hour of free time was undertaken. the chosen volunteers would then connect to a rural area and speak, encourage, talk to the children.The move and ideas have now equally been adopted in schools in the UK with its application of computers in schools for classroom group work.

See the following link: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EVxqH73n1A

PROS/CONS of the GRANNY CLOUD

As with his initial experiments, I believe the use of the internet and a volunteer group to facilitate and spread the possibility of transferring information, and generating learning in underdeveloped and rural areas is important. Sugata Mitra often refers to the idea that because of the fact that these areas are poor or rural they often do not attract the best teachers nor always are economically able to maintain schools. Therefore this approach is another method at spreading information this time in a more personal manner than his initial hole in the wall experiments.

However, in being an approach that attempts to 'close the gap' it is also important to think that not everywhere will they be capable of adopting this self-regulated learning. Firstly, in some areas just trying to get a broadband connection may prove difficult -so technical issues and availability may be problematic.

Additionally, this is a good idea for learning the basics…and building perhaps a certain amount of knowledge but not for in-depth studies-it can only bring one so far. Some form of 'teacher', which is more skilled than the 'grandmother' will at some point need to come into play. 

Lastly, as with everything the social context and culture may come to affect the opportunities in that children may be prevented from learning with the tool in the first place; with ideals that they have other tasks and chores to perform for the family, and varying opinions on girls versus boys educational needs to name a few. 

“Not allowing students to use the Internet is like taking a modern soldier, taking away his gun and gear and telling him to fight.” – UK Sugata Mitra, Newcastle