Open Education Resource platform 'Vikalp' to assist children in UP schools

The basic education department in Uttar Pradesh has decided to launch an Open Education Resource (OER) with the vision of enabling technology to meet the needs of education. Coined as 'Vikalp', this teaching platform is designed to assist teacher, parents and students with simplified and local content, which will boost the scope and sphere of learning in the state.

The Digital 'Option' to boost learning & teaching

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With assisting development by the HCL Foundation, 'Vikalp' has a notable edge over comparable counterpart such as NCERTS's 'Diksha', 'Swayam', and 'Mission Prerona'. Director, State Institute of Education and Training, said, "The platform comes with a repository of 10,000 questions, which will help teachers and parents make question papers and quiz to test the subject knowledge of their wards.

This option is not available with other platforms." She added that the platform had smartly gelled 'flexibility' and 'quality control' which makes it unique. "Any teacher from any part of the state can upload content on the platform but each video will be scrutinized for quality and content by a review and moderation committee. The flexibility also includes freedom to generate localised content," she explained.

'IT for Change'

The likes of this system are already institutionalised in several southern Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, and now, Uttar Pradesh has decided to make it provisional within state boundaries, as well.

The Department Director further explained that in course of time, Vikalp will be used as a platform to promote the exchange of knowledge by means of webinars, workshops and discussions. "Users will also have the option to learn from our technical hand holding exercises like how to make a video from your cell phone, etc.," she said, adding that Vikalp was a great module of those who believe in 'IT for Change'.

Director, Samuday-HCL Foundation, Alok Varma said that Vikalp was a community model of learning and exchange of knowledge.
"The portal will not only ease the process of teaching and learning, but also enrich the quality of knowledge dissemination," he said.
Minister of state (Independent charge) for basic education stated that Vikalp has borne out of the state's commitment to introduce and encourage 'innovative practices to improve culture of learning and improving learning outcome.'