Vipul Redey tells Rakshit Malhotra about global discovery academy which aims at cost-efficient, technology driven education for smart learning
Tell us about Global Discovery Academy (GDA)IJ
It’s a group of K to 12 schools designed under CBSE affiliation on a system which brings out hidden quality of each student and monitors them through technology. A constant evaluation and analysis process is conducted every 30 minutes on the activity graph, which is accessible to parents at regular participation process online. Thus, the key to success is constant learning and improvisation.
What is it’s USPIJ
We aspire to help children discover their strengths and apply them for the rest of their lives. We study the dominant strengths of each student (diagnosis), chalk out a development trajectory for them (intervention), and continuously check in on their progress on that trajectory (monitoring).
What is the purpose of launching thisIJ
We wanted to create a place of learning that went above and beyond the factory model of rote learning currently offered anywhere. Also, to make education cost-efficient education for the middle-class group. The innovation that GDA offers is in our pedagogy, our learning space design, our technology and finally, in the way we brand the entire product.
What is the curriculum followed by the Global Discovery AcademyIJ
GDA follows a two layer curriculum. The basic CBSE curriculum confirms to the CCE (Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation) standards. However, we’ve an additional remediation layer on top of it that we offer our students. This is a very choreographed learning experience called an Aha Packet that is designed by us to teach difficult topics foundation topics and extra-curricular topics related to technology, entrepreneurship etc. Together, they enable us to offer a lot more than just the lowest common denominator.
Tell us about the facultyIJ
We get a lot of our inspiration from the Rocketship Education model for running schools in the US. We hire the best, train them thoroughly, give them quality mentoring and performance feedback, reward them for outstanding work, and show them a long term personal growth trajectory.
What are the new technologies that are used at GDAIJ
There are three facets. Technology tools that are used to manage our network of schools smoothly—like ERP, CRM, knowledge management, school security products, parent reporting and communication systems. Technology that instructors use to teach— smart boards, prototyping tools, educational software used to teach Mathematics and foreign languages. And technology that we teach children— programming, inter-networking, embedded systems.
The Entrepreneurship lab initiative helps the students a multitude of avenues to pursue their interests through the effective use of technology, whether it is in the creative arts or in commerce or in solving a specific multi-faceted problem that intrigues them.
Are there any scholarships offered by the schoolIJ
Yes, we’ve been offering a few certified needy students with the assistance to bridge the gap between what we charge and what they can afford.
With the changing time how has the role and responsibility of the teacher been changedIJ
This can best be illustrated by how we use the Khan Academy Mathematics model that turns the traditional role of teachers on it’s head— students learn concepts on their own time by watching Khan Academy videos but then practice problems under the watchful eye of their teachers in class. This makes teachers infinitely more useful and effective as facilitators for applying knowledge rather than being a person that offers a sterile administering of meaningless data.
What are the latest development you have seen in the field of educationIJ
The ones that excite me the most are in the field of prototyping. With historically high-end tools like laser cutters and 3-D printers becoming both, cheap and easy to operate, they offer all ages of children an avenue to give physical form to the ideas in their heads. They’re being widely adopted in US and European schools and yet to be implemented in Indian schools.
