Pavithra KV

Khel Khel Mein Vigyan
Reimagining Education for the Underprivileged
- Group Project : 3 members
- Project Duration : 5 weeks
The pandemic triggered significant education system changes, but not all children could afford or adapt to them, raising concerns. In response, the project focused on conducting design research to gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental challenges within the education system and design an education kit specifically tailored for the children facing challenges.
I was involved in conceptualizing and developing the concept and design, taking the lead in creating the prototype and video.
Design







Inception : A brief reflection of the project
Childhood experiences shape our identities, comprising a mix of highs, lows, struggles, and joys. Thus, it is crucial for children to have positive and enriching experiences during this crucial phase.
The project was inspired by nostalgic reflections on our childhood, informing our research, motivation, and design.
Throughout the project, we remained focused on our shared goal of creating an interactive product that allows children to revisit and relive the enriching learning experiences of their own childhood.
The Invention : What we did
The Midday Meal Scheme in India, designed to improve the nutritional status of school-age children, was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this, the government distributed food packets and rations, aiming to provide nourishment to the children
The idea is to utilize the mid-day meal scheme as a means to impart knowledge to the children.
Opportunity using the mid-day meal scheme

The journey map involving various stakeholders
A comprehensive journey map was developed to outline the product distribution process and gain insights into the stakeholders involved, from the school to the students.


The product design was centered around a specific subject, which was Chemistry for fifth-grade students. The focus of the design was on the topic of States of Matter.
Subject and topic of study

Timeline of study



To understand molecular distances in various states of matter
Activity 1
This educational tool effectively illustrates the molecular distances in various states: solids, liquids, and gases.
Using tokens, it facilitates comprehension of the compactness of matter in different states and their capacity to change shape. These tokens offer children the opportunity to explore and interact with the concepts in diverse ways.


To understand process involved in change in state
Activity 2
This puzzle card activity has been created to encourage children to independently explore the various processes involved in the changes of states of matter.
The tasks featured on these cards have been carefully chosen from their immediate environment to captivate their attention and stimulate their curiosity.
To understand various terminologies



Mass and
Density
Buoyancy
Activity 3
The kit includes tokens made of different materials that facilitate activities and aid in the comprehension of terminologies such as mass, density, pressure, and buoyancy. These material tokens have varying masses and densities.


Prototype of the product
Research


The condition of schools post-pandemic.
Quest : What we saw
The pandemic had a significant impact on the education system, particularly in under-resourced schools, affecting children's education. To understand this issue, we researched government schools and their experiences during and after the pandemic.
After the lockdown, 'Mohalla classes' were organized in spacious areas, such as grounds and near temples, where local students could gather for their educational sessions.
Teachers had to adapt their methods and syllabus to engage students. The suspension of sports and the discontinuation of midday meals also posed challenges. Alternative learning platforms and broadcasts helped mitigate some difficulties. Students helped each other learn together.
Interview questions
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Did classes take place during the initial Covid lockdown?
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How did you attempt to resume classes after the Covid-19 pandemic?
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Was there any organization of classes online or through video calls?
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What was the mindset of the parents during this period?
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Did the change in teaching style ever affect the children?
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Did teachers find it challenging due to the additional workload?


Discoveries : What we learnt
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Government schools faced resource limitations for online education during the pandemic, but steps were taken to mitigate the impact on students' education.
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Teachers played a crucial role in convincing parents, organizing "Mohalla classes," and ensuring student safety.
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Transporting materials to remote villages for classes posed challenges for teachers.
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Financial constraints hindered parental support for their children's studies.
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The ideal student-to-teacher ratio was often not met in most cases.
Development
