Implementation of High-Tech Classrooms
In the early years of the institute, as the classes grew from small batches to a standard batch size of around 50 students, we faced issues like excessive heat in the classrooms and difficulty for the students sitting in the back portion of the classroom to see the teacher. These challenges used to come in the way of keeping the students focused on learning. Based on the suggestion and active involvement of some key students, we implemented various infrastructural and technological upgrades like fully air-conditioned (AC) classrooms equipped with large computer projected screens and efficient audio system. We also procured tablet PCs directly from the USA as they were not available in India then.
We were one of the first educational institutions in the country to use a tablet PC in classroom education. Even the best and most advanced engineering colleges like the IITs did not have access to such facilities then. This was initially started as an experiment but after seeing the improved understanding and satisfaction level of the aspirants and their parents, we adopted the improvements permanently. These changes created a more desirable learning environment that is devoid of distractions and led to an increase in the focused study time for our students, thus increasing the overall understanding of the subject matter being taught as well as the efficiency of the class period.
Implementation of RFID Card Based Attendance System
Attendance of students is a crucial factor for tracking their progress as well as for taking any corrective actions if required. In the early years of the institute, we used to maintain manual signature-based attendance registers wherein the students were required to sign the attendance register before entering the classroom. This used to take a tolerable time until we had small batch sizes. But with the increasing reputation and popularity of our institute, we had to start accommodating more students and once the batch size grew to a standard of around 50 students, the time required to conduct the attendance rose to an unacceptable period of up to 30 minutes depending on the number of attending students.
To combat this issue and save the precious time of our faculty members and students, we indigenously designed RFID card-based computer attendance system. Our technical team, guided by Er. Aditya Kumar did extensive research and within a couple of months of the initial discussion, we were able to procure the RFID cards from a manufacturer in Taiwan (such cards were not readily available in India back then). Er. Aditya Kumar designed, and through our technical staff, got comprehensive computer software developed for the capture of RFID card-based attendance and generation of reports without assistance from external consultants. Once the new attendance system was in place, we noticed an amazing reduction in the size of student queues for attendance. Upon quantification, we discovered that the new automated system reduced the attendance time by a factor of more than 75%. The saved administrative resources and time was then utilized for improvement of other day-to-day activities leading to an increase in the student satisfaction as well as a more accurate capture of student attendance and generation of reports for tracking the overall progress of a student.
Implementation of OMR Based Test Evaluation System
One of the key expectations from an educational system is its ability to evaluate and report the progress of the students. Once the number of students at our coaching institute increased to triple digits, we were faced with the difficult situation of manually checking the work of hundreds of students and be able to declare the results within an acceptable timeframe. The ability to timely deliver the results of a test is an important aspect in the students’ examination preparations so that they can check and make timely corrections in their weak subject areas.
Although we were aware of the Optical Mark Reader (OMR) systems used by national level examinations like JEE, we were initially deterred by the initial cost and training required for acquiring and implementing such an automated ‘test evaluation’ system. However, our management saw the importance of releasing timely test results and decided to bear the significant financial costs in return for the increased satisfaction of students and parents. After conducting extensive research, we procured the scanners and software required for implementing the OMR system we are using till now to train students for some of the examinations which are still pen and paper bused, as most of the entrance examinations are not Computer based Online. To take care of this requirement, and to benefit remote students, we developed a complete web-based testing system in the year 2006. This testing system is continuously updated to match the patterns of different entrance examinations so that students may test their preparation level in the environment that they actually face in the final entrance examinations. Thus we became the first private coaching institute in U.P. to have such advanced technology for student performance evaluation. After the implementation of such testing systems system, we are able to declare the coaching results within a few minutes of the test. The data we collected showed perfect accuracy and correctness of the student evaluation as well as a great decrease in the turnaround time for declaring the results as compared to the earlier used manual system. This led to a tremendous increase in the satisfaction of the students as well as helped in building a very positive image of our institute amidst the parents.
Implementation of SMS Based Result Declaration System
Once we started preparing timely results for the tests conducted by our coaching institute, it was equally important that the students and parents were notified of the same as promptly as possible. We realized that the use of email and mobile SMS as a way of sending urgent notifications fulfilled our purpose. Our technical staff was able to research and procure a bulk-SMS and bulk-email software which met our requirements from a very specialized IT company based in Hungary and the US respectively. Note that despite not being able to find the required software in India; our management did not get deterred from the additional time and financial burden. Instead, we widened our search and procured the software from abroad through an external consultant. We also sourced an SMS modem from a distributor in India and trained our staff in using the system. As a direct result of our extensive research and in-house expertise, we became the first coaching institute in India to successfully use an SMS and email based result declaration system in a non-test environment.
Implementation of Distance Education Technologies
As the institution grew in reputation and popularity, students started coming to our centers from far off places in Lucknow and nearby cities. Although the students appreciated the learning advantage and competitive edge they were getting at Rubic’s, they spent a lot of their precious time in commuting to and from our couple of branches located in Lucknow. Many students had to unwillingly give up on the option of gaining quality education from our esteemed faculty members simply because of the inordinate time involved in commuting to and from our coaching branches. They settled for ‘coaching classes’ by inexperienced and incapable teachers closer to their homes, jeopardizing their education potential.
Our management decided to solve this issue by opening multiple branches in remote areas and cities nearby Lucknow. But we were immediately faced with a logistical issue in the form of the availability of our teachers. This is where we decided to use distance learning technologies to provide quality education to all deserving students while still maintaining the same high standard of the coaching provided by our time-tested and well-respected teaching team. Here, again our team, under the guidance of Er. Aditya Kumar, took up the challenge to develop indigenous distance learning system. We conducted several ‘Pilot’ experiments using VSAT, ISDN and leased line technologies. We did extensive research and came up with an implementation strategy. As part of the process, we also acquired state of the art video conferencing devices which aided us in conducting remote classes. We were thus able to expand our reach by opening multiple branches while maintaining the quality of our instructions.
The present Online Two- Way -Interactive e-Learning system is an outcome of the tireless endeavor of our team guided by Er. Aditya Kumar. Due to the expertise of our technical staff, we have been successfully conducting live interactive classes for the past many years now. It’s a different story for our competitors, who are still struggling with the technology bottlenecks.