Focus Groups Findings (6th March 2025)

We are excited to share insights from our first focus group study conducted with 5 principals and one administrator of Adarsh Vidyalayas in Assam. This initial study aimed to gain a bird's-eye view of the existing educational ecosystem in Assam and explore the potential of Virtual Reality (VR) to increase learning outcomes among students. This is the first of many such focus groups planned, as we intend to engage with principals, teachers, government administrators, and students in future studies.

Focus group study with Principals of Adarsh Vidhyalayas with the IIT Guwahati team

Curriculum and Content Needs: Principals emphasized the need for curriculum content aligned with CBSE standards, focusing on conceptual understanding and subject-specific content for classes 8-12. They also highlighted the importance of integrating reference materials and relating topics to real-world examples to make learning more engaging.

Challenges Faced by Schools: Several challenges were identified by the principals. These include students struggling with reading skills in English, Assamese, and Hindi. Many students also show a math aversion, lacking motivation to study it. Schools in remote locations face disadvantages like poor communication, insufficient electricity, and diverse language backgrounds among students. Socio-economic factors play a role, with students coming from poor families lacking resources. Parental support is often limited, especially with first-generation learners.

Educational Content with Learnability Challenges: Principals specifically mentioned areas where students face difficulties. These include geometry, trigonometry, human anatomy, and historical events. They suggested that technology could enhance understanding in these subjects. Additionally, students transitioning from Assamese-medium to English-medium education face challenges with spoken English and pronunciation.

Technology Integration and Adoption: While some schools have existing infrastructure like Atal Tinkering Labs, there's a mixed teacher response to technology adoption and a need for improved digital literacy. New-generation teachers are more open to technology and can be leveraged for training and support. Logistical considerations include power supply for VR equipment and planning for VR skill labs.

Engaging Students Through VR: Principals see great potential in using VR for 3D and visual learning, experiential learning like virtual tours, and interactive content. They suggested gamifying learning and relating content to real-world examples.

Additional Opportunities and Suggestions: Additional opportunities include improving spoken English, integrating astronomical content, using virtual conference rooms for collaborative learning with experts, and motivating teachers. Customized, inquiry-based learning was also emphasized. Effectively utilizing government-provided equipment and addressing technology adoption issues are crucial for successful implementation.