IT Madras Researchers are developing teaching and learning models using digital technologies. This will help the secondary schools in rural areas of the country.

Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Madras Researchers are developing teaching and learning models using digital technologies. This will help the secondary schools in rural areas of the country. The researchers have developed an AR / VR (Augmented reality / Virtual Reality)-based enabled learning. The aim is to make the learning process more efficient and enhance competency among the students.
The execution of the program has started and the Project Coordinators Dr. Merin Simi Raj and Dr. Avishek Parui created the first AR-based mobile app called 'MemoryBytes,' which captures the history of the transnational Anglo-Indian community across 500 years.

Through this initiative, students will get opportunities to learn subjects such as social science, history, sciences and languages via VR-enabled immersive and experiential learning. Through AR/VR world-building, digital storytelling and games, the learning process becomes more efficient and would help prepare the students for a competent field of higher education.

Further, the project will also help India achieve UN SDG Goal #4, which calls upon all nations to "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all."
Highlighting the need for Industry to support the scaling up of such projects with potential for deep social impact, Prof. Mahesh Panchagnula, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras, said, "This project has the potential to redefine learning and education in schools for millions of rural school students across India, by creating immersive experiences through AR/VR technology-enhanced pedagogy."

Speaking about the goals of this initiative, Project Coordinator Dr. Merin Simi Raj, Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Technology, IIT Madras, said, "This project seeks to build accessible and affordable digitally enabled immersive learning experience along with the opportunity to connect with experts working in various fields. The project seeks to build AR/VR supported teaching-learning model which would transcend the barriers of physical classrooms."