csr casestudy computer based functional literacy 08 09
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Computer Based Functional Literacy (CBFL) solution - an
innovative teaching method conceptualised, designed
and developed TCS, based on the theory of Cognition
and Laws of Perception.
Acclaimed as pioneering the third generation approach
to Corporate Social Responsibility.
Successfully deployed in India and abroad, as part of the
Corporate Sustainability initiative of TCS.
Customer
Woolworths Limited
Industry
Retail & Consumer Goods
The Computer Based Functional Literacy Solution For Adult Literacy
ADULT LITERACY
There are an estimated 260 million adults in India who are illiterate. According to the 2001 census report, 34.62% of the Indian population cannot read or write. Based on the current rate of literacy growth in India (1.3% per year), it is estimated that it would require about 1 million teachers and about 30 years or more, to achieve a literacy rate of 90%.
Key Innovative Features of CBFLnAdopts a Systems Approach and Concurrent
Engineering Methodology
nMakes innovative use of theories of Cognition and
Pedagogy, and multimedia to impart learning
nFocuses on words rather than alphabets
nHarmonizes visual and audio patterns to enable
reading, and helps retention of cognized patterns in
subconscious memory.
nImparts reading, writing and basic Arithmetic ability
in about 45 learning hours, spread over 10 to 12
weeks.
CBFL and Conventional Learning Models: A
Comparative Analysis
The innovative combination of the theories of
Cognition, Language and Communication with IT
enables CBFL to achieve far quicker results in the
area of adult learning. While the NLM model, with
its conventional methods takes 9-18 months to
achieve results, TCS’ CBFL takes only 45 instruction
hours over 10 to 12 weeks to enable the learners to
recognize patterns and read.
Table 1 below provides a detailed analysis of the
conventional and CBFL methods:
Parameter Conventional Method CBFL Method
Delivery Mechanism Ins tructor-Led Computer-Based
Course Duration 200 hrs in 9-18 months 45 hrs in 3-4 months
Teaching Skills Required High (Professional Teachers Required)
Low (Preraks : para teachers with basic training)
Computer Requirement None Medium (Intel 80486 -make PCs)
Dropout Rate High Low (10-12%)
Scope for Repetition No Yes
Pace of Learning Cannot be adjusted Can be adjusted, as required
Simultaneous Use of Spoken Word and Visual Medium
Not Possible Possible (Using Multimedia enabled PCs)
Standardization in Te aching Not Possible Possible
Flexibility of Learning Low High
Effectiveness of Learning Content Low High (through Multimedia courses that capture attention and motivate)
Estimated Time Required to achieve 90 % literacy level in the country
15-20 Years 5-7 years
Table 1: Comparative Analysis of the Conventional and CBFL Methods
ADULT LITERACY
The comparative cost to make a person literate
Thus TCS has saved more than Rs. 8 crore on social
cost to the nation by applying the CBFL method, to
achieve the literacy figure of 1, 20,000 people.
BenefitsnDoes not require trained teachers or large-scale
school facilities. People educated using the CBFL
method can themselves become tutors for the next
group.
nQuick results - It takes just one-thirds of the time
taken by writing-oriented methods.
nFlexibility to adjust to the learning pace of
individuals. The time frame for learning is flexible.
The learners can use the programme at their own
convenient time, after completing their daily work.
nLower dropout rate when compared to other
methods
Table 2: Comparative Analysis of Costs between the Conventional and CBFL Methods
nCan be operated on basic Intel 80486 personal
computers, which many IT organisations would be
willing to provide
nCan effectively supplement and enhance other
existing adult literacy programmes
nTeaching of pronunciation of words/letters is
more accurate due to the use of multimedia. This is
particularly useful for languages like Tamil, where
the same letter can be pronounced differently
(based on the context).
Parameter Conventional Method CBFL Method TCS Cost effectiveness Comments
Cost of making
1,20,000 persons literate
Rs. 9,14, 40,000
Rs. 1,13,70000 Calc ulations: Combined ALPs (Telugu and Urdu) @ Rs. 100 per literate (for 1,11,000 persons) 1,11,000*100= 1,11,00000 ALP Urdu @ Rs. 30 per literate at Siasat: 9000 * 30 = 2, 70, 000 Total: Rs. 1,13,70000
Rs. 8,00,70,000
In case of CBFL Urdu at Siasat 40 centres, the cost incurred at Rs. 30 per literates only (for 9000 students) as per 112.5 beneficiaries’ per computer per year.
ADULT LITERACY
Some info on the impact on society is given here.
Table 3: Impact on Society
Parameter Desc ription Qualitative Measure Quantitative Measure
Social Awareness
ALP has provided soc ial awareness regarding the importance of education for adults and their ch ildren. Through reading, they have obtained an awareness of social i ssues too. The largest beneficiaries of the program are women. They are participating whole-heartedly in the l iteracy classes as learners and volunteers. They have acquired a heightened sense of self-awareness and desire to gain knowledge on a host of women’s issues.
· Awareness, Self belief and Empowerment
· Abi lity to read Newspapers, Application forms, Posters on the road; Announcement bulletin/Notice boards at the Bus and Rai lway stations ;General awareness of themselves and their surroundings; Can correspond with p eople
· Formation of Women Self Help Groups
· Wide c overage of 1,20,000 persons
Health c are
Adult literacy has helped spread knowledge about health care and nutri tion.
· Abi lity to read medical advertisements
like family planning, HIV awareness, published by governments has increased.
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Education
There are around 9,000 students who have learnt Urdu through ALP software at 40 centers in the last 2 years through the Siasat NGO. Siasat conducts Urdu D ani, Zabandani and Insha examinations twice a year. These basic courses are designed for the learning of Urdu by non-Urdu people. Since September 2006, 30,407 candidates appeared for Urdu Dani examination and 27,835 have passed. Thus TCS-ALP-Urdu helps the Urdu Dani people to go in for the advanced courses like Zabandani and Insha.
ALP provides dropouts from mainstream formal education with a second chance of becoming educated.
· At the NGO Mahita, dropouts who are
learning Urdu through CBFL, are obtaining formal education as well.
· There have been 112.5
beneficiaries per computer per
year.
· At least 30% of the Siasat Urdu
Dan i centres use the ALP
package. · The completion of the course is
validated by the exams held twice a year by Siasat.
ADULT LITERACY
Critical Objectives Achieved
§Reduction in dropout rate and the time required
for learning
To keep the dropout rate low, it was important to
ensure that the learning time was reduced to 30-45
hours. This was critical as a working adult can afford
to spare only that many hours for learning. While the
conventional learning methods take about 9-18
months to achieve results, TCS’ CBFL takes only 45
instruction hours, over 10 to 12 weeks, to enable
learners to recognize patterns and read.
nLaying the foundation for higher skills
Reading paves the way to learning writing,
arithmetic and other skills. Hence, CBFL focuses first
on developing the learners’ reading ability through
a combination of visual and sound patterns.
nStandard quality of education for all learners
The education material and primers developed by
the National Literacy Mission (NLM) are used by all
Preraks (the CBFL trainers) at all the CBFL centres.
Multimedia is used to ensure accuracy and
standardisation of pronunciation.
nReaching out to the masses
The use of TCS’ freely-available software to
train learners ensures not only higher number
of people trained, but also reusability. Till date,
over 1,20,000 people have been trained with
the help of CBFL.
ADULT LITERACY
About Tata Consultancy ServicesTata Consultancy Services is an IT services, business solutions and outsourcing organization that delivers real results to global businesses, ensuring a level of certainty no other firm can match. TCS offers a consulting-led, integrated portfolio of IT and IT-enabled services delivered through its unique Global Network Delivery
TMModel , recognized as the benchmark of excellence in software development.
A part of the Tata Group, India’s largest industrial conglomerate, TCS has over 143,000 of the world's best trained IT consultants in 42 countries. The company generated consolidated revenues of US $6 billion for fiscal year ended 31 March 2009 and is listed on the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange in India.
For more information, visit us at www.tcs.com.
Contact
The CBFL is developed and implemented by:
TCS Corporate Adult Literacy Program (ALP) Group
Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.
11th Floor, Air India Building, Nariman Point,
Mumbai 400 021, Maharashtra, India
Tel : (022) 6778 9393,
(022) 6778 9378 (Direct)
Fax : (022) 6778 9344
Email : [email protected]
For more details visit : www.tcs.com/cs
Product InformationThe CBFL programme teaches reading skills to illiterate adults, between the ages of 18-50 years, who have not attended a formal school.It uses animated graphics and a voiceover to explain how individual alphabets combine to give structure and meaning to various words. The settings for the lessons are visually stimulating and crafted in a manner that learners can easily relate to. CBFL is implemented using computers, which deliver the lessons (via puppet shows) in multimedia form to the learners. Supplementing computers in this process are reference textbooks or primers from the National Literacy Mission (NLM) and State Resource Centres (SRC). TCS has adopted the NLM approach and has incorporated content from many of the NLM primers into its courses, as the NLM Primers are widely tested, readily available, and highly usable. However, while traditional methods require more time and resources, as well as dedicated and well-trained teachers, the CBFL courses speed up the learning process through scientific, cognitive and pedagogical learning models.CBFL Urdu is a special case where TCS has conceived and developed the educational material on its own, as Urdu education material was not available with NLM during this time. CBFL Arabic and the supplementary educational material are also currently being developed by TCS.CBFL leverages the benefits of IT in terms of repeatability, simultaneous blending of the spoken word and written language, and an appealing graphical interface. Apart from the critical multiplier effect (where capable teachers have been able to manage five to six batches of CBFL training per day and teachers with little or no experience have been able to provide above average instruction), IT has also helped to provide standardised quality of instruction. An adult can learn to read, write and perform basic arithmetic after following 45 hours of instruction. The duration of these sessions is around 1 to 1.5 hours, and the sessions are usually conducted thrice a week, over a period of 10 to 12 weeks.The total cost of making a person literate using CBFL is only Rs 100. This solution has the potential to lift our country's literacy rate in record time: As per our estimates using CBFL will help achieve a literacy rate of 90% in about five years.
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