School books in Assam to get digitized from 2019, QR Codes to be introduced

September 15: Starting next academic session, teachers and students in a number of states will be using “energised textbooks” that will provide them with more information and contextualised content in the form of video films and audios accessible through quick response (QR) codes, in addition to traditional textbooks. A QR code (Quick Response Code) is a type of two-dimensional barcode used for providing easy access to information through a smartphone.

The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Assam, is preparing the textbooks, which will be distributed to students from classes V to VIII. These textbooks will have quick response (QR) codes. By scanning these codes using smartphones one will be able to access supplementary audio-visuals as well as text material which will simplify the topic to a student. For the first year such QR codes will be used in English and mathematics for class V, in social science for classes VI to VIII and in general science for class VIII.

The material will be uploaded at DIKSHA. DIKSHA, which stands for Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing, is a national platform which hosts open educational resources and teacher-related information. The Centre will provide funds to SCERT to develop the study material.

QR codes will be printed on books identified by teachers/subject matter experts in the physical textbooks. These codes can be linked to engaging videos and interactive content to better equip teachers, and provide students with the same content. Students will be able to use the information from home as well. Students who generally have to search for additional information on their own will be able to get more information by using the app.