Tag: learning outcomes

Class Saathi in Varanasi: Impact and Metrics 2023

Posted on by Vivek Singh

Class Saathi, a clicker-based smart classroom solution developed by TagHive, has been making waves in Varanasi, which is the constituency of India’s Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi. According to the District Information System for Education (DISE) report for the academic year 2021-22, there are 3488 schools in 8 blocks serving 965726 students in Varanasi district. 

Class Saathi being implemented in Varanasi schools
Implementation of Class Saathi in Varanasi Schools

In 2023, we implemented the program across 4 blocks – Chiraigaon, Cholapur, Harhua, and Kashi Vidyapeeth – in collaboration with Progressive Foundation, Ford Foundation, and KOICA. The program reached 200 classrooms and 8249 students, with an average of 29103 clicks per month.

The impact of Class Saathi in these schools has been significant and has resulted in a number of positive impacts, including:

  • Attendance: Before Class Saathi, the average attendance in these schools was 50%. After Class Saathi, the average attendance increased to 75%. This is likely due to the fact that Class Saathi makes learning more engaging and interactive, which motivates students to attend school more regularly.
Increase in Attendance after Class Saathi
Attendance increased after implementation of Class Saathi
  • Engagement: Before Class Saathi, students actively engaged in class accounted for only 50%. However, after implementing Class Saathi, all students actively engaged in class. This is likely due to the fact that Class Saathi uses a variety of interactive features, such as quizzes, games, and simulations, which keep students engaged and motivated to learn.
Increase in Classroom Engagement after Class Saathi
Classroom Engagement increased after implementation of Class Saathi
  • Learning outcomes: Class Saathi has also led to improvements in student learning outcomes. In schools where Class Saathi was implemented, students’ aggregated performance in mathematics and science increased by 16%. This is likely due to the fact that Class Saathi provides teachers with real-time feedback on student progress, which allows them to tailor their instruction to meet the needs of individual students.
Increase in Learning Outcomes after Class Saathi
Learning Outcomes increased after implementation of Class Saathi
  • Time spent on assessments: Class Saathi has also saved teachers time. Teachers now spend only 10 minutes on assessments on average, compared to 60 minutes before implementing Class Saathi. This is likely due to the fact that Class Saathi automatically grades quizzes and tests, which frees up teachers’ time to focus on other tasks, such as planning lessons and providing individualized support to students.
Decrease in Time Spent on Assessments by Teachers after Class Saathi
Time Saved on Assessments by Teachers after implementation of Class Saathi

Overall, the results of the Class Saathi pilot program in Varanasi are very positive.

The platform demonstrates its ability to increase attendance, improve classroom engagement, enhance learning outcomes, reduce assessment time, and increase teacher satisfaction. These findings suggest that Class Saathi has the potential to be a valuable tool for improving education in India and other developing countries.

Teachers Love Class Saathi
See what Teachers have to say about Class Saathi

Here are some additional details about the Class Saathi platform:

  • Teachers use Class Saathi, a clicker-based app, to deliver interactive lessons and assessments to students.
  • The app includes a library of over 30,000 questions aligned with the national education policy.
  • Students use clickers to answer questions in real time, which allows teachers to track their progress and provide immediate feedback.
  • Class Saathi also includes a reporting dashboard that allows teachers to analyze student data and identify areas for improvement.

Class Saathi is a promising new technology that has the potential to transform education in India and other developing countries. The platform has already demonstrated its ability to improve attendance, engagement, learning outcomes, and teacher satisfaction. With further development and investment, Class Saathi could play a major role in improving the quality of education for millions of students around the world.

Our Moments in 2022

Posted on by Jasmeet

An end-of-the-year note from Pankaj Agarwal, Founder & CEO of TagHive.

Though a year may seem long, it is packed with big and small moments that stay with us forever. 

Moments that show resilience. Moments that show our world is rebuilding. Moments that show meaningfulness and help us reconnect with purpose.

Leading this resilience are our students and teachers, who we’ve realized are digital natives. They have clearly shown us what it means to be adaptable, further emboldening our firm belief in the power of education.

Today, I want to spend some time thinking and reflecting on those moments.

Students from Composite School in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh
Students from Composite School in Jaunpur, UP

As we’ve gotten the opportunity to reach more schools across the country, we have witnessed incredible things teachers are doing in classrooms. From Kerala to Kashmir, from Gujarat to Manipur, we have seen teachers push the boundaries of achievements for their students.

Map showing Class Saathi in 10 states of India
Map showing Class Saathi in 10 Indian states

Take Samiksha Singh ma’am, from Gautam Budh Nagar. She is using tech-driven learning materials to teach the application of Mathematics in daily life.

Samiksha Singh, Teacher in composite school in Gautam Budh Nagar, Noida
Samiksha Singh from Gautam Budh Nagar

In Chandauli, Varij Kapoor is reaching out to every student in his school and ensuring their circumstances don’t hinder their learning experience.

Viraj Kapoor, Teacher with his students in a composite school in Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh
Viraj Kapoor with his students in Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh

Fatima Hasan from Jaunpur is breaking stereotypes and inspiring her students to dream and achieve audacious goals.

Fatima Hasan teaching in K-8 school in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh
Fatima Hasan from Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh

In Tappal, you will find Dev Shankar Shukla who stops at nothing to reach his students. He lives and breathes to teach his students.

Dev Shankar Shukla from Tappal, Uttar Pradesh
Dev Shankar Shukla from Tappal, Uttar Pradesh

There are endless examples! Teachers like Smita Rathore, Sandeep Kumar, Ramakant Pal, Santosh Kumar Yadav, and many more truly personify the Saathi that they are to their students.

This passion we see drives these teachers to strive to become better educators, and lead their students to become future changemakers. Hearing stories like these make me and everyone at TagHive reconnect with our purpose. It gives us hope and faith to do more. To do better.

We are humbled to be part of such meaningful moments that empower these Super Teachers and their students with Class Saathi. We would like to thank all of our partners, organizations and people who have been enablers of excellence in classrooms every day. Finally, we want to thank the entire TagHive team, each of whom has been creating magic behind the scenes.

At TagHive, we are excited to seize the moments of new possibilities to enable, engage and empower our teachers, and students.

Class Saathi enabling, engaging and empowering classrooms
Class Saathi enables, engages, empowers schools

From here on, it is only onwards and upwards!

Wishing you happy holidays and a prosperous 2023. Thank you!

Class Saathi Moments in 2022

Class Saathi at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas

Posted on by clusterone

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) is a system of central schools for talented students predominantly from rural areas in India. A rigorous entrance examination called the JNV Selection Test selects these students.

JNVs are fully residential and co-educational schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), New Delhi, with classes from VI to XII in English, Hindi, and regional languages.

TagHive, a technology company founded by an IITian, and JNV schools are making joint efforts in increasing the learning outcomes of students and optimizing the classes for the teachers with our Class Saathi line of assessment solutions.

We believe that for a classroom to be truly smart, the teacher needs to understand the voice of every student, and Class Saathi enables just that. Using the clicker device, teachers are able to engage every student and get insights into their learning to be able to create a contextualized strategy.

Teachers and School Principal from JNV, Sangareddy (Telangana) after Class Saathi Phase 1 orientation
Teachers and School Principal from JNV, Sangareddy (Telangana) after Class Saathi Phase 1 orientation

Currently, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas deployed Class Saathi in 5 schools:

  1. JNV Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
  2. JNV Mungeshpur, Delhi
  3. JNV Palghar, Maharashtra
  4. JNV RangaReddy, Telangana
  5. JNV Alleppey, Kerala

During the first phase of deployment, trainers conducted orientations and training sessions for 45+ teachers and principals from all 5 locations. These sessions took place in the early stages and after mid-term examinations to increase the adoption of Class Saathi. 

Teachers can’t wait to explore the Class Saathi solution in their classrooms and see how learning and engagement improve.

Class Saathi Phase 1 orientation for JNV, Palghar teachers
Phase 1 orientation for JNV, Palghar teachers

The orientation sessions that TagHive conducted, proved to be fruitful in developing a better understanding of the solution’s on-ground effectiveness amongst teachers. Here is a glimpse of some feedback that we received:

1) “The training was very useful. We think that Class Saathi can be beneficial for the students. For next term’s exams, we hope to conduct all revisions using Class Saathi only. We also hope to get in-person training so that our teachers can master Class Saathi.” – Kavya Ma’am (Principal, JNV Bhopal)

Class Saathi Orientation for teachers at JNV, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)
Orientation for teachers at JNV, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)

2) “Class Saathi is good, not just for testing students’ knowledge but the clicker system is very useful for creating interest in students for subjects. Quite helpful for teachers to conduct class in an interesting and effective way. The training has helped us understand the features better and I look forward to implementing it soon.” – Shivaji Sir (Principal, JNV Palghar)

TagHive team member explaining mechanics of Class Saathi at JNV, Mungeshpur (Delhi)
Class Saathi at JNV, Mungeshpur (Delhi)

3) “Our training was very beneficial. We have no complaints from the support team as well. Class Saathi has so many useful options (features). We can’t wait for the next refresher training session after vacation.” – Bhoop Sir (Technical Coordinator, JNV Rangareddy)

We are keenly awaiting phase 2 of our deployment with the JNVs wherein we will emphasize how to utilize Class Saathi assessment solutions during regular classroom hours, thus increasing classroom engagement and the performance of students.

Class Saathi, Enabling The Critical Stakeholder: The Teacher

Posted on by clusterone 
“Yeh bachon ke padhayi ke level ko samajhne mein bohot zabardast hai aur woh bhi fataak se” (This device is too good at helping us understand student learning levels, and that too at lightning speed)

Mrs Meena, a Grade 5 math teacher in a Government School, Bhopal tells us even before presented with a question.

And this is precisely why we built Class Saathi. To enable existing teachers, who do not lack pedagogical knowledge, instead the hours lost in doing the administrative work.

Class Saathi gives these teachers that one smart tool, with no need for electricity or internet, that enables them to take well-informed data-backed decisions to increase student learning levels, engagement and attendance.

Happy students using Class Saathi clickers in Raj Bhavan School, Bhopal
Classroom engagement increased after using Class Saathi clickers

With more than 7 million students dropping out of the Indian education system and the context of public schools in India, it’s impossible for conventional smart school systems to reduce the learning gaps.

There is a dire need for a paradigm shift for teachers: from being Sage on the Stage, burdened by administrative tasks, to a side free from administrative tasks that allow strategic focus on learning outcomes.

Teachers and students benefiting from using Class Saathi clickers
Students and teachers benefit from Class Saathi

Class Saathi instantly connects all stakeholders and enables multiple feedback loops assisted by features using the power of AI. Enabled with a Learning Outcome Management System and Student Reports, students in a classroom learn effectively and increase teachers’ productivity.

In one of the early pilot tests with over 1000 students in the experimental group and over 500 students in the control group, we found that attendance and learning outcomes increased with Class Saathi in action by 10% and 8%, respectively, in just 30 days.

School girl using Class Saathi for quick assessment
School girl using Class Saathi for formative assessment

Motivated by the early success, Pankaj Agarwal (HBS Class of 2021) and his team at TagHive (a Samsung funded spin-off) have been doing multiple iterations while adding more features to empower teachers in transforming their role from “a sage on the stage” to that of “a guide on the side”.

Class Saathi Helps Students Feel Heard And Enables Teachers to Understand Them Better

Posted on by clusterone

Currently, in India, there is a gap of more than 20% between the literacy rates of folks from the tribal region, and the rest of the country. And with the context of public schools, it’s impossible for conventional smart school systems to reduce these learning gaps.

Class Saathi was created to do just this, to provide personalized education to students, irrespective of their demographics. It is a combination of a clicker for each student and a mobile app for teachers, parents and administrators.

Students in morning assembly in Haite Memorial Friendship School in Mualdam, Assam
Morning assembly at Haite Memorial Friendship School in Mualdam, Assam

Case in point, one of the tribal schools (Haite Memorial Friendship School) in Mualdam, Assam, serves 198 students from nearby ten villages, including a village of a rare and small tribe called Biate tribe.

Run by The Sunbird Trust, an organization that empowers schools in conflict regions in the Northeastern region of India; this is a school that we wanted to explore working with since it is situated in one of the most remote regions in the country.

TagHive demonstrated the ability of Class Saathi to take attendance and quizzes in the classroom that had no internet or electricity, with teachers of Maths and Science from the school.

Class Saathi orientation at Sunbird Trust school in Assam
Class Saathi orientation in a remote school

As teachers and students solved questions together, we saw teachers find the existing learning gaps and think about how they can plan their upcoming classes and strategies. While this happened, we noticed something beautiful happen parallelly. Students who were earlier shy to respond in a regular classroom were responding to questions by pressing the clicker.

In a way, Class Saathi created a safe space for them to feel heard and understood. It will build more confidence in the students to express their opinions, and just like that, the engagement within the classroom would increase.

Pankaj Agarwal (HBS Class of 2012) and his team at TagHive (a Samsung funded spin-off) are now excited about upcoming collaborations with Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha state governments.

These collaborations will allow them to build this confidence in over 5 million students while enabling over 100,000 teachers and administrators to analyse and execute student-centric education.

TagHive is also keen to continue exploring collaboration with even more schools in need with Sunbird Trust, and we’re very excited to hear from teachers in that school:

Hudson Ngamlai, Science teacher at Haite Memorial Friendship School in Mualdam, Assam

Hudson Ngamlai (Science teacher) –

Class Saathi has helped me prepare homework and check prior knowledge of the class.

The AI-powered quizzes and concept notes allow us to understand a particular subject better.

Class Saathi works without internet or electricity, which will, in turn, help our students a lot.

Ruby Sam, Lead Teacher at Haite Memorial Friendship School in Mualdam, Assam

Ruby Sam (Lead Teacher) –

I’m excited to use Class Saathi in our school. It enables us to find each student’s learning gaps & progress in no time.

It brings an inclusive learning environment for all students and provides an equal opportunity for students to respond.

Our school is located in a highly remote location, but since Class Saathi works seamlessly in such sites, I’m excited to use it.

Prevent Encouragement From Being Pressured With These Tips!

Posted on by clusterone

Sometimes in the excitement to encourage your child, you may put pressure on them. It can be tricky to toe the line between encouragement and pressure and to help you avoid a troubling situation later, we have put together a list of tips you can use to ensure your child feels only enough pressure to learn and nothing more!

Work overload
Workload photo created by wayhomestudio
  1. Do not force your interests on them – It is only natural that you as a parent may want to pass on your passion to your children. However, you must remember that children have their own dynamic interests that you may have no awareness of. See this as an opportunity for you to learn a new skill, hobby, or interest and in doing so, you’re building something in tandem with your child!
  2. Give them space to explore – If you cater to your child’s interests, be prepared not to see instant results or performance. Honing skills and interests is a time-intensive process. If you monitor your child for results, then they feel pressured to perform without having had enough time or space to explore these interests and they may feel like they are not good enough to pursue them at all!
  3. Feedback time – One way to really encourage instead of pressure your child is to schedule a regular feedback session with them. Do this exercise once a week so they can tell you where they are struggling, if they need more support from you or if they feel burnt out by their workload. This is also a good time to teach your child that you are open to receiving feedback as well!
  4. Make outdoor activities compulsory – Any type of activity that gives them a break from chasing their academic pursuits should be a mandatory part of their day. Encourage them to fulfil their social needs and play outdoors. Essentially anything that takes them away from the grind at least for some bit of the day!
  5. Give space for failure – Teaching children to accept failure as part of their learning curve may seem tough, but it’s important. They feel more encouraged and motivated if there is space to fail along with room to grow. This is all evolutionary and equally important for children to experience.

Giving children space and time is never a threat to their growth. In fact, the only way you can ensure your child learns and learns with passion is if you give them enough space.

There will always be times when you will have to step in and take the reins. But remember, pressure makes a diamond only if exerted in controlled measures and that is the kind of encouragement children also need.

AI is the Future of Education

Posted on by pankaj.harvard
Brain circuit
Brain technology photo created by rawpixel.com

The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to tech-enabled learning, even though it may not have been the most desirable driving force. However, the pandemic pushed tech integration into the field of education.

Companies across the world are happy about this since they can now show the world what technology can do if used in its most essential forms. Before we get into how AI technology plays a role in education, we will understand what AI means!

AI System definition, history, and the likes:

Manual effort in certain areas can drive very little change, especially on a larger scale. Automating some human tasks can maximize impact and reach a larger scale.

For all those tasks, we make use of Artificial Intelligence. While AI systems may perform tasks that we generally associate with humans, it is humans who build the framework that allows for AI principles to function!

AI is a determining tool that uses data to make recommendations, and decisions and also arrive at evidence-based research findings all in seconds. It can save time and a lot of valuable human resources that can be used in other domains of functioning. It can also help people make decisions based on risks and rewards. So, these are just a few of the vast capabilities that AI can power. 

With the right frameworks, AI can do things efficiently, very effectively, and on a massive scale.

Robotic hand
Robot hand photo created by rawpixel.com

AI in Education:

Keeping all the aforementioned points in mind there are a few things that we can be sure that AI does- 

  1. It helps teachers understand not just the needs of their students but also more personal things about their students. For instance, teachers can learn through AI where a student’s learning interests are.
  2. AI gives evidence-based reports to teachers rather quickly so teachers can foster collaboration with their students.
  3. AI is what is revamping and revolutionizing assessments right now. What AI does is use assessments as a diagnostic tool that reflects on a child’s learning needs instead of using it as an indicator of their capabilities.
  4. AI as a feedback tool is more reliable, free from bias and cancels out any human error in the estimation process. When feedback is based solely on a student’s performance, they tend to rely on it more than any other form of feedback.
  5. AI helps eliminate boundaries. AI does not see geographical boundaries. It can be used anytime anywhere, truly inspiring the idea that AI is a global experience.

There is a lot about AI that is still under research and development but what we have in the markets and in access these days makes use of some very optimal tools to give students an experience they will enjoy.

Innovation drives artificial intelligence, and with proper coaching, students learn to enjoy the methodology behind it. What AI also does is inspire and it is important now more than ever that students appreciate their opportunities to learn and act on them with performance, drive, and passion!

Help Your Child Manage Their Learning With These Tips!

Posted on by pankaj.harvard
Students in classroom
Photo by javier trueba on Unsplash

Children require a lot of attention when they are pursuing academic interests and it is not the kind of attention that you think they need. Having parents spend every learning moment with them can cause children to lose focus, feel suffocated and also dislike the process.

For the sake of this article, we researched and put together a list of 5 things that work in helping your child manage their schoolwork and here’s also why these are important.

1. Time management

Children need to be taught time management from early on as it brings discipline to the growing and learning process. Help them build a timetable and hold them accountable for it. Avoid being the one who fills in the timetable for them, that is for them to figure out.

However, you can oversee to ensure there is school-play balance and also time for some extracurricular activities. It would also help if you had a time management chart so that you can lead by example!

2. Create space for open communication

When your child feels burnt out or pressured, they should be able to articulate it to you. Children who cannot do that grow up to entertain more stress and anxiety.

Managing a timetable also means looking at the tasks at hand and being able to say “it is too much for today, I will work on it when I have more mental energy”. This also teaches them the importance of rest.

3. Befriend the school and teachers

Do not be one of those parents who calls their child’s teachers every day. Be friendly enough with the teachers to know how your child is doing in school, if they’ve noticed any behavioural changes or if they have some tips for your child to follow.

It is important you do so primarily because you can intervene wherever necessary without badgering your child too much. It is also good if you communicate regularly with the school so that you are aware of all the developments and opportunities that are available to your child at school.

4. Help them think long-term

Management essentially means building a process today so that the outcomes are fruitful tomorrow. When your child is building their routine or expressing their interests, ask them to think about it long term as well.

For example, if your child wants to learn a new language, first ask them if they can continue pursuing these interests through multiple other engagements and how they seek to benefit from it in the long term. You can also help them by finding the answers to some of these questions for them!

5. Do not overschedule

Your child may be good at multiple things but it is important for them to find time for it. Also, as parents, you may want your child to fulfil each one of their interests but in the worst-case scenario, you may end up turning an interest into a chore. Helping your child manage their time also means teaching them to prioritise their immediate needs and make space for other pursuits in the future.

Parents, learning goes beyond teaching charts and sitting with them while they learn. It is also about giving space, learning when to hold your child accountable and also giving in to their interests if they show interest along with commitment. We hope these tips will help you and your child!

Teach Your Children to Love Maths With These Tips!

Posted on by pankaj.harvard
Math textbook page
Photo by Deepak Gautam from Pexels

Mathematics or Maths for short, has been an item of absolute terror for students across generations. There is no easy way to say this, but Math, you are more feared than loved.

Before you read the above sentences and agree with us, remember that this is the fear that you can prevent your children from embodying and you could break the bad spell surrounding Maths. Want to know how? We have a list of five tips you can use!

1. Lead the change you want to see –

If you have had a bad experience with Maths and you constantly narrate it to your children, then they start internalizing a fear for the subject. This is something that you may want to prevent.

Granted that Maths may not have been easy for you but the goal is to make sure your child does not approach the subject with any preconceived fears. Maths anxiety is real and very catchy.

2. Know what they need to know and by when –

We assign a specific set of math skills that a child needs to know for each grade or level. For instance, kindergarten Maths will require number recognition and your child will need to know how to conceptualize numbers through examples; they should be able to count out five apples in a basket of ten. Knowing what they need to know is useful when you want to complement their school learning with activities at home.

3. Allow them to learn through conceptual experiences –

Learn Math as a life skill, not just a textbook concept. If your child is old enough to own a bank account, help them set up one. Additionally, you could ask them to keep track of their savings with the passbook and also teach them to calculate various things such as interest rates. This fun way allows you to see Math being used live in action! It also dispels fear if you reward it through their savings account.

4. Board Games are fun when it comes to Maths –

There are plenty of fun board games that require the use of applied Mathematics for victory. Games like Monopoly are not just great family games but will also teach your kids to appreciate the finesse with which Maths is being used everywhere, especially for fun!

5. Avoid Tuitions for performance –

Tuitions the way we have experienced are the most detrimental experiences for students who want to learn Maths. We send students for tuitions in the country only in the event that they are doing very poorly at it. A child forced into tuition will believe that they are incompetent at that subject.

Introduce tuitions as a concept to help them hone their skills instead of a method to discipline learning. It may be difficult to find a teacher who can help your student this way but till you do, avoid standardised tuition practices.

Math is only as scary as we make it, and we must treat it with confidence and respect. There’s no point fretting about a subject like Math that is highly misunderstood.

So much of Maths is a learner’s paradise and it is time we demystify the subject for now and forever! If you need help with that, start using our app, Class Saathi: MCQ Revision App. It’s for students in Class 3-10, free with 30K+ practice questions!