On January 27, MIT announced the launch of Connected Learning Initiative, (CLIx), a large-scale collaboration designed to enhance educational opportunities for secondary school students in India.
More than 1,000 schools across four Indian states—Mizoram, Telengana, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh—will participate in CLIx, reaching an estimated 165,000 students by 2018–19. CLIx’s interactive, hands-on instruction will augment existing school curricula for students—especially from lower- and middle-income rural areas of India—in grades 8, 9, and 11. Content will be offered in English as well as regional languages, starting with Hindi and Telugu.
The announcement in Mumbai was attended by Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Trusts; MIT President L. Rafael Reif; representatives from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, (TISS); and representatives from the four Indian states who will participate in CLIx and India’s Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Tata was inspired by the potential to use digital tools to enhance education in his country following a visit to MIT several years ago, when he was introduced to the online learning platform edX. CLIx will leverage Open edX and other educational technology in India to enhance both classroom learning and teachers’ professional development.
“At MIT, we believe online learning technologies can offer teachers (and learners) everywhere the tools to transform the education experience,” said President Reif. “We are honored to be working with the Tata Trusts toward our shared vision of quality learning for all.”
Read the full announcement at MIT News, and see additional coverage at Forbes India.