IBM Enables e-learning at NITK

Publishing date: 2004-11-30 18:00:53

After the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore, signed an agreement with IBM in May for setting up e-learning infrastructure, it's now the turn of the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) to sign a similar deal with IBM.

After the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore, signed an agreement with IBM in May for setting up e-learning infrastructure, it's now the turn of the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) to sign a similar deal with IBM.

The infrastructure investment is expected to improve the reach of its academic programs and faculty resources. The memorandum of understanding will help NITK adopt "effective e-learning strategy", create e-learning content and develop systems to monitor students' academic performance. It could also minimize administrative overheads through the implementation of appropriate systems.

E-learning content will be developed based on processes and methods used at IBM Knowledge Factory using IBM Content Producer and Simulation Producer tools. The performance management systems are based on the IBM Teacher's Workbench Tool. Other solutions include Campus Automation Solutions for academic programs and evaluation policies.

NITK will use these tools to prepare e-learning material for the formal engineering degree programs, for teaching pre-university students of science subjects (to help prepare them for the various national engineering entrance examinations) and prepare e-learning material in science and technology subjects for the general public, focused on popularizing science.

A steering committee will be set up comprising of teams from IBM and NITK to oversee the project implementation and ensure fulfillment of objectives.

Prof S.S. Murthy, Director, NITK, "Our faculty will be equipped to create live and interactive content for students to aid the learning process."

M Ganesh, Director, Global Midmarket Business, IBM South Asia, said, "IBM understands that education offerings are much more than a set of well-designed courses, equally important is the support structure that facilitates training, troubleshooting, and course updates for rapidly changing technologies."