Title: OwlishOracle: architecting a social media-based e-learning platform for primary education of underprivileged children by senior citizens of India

Authors: Somprakash Bandyopadhyay; Priyadarshini Dey; Arina Bardhan; Shrabastee Banerjee; Srimoyee Das

Addresses: Social Informatics Research Group, Indian Institute of Management Kolkata, Diamond Harbour Road, Joka, Kolkata 700104, India ' Social Informatics Research Group, Indian Institute of Management Kolkata, Diamond Harbour Road, Joka, Kolkata 700104, India ' Social Informatics Research Group, Indian Institute of Management Kolkata, Diamond Harbour Road, Joka, Kolkata 700104, India ' Social Informatics Research Group, Indian Institute of Management Kolkata, Diamond Harbour Road, Joka, Kolkata 700104, India ' Social Informatics Research Group, Indian Institute of Management Kolkata, Diamond Harbour Road, Joka, Kolkata 700104, India

Abstract: Quality of primary education in rural India is a matter of great concern due to teacher absenteeism, non-availability of good teachers at remote areas and non-availability of attractive teaching methods. In this context, our work wishes to architect a scalable online e-learning platform based on Web 2.0 technologies in order to facilitate primary education for underprivileged children in all parts of India. Additionally, the work wishes to create a group of online primary teachers by utilising the vast pool of knowledge resource of the educated senior citizens, who are capable but otherwise not involved in any mainstream productive activities. Using ethnographic approach to system design and using an iterative and incremental development model, we have designed and pilot-tested OwlishOracle, our internet-enabled social media-based synchronous e-learning environment, to serve the stated purpose.

Keywords: Web 2.0 technologies; virtual communities; online communities; web based communities; social knowledge management; social capital; ethnographic design; iterative phase model; India; social media; e-learning; electronic learning; online learning; primary education; underprivileged children; senior citizens; India; rural areas; rural communities; online primary teachers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMILE.2015.074009

International Journal of Social Media and Interactive Learning Environments, 2015 Vol.3 No.4, pp.322 - 339

Received: 26 Feb 2015
Accepted: 30 Jun 2015

Published online: 02 Jan 2016 *

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