KITE Kerala

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Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE)
FormerlyIT@School
Company typeSPV
IndustryEducational
Founded7 August 2017; 7 years ago (2017-08-07) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Headquarters
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
,
India
Area served
Kerala
Key people
Services
OwnerGovernment of Kerala
ParentDepartment of General Education
Websitekite.kerala.gov.in
KITE Office Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) is a state owned special purpose company under Department of General Education of the Government of Kerala.[1][2] It was developed to support ICT enabled education for schools in Kerala. The erstwhile IT@School Project was transformed into KITE for extending its scope of operations in August 2017.[3][4] KITE was the first SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) company to get funded by KIIFB (Kerala Infrastructure and Investment Fund Board).[5]

History

[edit]

IT@School project was established in 2001 and IT campaigns were conducted statewide. Initially, Microsoft had shown interest in the IT@School project, but this was rejected and government went with Free Software.[6] In 2003, IT became a compulsory subject in state school curriculum with IT practical exams. The transition to Free Software was completed in 2006.[7]

In 2017, IT@School project was promoted into a government company named KITE.[8]

KITE VICTERS

[edit]
Main article: Kite Victers
New logo of Kite Victers shows the signals pointing to form a pencil implying education, art and sharpness at one point.

KITE is the nodal agency for implementing the EDUSAT network, and runs an exclusive channel for education called KITE VICTERS (Versatile ICT Enabled Resource for Students), which is aired from 6am to 11pm. VICTERS offers interactive virtual classrooms that enable the school students as well as the teachers to directly communicate with the subject experts and educationists.[9]

Training programmes

[edit]
Camera training for students
  • ICT training: Training given to familiarise the basics of operating systems and office software packages and other application software.
  • Hardware training: 3 day training programme on hardware maintenance and basic support.[10]
  • Internet training: This 20 hour training programme was given to all SITCs and interested school teachers. The trained SITC then trained all High School teachers in their school. The government also issued strict instructions that every student in Std X in the school should get at least 10 hours of internet exposure per year.
  • IT training for the visually challenged: In association with Insight scheme of Kerala State IT Mission, the Project has successfully imparted IT training using free software for teachers of special schools for visually challenged, by exclusively using free software based screen reading software named ORCA.[11]
  • Camera handling training: Two day training on camera handling was given to the teachers, enabling them to create educational videos which could be beneficial in implementing ICT enabled education.
  • Training on ICT enabled content: Specific training on ICT enabled content was provided to teachers so as to enable them to use ICT enabled content in all subjects in order to equal teachers in classroom transaction.[12]
Video conference class for English teachers
Animation training session in progress

KITE GNU-Linux

[edit]
The official logo of Kite GNU-Linux 20.04

KITE GNU-Linux previously known as IT@School GNU/Linux is a Debian based Linux distribution that was created for the KITE Project (previously IT@School project) to impart ICT education in public schools in the state. The distribution was originally developed by SPACE[15] and is currently being maintained by the internal team at KITE.

IT@School GNU/Linux 18.04

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IT@School GNU/Linux is a operating system released by Kite (previously IT@School) it is based on Ubuntu 18.04 with free software customized as per the school curriculum prepared by scert . This operating systems powered more than 2,00,000 computers in various schools under the State board of Kerala .[16]

KITE GNU-Linux lite 2020

[edit]

KITU GNU-Linux lite 2020 is a operating system released by KITE on international mother language day. This is a lite version of KITE GNU/Linux 18.04 based on ubuntu 18.04 . This was created in order to install it on older computers with low specifications .It also includes a collection of Malayalam unicode fonts and a dedicated English-Malayalm dictionary[17]

KITE GNU-Linux 20.04

[edit]

KITE GNU-Linux 20.04 is an operating system released by Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan on behalf of KITE. This version is based on Ubuntu 20.04 . Most of the applications have been updated to their latest version in this version of the OS

This version also featured the inclusion of CAD software Libre CAD instead of expensive AutoCAd

[18]

E Language Lab

[edit]

KITE designed a program to support English Language Teaching (ELT) called the E Language Lab. One component of this program was the development of stories in print, audio, video formats and sharing the same with teachers using the Moodle learning management system. Forty stories were developed during the COVID period and during 2022-23, the program was implemented across the state in government and government aided schools. A longitudinal impact study conducted by the Regional Institute of English, South India, and IT for Change, found significant improvement in student English communication skills.

Little Kites

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Little kites IT Club is an initiative of KITE which features more than 1 lakh student members.

Students are given intense training in areas such as Animation, Cyber Safety, Malayalam Computing,Hardware and Electronics.

Little Kites Kollam district camp 2020

Little kites is the largest Student IT Network in India.[19][20]

FOSS initiatives

[edit]

Some of the free software applications developed or customized by the Project include the following.

  1. Application software like OpenOffice, GIMP, Dr. Geo, Rasmol, KEduca, Klab etc.[21]
  2. Examination software – to conduct IT practical examination to more than 1.6 million students
  3. Handbook for Linux – prepared as a user manual
  4. Training modules in Linux – to train teachers in open source
  5. Textbook for standard 8th, 9th, and 10th classes– Prepared in association with SCERT

Implementation of SPARK

[edit]

The "Service Payroll Administrative Repository for Kerala" (SPARK) is a program of Department of Information Technology (DIT) of the state's government for digitizing the service book details of all employees of the state so that the database could be used for the decision makers and to ensure the welfare of the employees.[22]

School Wiki

[edit]

School Wiki, modelled on Wikipedia, attempts to foster the culture of collaborative learning in Kerala's schools. This collaborative website is completely prepared in Malayalam.

All schools in the state include their educational contents and other details in their allotted space. Each school would be able to enter details such as basic elementary data, their historical references, statistics, infrastructure details, details of alumni, school websites and blogs, various clubs and forums, class magazines, supporting images and videos. Apart from these contents, analytical language projects such as 'Pradeshika patram' – school newsletter, 'Nadodi Vijnanakoshan' – local encyclopedia and 'Ente Nadu' - 'My Village', which are part of learning Malayalam language, would also be entrusted to all students in Std 8, 9 and 10 respectively, which, under the guidance of language teachers, would be completed and the reports and findings would enrich the knowledge base of School Wiki. By facilitating the students to access and modify all contents in School Wiki, the project also ensures the participation of the general public including school alumni.[23]

Total Physical Fitness Programme software

[edit]

The "Total Physical Fitness Programme" software manages fitness details of 30 lakh students are available for further action.[24][25]

Accolades

[edit]
Title Category Year
National e-governance Awards Best project 2005
e-India Awards 2008[26]
World is Open Awards 2008[27]
Open Document Format Alliance Awards 2009[28]
Kerala state e-governance Awards 2010
Stockholm Challenge Awards Honorable mention in the education category 2010[29]
e-India Awards Best skill development initiatives of the year for ANTS 2011
State television Awards Best Narration, Best Education Program 2017[30]
Social media for Empowerment Awards South Asia (SM4E) Special mention 2017[31]
Digital Technology Sabha Awards 2018[32]
World Education Summit Award Hi-tech school Project 2018[33]
State Television Awards Best students programme, Best Anchoring (Edu. programme), Best documentary (General), Best Commentator, Special jury mention (Documentary) 2018[34]
CIET-AICEAVF Best video programme in senior secondary division 2018[35]
State Television Awards Best students programme 2019[36]
State Television Awards Best students programme and Best Anchor 2020[37]
mBillionth Awards South Asia Learning and Education 2021[38]
Social media for Empowerment Awards South Asia (SM4E) Innovations @Covid19 2021[39]
E-Governance champion Award 2022[40]
World Education Summit Awards Platform for online classes 2022[41]
Digital Technology Sabha Awards Cloud category in government sector 2022[42]
CM's Award for innovations in public policy 2022[43]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Kerala's 'IT@school' project now a government company 'KITE'". indianexpress.com. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  2. ^ "Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education". Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education about us page. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Kerala's IT@school project now a govt company". www.thehindubusinessline.com. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  4. ^ S, Shihaubudeen Kunju (7 August 2017). "Kerala Government's IT@school Project Formed Into Government Company". NDTV. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  5. ^ "Government incorporates IT@school as KITE to get KIIFB funds". Deccan Chronicle. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  6. ^ "rediff.com: Gates to support Kerala's e-literacy project". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  7. ^ "KITE". itschool.gov.in. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Kerala's 'IT@school' project now a government company 'KITE', CM Vijayan launches logo". The Indian Express. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  9. ^ "KITE".
  10. ^ Hardware clinics for school computers. The Hindu (2008-09-03). Retrieved on 2015-04-21.
  11. ^ IT@School initiative lauded. The Hindu (2011-09-19). Retrieved on 2015-04-21.
  12. ^ IT's a great success here. Deccanherald.com (2011-05-26). Retrieved on 2015-04-21.
  13. ^ "IT@School Animation Training for Students".
  14. ^ IT@School attempts a record. The Hindu (2011-09-05). Retrieved on 2015-04-21.
  15. ^ "Free as in Freedom: The Story of Free Software in Kerala, India". swatantryam.blogspot.in. 31 August 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  16. ^ Correspondent, Special (12 May 2019). "Free OS to power computers in schools". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 September 2022. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  17. ^ Staff Reporter (21 February 2021). "KITE releases FOSS-based operating system". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  18. ^ Staff Reporter (17 March 2022). "CM releases KITE's FOSS-based operating system suite". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  19. ^ "Finland ties up with Kerala govt to implement 'Little KITEs' model". www.business-standard.com. Press Trust of India. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  20. ^ "Little Kites". kite.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  21. ^ "KITE releases new, free and open-sourced operating system, to benefit lakhs of computer users in Kerala". Edex Live. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  22. ^ "Biometric punching in govt offices from today, access control at Secretariat from this week". OnManorama. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  23. ^ School wiki getting ready for launch. The Hindu (2009-10-29). Retrieved on 2015-04-21.
  24. ^ "Total Physical Fitness Programme (TPFP) for School Going Children in Kerala". educationindiajournal.org. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  25. ^ "KITE". kite.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  26. ^ IT@School bags national award. The Hindu (2008-08-04). Retrieved on 2015-04-21.
  27. ^ "Photo Gallery - the World is Open Award 2008". Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  28. ^ "ODF Alliance Weblog". www.odfalliance.org. Archived from the original on 24 May 2009.
  29. ^ "IT@School Project - programme for ICT interventions in schools in Kerala, India". Stockholm Challenge. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  30. ^ "Accolades for KITE". kite.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  31. ^ "Accolades for KITE". kite.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  32. ^ "Accolades for KITE". kite.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  33. ^ "Accolades for KITE". kite.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  34. ^ "Accolades for KITE". kite.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  35. ^ "Accolades for KITE". kite.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  36. ^ Staff Reporter (19 September 2020). "State Television Awards announced". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  37. ^ Staff Reporter (1 September 2021). "Main serial categories left blank in State TV Awards in Kerala". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  38. ^ "Mbillionth Award for Mobile Innovations in South Asia, DEF | WINNER 2020-21". Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  39. ^ "Another award for KITE". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  40. ^ "Accolades for KITE". kite.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  41. ^ "Accolades for KITE". kite.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  42. ^ "Kerala: National award for KITE's online platform | Kochi News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 26 February 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  43. ^ Staff Reporter (19 July 2022). "Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education gets CM's Award for Innovations in Public Policy". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
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