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Democratize Education Through
Digital Media
At a time when educationists are using visual
and interactive technology to help students get more out
of school and tuition worldwide, Toppers,
a leading 24X7 satellite TV channel dedicated to
education in India took this onus of responsibility .
Sunil Khana, CEO, Toppers gives more insights into his
plans for the domain in this exclusive chat with
Cable-Quest…
CQ. How the digitization of educational content is
changing the education scenario in India? Upto what
extent it is successful, so far?
SK. Whatever we have seen so far was just a
beginning, the real potential of the
technology/convergence in this area is yet to be tapped.
Availability of best quality educational content in
digital medium and then its spread through various modes
including TV, Internet etc is set to change the face of
education in India.
India is a highly competitive society, there is huge
premium to get better education but unfortunately the
quality of education is inconsistent. -There are some
very good schools but at the same time, there are
schools, not so good, there are few very good teachers
and at many places there are no teachers. Hence, there
is a huge need gap, and that's where digital content
comes in, to plug this need gap, to democratize the
process of providing access to quality education.
CQ. What is your methodology to
educate the students using the technology?
SK. Visuals create a long last impact on the
mind of viewers. This is changing the way quality
education is provided to the students. Topper lessons
are produced using high quality visuals including 2d/3D
animations, real life examples etc to ensure that
students not only understand the concepts but remember
it and thus, do better in the examinations.
These lessons are presented by some of the outstanding
teachers teaching in some of the best institutions in
India and abroad.
Thus, students could get access to the quality content
in education sitting in their home on their television
set.
CQ. What could be other ways or
the future methodologies and technologies to be used as
educational tools since new media technologies such as
social networking websites, podcasting, video-streaming
and 3G Mobile are emerging and are penetrating among the
youth at a rapid pace?
SK. TV, inspite of being linear medium would
play major role in disseminating educational programmes.
This is because of its sheer reach. In addition to this
as the penetration of broadband connections increase in
the country, educational content would get distributed
through the same in significant manner. Mobile would
also have applications based on learning.
CQ. Are you going to devise any
strategy to consider the evolving technologies to be
incorporated into your educational plan?
SK. Yes, very much. Topper TV is the first
educational channel in true sense and it is also the
first channel which is being distributed only through
digital platforms.
We also run a portal called www.topperlearning.com. This
is again a subscription service and features test on
line, interactive questions and the Topper Video lessons
covering the syllabus. We are working on mobile
application as well and would launch the same soon.
CQ. What is your revenue model?
SK. Topper TV is a subscription driven
channel. It is available on Tata Sky and Airtel digital.
Now we are rolling it out through digital cable networks
as well. Accordingly we have tied up with Hathways, You
telecom, DEN, Ortel to launch the services in
forthcoming weeks.Similarly, website
www.topperlearning.com is a subscription driven website.
CQ. Do you have such plans to
take help of other domains such as animation, GFX to add
value to your service?
SK. Yes, we do integrate very high quality
animations in our lessons and that would remain the
focus in future also.
CQ. Don't you feel threatened
with the potential competitors from other countries
jumping into the domain as the new media such as
internet have collapsed the boundaries? Is it about
easing the way or making the market dynamics more
complex?
SK. Not at all. Our programming is perhaps
the best across the globe in its own way. We have seen
various formats but have yet to find any programmes
which cover the complete syllabus the way it is covered
on Topper. Hence, in fact spread of internet would open
up more opportunities for us to exploit the content in
overseas market as well.
CQ. Since you are the leader in
this domain, you have a greater responsibility towards
society, how do you decide upon your priorities? Did you
consider going to the rural masses or any future plan to
target the deprived section of the society particularly,
for specially-abled people?
SK. I think our first priority is to help
transform the role of TV in providing quality
educational programmes in addition to entertainment
programmes being provided. It will not remain “idiot
box” in real sense.
Yes, it is true that rural areas are deprived of quality
education and that's where the role of TV and the cost
at which the education is provided becomes significant.
Topper TV as of now covers 3 subjects for Rs 45 per
month. That means per subject Rs 15 a month. This is
cheaper and affordable than any other medium providing
education. And we believe, in times to come the rural
sector is going to get immense value out of this
proposition.
CQ. Would you like to add
something?
SK. When it comes to any kind of programming,
creating 'any' programme is of not much significance,
what matters is if you are creating programmes which can
hold the attention of viewers. There is a wrong notion
that just because there is educational programming, it
needs to be “low cost” and “mundane”. And that's the
reason because of which some attempts in this genre have
not succeeded. Hence, like in case of any other channel,
one needs to focus on creating good quality programming.
Also, Government could get huge benefit with such
programming as it helps in not only taking best teaching
tools to remotest areas but also using this technology
and content to provide education to people/students who
are deprived of the same because of lack of resources at
local level.
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