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