Computer-Based Functional Literacy (CBFL)
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Provider : Tata Council for Community Initiatives. Mode of Education : E-education Areas covered: |
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Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal
Description:
The 'computer-based functional literacy' (CBFL) programme has been developed by Tata Consultancy Services and it operates under the aegis of the Tata Council for Community Initiatives. The CBFL project uses a mix of methods to teach an uneducated person to read in a fraction of the time it takes to do this by conventional means. They are:
- teaching software
- multimedia presentations
- printed material
The project employs animated graphics and a voiceover to explain how individual alphabets combine to give structure and meaning to various words. The TCS course, which uses puppets as the motif in the teaching process, has been designed from material developed by the National Literacy Mission, established by the Indian government in 1988 with the aim of eradicating adult illiteracy in the country. The mission's lessons, outstandingly researched and formulated, are tailored to fit different languages and even dialects.
The goals of the project:
- Those coming through the programme should acquire a 300-500 word vocabulary in their own languages and dialects.
- To set people on the path to acquiring the other literacy skills, including writing and arithmetic ability.
Achievements:
- CBFL project is operational in more than 1,000 centers in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and has helped more than 20,000 people learn to read.
- The project can make 90 per cent of India literate in three to five years.
Contact:
Anthony Lobo
Senior Manager (HR & OD)
Tata Consultancy Services Limited
Air India Building 10th floor,
Nariman Point,
Mumbai 400 021,
Maharashtra, India
Phone: +91 (22) 5550 9378
Email:
anthony.lobo@tcs.com