State schools to adopt AI.

From this academic year, around 4 lakh students in class VII in state syllabus schools will get to learn Artificial Intelligence with its introduction in the revised Information & Communication Technology (ICT) text book. With this initiative, the state has ensured uniform exposure to AI for all students, unlike offering it as an optional subject.

From next year, curriculum of classes VIII to X will also include in depth exploration of AI. Kerala Infrastructure for Technology and Education (KITE), the technological arm of the general education department has started AI training for 80,000 secondary school teachers.

Training to all primary school teachers on AI, as well as, the new text books will be issued. 

One of the activities in "Computer Vision" chapter for class VII will involve students creating their own AI program that can recognise human facial expressions. The program will be able to identify up to seven different emotions on a person's face.

The curriculum framework emphasises the development of the child's critical thinking, analytical skills and problem solving abilities. The 'PictoBlox' package, along with 'Scratch' software that teaches visual programming, is introduced in the textbooks to enable students to practise programming, AI and Robotics.

The new ICT textbooks present practical ICT activities that nurture life skills  while also helping in the study of other subjects and provides guidance on cyber safety and fake news identification.

Courtesy. The NIE

Tailpiece.

At the stroke of midnight, wished Lekha many happy returns and gifted her a miniature Maha Ganapathy statuette. 

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9.

Lekha cut her birthday cake - her favourite red velvet - at a half past 12. Our maid, Aswathy was also there.

The washing machine had misbehaved and therefore, called for the service rep.