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1. The MeLT should both work as mobile RoT and SIT for delivering Edusat-based e-lectures and deliver Internet-based and CR-ROM-based knowledge e-contents. To that end, the MeLT should be connected to an Edusat-network and also Internet. This may involve both technical and policy issues.

2. In addition to satellite communication (satcom) the use of other communication technologies like WLL, mobile and WiMAX should be explored and integrated with satcom.

3. MeLTs should cater to the needs of the students of schools as well as colleges, and it is strongly felt that school students need them more than the college students do as the internet connectivity is rarely available in rural schools.

4. MeLTs should cater to the needs of (a) formal education (b) informal education, (c) teacher training, and (d) physically challenged.

5. Building awareness of e-learning and MeLT will help to maximize utilization of MeLTs and create better impact of e-learning in the society.

6. Mentors, Opinion builders, NGOs and Corporate can play an active role in spreading e-learning.

7. Before finalizing the list of networked institutions, a meeting with the heads of the institutions who are likely to join the network should be called to apprise them of their responsibility and administrative and financial aspects (in addition to the technical aspects) of the project and to know their views and interest.

8. A draft of the MoU to be signed between IIT Roorkee and networked institutions should be prepared by the core group of MeLT project, got legally vetted and circulated to the networked institutions for their views and acceptability.

9. A uniform model needs to be created for the networked institutions in respect of (a) Responsibility matrix, (b) Logistics and (c) Finance handling.

10. While designing the electrical circuits of MeLTs, the feasibility of the charging laptop inside the MeLT during journey may be examined. This will ensure that laptops can be used by the students even if electricity is not available during an e-learning class.

11. Students of the networked institutions may help school children in e-learning through MeLTs.

12. Students of NSS and such other voluntary schemes can be associated as volunteers, who can substantially help the school students in e-learning through MeLTs.

13. A special search engine for e-contents should be developed for the specific needs of the students who will be using MeLT, with focus on simplicity of use by lowly skilled students.

14. During the pilot, which needs to be completed in the shortest time, priority may be given to those students who already have skills of handling computers and internet surfing.

15. A GPS being installed in the MeLT to assist alignment of VSAT-antenna towards satellite should be integrated with a GPS-based vehicle tracking system. This can considerably help in managing and maximizing the use of MeLTs.

16. The MeLT can carry one or two sets of specialized software and hardware to facilitate e-learning by visually-handicapped students.

17. The MeLTs should allow only guided access to the Internet.

18. The MeLT should carry remote-controlled camera / IP camera for interactive e-classes.

19. The problem of school drop-out being, enormous, a counsellor may accompany the MeLT, to help bring-back the school dropouts in remote areas.

20. Students living in the urban slums, in addition to those living in remote and rural areas, should also be served by MeLTs.

21. The MeLT design should take care of dust and heat in the areas like western parts of Rajasthan.

22. Need assessment should be carried out right in the beginning to identify the areas that need MeLTs the most, the level of education (school or college) and the type of education (academic/technical/medical/others) so that sources of necessary e-contents and e-lectures may be identified and arranged.

23. In states like Punjab, where schools located even in remote areas, have reasonably good furniture. Therefore, MeLT need not carry tables and chairs.

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1. All possible efforts should be made to create awareness about e-learning using print media, electronic media, interviews, publication of articles and film, etc. This requires joint efforts by all network institutes, IITR and others connected with MeLT project in any way. NITTTR may be requested to produce a multi-media/video film for generating awareness and interest about e-learning amongst students and teachers, both.

2. There should be an MoU between the Network Institution (NI) and IITR for the deployment, operation and maintenance of MeLT by the former. The MoU will be signed by the heads of the NI and IITR or their authorized signatories.

3. The MoU will be operated, on behalf of the IITR, by the Principal Investigator of MeLT Project and, on behalf of the NI, by the MeLT Project Coordinator from the NI (to be nominated by the Head of the NI). They will be referred to as Principal Investigator (PI) and NI Coordinator, respectively.

4. The MoU should broadly cover the following aspects:
   (i) A MeLT will be issued and handed over to the NI by IITR, which can be called back by IITR in the interest of the MeLT project or as and if so desired by MHRD.
   (ii) The MeLT van / bus and the equipment will be insured by IITR. However, the responsibility of the safety and security will be of the network institution.
   (iii) For each MeLT, the following staff will be hired by the NI in consultation with or jointly with IITR:
   • One driver (who shall have a valid driving license for LCV and preferably have some knowledge of handling computers & electronic equipment to be used in the MeLT) at a consolidated monthly payment of Rs. 5000-6000.
   • Two technical assistants (with diploma / ITI/certificate in a relevant subject and having relevant experience, and at least one of them will have vehicle driving license so that he can drive the MeLT vehicle during an emergency or in the absence of the driver) at a consolidated monthly payment of Rs. 7000-8000 each.
   (iv) Payment to the staff as at (iii) above will be made by the NI Coordinator.

5. For each NI, an honorarium of at least Rs. 4000/-p.m. should be admissible, including Rs. 3000/- p.m. for the coordinating team and Rs. 1000/- for the supporting staff (account/administrative / technical).

6. A remuneration for additional work to the teachers/staff of schools / colleges for holding MeLT supported classes upto a maximum of Rs. 6000/- p.m. for all schools / colleges in the area handled by a NI, to be distributed on per-class-held basis.

7. Running expenses of the MeLT will be reimbursed by the PI to the NI Coordinator, which will include the following:
   (a) Cost of fuel, lubricants and minor repairs
   (b) Monthly payment to the driver and technical assistants as per para 4(iii)
   (c) Payment of honorarium as per para 5, on quarterly or six-monthly basis.
   (d) Payment of remuneration as per para 6 on monthly or quarterly basis.

8. A running advance / imprest of Rs. 35,000/- will be made by IITR to each NI Coordinator, who will be responsible for sending account of expenses made (including payment to MeLT vehicle staff) and claiming reimbursement of the same under his own signatures.

9. Workshops may be organized on behalf of the PI, MeLT Project by the network institutions in their respective areas to create awareness about e-learning and to motivate teachers to hold MeLT supported classes in schools/ colleges. This should preferably be done in the month of Novembers, 2009.

10. An Impact Assessment (IA) for the MeLT project should be carried out through persons not directly involved in the MeLT project in any other capacity. It was pointed out that expertise for IA is available in NITTTR, Chandigarh who may be approached by PI.

11. While conducting the NAS the Network Institutions should also try to assess the present awareness and skill levels about computers and e-learning amongst both students and teachers in the area. This will be helpful in taking a decision on need of awareness programmes and training in the beginning and Impact Assessment at a later date.

12. The NI may approach the concerned authorities of the district / state for arranging permission for the principals of schools / colleges to participate in the MeLT project for the benefit of their students and teachers.

13. The NAS has clearly established that e-contents & e-lectures on career counseling, vocational training and social problems/evils are more important and more in demand in schools /colleges than those on the curriculum related subjects. As such contents may not be already available, some of the NIs may join hands to generate such e-contents. They can involve NITTTR & other organizations for technical support. They can accordingly submit projects to MHRD for funding.

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1. The recommendations of the First Regional Workshop in respect of payments were revisited and the following modifications were adopted:
   (a) For each NI, an honorarium of at least Rs. 6000/-p.m. should be admissible, including Rs. 5000/- p.m. for the coordinating team and Rs. 1000/- for the supporting staff (account/administrative / technical).
   (b) A remuneration for additional work to the teachers/staff of schools / colleges for holding MeLT supported classes upto a maximum of Rs. 6000/- p.m. per MeLT for all schools / colleges in the area handled by a NI, to be distributed on per-session-held basis. For this purpose the payment will be @ Rs. 150/- per session, and half a day will be taken as one session.
   (c) The payment of income tax will be the responsibility of the individuals receiving honorarium/remuneration and the same may be stated in the proforma for the receipt.
2. A draft MoU between IIT Roorkee and NIs was agreed upon. The same will be discussed by the PI of Project and the Coordinator of each NI with competent authorities, and necessary changes will be incorporated before signing.
3. NIs will organize workshops in their respective areas and invite the concerned district authorities/concerned persons to the workshop. This will help in creating ownership of the project in district / state authorities.
4. A video film on MeLT Project will be produced jointly by IITR & EMMRC Roorkee for creating awareness and interest of teachers, students and parents in e-learning in general and MeLTs in particular. The NIs will join hands with EMMRC in location shooting of the film.
5. Taking a cue from the recommendations of the First Regional Workshop held at Chandigarh on 15th Oct., 2009, a proposal drafted by UIET for e-content creation was accepted. All the institutions participating in the Second Regional Workshop agreed to join UIET is submitting this project to MHRD under the Mission. The need in terms of the e-contents (subjects, level & format) may be taken up under Phase-II of NAS for the MeLT project to be carried out in Engineering Colleges. UIET will carry out survey in 3 to 5 Engineering Colleges before designing the questionnaire for NAS-Phase II.

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1. Publicity material (posters, brochures and booklets) should be prepared for MeLT project and given to the NIs for display at NIs and the schools / college where the MeLT vans will visit.
2. The technical staff of the MeLT subject to availability of time can help in the maintenance and repair of computers etc in the schools / colleges where the MeLT visits. This help in gaining confidence of these institutes.
3. User manuals should be prepared for MeLT vans/buses in English and Hindi/ local language versions of the same can also be made for the benefit of technicians, students and teachers of schools / colleges to help them handling equipment.
4. The geographical coordinate made available through GPS of the schools participating the MeLT project can be transferred on to the Google map.
5. NITTTR has kindly agreed to make need based e-contents for the MeLT project in gap areas. Coordinators and faculty of NIs and IIT Roorkee can offer their services as resource persons.
6. National Council for Vocational Training, Ministry of Labour, may be approached for providing their training material for use in MeLT vans.
7. Networking Institutions will try to recruit Drivers and Technicians for their respective Institutions by the end of February, 2010.
8. IIT Roorkee may organize Training Programme for the MeLT van drivers and technicians in March 2010.
9. Need Assessment Survey has found that career counseling, vocational courses, communication skills societal issues, help for competitive exams., and are some of the priority areas from the target audience point of view.
10. Every MeLT should visit at least two schools in a day. The visit days and time should be made known to the schools well in advance and should be followed as far as possible. A participating school should be visited by a MeLT van at least once in a fortnight (however not less than once in a month and not more than once a week). If the student response in a particular school is not satisfactory over a period of time then that school may be replaced by a new school. Different timings of MeLT van operation should be observed for winter and summer months. Preference should be given to larger schools that benefit can be availed by larger number of students.
11. The NIs should try to involve the district level educational authorities in the activities of the MeLT programme.
12. MeLT van can be used as mobile study centres by IGNOU on holidays and after school hours which will support their flexible learning programme on one hard and work as a step towards self-sustaining MeLTs. The modalities for the same can be worked out between IIT/R and IGNOU.
13. The contents to be delivered through MeLTs shall have to be attractive and interesting in addition to being useful to the target audience.
14. NIs will explore the possibility of parking the MeLT overnight in the premises of a college or school or Panchayat Ghar or Police Station etc. so as to save the journey time and cost.

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1. The MeLTs can be very effectively used in taking the vocational training programmes of SLIET and NITTTR under Community Development Through Polytechnics (CDTP) and Persons with Disability (PWD) Schemes to remote and rural areas to take advantage of mobility of the MeLTs and the multiple technologies used in MeLTs for delivering e-contents and at the same time overcome the problem of setting up fixed extension centres of these schemes in remote / rural areas due to remoteness and less number of students at one place.
2.  It was agreed that, keeping in view the special needs of providing hands-on training in the vocational programmes, only 4 to 5 programmes should be run with the help of MeLTs in the pilot stage. These will include (a) Data entry operator, (b) Radio and TV repair, (c) mobile phone repair, (d) DTP and screen printing, (e) electrical appliance repairs and (f) Computer operator and programme assistant. The possibility of combining (a) and (f) can be examined.
3. Bus type MeLTs will be more effective compared to van MeLTs as the intended beneficiaries are not regular school/ college students. Futhermore, classes can be held any time and at any location in the bus-type MeLT bus.
4. SLIET will provide certificates for vocational courses if the syllabus is covered as per their requirements in terms of number of hours a student has to put in to qualify for award of certificate.
5. NITTTR Chandigarh has already developed several video-films for Community Development and Physically Challenge Persons, and is willing to give the same to SLIET for delivery through MeLT and IITR.
6. SLIET will organize a meeting/workshop in the first week of April to initiate action on implementation and to identify requirements for e-content preparation for vocational training / informal education. NITTTR will support production of e-contents / video-films in respect of its studio and other facilities, while the resource person will be drawn from SLIET, UIET and other Institutions.
7. The MeLT bus should be made disabled-friendly in respect of boarding.
8. UIET will also contribute towards e-learning through MeLT in non-formal education/ vocational training.
9. The SLIET and UIET can hire the services of an instructor in lieu of a technician within the overall budgetary allocations for operation of MeLTs. However, SLIET can also explore the possibility of using the services of the instructors already working and being paid from CDTP / PWD schemes.
10. A review meeting on the use of MeLTs for vocational training may be held in the 1st or 2nd week of May.
11. During the months of April to June 2010, when schools and colleges will have their vacations, the MeLTs can be used whole time for vocational training and other informal education programmes in villages / remote areas. After the schools / colleges reopen, the MeLTs can be used to support e-learning in schools / colleges during working hours and for vocational training / informal education in the afternoon / evening in the same / nearby village.
12. The other Networking Institutions may consider using the MeLTs on the same lines for providing vocational training / informal education alongwith formal education through e-learning. They can have tie-up either with SLIET or a polytechnic in their respective areas identified under CDTP / PWD schemes for certification and other support. The names of such polytechnics can be obtained by the NI Coordinators from Prof. J.S. Saini, Regional Coordinator for CDTP / PWD schemes, NITTTR, Chandigarh.
13. NITTTR will explore the possibility of using MeLT for their teachers’ training programme, during the months of April and May 2010 for which the NITTTR can be provided a van-type MeLT for this short duration.
14. NITTTR will help IIT/R in procuring e-material from other sister organisations.

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To publicize the MELT project and to acquaint people with the aims of the project a one-day launch-workshop was organized at Birla Institute of Applied Sciences (BIAS), Bhimtal on 8th May 2010. Honorable Shri Govind Singh Bisht, Minister of State for Education, Uttarakhand, was the Chief Guest at the inaugural function of the Workshop. Prof P K Pande former Director BIAS and former Pro-Vice Chancellor Roorkee University presided over.

 
Invitees from neighboring schools and colleges, BIAS faculty and students, public representatives and media people were present.

Prof A K Pant, Director, BIAS welcomed the Chief Guest, other dignitaries and participants and very briefly mentioned the objectives of the project.

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Prof Harsha Sinhval, Co-PI of MeLT Project, gave a power point presentation on the project and emphasized the interactive and evolving nature of the project. He detailed the different ways the information can be accessed and the attempt of MHRD at bridging the digital divide through such mission mode projects. He also emphasized that the project is to support the teacher and not to replace him.

Prof P K Pandey welcomed the integrated approach of providing a suite of techniques to access information for learning. He felt this will be of great relevance in remote areas where connectivity may be an issue.

Hon’ble Shri Govind Singh Bisht lauded the effort. He mentioned that digital revolution has made literate people “illiterate” once more. He pointed out that younger people, who have the means now play with lap tops rather than toys and dolls. Enabling the disadvantaged to get familiar with computers and take advantage of them in education will be a great boon to them. He particularly appreciated the thoughtfulness in developing smaller vehicles for remote areas where the roads are very narrow.

The inaugural session ended with a vote of Thanks by the District Education Officer, Shri J S Hyanki, who promised his full cooperation and support.

Shri Alok Sharma, NI Coordinator for MeLT project, BIAS, Bhimtal then took the honorable Minister and other guests to the live demonstration which had been organized. A large number of people tried out the facilities themselves.

 
The launch attracted good media coverage, which will be of considerable help in motivating students and parents to take full advantage of the MeLT in technology-based learning.

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Two days Workshop to sensitize Teachers was organized by BIAS, Bhimtal on June 07 & 08, 2010. The Workshop was formally inaugurated by Shri J.S. Hyanki, DEO, Nainital. Valedictory ceremony was attended by Prof. S.K. Joshi (D.G. CSIR) Chairman Board of Directors, Birla Institute and Dr. B.K. Gairola, D.G., National Informatics Centre. Prof. Joshi emphasize the need of Computer Education at remote location, whereas Dr. Gairola asked the Faculty Members to become Computer literate irrespective of the age and education, he also informed that NIC is planning to provide the 2 mbps connection to educational institutes, that can only be useful if Faculty is aware of the use of Computers. Total 15 Teachers from 12 Short listed Schools attended the Workshop. During Workshop, discussion was focused on operation of MeLT and equipment fitted in it. Besides this, logistic problems and difficulties with the Teachers and Schools, unable to run the Computer Education were also discussed in detail.

Based on the mutual discussion, various recommendations on Computer Education, Updating Teachers IT Knowledge, Conducting some sort of Exam at the end of Training and giving motivational Prizes/Gifts to meritorious Students were made. Finally the Workshop was concluded by Dr. A. K. Pant, Director, BIAS, Bhimtal and NI Coordinator, MeLT Project.

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Out of total 55 institutions surveyed for the project, The principals of 21 institutions were invited for the workshop. Out of 21 invitees 18 principals of various degree colleges, higher secondary schools and high schools attended the workshop. The Dean College of Engineering Prof. M.L. Garg who was also the chief guest of the function welcomed all the participants. The Coordinator Mr. Ajay Koul apprised the participants about the present scenario of ICT education in schools and colleges and highlighted the importance of MeLTs especially in the remote areas of the Districts of Reasi, Udhampur and Jammu.

The following points were discussed in the workshop

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1. Technical issues related to hub earth-stations & VSATs
2. Identification of hub earth-stations
3. Issues related to procurement of VSAT equipment
4. Issues related to procurement of bandwidth
5. Likely roles of ISRO, National SAC, State SACs, State hubs
6. Likely role of Government enterprises
7. Other technical issues

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The virtual class room setup in Phase-I has two types of facilities for e-learning: One is based on the DTH technology and the other uses multi-media drive (MMD). This facility will be used by all the school children, that is from class I to Class XII. Variety of subjects and themes can be shown on the 42” LCD-screen installed in the class room. Around 400-500 videos on different topics can be stored in MMD, which can be shown as per the standard and interest of the students.

In Phase-II, Internet and computer-supported e-learning facilities will be set up in the Computer Laboratory of ABN Senior Secondary School, which will be open to the students of IX to XII standard.

Under Phase-III, facilities for e-learning using Edusat and VSAT will be set up in a different class room. This virtual class room will be open to the students of class XI and XII only. Students will be able to interact with a subject expert setting in a remote studio through satellite.

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A four-day Technicians Training Programme was organized in Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Roorkee from 5th to 8th April 2010, by the Principal Investigator, MeLT Project for the technicians hired / identified by the Network Institutions for operating the MeLTs (VSAT-Enabled Mobile e-Learning Terminals).

Under this training programme, the following systems of e-learning based on different communication and information technologies were covered:-

This was the first phase of the training programme, and it was attended by the 21 technicians, including six drivers with some knowledge of computers. The objective of the training was to prepare the technicians to handle all the equipment provided in the MeLT and set up all the above eight systems of e-learning at any school or college, so that the students can learn subjects of their respective interest through various electronic technologies.

The training program included brief lectures on various components, technologies and systems, followed by practical demonstration of the features, operation and connections of each component individually and connecting the components into e-learning systems. Each participant was given enough time for hands-on experience under personal guidance of the trainers.

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The participating institutions were:-

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Reports on MeLT Services Provided by Network Institutions

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