Dr Cicy Roy Mathew is the Principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram and is a zealous Educator and Administrator.

Trained in the Intel Teach program in 2001, she has since then been a strong proponent of integration of technology in education. Under her guidance, teachers and students of her school have attained high standards in Technology Aided Learning and she has herself directed several in-service courses and workshops focusing on the changes taking place in the field of education.

KV Pattom received the 5th Computer Literacy Excellence Awards (state level) for Schools- 2007 (CLEAS-2007) Dr. Cicy Roy Mathew receiving the Chief Ministers Rolling Trophy

Under her guidance, Kendriya Vidyalaya Pattom bagged the Computer Literacy Award and the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) - Intel - Best School Category Award.

This year Dr. Cicy Mathew has been the proud recipient of the KVS Incentive Award (2009) for her meritorious service as one of the popular and promising Principals of the Kendriya Vidyalayas.

An Interview with Dr. Cicy Mathews

How and when did you become involved with the Intel® Teach program in India? Can you share how it has impacted you and your school?

I got involved with Intel in 2001, when Intel started their training program at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pattom. 20 teachers were trained initially. I was one among the four master trainers who trained the rest of the staff of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pattom. I had all the troubles of a beginner. I still remember my difficulty in controlling the mouse. But I practiced hard and that gave me confidence. As the administrator of the school I can now infect my teachers with enthusiasm for integrating technology in their academic works.

As an educationist and the Principal of the KV school in Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram, you have managed to successfully implement new innovative methodologies like Project Based Learning and promote effective integration of technology in your school system. Share with us your success milestones.

I started the Project Based Learning Methodology (PBL) last year. First a small group of teachers were asked to do projects on topics of their interest. Being a master trainer, I could guide them. This year all teachers were asked to integrate PBL. In the meantime Intel trained 15 teachers online on how to use this new methodology. The remaining teachers are also being trained to use PBL methodology in classrooms. I am proud that my school, K.V.Pattom is a pioneer in this venture.

What were some of the challenges that you had to face in this process? What kept you going?

Initially I had a problem motivating teachers. They all found PBL very time consuming. But the success story of four teachers who reached the top level in KVS Intel Joint Contest motivated others. Among these four teachers, one teacher was selected as the best teacher and another got an appreciation certificate. My teachers are always being encouraged to do such projects. The confidence and the talent in my teachers kept me going.

You have worked hard for inculcating Project Based Learning as part of the curriculum. What are the steps that you have taken for it and how do you find it effective for the students?

A training program was arranged to brief the teachers on grouping students, dividing work, analyzing data and compiling information etc. One teacher was entrusted to record all the work undertaken by teachers. These projects were very interesting for the students.

Students were not only enthusiastic but also became more knowledgeable and were soon able to access information from the Internet and other sources. Their skills to observe, investigate, analyze and find innovative solutions improved. The exchange of ideas and collaboration among groups is another healthy feature of this project work.

Your school is well known for successful technology integration, even though you come from a generation where computers were not taught in school. How were you affected by this enthusiasm for technology?

My initial excitement was tremendous. As a teacher in Biology, I needed to plan my lessons and therefore learnt to make the utmost use of the computer. That is when teaching became more a thrill than work for me. This enthusiasm in me still continues. As an administrator I provide the latest infrastructure facilities to my teachers so that they can effectively integrate technology in the teaching learning process.

You shared that your teachers were initially hesitant about adapting to technology integration. What is the motivation that you provide to them?

In the school timetable every teacher is allotted CAL/TAL periods. During subject committee and staff meetings, I brief teachers about the latest facilities in technology and encourage them to make use of the same. Teachers are also asked to take part in competitions like KVS Intel Joint Contest and Think Quest Competitions .

Your students are able to access homework assigned online? Ten years back this wasn’t possible. What other changes do you foresee happening in education in the future?

I foresee a lot of exciting changes-Digital Learning, more collaborative work, exchanging ideas on line using blogs. I also envision our students using lap tops as an inevitable step just as they use their text books.

How would you say the integration of technology has impacted the life of the teachers and student in your schools?

My teachers and students have certainly become conversant with the integration of technology. The teachers have became more informed of not only their own subjects but are also more aware about other areas like health and medicine, environment, life skills, literature etc. They can also make their lessons more interesting by coordinating relevant information from other fields. Teachers definitely get the students’ attention more easily with technology aided lessons. Students are seen going a step ahead of teachers and at times acting as a guide to teachers.

With students and teachers who are technologically savvy and have PBL as part of their regular curriculum, how have they managed to touch the community through project based learning?

PBL has enabled students to reach out to the community. They are able to spread awareness in the community on a variety of topics like natural calamities, epidemics, pollution etc by using technology in making pamphlets, brochures, notices, showcasing audios, videos and making multimedia presentations etc.

There are some wonderful and exciting changes that we see you have brought about in the teaching & learning processes of your school through the use of innovative methodologies? Could you tell us about them?

If creativity has an important role in education, then the innovation of the school library online is a major break through. The E-magazine, My Dear Book – a blog site, the Library site, are all avenues motivating students and teachers to develop their creativity. ‘Think Quest and Team Projects help students to have a scholarly exchange of ideas.

As a visionary how do you see the educational systems evolving to enable students across India become a part of a global economy?

New collaborative learning initiatives, online learning, digital learning, and content management systems will definitely enable the students across India to become a part of Global Economy.