1. SUMMIT REPORT
On October 7–8, 2014, NetSpec Global and Universal Learn Today organised a two-day-long
Summit on educational technology, titled ‘Leading Change in Changing Times’ at Vasant
Valley School, New Delhi. The partners, who joined hands with Universal Learn Today in
this initiative, were NetSpec Global (Principal Partner), Jumping Frog (Collaborative
Learning Partner), Intel (Technology Partner), Dell (Technology Partner), NIIT University
(Knowledge Partner), Ernst & Young (Strategic Partner), and India Today Aspire
(Media Partner).
The Summit was conceptualised with four main objectives: (i) to start a dialogue regarding
what digital leadership in schools should look like; (ii) to discuss decision-making
strategies regarding educational technology; (iii) to showcase best practices in
technology integration; and (iv) to deliberate on the need for continuous and sustained
professional development.
Accordingly, four strands were developed, namely, Digital Leadership, Decision-making
regarding Educational Technology, Integrated Technology in Classrooms, and Professional
Development in Educational Technology.
Over 80 schools attended the two-day Summit, including Sanskriti School, Shri Ram
Schools, Army Public Schools, Blue Bells, Mount St Marys, Modern School (Vasant Vihar),

2. Shiv Nadar Foundation, Amity Group of Schools, Symbiosis International School, The
Scindia School, GD Goenka, and Heritage School, among others. School principals, directors
of education companies, and academicians from NCR, Chandigarh, Pune, Ahmedabad,
Gwalior, etc., were among the participants.
Day 1: The keynote speaker for the
inaugural session on ‘Digital Leadership’ was
Mr Rajendra Pawar (Founder & Chairman,
NIIT Group). He emphasised on society and
evolution, how learners of today are
changing, and the concept of leadership in a
learning environment. He also highlighted
the need for a vision for every school; and
the importance of conflict resolution between
the teaching and ICT departments in schools.
Mr Rajendra Pawar
(Founder & Chairman, NIIT Group)
The next speaker, Mr Sam Al-Schamma (Director, Education Sector,
Asia-Pacific Region, Intel Corporation), while speaking on the topic of
transforming the education landscape in a changing world, focussed
on bridging the gap between the learning in classrooms and actual
learning outside the school. Mr Rrajesh Bakshi (Founder and Chief
Architect, NetSpec Global) stressed on the importance of software, as
well as applications, as major tools in today’s technological scenario.
Mr Anil Sethi (Director and General Manager, Commercial Channels,
Dell India), while speaking about the workforce that guides technology
and its leaders, voiced some of the pertinent questions on digital
leadership.
Next, a group activity was organised, in which members of
the audience were asked to develop a vision for
technology integration in their respective schools. The
essentials were: (i) non-negotiables (what will not be
compromised on); and (ii) the keywords needed for
digital leadership.
The following session was a panel discussion on why a
school should use technology; and how it is beneficial for
all the stakeholders involved. The panelists were
Dr Shradha Kanwar (Area Director, Educational
Technology, NIIT University); Mr Sameer Sampat
Mr Rrajesh Bakshi
(Founder and Chief
Architect, NetSpec
Global)
Panel discussion: (L to R) Mr Sameer
Sampat, Dr Shradha Kanwar, Mr Amit
Kaushik, and Ms Nitya Ram

3. (Executive Director, India School Leadership Institute); and Mr Amit Kaushik (Practice
Head, Education & Skills Development, IPE Global Pvt. Limited).
The discussion was moderated by Ms Nitya Ram (Head, Academics, Universal Learn
Today). In the ensuing Q&A session, the panelists interacted with the audience. The
questions revolved mainly around real-life concerns faced in the efforts made towards
developing better schools and teachers.
In the following session, Prof. Vijay Mandke (Mentor Professor, Educational Technology,
NIIT University), and Dr Shradha Kanwar deliberated on how learning is all about the
absorption of information. They also highlighted why, in the context of learning, it is
equally important to anticipate the requirement of both the present and the future. Next,
there was a plenary session, wherein the audience reflected on the strand ‘Digital
Leadership’.
The post-lunch sessions began with a demo by NetSpec of their
Learning Management System, Jumping Frog. Mr Amitabh
Jhingan (Partner, Transaction Advisory Services &. National
Sector Leader - Education, Ernst & Young India), while
speaking on the second strand of the Summit, ‘Decision-making
Regarding Educational Technology’ highlighted the necessity
for technology and digital learning in the K–12 sector. He also
stressed on the importance of content, instructional systems,
and data management.
A breakaway session followed, in which the participants were
split into three groups. Each group was led by a facilitator,
namely, Mr Lokesh Mehra (Director, Education Advocacy,
Microsoft Corporation India), Dr Mukesh Mohania
(IBM Distinguished Engineer), and Mr Amitabh Jhingan.
Mr Amitabh Jhingan
(Partner, Transaction Advisory
Services &. National Sector
Leader - Education, E&Y,
India)
The objective was brainstorming by various School
Heads and other stakeholders on the issue of decision-making
regarding educational technology in their
schools.
In the final session for the day, each of the groups
presented their thoughts and ideas to the rest of the
audience.
A breakaway session being facilitated by
Mr Lokesh Mehra (Director, Education
Advocacy, Microsoft Corporation India)

4. Day 2: The sessions of the second and final day of the
Summit revolved around the strands ‘Integrated
Technology Classrooms’ and ‘Professional Development
for Technology Integration’. In his keynote address on
‘Integrated Technology Classrooms’, Mr Arun Kapur
(Executive Director, Universal Learn Today) emphasised
that the most suitable technology is that which helps
children become great adults — and allows them to
actualise their potential. He also highlighted that
what we do with technology is much more
important than choosing the technology we need.
Mr Arun Kapur
(Executive Director, Universal Learn Today)
The next keynote speaker for the session, Prof. M M Pant (Former
Pro-Vice Chancellor, IGNOU) expressed that society today is
changing from one of scarcity to that of abundance — in terms of
information and choice of technology. In such a society, it is
imperative to know how to learn. He elaborated on the concepts of
flipped learning (a pedagogical approach that involves taking direct
instruction from, and placing the onus on, the individual learner,
rather than on group instruction) and nano-learning (short pre-class
interventions, which can be in the form of text, audio, video, or
infographic).
A few case studies followed. Mr Mohit Midha of
Mangahigh.com made a presentation on their game-based
Math teaching resource. Ms Lissa Chazot, an Apple
Distinguished Educator, presented a case study on the use of
iPads at Mahatma Gandhi International School, Ahmedabad. Ms
Kavita Wadhwa made a presentation on the First LEGO League,
which focusses on robotics. The last case study of the session,
presented by representatives of Ridge Valley School (RVS),
Gurgaon, was on using Web Tools. They illustrated how their
Prof. M M Pant
(Former Pro-Vice
Chancellor, IGNOU)
Representatives of Ridge Valley
School presenting a case study
school uses such tools to create Individualised Educational Plans for their students. They
explained how teachers of the school are using technology to manage and share teaching
resources; and to collaborate with one another. The case study also elaborated on how
educational technology has helped Ridge Valley School become an ‘inclusive’ school in the
true sense of the term.

5. Next, the participants were split into three groups. Every group got the opportunity to
interact with representatives from Apple, LEGO, and Leo Planetarium, who showcased
some of their products related to ‘Technology
in the Classroom’. They also got hands-on
experience on various product offerings from
Samsung, Ankita Enterprises, Manga High,
Jumping Frog, and Dell.
The post-lunch session commenced with an
address by Mr Viplav Baxi (Founder, LearnOS
Consulting Services). He remarked that in
today’s world, where students are well-informed;
Technology in the classroom - showcased by Apple
and information is increasing by leaps and bounds, the importance of teachers
remains unaffected. However, the teachers of today cannot limit themselves to textbooks;
and need to expand their learning. In the Q&A session that followed, topics like controlling
the way technology is used by students, and online courses as alternatives to teaching in
classrooms were raised.
Mr Rakshit Tandon (Chief Resource Advisor and
Speaker for the Internet and Mobile Association of
India) shared with the audience several cases of
cybercrime committed by school-going children.
He emphasised that the major issue is a lack of
awareness on cyber threats and cyber laws; and
thus urged that both students and teachers should
be educated in safe surfing practices and cyber laws.
The last speaker of the day was Ms Sangeeta Gulati
Mr Rakshit Tandon
(Chief Resource Advisor and Speaker, IAMAI)
(Academic Coordinator and Head of Department, Mathematics, Sanskriti School, New
Delhi). She articulated that since visuals, rather than text, stay with children for a longer
period, Math teaching in schools should be brought alive. She also highlighted the
importance of online tools, like Edmodo and Desmos Graphing Calculator.
The two-day Summit came to an end after a short feedback session from the audience; and
a promise to be back with its second edition next year.

6. Press Coverage: Our Summit has been covered by Mail Today, The Times of India, Aaj Tak,
and Headlines Today.
Mail Today: ‘Learn Today Summit Launched at Vasant Valley School in Delhi’
(Read the article here: http://goo.gl/VWcXk6)
The Times of India: ‘Content of tech for teaching must not be locked in’.
(Read the article here: http://goo.gl/nOkYJt)
Aaj Tak: Read the article here: http://goo.gl/V85LsT
Headlines Today: Watch the TV coverage here: http://goo.gl/HQy9N3
Testimonials:
“I'd like to take this as an opportunity to thank you for a great initiative and superb execution.”
Aditya Rajpurohit
(Dell)
“Thank you and huge compliments to you and your team for organising this mega event.”
Dr Shradha Kanwar
(Area Director, Educational Technology, NIIT University)
“Very interesting sessions…and I did learn a lot and took away lots to think about.”
Siddhartha Dubey
(Director, Operations & Communications, Brookings Institution India Center, New Delhi, India)
“Thank you once again for this initiative and I will look forward to more such interactions.”
Ms Sudha Mahajan
(Gurgaon Valley School)
“It was great to meet so many new people and old friends. Prof. Pant's key note address was
brilliant and loved every moment of it.”
Nandita Roy
(Academic Supervisor, Bluebells International)
“It was such an inspiring and invigorating experience attending the Summit.”
Kartik Sharma
(Founder and CEO - Agnitio Education)
“It was an extremely rewarding Summit. The warmth and interaction was evident throughout.”
Kalpana Kapoor
(Education Management Consultant, Ex-Principal, The DPSG Society Group of Schools)

7. “My compliments to you for organising the event — very professionally managed, and a high
quality debate.”
Vimalendu Verma
(Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Magic Software)
“It was indeed an enriching and enlightening experience with such great speakers presenting their
thoughts.”
Dipti Chandak
(Blue Bells Model School, New Delhi)
“Thank you for organising such a fantastic event and inviting us. The speakers and audience were
pretty awesome.”
Shikhar Sethi
(Founder, chalopadho.com)
“It was a great team effort showcased from the Learn Today team.”
Pooja Nasa
(Blue Bells Model School, New Delhi)
“The interaction and sharing at the summit have not only given a greater insight into the learning
environment and the challenges that exist in the digital age but also reassured my belief in what I
am doing in my research on the topic ‘21st Century Schools...are you there’.”
Jatinder Kumar Saini
(Yadavindra Public School, Patiala)
“The Learn Today Summit is an excellent platform for educators. I'm grateful to have been a part of
it.”
Lissa Chazot
(Mahatma Gandhi International School, Ahmedabad)
“I wish to congratulate the team of Learn Today for bringing together experts from different fields
on a common platform for the benefit of schools.”
Pooja Thakur
(Principal, Junior School, The Shri Ram School)
“A great learning experience...congratulations to you and your team.”
Kirti Tripathi
(Head, Curriculum Development, Amity Group of Schools)
“Thanks for letting us be part of this very well organised event.”
Manish Chadha
(Apple)
"Congrats…well done!!”
Michelle Bambawale
(Associate Director, Curriculum, GEMS Education)

8. The Universal Learn Today team with the participants at the end of the two-day Summit