Teacher uses MIT resources to reach rural Indian students
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Mohammad Imran Khan Mewati, a teacher in Rajasthan, India, is using free resources from MIT Open Learning to improve education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Mewati noticed high absenteeism in his classes and sought ways to continue teaching students even when they couldn’t attend school. He began learning app development himself, drawing on MIT OpenCourseWare programming courses like Introduction to CS and Programming Using Python to create digital learning tools.
Mewati’s school, located 15 miles from Alwar, lacks computers for most students, but many families own smartphones. He uses WhatsApp groups to share resources and created a computer lab through crowdfunding, enabling students to access online materials and apps. He developed apps to reinforce math skills, provide class notes, prepare students for government job exams, and even address maternal health, a sensitive topic in India.
Mewati also shares his apps and MIT resources with a network of over 1,000 teachers across India, fostering collaboration and open educational practices. He believes technology levels the playing field for students who lack opportunities, and his own journey, from a rural, uneducated family to a Fulbright Scholar and Global Teacher Prize finalist, demonstrates the power of lifelong learning and accessible education.
