Around 10 million (1 crore) children enrolled to use tech giant Google’s app, ‘Bolo’.In those 10 million children, around 1.13 lakh primary schools of Uttar Pradesh also enrolled in it. By using this application, they can enhance their pronunciation in Hindi as well as English.
Google Bolo is actually a read-along app or a speech-based, reading-tutor app for Android-based smartphones. It can be downloaded for free from Google’s Play Store.
Especially, this app designed for primary grade children, aged between 6 and 11 years, Bolo helps enhance both their English and Hindi reading skills, by encouraging them to read aloud. The app also gives instant feedback, said Prayagraj-based State Institute of Educational Management and Training (SIEMAT) director Sanjay Sinha.
The free app, launched in India in March 2019, uses Google’s speech recognition and text-to-speech technology. The app with the features of an animated character, ‘Diya’, who encourages children to read stories aloud and helps if the child is unable to pronounce a word.
He said that the app not only will help the students but will also help teachers wherever they are in doubt about the pronunciation of a Hindi or English word. For its introduction in government primary schools, the SamgraShikshaAbhiyan project officials have entered into an agreement with Google and till July 30.
As part of efforts to implement Mission Prerna, the flagship program of UP government enhance the quality of education in schools running under the Basic Shiksha Department across the state. The members of the state resource group (SRG), key resource persons (KRPs) and academic resource persons (ARPs) are giving online training to around 5.5 lakh primary school teachers of the state including assistant teachers, Shiksha Mitras and subject instructors, since July 20 on using Google Bolo effectively, state resource group member Sunil Tiwari said.
The app even works in offline and does not require an active internet connection, he said.