MIT Solve

Solution Overview

Solution Name

Connect.ed

One-line solution summary.

Small Steps introduced "Connect.ed", app based learning platform, for kids.

Elevator pitch

What is your solution?

My Non-Profit Organization - Small Step Foundation introduced Connect.ed, app based learning platform, sms support system for kids. "Connect.ed" acts as a moderated virtual classroom filling an essential learning gap for those with limited access to education. It impart "snippets" of useful information which gets imbibed in kid's subconcious mind. Its an observation that prolonged exposure to information subtly enchances mental level. We utilized this technique in English Tutoring, Vocabulary Building, Critical & Mental Ability, Problem Solving for holistic development. It is groomed to a level where they can take it to next in life. Also we are periodically arranging quizzes, fun-learning sessions, grooming sessions through local career counsellers and providing them with right direction and a meaningful life.

What specific problem are you trying to solve?

There are lot of efforts govt are putting to educate underprivileged children in India. But this education is not sufficient to help them fully in todays life challenges. Underprivileged Children across the India are facing significant challenges in accessing skill oriented quality education. We observe lot of obstacles in English Reading, Writing & Speaking Skills especially in Low Income Group & Government Schools in India. There are lot of reasons for the same for example underresourced schools, unskilled teachers, poor infrastructure. It is nearly impossible to overcome these hurdles without proper support system, and access to services like career couselling, guidance, mentorship and tutoring.

We are filling that essential learning gap for those with limited access to education. We can build a solid program on our concept and take it to the larger audience across India. Currently we are dealing in our community whereable we could able to reach through people.

Who does your solution serve? In what ways will the solution impact their lives?

Statistics

Our basic version of Connect.ed started on October 2021 on WhatsApp and it rose to 250+ kids in 5-6 days. We have screen shot attached in our video as well. Since it is prototype/proof of concept so are doing it with one WhatsApp Group only. Later it can be scaled to millions of kids across India through Sponsor Skill Development Program with Govt. of India

Market Opportunity
132 million girls are out of school worldwide. If every girl in the world finished 12 years of quality education, lifetime earnings for women could increase by $15-$30 trillion according to the World Bank. We see lot of efforts in kids basic education but our "snippets of information" in a playful way enhancing their critical thinking skills, Lateral Thinking and logical reasoning which were missing in basic education.

Small Step Foundation is looking to scale up by manifolds,to millions of Indian Kids through our Indigenous App Or Website so students across the places simply access it and upgrade themselves.

What steps have you taken to understand the needs of the population you want to serve?

I have gone through various reports and statistics by Government of India related to Kids education in India. I interacted with various teachers and it helped in understanding the ground realities.

In current scenario, only basic education doesn't only help in solving life challenges. Our App would help them in enhancing their critical thinking, lateral thinking, and other important skills which are actually needed to face today's challenges.

Which aspects of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?

Improving learning opportunities and outcomes for learners across their lifetimes, from early childhood on (Learning)

Our solution's stage of development:

Concept: An idea being explored for its feasibility to build a product, service, or business model based on that idea

Explain why you selected this stage of development for your solution—in other words, what have you accomplished to date?

I am in class 9th Student. This idea came in my mind while I discussing about education with my maid servant's daughter who is also in Class 9th. After talking with her, I have realized she lacks various skills which given at the right time would be great help for her. There are lot of such kids in her class. I talked with few teachers also and felt lets do proof of concept with an establish App like WhatsApp where kids are frequently active.

Since October 2021 I started "Connect.ed" Group and within few days Group was full of 257 kids. Since it is prototype/pilot (or you can say conceptual stage) where we yet to scale. After my exams in March 2022, I will be seeking sponsors who can scale it up with the help of Skill Development Program of Government of India. This way it would reach to millions of kids across India.

Where our solution team is headquartered or located:

Pune, Maharashtra, India

Team Lead:

Manasvi Sisodia