Amazon Web Services (AWS), together with EdTechReview, announced a voice technology in education contest at the EdTechReview 2020 conference in March with the goal of finding the best application of Alexa in education.
The competition is for Indian EdTech companies to build skills that address education challenges and positively impact students, faculty, administrators, and other educational stakeholders. While applicants were to focus on challenges like how to improve teaching practices, learning throughout life, continuing professional development, and administration and assessment processes, participants submitted a range of creative and potentially impactful ideas for skills.
We received over 100 applications and selected only five as finalists to compete for the title of Best Amazon Alexa EdTech Skill 2020, India. They will develop their proposed Alexa skills, receiving guidance and support from the AWS team as they build. They will present their own Alexa skills in front of a jury in a virtual session on 17 July 2020. The winner will receive $50,000 in AWS Promotional Credit, and the four runners-up will each receive $10,000 in AWS Promotional Credit.
The finalists:
Chrysalis: Chrysalis is a results-based learning company from Gurugram, Haryana. It creates measurable changes in individual competencies and organizational capability through learning and development. English reading levels are alarmingly low in India, even in private schools. Traditional language labs which are enabled by computers are not affordable by all types of schools. Hence, Chrysalis develops Alexa Mobile Labs, an alternate for the computer-enabled English language labs. Alexa Mobile Lab skill will be integrated with the Alexa show device. Students will be able to do reading tests to assess their English skills, and data insights will be sent to the teacher with remedial solutions. Watch the pitch video.
Code Shastra: Code Shastra is a Gurugram-based company that develops next-generation app solutions for enterprise, mobile, web, and cloud. It is the creator of Chalexa, a chatbot for students. Chalexa interacts with the students in a peer style, talking about sports, movies, current happenings, interests, academics, and more. It tracks the child's social, mental, and physical health over time, thereby providing guidance, mentorship, and alerting parents about any sudden changes in the index. Chalexa will be the future virtual friend students need. Watch the pitch video.
Go Sharp Technologies and Consulting Pvt. Ltd.: Playablo for Schools is an award-winning gamified e-learning company that believes in making learning fun and enjoyable for the modern learner. It is a harmonious blend of apps handcrafted for students, teachers, and school management to provide automated learning solutions and experiential learning. Playablo has ready-made APIs to integrate with Alexa skills to provide teachers with voice-enabled homework capabilities, assignment progress checking, and more. Combined with the management app, Alexa can provide school management with real-time, voice-enabled reports for questions like "Alexa, what is the performance of grade five English?" or "Alexa, how many assignments are given by teacher George in mathematics in the last four weeks?" Watch the pitch video.
Wunderkind Infotech: Wunderkind Infotech is the promoter and founder of projectsforschool.com based in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The company has a passion for activity-based, experiential, and simplified methods of learning. It aspires to make learning fun for students.
Wunderkind Infotech intends to develop Alexa skills in the area of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEAM) skills allowing students to make simple models using readily available materials at home. It also aims to develop a STEAM knowledge assessment skill to help students in choosing relevant STEAM careers. Watch the pitch video.
The jury:
The panel of judges includes Namita Dalmia, director of investments, Omidyar Network; Sandeep Aneja, founder and managing partner, Kaizen Private Equity; Srikant Prabhu, head of portfolio and investment, Social Alpha; Sunil PP, head for education and nonprofit, Amazon Internet Services; and Vincent Quah, regional head for education, Asia Pacific and Japan, Worldwide Public Sector, Amazon Web Services.
If you are interested in watching the live presentation, please visit the competition website for details.
