From Vishnu Anand in Bangalore

Pengala, an Indian learning technology company has launched a new way for students -- urban and rural -- to learn intuitively using technology. The self-study-oriented tool arms students with course videos, real-time note taking capabilities, test assessment and grading tools, besides the option of community learning via a study group social network.
Though Pengala's tool is designed for self-learning and professional streams of study, the company's tie up with respected educational institutions -- Aakash Institute, Brilliant Tutorials, FutureVista and Edurite -- ensures that students use the tool across disciplines, as a supplement to their regular classroom learning or even as the only mode of learning.

The new entity has been jointly started by two technocrats with a strong Microsoft connection:
Says Pradeep Singh, founder and co-chairman, Pengala, "We have designed the tool exclusively for India,keeping in mind the lack of broadband connectivity and a shared computer scenario in most schools -- especially in tier II and III cities. We are also encouraging our partners to spread our tool to their student community and increase awareness and adoption." Pradeep has earlier founded Aditi Technologies, a prime solution provider for Microsoft platorms and Talisma, a Customer Relations Mamagement (CRM) software leader both with a Bangalore presence.
The other founder-Co-Chairman of Pengala is Will Poole, formerly Corporate VP of Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential Group. He is also a co-chairman of Virtual Desktop leader, N Computing.

Navin Thangiah, CEO, Pengalas who was last mobile monety startup, mChek, says: “When education companies offer self-study, students stress the need for classroom guidance. When they offer classroom courses, students stress the need for self-study. With Pengala, our partners offer a third choice, which combines the best of both worlds in one solution. While courses for key exams like IITJEE, AIEEE, Medical, and boards are available today, other partners will soon be launching courses in vocational training and higher education”.

IndiaTechOnline participated in a product demo where a 'student' attended a class on Calculus via a full motion video, pulled up a 'notes' screen halfway through the course, answered a tutorial, along with intuitive results on strength areas, problem areas and improvement areas. The tool also allows this feedback to reach the student's teachers and parents for possible corrective strategies. The demo also included access to the learning community with shared problem solving, and social interaction.

Do see for a few days, our explanatory video about the Pengala system in our video slot on the IndiaTechOnline home page Website: www.pengala.com 

April 7 2011