Blind students studying at the University of Pune and its affiliated colleges in the district have reason to cheer.
 
In order to increase their pace of learning and enhance their academic potential, the Pune University Blind Student Learning Centre which functions under the Department of Education and Extensive Education, has decided to distribute special MP3 players to its students.
 
Some of the devices have already been handed out and the results have been encouraging.

According to centre director Dhananjay Bhole, who himself is visually challenged, a total of 51 players will be distributed to blind students within the next fortnight, based on their academic credentials and track record.

The idea was born a few months ago in the office of Professor Sonawane Sanjeev Arjunrao who currently heads the department of education.

Sonawane felt that as part of the inclusive nature of education, it was important that the learning needs of the blind students should to be taken into consideration and accordingly a strategy was chalked out to relieve the blind students from depending too much on their peers and the Braille script.

“These students rely completely on Braille, their colleagues and teachers for their academics. However, this has changed with the arrival of the MP3 players. Now, they record their lectures so that they can play them back later.”
 
Bhole added said that the centre was on the verge of completing the documentation of the academic syllabus and that the same was being copied onto the device for the students.

Students are tremendously excited at this technological advancement in their lives and are confident that they will be able to prepare better for their exams with the help of the device.

Regular students have come forward to help their blind peers with working the device. One of them is Jaideep Wani, who actively helps in recording the lessons on their devices. “There is a lot of satisfaction in being able to help my friends. It helps me grow each day,” he said.

“We are happy at the gesture and it has really helped us. The devices help us to memorise faster and we have academic data available to us anytime. Earlier, it was difficult to remember things as there was no way we could write down what was being taught in class. Now, we can to record lectures and prepare well for the exams,” said Rishikesh Bodke, who is doing his Masters in Political Science.

Another student, Pallavi Chavan, said it was the best audio course material device and is quite innovative and miniature in size. “It is handy and a highly resourceful tool for blind students. The device has helped us in overcoming a number of difficulties related to learning,” she added.

  How it works 

The Transcend MP 3 player has an 8 GB memory and an interface mechanism that is easy to use. After it is switched on, the device gives out a beeping sound after which the student can record, delete or store files with ease.
 
Students were trained to operate the device by officials from the centre.

According to Professor Sonawane Sanjeev Arjunrao (L) who currently heads the department of  ducation, it only took students about 10 minutes to learn how to use it

►    I get  a lot of satisfaction in helping my friends with their studies. It helps me grow every day

- Jaideep Wane, who helps blind students record their lectures

►    The devices help us to memorise faster and we now have academic data available to us anytime

- Rishikesh Bodke, Student

►    It is very handy and a highly resourceful tool for blind students. It has helped me greatly

- Pallavi Chavan, Student