Thiruvananthapuram: Amid security concerns our various apps used for video conferencing, the Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) has customised the free and open source software ‘BigBlueButton’ to be used as video conferencing platform for e-learning and online classes.
Apart from video conferencing, screen sharing, multi user whiteboard, public chat and shared note facilities are available.
This would help teachers to cater to the needs of children by sharing slides, videos, audios and sharing desktop screens. The presentation area can also be used as a whiteboard.
The modified software application has been integrated with KITE’s Open Online Learning’ management system.
KITE CEO K Anwar Sadath said that KITE also plans to provide training classes for the public on this.
Kerala is the first state to use free and open software in public schools. The state government has also issued guidelines that cyber safety protocol should be strictly followed and private information of students shouldn’t be shared.
KITE is also researching on developing other platforms like Jitsi, a collection of free and open-source multiplatform voice (VoIP), videoconferencing and instant messaging applications.
