Namya Joshi, a 16-year-old tech prodigy hailing from Ludhiana, Punjab, India, has emerged as a remarkable figure in the realm of education. Recognised as the official Minecraft Student Ambassador by Microsoft, Namya has been instrumental in training thousands of teachers and students globally in utilising Minecraft and Python as educational tools.
Driven by her personal mantra #EachOneTeachTen, Namya has dedicated the past five years to conducting free-of-cost coding workshops. Her impact extends to over 15,000 teachers and young individuals, with a particular focus on empowering girls in India and around the world. As an advocate for spreading knowledge, she encourages other young people to establish their coding clubs.
Namya's endeavours go beyond education; she actively employs game-based learning with STEM to address and raise awareness about social issues. Through her innovative approach, she strives to provide solutions to the challenges humanity faces. She recently presented the keynote address at the world’s biggest EdTech conference - Bett UK 2024 at London’s ExCel Centre.
In an interview with Asian Voice, she details her approach towards AI learning, experiences, challenges and more.
How did the idea of leveraging AI and data analytics for game-based learning come about?
The realisation of traditional education's shortcomings and the desire to provide individualised, interesting learning opportunities led to the creation of Individual Learning. I came up with the concept of game-based learning after using Minecraft personally and saw how serious teaching might be with it. Seeing classmates lose interest in traditional lessons, I turned a history lesson into a Minecraft game, and I was really successful. This led to an initiative to democratise the method and train educators throughout the world in game-based learning. The success stories and positive impact on student engagement further fuelled the vision for Individual Learning. This journey aligns with my belief in the transformative power of play in education, empowering learners globally. Individual Learning stands as a testament to the belief that innovative, game-based approaches can revolutionise education and provide students with meaningful and enjoyable learning experiences.
How has your background and upbringing influenced your approach to education and technology?
Growing up in a family immersed in the IT industry, my upbringing fostered an early familiarity with technology. My parents' influence sparked my interest in the intersection of education and technology. The creative learning environment they provided, involving games, storytelling, and various activities, instilled a belief in the power of play for effective learning. Supported by mentors and teachers, my global exposure through experiences like the BETT conference and an internship in Finland broadened my perspective. My School, Sat Paul Mittal School in India, has been instrumental in shaping my perspective and nurturing my intellectual curiosity. These experiences cultivated my entrepreneurial spirit. My commitment to gender equality in technology is rooted in the observation of gender disparities. Overall, my background has shaped an innovative, globally aware, and socially conscious approach to leveraging technology for educational empowerment.
How does AI play a role in tailoring educational experiences for individual students, and what challenges have you encountered in implementing this approach on a larger scale?
By examining unique learning styles, preferences, and advancements, artificial intelligence (AI) plays a critical part in customising educational experiences. Artificial intelligence (AI) can optimise each student's learning experience by providing specific material, modifying difficulty levels, and providing focused feedback through adaptive learning systems. Concerns about data privacy, maintaining equitable representation across a range of populations, and closing the digital gap are obstacles to scaling this strategy. AI-driven education implementation calls for a strong infrastructure, teacher preparation, and ongoing improvement to meet changing pedagogical requirements. Finding a way to reconcile curriculum goals that are standardised with personalisation is still a problem, as is getting technology used in some educational environments and getting broad acceptability.
Can you elaborate on the role of game-based lesson plans in supporting social-emotional development, and how they contribute to a more holistic learning environment?
Game-based lesson plans foster social-emotional development by creating engaging, collaborative environments. It helps students to work on teamwork, communication, and empathy as they navigate challenges together. Key factors behind game-based learning approach:
No. 1. Engagement: Games capture and hold the player's attention, making them highly motivated to learn and progress.
No 2. Experiential Learning: Playing games helps in decision-making, experiencing consequences, and learning from their actions. This experiential learning can be particularly effective for developing social-emotional skills.
No.3. Immediate Feedback: Immediate feedback allows for continuous learning and improvement.
Game-based lesson plans foster a dynamic, inclusive environment where students develop emotional resilience, interpersonal skills, and a deeper understanding of both themselves and others by incorporating play into the learning process. This contributes to a holistic learning environment that goes beyond traditional academic achievement.
As a young entrepreneur and innovator, what advice do you have for other young individuals aspiring to make a difference in the tech and education sectors?
Embrace your passion and curiosity. Identify a problem or gap in the tech or education sectors, and innovate solutions. Stay resilient; challenges are growth opportunities. Network with mentors and like-minded individuals, and continuously learn about emerging technologies. Prioritise impact over profit, focusing on positive change. Share your knowledge, collaborate, and stay humble in your journey. Strive for a balanced life, nurturing well-being alongside professional goals. Be adaptable and open to evolving ideas. Ultimately, let purpose drive your endeavours; making a difference requires a genuine commitment to improving the world through technology and education.
