CBSE Class 8 and Class 9 Syllabus Demystified

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is the apex body for school education in India that has recently introduced AI (Artificial Intelligence) & Python in the curriculum. This move comes after the introduction of AI & Python languages for schools in developed countries like the USA, Russia & China and the growing demand for computer language learning.

Let us understand this introduction of AI in the school curriculum by the help of Class IX Syllabus. The syllabus clearly outlines the roadmap towards the theoretical & practical learning of AI.

The objective of this syllabus speaks more about developing the readiness to understand and appreciate AI and its application in our lives. The objective gives a strong message about the use of AI in our daily lives, and how is CBSE planning for its readiness.

This curriculum will focus on:

• Introductory trailer to the world of Artificial Intelligence via different modes such as games, hands-on activities, and module-based learnings, and
• Covering 3 different domains of Artificial Intelligence, keeping in mind the age appropriate manner which are Data, Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing.

Distribution of Course in Theoretical learning & Practical learning

CBSE has very strategically planned the course of AI towards active learning. It not only includes theoretical session but practical learning classes as well. The entire course duration is for 112 Hours. In 168 periods, this duration will cover the objective of this curriculum.

The summation of 112 hours in categorised under

• Introduction to AI,

• AI project life cycle,

• Neural networks and

• Introduction to Python.

Now, when we analyze the data provided to us in the course curriculum, we see that

• 70 hours is devoted to the learning of Python, which is approximately 65% of the entire duration of course,
  • 26 hours devoted for AI project life cycle,
  • 12 hours for Introduction and
  • 04 hours on Neural Networks.

Credit CBSE Syllabus

So, CBSE has given the students enough of time distribution towards the learning of the elements of programming & theoretical knowledge of AI. Or one could analyze this as:

•65% of time is dedicated towards coding or programming, which is an approach towards the development of problem-solving skills,
•20% of time is distributed towards team building activities & interactive part,
•10% of the time is dedicated to the history & jargons of AI and
•5% of the time is devoted to advanced learning by the introduction of Neural Networks.

Details about the curriculum

Curriculum lays a lot of emphasise on activity-based learning by interactive participation of students and engaging them towards the various modules of AI. The following activities are planned:

• Rock Paper Scissors Game and Treasure hunt — To give hands — on experience in computer vision,
• Mystery animal — To give hands — on experience on Natural Language Processing,
• Hands — on forward propagation game : To provide an understanding of neural networks,
• Go Goals Snake and ladder game — provides sustainable development awareness
• Practical Python provides basic commands understanding.

You can view the entire syllabus here

Theoretical Session includes

Introduction to AI, AI Quiz, Understanding today’s application running on AI, Getting familiar with startups using AI, AI Ethics, AI Sustainable goals, Introduction to Smart School, Smart City and Smart Home concepts, AI Life cycle problem scoping, AI Life cycle Data Acquisition, AI Life cycle Data Exploration, AI Life cycle Modelling Evaluation, Introduction to Neural networks and Explaining relation between our brain neural network and AI neural network.

Python Programming Syllabus

• Variables,
• Arithmetic operators,
• Expressions,
• Data Types — integers,
• Floats,
• Strings,
• Using print() and input() functions and
• Lists.

Video Sessions: Covering the concepts of Smart cities, smart homes, AI ethics, interactive story writing, story narration, sustainable development goals, Balloon debated.

Research Work: Theme base case studies, project work: AI Projects

CBSE aims to provide such a dynamic course curriculum, which provides the outcomes as discussed above. This outcome will create future leaders and flag bearers in the field of Information & Technology.

We have discussed AI in our previous articles and it clearly shows that the formal introduction of AI in the school curriculum is an advanced move.

I have met many school principals and teachers who are eager to introduce AI to students. The challenge is how to ensure a complex concept such as AI can be simplified to teach 14–15 year old students.

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Learn AI and programming mapped to CBSE 8th and 9th Grade Syllabus via givemefive.ai

We conduct short duration free teacher training on AI and Python mapped to CBSE syllabus. If you would like to register your interest, you can write to us at hello@givemefive.ai.

If you are a school teacher and would like to know more about CBSE AI , Python and programming curriculum, write to me at ramya.b@givemefive.in.