Sugata Mitra

Date of Birth: February 12, 1952

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Biography

Sugata Mitra is an acclaimed Indian educator and computer scientist best known for his innovative approach to learning and education. Born and raised in Kolkata, India, Mitra gained global recognition for his “Hole in the Wall” experiment, which demonstrated that children could teach themselves how to use computers and access the Internet with minimal adult supervision. This groundbreaking research was a precursor to the concept of minimally invasive education. Mitra’s work has been influential in shaping modern educational theories and practices, particularly in the context of digital and self-organized learning environments. Mitra completed his Ph.D. in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. Over his career, he has held various academic positions, including Professor of Educational Technology at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. His research interests span cognitive science, educational technology, and pedagogical innovations. Mitra has published numerous papers and books, contributing significantly to the discourse on education in the digital age. He has received several awards and honors for his contributions to education, including the TED Prize in 2013. Mitra’s TED Talk titled “Build a School in the Cloud” has inspired educators and policymakers around the world to rethink traditional educational models and explore new, student-centered approaches.

5 Interesting Facts about Sugata Mitra

1. Sugata Mitra’s “Hole in the Wall” experiment inspired the book and subsequent movie “Slumdog Millionaire.”

2. He coined the term “Self-Organized Learning Environment” (SOLE) to describe a learning method where children can learn by themselves with the help of the Internet.

3. Mitra has been a visiting professor at several prestigious institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab.

4. He was awarded the $1 million TED Prize in 2013 to help build his vision of a “School in the Cloud.”

5. Mitra’s work has been used to improve education in remote and underprivileged areas across the globe.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sugata Mitra

1. “Children will learn to do what they want to learn to do.”

2. “Education is a self-organizing system, where learning is an emergent phenomenon.”

3. “If children have interest, then education happens.”

4. “The best teachers are not the ones with the most knowledge but the ones who create the most opportunities for learning.”

5. “We need to prepare our children for their future, not our past.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While Sugata Mitra’s exact net worth is not publicly documented, his highest net worth is estimated to be in the range of $1 million to $5 million, attributed to his academic positions, speaking engagements, and awards such as the TED Prize.