The Two Day National Seminar sponsored by NAAC and co-sponsored by Guru Angad Dev Teaching Learning Centre of MHRD

The Two Day National Seminar sponsored by NAAC and co-sponsored by Guru Angad Dev Teaching Learning Centre of MHRD, Govt. of India on “Quality Sustenance and Enhancement in Teaching Learning Evaluation in Higher Education Institutions: Concerns in A Digital Age.” was held in Ganesh Daivajna Auditorium, Shree Damodar Educational Campus on 11^th and 12^th January 2019. The inaugural session of the National Seminar started at 9:45 am. The welcome address was delivered by C.A. Sheela H.N.Gaunekar, President of VVM. The overview of the seminar was presented by Associate Professor,  Dr. Shami Pai, Convenor of the National Seminar. Dr. Pai explained the importance of the theme of the National Seminar and highlighted the objectives of the seminar. The Chief Guest for the inaugural session Prof. R.K. Kamat was introduced by Associate Professor, Dr. Lina Sadekar.

Prof. Kamat in his address presented an overview of the revised assessment and accreditation process. He outlined the evolution of the higher education system, the two decades of pioneering experience, reform process and its key features. He explained the importance of ICT as an important ingredient in terms of  access, equity, inclusion and quality. The role of NAAC, its good practices and norms, NAAC’s international alignment and recognition, features of Revised Accreditation Framework, value framework for assessments, best practices of the institution, quality indicator framework (QIF) and its components and system generated grade of HEI’s are some other important aspects that were explained by Prof. Kamat.  The papers received for  the National Seminar were released in the form of a book titled “Quality Sustenance and Enhancement in Teaching-Learning-Evaluation in Higher Education Institutions: Concerns In A Digital Age.” The vote of thanks was proposed by the Principal Dr. Prita Mallya. The inaugural session ended at 11:25 am.

The first technical Session of the seminar on the theme: Technology as a driver of future education commenced with the opening remarks by the session chairperson Dr. Rodney D’Silva. The resource person for the session was Dr. Rajesh Panda, Director, Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Bangalore.

Dr.  Panda stated that we are in a stage of massive digital transformation. The previous changes in technology did not challenge the digital rules. The major constraints of using technology in education are quality faculty, desired infrastructure and employability. He expressed that online programmes are the future of education and  online programmes require a platform, server, hosting, content designing, evaluation and investment in IT infrastructure.

He emphasized that technology has stopped being just an enabler. Technology is a catalyst for change in the way education has adapted and adopted technology. Asynchronous and synchronous learning make use of virtual reality and blended learning is an education program that combines educational material in the form of online digital media and resources. The session concluded with Dr. Panda making the audience aware of the various e-learning material available through MOOCs, Youtube, SWAYAM, etc.

The second technical session of the seminar was based on Creating MOOC’s Courses: Lessons learnt in producing ARPIT Course for SWAYAM. Ms. Sharmila Kunde, Asst. Prof. Information Technology was the Coordinator for the session. The resource person, Shri.RamraoWagh, Department of Computer Science & Technology, Goa University started the session by sharing his experience in creating the courses at Goa University. He informed that two courses namely Summer School in Data Science for NPTEI and ARPIT in Marine Science Course are created by the University. He further spoke about the various technologies used by Goa University in creating the content for these courses. He laid emphasis on ‘Active Learning’ which involves periodic assessments on continuous basis. SWAYAM is a platforms that creates opportunities for lifelong learning. He further discussed the eligibility in creating MOOC courses content, which later requires assistance of National Coordinator. He also informed about the Life Cycle in creating MOOC Course right from course proposal and approval to credit transfer to the best institute. Shri Ramrao Wagh highlighted about the issues at SWAYAM platform which needs to be resolved for the success of MOOC Courses.

He concluded the session by encouraging the faculty members to enroll and learn from such free portals as such study material can be used in the classroom to increase the knowledge of the students. He  invited the participants to collaborate with Goa University in creating E-Content and  called for active participation for a workshop on MOOCs , E-Content Development & Open Educational Resources which is scheduled from 6th to 12th February 2019.Ms. Prachi Kolamkar proposed the vote of thanks.

The last Technical Session on Day 1 was the paper presentation session. The chairperson was Dr. Sameena Faleiro, Associate Professor, Department of Science, Parvatibai Chowgule College of Arts & Science and the Session Coordinator was Dr. B.P. Sarath Chandran.  The coordinator opened the session by sharing his insights on how the need for advancement in technology and enhancement of quality in higher education has gained importance in India over the years.

Dr. Russell D’Souza presented the first paper titled “Padlets- An interactive wall to learn” in which he noted that the new generation learners possess a variety of skills which enable them to cope with active learning through flipped classroom method of teachings. He focussed on guiding the 21st Century teacher trainee to construct Padlets and examined its worth in holistic teaching and learning process. His research also investigated the difficulties faced and the perception of teacher trainees towards use of Padlets as a tool in the teaching of different subjects. Majority of teachers supported the idea of using the tool, however difficulties were faced in subjects like social sciences and languages where students need to express their ideas is what he deduced from his research. Subsequently, Mr. Ravi Kiran, presented his paper titled A study on “ICT and Higher Education in India: Teachers’ perception towards ICT” where he studied whether ICT based teaching influences the communication between teachers and students. He also explored the major hindrances for integration of ICT in teaching-learning process. The paper inferred that ICT plays a positive role in enhancing the quality and countering the shortcomings in traditional learning. Sr. Nancy Waral, presented the third and the last paper for the session which was titled “Digital Era: Awareness, Access and use of Internet by the Post Graduates of Goa University-A case study” which studied and evaluated the different dimensions in use of ICT by the PG students. The research concluded that majority of students use Internet for the purpose educational learning since Internet has become a dependable source for the students to get deep and related knowledge about their subject.

After a short discussion, the Chairperson summarised the session by giving her remarks on the paper presentations. Dr. Faleiro appreciated the idea of padlets and suggested that the teachers should adopt it as a part of their pedagogies. She also shared her insights on NAAC accreditation and grading process emphasising the idea of empowering the educators to mould the students in making them globally employable. In order to promote blended learning, Dr. Faleiro was of the opinion that induction programme should be conducted for the teachers to train them in using Bloom’s Taxonomy, ICT tools, Google classroom, Moodle, discussion forums and other pedagogies in the new teaching-learning process.

The fourth technical session of the Two day Seminar started at 9:30 am on 12th Jan 2019. The Coordinator of this session Dr. Edwin Barreto gave the opening remarks on the importance of ICT in higher education. Dr. Sheetal Arondekar introduced the resource person of the session Prof. A. K. Bakhshi, Vice Chancellor, PDM University, Haryana.

Prof. Bakhshi spoke on the topic ICT-Enabled Higher Education in India: Challenges and Opportunities.  He spoke about the present education scenario of India and its considerable growth since 1950. He expressed concern over poor International ranking and low Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER). According to him, rote learning and lack of logical and quantitative analysis are the weak points in our education system. As a result, even research is not progressing and we have not received major awards like Nobel prizes since 1930.

Other factors contributing to the poor education system are heavy and outdated syllabus, increasing gap between what is learnt and what should be learnt, focus on examination, rote learning and scoring high marks, not many challenges for the student’s mind, lack of focus on activity based learning. There is six level hierarchy in learning process and in present education we mostly test only the first 3 levels i.e. knowledge, understanding and application. Even in recruitment process the knowledge of the teacher is tested but not the pedagogy. To improve our education system the solution lies in technology. Through ICT we can generate e-content to enhance learning. There is a 4-quadrant approach to the development of e-content which are e-text, self-learning, self-assessment and suggested reading to know more. E-content development team comprises of subject experts who will develop the static content and technical members who will enrich the content with multimedia such as audio, video, animations stimulation etc.

Dr. Bakhshi discussed about the MOOCs and its structure. The basic philosophy behind MOOC is 4A’s -Anytime, anywhere, anyone and any number of times. The e-content of MOOCs  are develop by National Coordinator – NPTEL, UGC, CEC, IGNOU, CBSE/NCERT/NIOS, IIM Bangalore, NITTR Chennai. All MOOC are uploaded on Swayam portal. Most popular online e-learning sites are edx., coursera, udacity, khan academy. Dr. Bakhshi highlighted the advantages of technology in education, some of which are: Periodic revision of syllabus, Online exams, Immediate results, Cost effectiveness, Uniform marking, Self-assessment, Electronic databases. He also shared some Tips to be good teacher in the age of digitization with the audience viz. full command over the subject, Ability to come down to the level of the students, Systematic and logical thinking, Regular feedback, Net savvy. In his concluding remarks, he emphasized innovation and creativity. According to him Creativity is the pillar of innovation, and innovation is the key to any national development. Dr. Bakhshi also discussed his role in development of e-content and MOOC courses. The session ended with discussion with the participants.

Technical Session V was held from 10:45 to 12:00pm on E- Learning and MOOCs and the changing role of the teacher in Indian Higher Education. The session was initiated by the Coordinator Dr. Lira Gama, Head, Department of Economics. Dr. Vimal Rarh, Project Head and Joint Director at Guru Angad Dev Teaching Learning Centre of Ministry of Human Resource Department, Government of India was the resource person for this session. Dr. Vimal Rarh stressed on “What are the new roles the teachers have to embrace and how technology will empower the entire teaching community”. Dr. Rarh emphasized on the MOOCs movement and she stated that the success of MOOCs movement depends upon the quality of the content. She discussed how to overcome the various limitations in creating the MOOCs content. The next topic she covered was Availability of MOOCS in India, the various platforms that provide MOOCS courses like SWAYAM, Edx, and so on. The resource person also emphasized on the changing role of teachers like from traditional chalk and talk method to content developer and a facilitator of ICT. She discussed the various methods of using ICT in blended learning like use of 4 Quadrant methods and standardization of e content. The recent developments of MOOCs in India were also highlighted. She constantly focused on “How the teaching fraternity can use the e resources ethically for enhancing teaching learning and evaluation. Mandates of NRCs were also accentuated. The session ended at 12:00 pm.

The two day seminar concluded with the Valedictory Function. The President of Vidya Vikas Mandal, CA Sheela Gaunekar delivered the welcome address. Dr. Maithili Naik, Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce presented the Seminar Report that covered all the events and details which took place in all the prior technical sessions and inaugural of this seminar.  Bill Gates once said, “We all need people who will give us feedback. That’s how we improve”; in keeping with this spirit, the compere opened the floor for feedback from audience. Delegates shared their experience over two days, their takeaways, what they learnt, and other suggestions. Treasurer of VVM CA Uttam Bene, Hon. Secretary Shri Madhukar Mallya, Members Mr. Blaise Costabir, Mr. Deepak Chodankar and Mr. Vikram Verlekar graced the function.

In his Presidential address, Prof. Varun Sahni, Vice Chancellor, Goa University laid stress on adopting best ICT practices followed by leading universities across the country and worldwide. He ended his speech with a suggestion, “Try being better, rather than wanting to be the best”. Prof. A. K. Bakhshi delivered the valedictory address. He spoke about how colleges should focus on development of teachers, integration of ICT and teaching pedagogy, usage of MOOCs, undertaking ARPIT and other courses on SWAYAM portal. As he ended his address, he urged teachers to always be participative and take pride in their profession.

The Convenor of the seminar and IQAC Coordinator – Dr. Shami Pai proposed the vote of thanks.

100 teachers attended the Seminar.