Innovations in Teaching and Learning

Education is a light that shows the mankind the right direction to surge. The purpose of education is not just making a student literate but adds rationale thinking, knowledge ability and self sufficiency. When there is a willingness to change, there is hope for progress in any field. Creativity can be developed and innovation benefits both students and teachers.

If education fails to inculcate self-discipline and commitment to achieve in the minds of student, it is not their fault. We have to convert education into a sport and learning process has to generate interest in the students and motivate them to stay back in the institution than to run away from it. Education should become a fun and thrill to them rather than burden and boredom. It is an integral part of their growth and helps them.

Innovations In Teaching And Learning By The Faculty

• Innovations in Use of Information & Communication Technologies (ICT)
• Innovations in instructional delivery and methods
• Innovations in Assessment
• Innovations in Evaluation

Innovations in Use of ICT

• Every classroom is provided with LCD projector, computer with LAN and internet connection. The faculty member can use black board, LCD projector judiciously during the lecture delivery. The faculty member can access the database of digital library from the classroom which consists of course material, Recorded video lectures and animations. Faculty and Students can access the journal resources also from the classroom
• The student can access the server of the digital library from home also with the help of URL link provided in the college website
• A database of quiz questions for all subjects is created for conducting online quiz tests to the students. Important Faculty video lectures are recorded and webcasted .The list of recorded video lectures available is kept in the website for offline access also

Innovations in Instructional Delivery and Methods

• A long with chalk and talk the faculty members teaching subjects like engineering drawing practice, machine drawing and production drawing use specific software for better visualization of the drawings
• Faculty members prepared working models which can be carried into classroom and demonstrate the working in an effective manner to the students
• Concept oriented activities are planned in the classroom with the participation of the students

Innovations in Assessment

• An assessment web link is provided to the students and faculty for giving feedback on the ongoing lecture sessions. The student gives feedback on day to day basis about the ongoing subject wise lecture sessions. This feedback will enable the faculty to know the effectiveness of his teaching on day to day lecture basis and helps to improve his performance
• Special Assessment software is designed and implemented to collect the attainment levels of course outcomes and program outcomes on frequent basis
• Alumni survey, Employer survey etc… are conducted through online

Innovations in Evaluation

• Self Evaluation by the students is carried out under the faculty supervision. The students are divided into groups. Different home assignments are given to different student groups. One of the group members shall evaluate the remaining members’ assignments and including himself. The evaluation within the group is carried out on rotation basis. The evaluated assignments are submitted to the faculty for scrutiny and feedback

The traditional or innovative methods of teaching are critically examined, evaluated and some modifications in the delivery of knowledge is suggested. As such, the strengths and weaknesses of each teaching methodology are identified and probable modifications that can be included in traditional methods are suggested.

Traditional Teaching Method – An Evaluation

In the pre-technology education context, the teacher is the sender or the source, the educational material is the information or message, and the student is the receiver of the information. In terms of the delivery medium, the educator can deliver the message via the “chalk-and- talk method and it is a popular technique, which has been used for decades as an educational strategy in all institutions of learning. the teacher delivers the lecture content and the students listen to the lecture. It has been found in most universities by many teachers and students that the conventional lecture approach in classroom is of limited effectiveness in both teaching and learning. In such a lecture students assume a purely passive role and their concentration fades off after 15-20 minutes.

Some limitations which may prevail in traditional teaching method are:

• Teaching in classroom using chalk and talk is “one way flow” of information
• Teachers often continuously talk for an hour without knowing students response and feedback
• The material presented is only based on lecturer notes and textbooks
• Teaching and learning are concentrated on “plug and play” method rather than practical aspects
• The handwriting of the lecturer decides the fate of the subject
• There is insufficient interaction with students in classroom
• More emphasis has been given on theory without any practical and real life time situations
• Learning from memorization but not understanding
• Marks rather than result oriented

Innovations by the Faculty in Teaching and Learning