Principal Secretary to Govt. Higher Education Department, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon’s painstaking efforts in reviving EDUSAT are commendable. An ISRO innovation, it is the first dedicated educational satellite based two-way communication to having overwhelming and far-reaching potential in transforming education. After all, only an impudent fool will rule out the essence and role of virtual classroom –cum- video conference technology like this. But, a judicious tinge is needed to unleash its full potential. And efforts fructify if work is done with reference to the context. Its role and scope in the form of supplementary classes for UG students is somewhat abridged now given the fact that faculty strength has doubled within a span of 2 years – from around 1500 to 3000, it is asking for a definite and definitive revamp in its promotion and projection. It would be much in the interest of things if it is put to use not only in supplementing but also complementing the learning process. Short-term distance learning programmes and faculty development programmes are some of the domains to put it in use for also. Notwithstanding its scope, we are in the fourth industrial revolution and technological possibilities in education have mushroomed over the years. An ingenious idea, much has come to the surface since EDUSAT launch in 2004.
Our poor students are fighting hard. It is high time that our educationists and above all administrators come up with a target-oriented plan to compensate for the academic-activity loss due to prevailing turmoil. Surely, the list of technological possibilities in education is long, if not endless.
Starting with, synergy between EDUSAT and SWAYAM PRABHA will be an amazing ed-tech combo. SWAYAM PRABHA is a group of 32 MHRD free-to-air DTH Educational Channels available on 24X7 basis. Every day there is new content for at least 4 hours which is repeated 4/5 times in a day, allowing the students to choose the time of their convenience. The contents are provided by NPTEL, IITs, UGC, CEC, IGNOU, NCERT and NIOS. The group includes 4 dedicated channels (Numbers, 18,19,20,21) for IIT-JEE aspirants. All we need to have is a dish antenna (any brand) with a FTA set top box, the service is commonly known as DD Free Dish. The 32 channels are available on Dish TV also – so far the only private DTH service provider to do so. In the 17 point action plan of National Convention on Digital Initiatives for Higher Education, it is one of the main points. The action plan contents read, “Every VC may instruct buying of the DD Free Dish from the market (costs about Rs. 1400 one-time cost only) and configure these channels in their office first; and later install in as many class-rooms as possible. Mandate other affiliated colleges: The same message may be given to all the affiliated institutions for setting up these channels and operationalising them immediately. Orient the teachers: VCs may hold orientation sessions for all the teachers so that they see and use these channels while teaching their courses.” Thanks to the worthy principal, this facility is operational at AAA Memorial Degree College, Bemina. As per MHRD directions, among other points it was to be achieved by all the Vice Chancellors by Dec 2017.
MOOC is another popular technology-enhanced intervention in learning. An open course (MOOC) is an online course aimed at massive participation and open access. Courses delivered through popular MOOCs like MIT open courseware, NPTEL, SWAYAM are available free of cost to the learners, however those wanting certifications shall be registered, and are offered a certificate on successful completion of the course, with a nominal fee. At the end of each course, there is an assessment of the student through online, invigilated examination and the marks/grades secured in this exam could be transferred to the academic record of the students. UGC has already issued the UGC Regulation 2016 advising the Universities to identify courses where credits can be transferred on to the academic record of the students for courses done on SWAYAM. Among other objectives, it is aimed to improve Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), to 30% by 2020. Cluster University Srinagar endorses MOOCs. Let us hope for the implementation and active engagement of constituent colleges in letter and in spirit.
Furthermore, Blended Learning Model such as Flipped Classroom beckons sure ROIs. Flipped classroom is an instructional strategy that flips the traditional learning experiences by delivering the content – that can be a recorded-lecture, Ppt, external online-resource etc.- electronically outside of the classroom ,and moving activities considered traditionally as homework into the classroom .Students view and review the e-content at their convenience and come prepared to participate in instructor–guided learning activities there by bringing in more of individualization, discussion, quizzes in teaching-learning process.
Ponder! How can technology help vis-à-vis opportunities and challenges in higher education with special reference to our conflict zone? Why make things complex while living on a volcano? Fighting disturbances, bandhs, and restrictions with technology can be tried out as politics, policing, pellets have so far brought nothing but frustration and fiasco. No need to set precedents by attendance shortage policies, let us bring colleges to home by providing teaching-learning experiences augmented with technology. Not only financial aids but Providing free low-cost tablets e.g; Akash, Free Dish Set-up for accessing educational channels, free internet connections, free access to digital libraries is also the need of the hour. To give teeth to Blended Learning Model, Govt. should mandate use of BSNL Broadband for teachers if it is not politically feasible for it to disturb the prevailing policy of internet curbs in times of turmoil and tension.
Need is to walkthrough the mission documents of robust missions like NMEICT.Need is to have an eagle eye in form of a reliable MIS in place across the hierarchies in the Higher Education Department. Need is to wake up now and follow a crisp programme aiming at providing education based on the principles of access, equity and quality. Targeting the bull’s eye without knowing the mission, vision and objectives of Higher Education is bound to recoil and fail.
Hope sustains life. Let us hope. We shall overcome one day.
Author is Assistant Professor,
AAA Memorial Degree College, Bemina
aufaq.zargar@gmail.com