IIT, Bombay remote center of G. H. Raisoni Institute of Engineering and Technology, Pune has organized Faculty Development Program (FDP) on “Use of ICT (Information & Communications Technology) in Education for Online and Blended Learning”. The FDP is approved by AICTE and partially funded by SAP CSR activities. The course is very useful for Teaching-Learning and it offers opportunity to know applications of ICT in Engineering Education. Total 80 faculties have registered for workshop.

ICT (information and communications technology - or technologies) is a term that includes any communication device or application, encompassing: radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing and distance learning. ICTs are often spoken of in a particular context, such as ICTs in education, health care, or libraries.

On this occasion Prof. N.B. Hulle, Remote Center Coordinator said, “FDP consists of online educational methodology, and flipped-classrooms with associated pedagogy of active learning, have quickly emerged as the mainstay of effective education in this century. However most of our teachers lack skills and competencies for proper and effective use of ICT in education. It is thus an urgent national requirement that all our teachers, at least those teaching in our professional colleges, are powered to use technology effectively, to enhance the quality of education.

While talking about this initiative Dr. R.D. Kharadkar, Principal G.H. Raisoni Institute of Engineering & Technology said, “Empowering teachers with technology to enhance quality of education is very important and to meet this requirement we are proud to announce that our college has enthusiastically involved in the National Mission on Education through Information Communications Technology (NMEICT) by organizing a specially designed four week FDP in association with IIT Bombay.

He further said, “This FDP is designed as a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), with some face-to face sessions at Remote Center. The FDP focus is on new technologies and various tools are also introduced to further enhance the educational experience.

About IIT Bombay Remote Centers

An important initiative has been taken by IIT Bombay to work with Engineering Colleges in the country to enhance the teaching skills of faculty colleagues in core Engineering and Science subjects, under the project, “Empowerment of Students/Teachers through Synchronous & Asynchronous Instruction.” This initiative is a part of the National Mission on Education through ICT, supported by MHRD.

Under this project, IIT Bombay conducts two-week ISTE workshops through a blended mode of engagement. This approach envisages setting up Remote Centers across the county. About 30 to 40 participants come to a Remote Center assigned to them. Using a number of such remote centers, a large number of teachers can participate in these workshops. Operating virtual class-room technology, lectures are transmitted live from IIT to all remote centers. Lab and tutorial sessions are conducted locally at each remote center. In this fashion, some 1000 teachers can benefit from each workshop, conducted at 30 odd remote centers.