Pune, 23 May 2021: While higher education across the country has been disrupted due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID19) pandemic, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has recommended higher education institutions adopt blended or mixed education methods (40% online and 60% offline).
Against the backdrop of the new education policy, the UGC has drafted guidelines for blended teaching methods through an expert committee. UGC Secretary Prof. Rajnish Jain has made these draft guidelines available on the website. The draft also provides information on open-source materials, code for online education, code for exams in proctored method, required software, minimum, and expected facilities.
The blended teaching method is not just a combination of online learning and actual learning, but a planned combination of the two methods, the guidelines state. Applied is a proposed model for blended learning. This model includes student-centered activities by finding resources for learning, providing resources to students, providing necessary assistance to students, identifying and eliminating errors in teaching and learning, and testing. Mixed learning methods are important for learning the skills needed in the 21st century and need to be carefully implemented.
Promoting consistent holistic evaluation
The new education policy recommends the use of digital technology in teaching and learning at all levels of higher education. The need to think differently for evaluation has also been expressed due to the mixed approach in teaching pedagogy. For this, universities and colleges should encourage continuous comprehensive assessment. Methods like Open Book Exam, Group Exam, Oral Exam, Demand Exam, Online Quiz can be used. During the Corona period, methods such as procuring examinees were developed through artificial intelligence during online exams. The draft also states that artificial intelligence can be used for students’ concentration, learning speed, and level.
Role of teachers is important
The role of a teacher in blended education extends from knowledge giver to trainer, mentor. Therefore, the role of teachers has been clarified to be more important, effective.
What will happen
The UGC has suggested that 60 percent of the syllabus be taught directly and 40 percent be taught online in the blended education system and comments/suggestion have been invited till June 6 on email policyfeedbackugc@gmail.com
COURTESY – PUSHKAR NEWS