Workshop on Orientation to Web 2.0 tools for effective teaching and learning” at GNDU

Amritsar, March 22 (Punjab Post Bureau) – A one week UGC Sponsored Workshop on “Orientation to Web 2.0 tools for effective teaching and learning” for school teachers, under outreach program was organised by Department of Education, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar from March 14 to 20, 2017. The primary objective of the workshop was to develop awareness of ICT tools and competencies in the teachers to handle various ICT and digital technology for designing and implementing classroom teaching. The initiative was taken under the able guidance of Prof. Amit Kauts, Head, Department of Education and Guru Nanak Dev University. While deliberating on the objective of the Workshop, he observed that Department of Education are bestowed with the responsibility of framing curriculum for Teacher Education Institutionsfor preparing quality teachers for schools. There is a need to have functional relationship with School teachers so that Faculty of the Department is oriented towards concerns and issues of School education. The organization of this workshop is one such initiative in this direction.

It is a digital world and hence one has to address to the needs of digitalization of school system for effective teaching and learning. While deliberating on this, Dr. Deepa Sikand Kauts, Associate Professor detailed out the sessions which has some orientation to theoretical construct of teaching and learning, constructivist pedagogy and usage of ICT in a constructivist environment along with lots of Hands on experiences on various applications of ICT.

Prof. Navdeep Singh Tung, Dean, Academic Affairs, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar inaugurated the workshop and stressed on the importance of conducting such workshops for the professional growthof school teachers as well as researchers. He opined that Teachers should not only master ICT skills, but should also utilize ICT skills to improve their teaching and learning to perform their role of creators of pedagogical environments effectively.

Out of 06 days of workshop, 04 days were devoted to Hands on experience on use of Google Drive including Google Docs, Forms, Sheets, Slides You Tube, Creation of You Tube channels, development of Digital Blackboards, Mind Map, Concept Map, Skype, Diigo, Audicity, Cyber Security etc.

Mr. Dinesh Gera, a computer specialist demonstrated the use and cautions of online payment and wallets. He further organised an online session with Professor Amarendra Behra from CIET, NCERT who educated participants about various ICT initiatives taken by Govt. Of Indiain India and various useful and informative educational mobile apps such as e-pathshala, SwayamPrabha, Vidya Mitra etc.

Mr. Himanshu Tiwari, Head, Project fulfilment, IL&FS, gave an introduction about Google apps and Google classroom. Adding to the Google apps knowledge, Mr. AnoopRawat, Senior Consultant, Learning Links Foundation, gave advanced hands on experience on the use of Google docs, Google sheet, Google slide, virtual classroom through skype and development of online personal library. Mr. Tarun Sharma, another expert from Learning Links Foundation, conducted sessions on cyber security and protection of computers, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access.

Prof.  R.K. Mahajan, Dean, College Development Council GNDU, Amritsar in his Valedictory Address appreciated the efforts of the Department for reaching out to the schools and for the professional development of School teachers. At the end, participants observed that the workshop was amix of the theoretical understanding of learner centred education, collaborative practices and Hands on experiences for use of online effective resources and ICT tools. The workshop was attended by 25 teachers from different schools of the Amritsar District, 25 Research Scholars and Faculty members of the Department. The workshop was coordinated by Dr. Navdeep Kaur.