Report of 4-Day Workshop on Teaching Methodology (05-08 August, 2015)
Report of 4-Day Workshop on Teaching Methodology
(05-08 August, 2015)
Organized by Centre for Research, Innovation and Training & Internal Quality Assurance Cell
The current and impending social changes require radical educational responses. It has become imperative that traditional teaching methods are evaluated and new innovative methods are used to enhance learning and to make the classroom non monotonous. Teaching approach is shifting from teacher centered to learner centered approach. Education is a vision of future and the purpose of education is considered to be that of cultivating the spirit of innovation and fostering creativity among students. The role of a teacher has to be changed from that of an instructor to an agent of learning by enhancing their teaching competencies. To address these issues a four-day workshop on “Teaching Methodology” was organized from 5th - 8th August, 2015 by Centre for Research, Innovation and Training and Internal Quality Assurance Cell, The IIS University, Jaipur with the following objectives:
- To make the faculty participants familiar and friendly with the innovative tools of teaching and learning.
- To incorporate instructional designs to promote student engagement.
- Strategies to be used to inside and outside the classroom for encouraging the culture of learning.
A brief report of the workshop is as follows:
The workshop began with the welcome note by Prof. Subhash Garg, Dean & Director, Centre for Research, Innovation and Training, The IIS University, Jaipur. He highlighted the aims and objectives of the workshop and expressed confidence that the training sessions at the workshop will help the teachers to examine the teaching strategies in a critical manner and build a foundation for creative and interesting teaching –learning strategies.
One hundred and fifty five faculty members of The IIS University, Jaipur participated in the workshop. Joint sessions were organized for Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Commerce and Management during the first two days of the workshop. On the third and fourth day two parallel sessions were organized for Faculty of Science and for Faculty of Arts& Social Sciences and Faculty of Commerce& Management.
Training Session I
The Resource Person for the session was Prof. N.D. Mathur, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur. The topic of the session was “Dynamics of Teaching”. Prof. Mathur highlighted various aspects of inclusive teaching and the role of teacher as counsellor, communicator, collaborator and as role model. He dealt at length with the pyramid of teaching which highlighted Must, Should and Could of teaching and discussed the qualities of a creative teacher. He also analyzed the problems of teaching and the hierarchical patterns in all areas of education.
Training Session II
The topic of the session was “Teaching Aids for Effective Teaching”. The Resource Person for the session was Prof. N.D. Mathur. Various aspects of effective teaching methods like case study, brain storming, group exercises, simulations, role play and use of visual aids were discussed . Group activity was also undertaken during this session which highlighted the importance of team work.
Training Session III
The third training session was on ‘Teaching, Learning Process: Challenges and Instructional Strategies’. The resource person for the session was Prof. M.C. Sharma, Director, School of Education, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi. He stressed that learner’s experience and learner’s appraisal are important aspects of teaching learning process. He explained the challenges of education in context of explosion of knowledge, increased enrolment of learners, learning society, information and communication technology and value based education. He explained various learner centric instructional strategies which included computer assisted learning, culture specific pedagogy, blended learning using ICT and programmed learning strategy.
Training Session IV
The fourth training session was on “Class-Room Management and Recent trends in Educational Evaluation”. The resource person was Prof. M.C. Sharma. The focus of this session was on management of human and non-human resources in the classroom. Prof. Sharma dealt with the principles and processes of classroom management which included clarity and competence, participation, democratic behaviour, self control and flexibility. He also discussed the purpose of internal assessment, marking and grading system and developing a question bank. He drew attention to the features of good evaluation as validity, reliability and objectivity. The session was then opened for discussion with the participants. The discussion revolved around problems of management of large number of students and assessment.
Parallel Training Sessions V (A)&VI (B)
This session was for the Faculty of Commerce & Management and Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences. The topic of the session was “Case Study Method of Teaching”. The resource person for the session was Dr. Ashwini Kumar, J.K. Lakshmipat Singhania University, Jaipur. He introduced case study method as a form of instructor guided, discussion based learning. He also described various stages of case analysis.
Group activity was undertaken during which the participants were divided into ten groups. Each group was given a case for SWOT analysis which was continued in the next session. The group representatives were asked to present their SWOT analysis. The analysis was then refined by the resource person and linked to theoretical aspects. Overall it was a good learning and educative experience for the participants.
Parallel Training Sessions V (B) &VI(B)
This session was organized for the Faculty of Science keeping in mind their specific needs of teaching learning strategies. The resource person for both the sessions was Prof. Ravi Prakash, M.D. University, Rohtak. The topic for the sessions was “True education and Milestones for Success”. He discussed about learning experiences from nature and about various parameters of success.
Parallel Training Session VII (A)& VIII(A)
This was a joint session for Faculty of Commerce and management and Arts & Social Sciences. The resource person for the session was Prof. Sanket Viz, BPS Women’s University, Sonepat. The topic of the session was ‘Applied Research as an Effective tool to enhance Class-Room Teaching- learning Process’. He discussed the use of applied research in teaching-learning strategies. This session was based on group activity. The participants were divided into 12 interdisciplinary groups. The groups were asked to choose a topic of their choice from the list supplied by the resource person. The groups were then asked to prepare a questionnaire based on their topic. This activity was continued in the next session. The questionnaires framed by different groups were then distributed among the participants. The filled questionnaires were discussed by the resource person. He enlightened the participants on various techniques of framing a good questionnaire and anlaysis of data. The participants enthusiastically participated in the group activity.
Parallel Training Sessions VII (B) & VIII(B)
The resource for the sessions was Prof. Ravi Prakash. The topic of the session was ‘Biological Organization”. He discussed about system biology, interaction at ecosystem level which include predation and competition. Further, Hardy Weinberg’s law and its application for human health was illustrated. Prof. Prakash also stressed the importance of reading books for enhancement of knowledge.
The workshop on teaching methodology was an enriching experience and enhanced the understanding of various teaching learning strategies and also innovative methods of teaching. The workshop succeeded in bringing to light the latest trends in the teaching learning process which will prove to be enriching for the faculty in the times to come.
