Lockdown has given students opportunity to get education from alternative and interactive methods, says MIT ADT faculty

In a conversation with Shiksha.com, the experts at Institute of Design, MIT ADTU talk in detail about their online curriculum during the country-wide lockdown due to COVID-19 outbreak. They talk in detail about how the University is providing education, conducting exams and evaluating them, all online.

Here is the edited excerpt of the conversation:

Q: How has today’s scenario of lockdown and global pandemic impacted your education system?

A: Like the other sectors, the education sector has also suffered because of the country-wide lockdown and the spread of global pandemic of COVID-19. Even before the lockdown was declared, we asked our faculty members and students to stay at home till the time situation comes under control. We were planning to start delivering lectures online. As soon as the lockdown was declared, we immediately stepped into the virtual classrooms. The faculty members started preparing the course material and began to deliver lectures online. We have our in-house ERP system which the faculty members are now using to deliver lectures online in safe mode.

All this was possible, because of our proactive approach. The main idea behind this initiative was not to let students suffer any academic loss.

Q: What are some of the interesting initiatives your institute has taken to make it easy for your students and also contribute to eradication of this pandemic?

A: Well, talking about the interesting initiatives, I believe we are ahead of other institutes and universities. Since day one, we have partnered with TCS ERP system and most of our curriculum-related activities were performed on the same platform. So, it was not difficult for us to move to the e-learning platform. We are using ERP for almost all activities in the current time such as for communicating with students, sending time-tables, delivery of course curriculum, syllabus, attendance, monitoring and assignments.

All of the faculty members are constantly in touch with the students. Respective class teachers have been communicating the updates regarding lectures, other important messages to the students and their parents 

Q: How is the institute planning to conduct exams, evaluate and declare result online?

A: This time we have prepared exam papers in the form for Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) so there is no challenge in writing the exam. The same has been uploaded on portal and will be made available to students on respective exam dates. Apart from this, we are using case study discussion, simulations and viva to evaluate the performance of students. All the tests are conducted through various video conferencing platforms.

Q: How are students responding to new initiatives?

A: Students are not facing any challenges because we have been continuously using ERP system in our University. Online education has been a part of this journey.

In the initial days of lockdown, we informed our students about the curriculum shifting online. We had to make certain arrangements in context to teaching-learning method. Students were enthusiastic and very supportive for this type of initiative.

Q: What impact will it have on students’ interpersonal, team management skills?

A: Students’ development and interpersonal skills have been a part of the course. They are required to undergo various type of training, certifications and corporate grooming sessions. Before the lockdown, all of them have completed almost 70 per cent of their training. Rest will be facilitated by experts through online sessions. We would ensure that these trainings are as impactful as physical classroom sessions.

Q: What are the best practices that the college is adopting to ensure seamless online learning?

A: We are MIT Art, Design and Technology University. We have tie-ups with various open educational resource platform. A lot of e-resources are freely available to students in the current pandemic situation so they can learn and practice new skills and add value to their profile.

We are also in the process of conducting webinars and career leadership sessions for students. As per the latest guidelines from UGC, it is mandatory for students to undergo online courses to secure 20 credits.

Q: How will today’s situation revolutionise online learning in India and abroad?
A: Digital learning has been included in education systems a few years back and got a tremendously positive response from the students. It helps students to strengthen their skills and knowledge. Education steps out of the barriers. The interactive technique generates interest in learning. There will be no more walls between the teacher and the student. This lockdown has given us the opportunity to extensively use these digital learning tools. Students are able to get proper education from alternative and interactive methods.
Their curriculum is web-based, which means that the process of learning is done through different electronic devices, digital tools, apps, and platforms. We help our teachers and students use formative assessment to elicit evidence of student learning such as Google Classroom, Digital whiteboard, TED-Ed and TCS ION digital learning portal. I think this revolutionises the entire education system.