Prof. R. Sree Raja Kumar Discusses Innovative Teaching Methods at Sharda School of Nursing Science and Research

In an exclusive interview with Shiksha.com, Prof.R.Sree Raja Kumar, Associate Dean, Sharda School of Nursing Science and Research talks about different teaching methodologies adopted by the institute to improve the quality of education. Sharda's innovative teaching methods set us apart from others by incorporating multimedia tools, role-playing, flipped classrooms, project-based learning, and dynamic classroom interactions.

Prof. R. Sree Raja Kumar currently working as an Associate Dean Cum Professor of Community Health Nursing in Sharda School of Nursing Science and Research Sharda University. He has completed UG & PG under Rajiv Gandhi University of health Sciences and Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, has more 18 years of teaching and administrative experience in reputed universities across India. He has published 30 research papers in reputed journal including Scopus indexed journals as well he gas published 8 books and 2 patents to his credit.

Q1. What is the difference between the teaching methodology in your institution and others?

Education is essential for the formation of skilled labor force. Our society’s capability to flourish depends upon the educational system it follows. It is responsible for creating human capital to propel technical innovation and economic progress of the country. Our university have introduced and constantly experimented with teaching methods. A lot of research is carried out in this field by our institution. However, in order to make the teaching material engaging and inspiring for the students creative teaching techniques are implemented in order to improve the quality of education.

Innovative teaching method utilized by our institution

Application of multimedia tools

Our educators use various digital media formats including texts, photos, audios as well as videos to teach students. This method of information has been proved to be very informative and highly successful.  Multi media technologies include PowerPoint presentations, instructional videos, YouTube informative videos, board casts by Gyan darshan, video lectures, MOOCs, SWAYAM courses etc.

Role playing

This is an excellent tool for engaging students and also allow them to interact with their peers while completing the assigned tasks. Various disease conditions, signs and symptoms are discussed with the help of this teaching pedagogy. Role playing is effectively used in our institution to improve the understanding and promote learning among students.

Flipped class room

Another technique used by our educators is flipped classroom where the content is flipped. Before the class begins the students are instructed to go through the content shared via pdf, videos etc. Student students can browse and review texts, videos, or online lectures as a means of obtaining educational material and instructional content at their own convenience.

Project based learning

In our institution the students are given various projects based on the content as per INC. Group projects are shared as per need of the community and patient requirement in clinical settings. Also, to enhance creativity among students as well learning about various growth and development age group. Toy making, model making is done every year. The student learns about various age appropriate toys for children and functioning of organ system in our body when it is made by hands.

Classroom dynamics

Teacher interactions influences the collaborative learning among students.

Assessment methods

Formative as well summative assessment is done frequently to evaluate learning. This includes presentations, practical, quizzes, discussions etc.

Q2. How are you preparing your students to be industry-ready?

We are developing confident nurses that speaks for patient advocacy and rights. Main focus is on clinical skills development to provide complex patient care which is highest priority in nursing. Students are adequately prepared to be future leader in healthcare industry. In our institution we have world class skill lab where the students learn about new and updated skills required to practice in clinical area. We plan workshops and training frequently for our students to keep them abreast with latest technology.

Students are provided with research opportunities to promote initiatives across healthcare industry to encourage students with scientific inquiry and technological innovation. Funding is provided to students to encourage research and innovation culture for supporting research projects.

Here in Sharda University, we not only support our students but give them knowledge and skills to work in complex and ever changing healthcare industry. We groom them as beginning practioners to make them learn and continues to grow. Students receives experience from various departments of 1200 plus bedded super specialty hospital equipped with all latest technology.

By offering mentorship programme students are provided with family like support to deal with ups and down in student life. It provides academic support services like tutoring, guidance, counselling in their student journey.

Q3. What Quality do your students have that other college students lack?

Our students are fluent in communication and critical thinking skills. Critical thinking not only help in analyzing complex situation but also taking well informed decisions to solve problems effectively.  Frequent feedback is collected from the students. Institutional Research is promoted which not only improves critical thinking but also analytical skills of students. Student to teacher ratio in clinical are 1:10 for efficient education.

We follow standardized testing scheme where formative evaluation takes place throughout the year.  Tracking of progress of each student can be assessed through the university portal that is user friendly. Apart from technical skills, Soft skills training is also provided to the final year students to make them ready for working in healthcare industry in terms of teamwork, problems solving and critical thinking. These traits are valued by employers across the healthcare sector.

Apart from that our students have cultural competence in Sharda University. Nursing student should recognize and respect cultural diversity among patients. They should provide culturally sensitive care and also understand how cultural beliefs and practices influence health outcomes. Here with the tag line of “World is here where are you?” we have students from across 95 plus countries enrolled in nursing as well as other courses, students while studying together they learn cooperation, collaboration and teamwork. Having friends from different cultural makes them more sensitive towards issues and diversity in cultures.

Various certification programmes are implemented to enhance student’s competitiveness in job market as well as demonstrating readiness to take up a responsible designation.

Q4. Do you think the curriculum of the courses taught in your institute fits in the requirement of the industry?

The quality of education that is followed in our institution tremendously follows the updated curriculum that is passed by INC. The curriculum that is relevant to the ever changing technology oriented life today. Additionally, value added courses are incorporated such as transgender health, adolescent health, scientific skills in healthcare research etc. on top of curriculum to have overall development of students. Other education technologies utilized as per requirements are brain storming, group discussion, teacher interaction are provided to the students.

Emerging trends, technologies are implemented in our curriculum to strive for knowledge and skills imparting to the student. A special committee is designed like academic cell comprising of highly knowledgeable professors to provide insight and skills for graduate nurses. Constant feedback helps in customizing the curriculum to better meet the industry expectation.

Q5. Is your college receptive to innovation, Technology, Science and Entrepreneurship?

We have digital classroom where the lectures, simulations, virtual labs as well as multimedia tools are recorded, contents are uploaded in learning management systems (LMS) that helps in solving the doubts of students at their convenience. This is an excellent practice of our institution where the students have access to multiple resources on internet, tests, quizzes, question banks as well as previous year question papers for reference.

To promote innovation based eco system in campus there is a specialized division institutional innovative committee to promote innovation among students. Periodic workshop, seminars as well as interactive sessions are planned with entrepreneurs, professionals to create a knowledge pool for budding entrepreneurs to grow. Mini hackathons are organized to encourage the mindset for innovation and creative thinking among students. Faculties encourage students to come up with new ideas through brain storming sessions to have a healthy start up environment and entrepreneurship.  

Visits are organized for industry connect progarmme in sewage plant, water purification plant as well as mother dairy unit to understand the complications faced by employees.  These visits are planned for networking opportunities to access funding sources for student’s startups.

Our institution has a state of art technology that support students interest with new ventures.  Incubation hubs and start up incubators are implemented in our institution to foster creativity, collaboration and entrepreneurship among students. Additionally, STEM education is promoted (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) by our institutions to provide educational initiatives by offering scholarships.