The Mysore campus of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham offers degree programs in B.Ed., B.B.M., B.Com., B.C.A., M.C.A. and M.Sc. (Computer Science).
The use of computers is an integral part of many of these programs, especially those offered by the Department of Computer Science viz. B.C.A. (Bachelor of Computer Applications), M.C.A. (Master of Computer Applications) and M.Sc. (Computer Science).
Both these Departments are part of the School of Arts and Sciences on campus. The School of Education that offers B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education) training, is now beginning to also feel the need for a greater use of computers in its pedagogy.
Accordingly, a workshop was recently organized for all teachers on the Mysore campus who wanted to enhance their technical skills.
Twenty-two members of faculty participated; they represented both the Amrita School of Arts and Sciences and the Amrita School of Education.
“The primary objective of the program was not only to enhance the technical knowledge of the faculty but also facilitate interaction among faculty members from different department,” stated Br. Sunil, Director, Mysore campus.
Titled, Use of Technology in Pedagogy, the workshop was conducted by Mr. Vikram Kuntar, of the Intel Teach Program.
CDs and books containing information on the topic were distributed to all participants.
Technology tools and strategies were introduced that teachers could use to enhance learning. Hands-on exercises over the four-day workshop led the teachers through the entire process of creating course plans and multimedia teaching material.
“I learnt how to create brochures and ‘giff’ animation,” shared Lekshmi V., Lecturer of Computer Science.
“Learning about web tools to create our own websites and presentation material was very useful,” said Divya Aravindan, a new faculty member in the Computer Science department.
Prof. Susheela Sheshadri, Principal of the Amrita School of Education felt that the workshop was very useful.
“The importance of enhancing our knowledge of technology to face the modern day’s teaching challenges cannot be overemphasized,” she stated. “The workshop has helped rejuvenate our faculty.”
February 13, 2011 Mysore Campus
