A UGC panel is drafting blended learning guidelines. Colleges and colleges will be required to teach 40% of their courses online
The draught definition note on blended teaching and learning has been published by the University Grants Commission (UGC). On May 9, 2020, the commission agreed that colleges and universities should be able to teach up to 40% of each course’s syllabus online and the remaining 60% in a traditional classroom environment. “The UGC had agreed that HEIs should be permitted to teach up to 40% of each course via online mode, and the remaining 60% of the concerned courses can be taught in offline mode,” said Rajnish Jain, secretary of the UGC, in a statement. Exams for teaching can be taken online in both modes.”
“The UGC formed an expert committee to prepare a concept note on the blended mode of teaching,” Jain continued. The draught design note is available for stakeholder comments/suggestions, which should be submitted to UGC at [email protected] by June 6, 2021.” The benefits of blended learning for students, according to the draught, include enhanced learning skills, greater access to knowledge, improved satisfaction and learning outcomes, and opportunities to both learn with and teach others.
In discussing the benefits of blended learning for students as COVID-19 spreads throughout the world, the draught indicated that it would not only improve students’ learning skills but also provide them with greater access to knowledge. Blended learning strategies would result in “improved satisfaction and learning outcomes, as well as opportunities both to learn with others and to educate others,” according to the draught. “The UGC had agreed that HEIs should be allowed to teach up to 40% of each course via online mode, and the remaining 60% of the concerned courses can be taught offline mode,” said UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain. Exams for teaching in both modes are possible.
The panel agrees that blended learning can make multiple forms of learning more acceptable, including face-to-face, online, and distance or virtual learning. The UGC’s draught on blended learning proposed the following:
1. Blended learning refers to a well-planned mixture of practical activities in both online and face-to-face modes, rather than a simple mix of online and face-to-face modes.
2.The combination necessitates the consideration of a number of variables, the most important of which are learning outcomes and a learner-centered instructional setting.
3. “Given the advent of digital technologies and the evolving value of exploiting technology for teaching-learning at all levels from school to higher education,” the definition prepared in line with the current National Education Policy (NEP) suggests.
4. Although the NEP-2020 promotes digital learning and education, it also recognises the value of face-to-face in-person learning.
5. According to the press release, various successful blended learning models will be established for adequate replication in various subjects.
Not only would the blended learning mode benefit students, but it will also benefit teachers. “The teacher’s position in blended learning changes from information provider to coach and mentor. This change does not imply that teachers are less involved or significant in their students’ education “According to the note. “On the opposite, with blended learning, teachers may have a far greater impact and influence on students’ learning,” the report continued.
