The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Impact of Internet on teaching
Kulwinder Sandhu

THERE have been many technological advances in the past 30 years, during which the desktop computer and the Internet have been developed; but there have been similar inventions throughout the 20th century — film, radio, records, broadcast television, audiotape, videotape, programmed learning machines, etc. Each time enthusiasts have announced the transformation or even the end of the school/college/university.

In fact, the impact on the bulk of teaching and learning has been minimal. Developments in paper/printing technologies have had far more influence. Audio-visual media has been treated more as an icing-on-the-cake than as something at the very heart of learning and likewise their long-suffering support services (though the new media, particularly video have fared somewhat better in the development of corporate training programmes. There is a debate in the instructional design literature about whether there are any unique attributes of media that can promote improved learning.

On hiring an online graduate, employers are likely to be cautious, if not sceptical. The belief is that an online degree is an interesting exercise, but it is not going to be rewarding or valuable as a full-time traditional degree. This is partly because most employers have traditional degrees and may be reluctant to hire someone with credentials not yet established.

The single biggest advantage in online learning programmes is the interactivity they offer. One of the biggest issues facing universities wading into online learning is interactivity, both in its level and mode. Just what constitutes ‘interactivity’ is hardly clear for instructors. To some it means enabling learners and instructors to share ideas in a virtual chatroom; to others, merely posting a question on a bulletin board qualifies as interactivity.

As the cost of technology decreases, many universities are finding ways to bring the benefits of classroom into a distance-learning setting. However, distance teaching has been described as an industrialised form of education, characterised by rationalisation of process, division of labour and mass production. The new information and communication technologies can facilitate this development but only if policy makers are sensitive to opportunities, especially at the international level.

Web-based teaching and learning call for a serious reconsideration of effectiveness, especially in the light of increased demand for education and opportunities for increased student motivation by new technologies if integrated with knowledge-based design sites.

The operational infrastructure for the effective delivery of a Web-based learning programme is critical to its success yet all too often this element is overlooked or seen as incidental to the design and quality of the learning materials themselves. There are the key success factors in teaching/learning that is oriented towards students. The high quality of the Internet education process means the moulding of abilities to learn.

Other issues related to students include their psychological reactions to the new way of learning. They may have a fear of technology. Others may have low-level technology skills, though this is changing. Some students may struggle with independent learning and feel insecure with an amorphous teacher.

Change may not be easy, but is necessary, inevitable and often beneficial. Whether your students succeed or fail depends in part upon how well you leverage your full intellectual capital — and your Web-based course is taking a starring role. Also, thing about engaging students in implementing such a learning environment — share your teaching and students learning together.

The main question and concern is that: will technological study aids, from crib notes posted on the Internet to online degree programmes, enhance education? Or will Web-education supplant bricks-and-mortar classrooms and, perhaps, degrade the quality of learning and instruction?

Learning is the act or process of developing skill or knowledge. Modern, web-based learning and computing provides the means for fundamentally changing the way in which instruction is delivered to students. Multimedia learning resources combined with CD-ROMs and workbooks attempt to explore the essential concepts of a course by using the full pedagogical power of the multimedia. Many Websites have nice features such as interactive examples, animation, video, narrative and written text. These websites are designed to provide students with a “self-help” learning resource to complement traditional textbook.

Rapid technological advancement may produce problems and challenges for educational institutions when their products and services are rendered obsolete virtually within a short time-horizon. The Web-teacher who has properly learned his/her craft will have transferable skills and knowledge perfectly adaptable to the emerging technology. The benefit of having transferable knowledge in such a volatile marketplace is readily apparent.

The Internet is affecting the twin disciplines of knowledge management and content management. Knowledge management is the thinking process of converting information to useful knowledge, while content management is published information. The author of a Website must provide efficient content management and the visitor who uses a Website must have the mental ability for an effective knowledge management. The authors need to learn more about the contents along side the usability of sites.

Online education is growing too fast to track. It is predicted a widespread shortages of qualified online teachers. However, educational institutions can train and capitalise on the talent of their teachers who may have retired from traditional settings.

The rapid growth of information, coupled with the ability to exchange it more rapidly among more people than ever before is creating a new environment for education. Many universities are negotiating for their standing as the de facto source of scholarly knowledge in new environment.

Hundreds of universities of every sort have been putting some basic courses up on the Web, using sometimes pedestrian software. And students seem to think they’re okay. Community colleges and regional universities that have slowly, organically moved into the online arena — doing their old job in a new way — have succeeded where the flashy business types and big-time private schools have not.

Today, the web-based course offering continues to grow, however, much of the momentum has slowed, and realising the enormous costs of launching efficacious courses’ online. Programmes that are pedagogically sound but not fiscally so may not be endorsed by the administration because of financial strain to the organisation. Conversely, the faculty whom it represents will not endorse programme that are fiscally sound but no pedagogically sound. The main approach is to develop or maintain programmes that are pedagogically and fiscally sound.

Red Alert !!

Abroad Study

Jan 10 Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University, S3-01B-53, Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798

www.nbs.ntu.edu.sg/Programmes/Graduate/PhD/Phd.asp

PhD (5-yr)

(Actg; Fin; Mktg & Intl Bus; Eco; Info Sys & Strategy, OM; Strategy, Mgt & Orgn).

Jan 13 Singapore Management University, (in collab with Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania) Oei Tiong Ham Bldg, 469, Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 259756

www.smu.edu.sg

1) Bachelor’s in: Accountancy; Bus Mgt; Sc (Eco/Info Sys Mgt);

2) Double Degree Progs (Any 2 degs; 4-yr).

Jan 15 Singapore-MIT Alliance, E4-04-10, 4, Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576

www.sma.nus.edu.sg

Master of Sc (SM; 1-yr)

PhD (3/4-yrs)

Agriculture

Jan 14 Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni-Solan (HP)

PhD (College of Horticulture; Forestry)

Armed Forces

Jan 10 Coast Guard HQ, Director (HRD), Coast Guard Recruitment Cell, A-1, Sector-24, PB No. 127, NOIDA 201301 (UP)

Recruitment of Asst Comdts (Feb ‘03) for:

1) General Duty

2) General Duty Pilot

3) CPL Holders

4) Tech Branch

Jan 15 Indian Army, HQ Recruiting Zones (13)

Surveyor Automated Cartographer as Havildar in Corps of Engineers

Art & Design

Jan 10 Apparel Training & Design Centre (ATDC), (Sponsd by Apparel Export Promotion Council M/o Textile, GoI)

1) Dip in Apparel Manufacturing Tech (1-yr)

2) Dip in Fashion Sampling/Co-ordination (1-yr)

3) Production Supervision & Quality Control Course (6 months)

4) Pattern/Cutting Master Course (6-months)

5) Machine Mechanic Course (4 months)

6) Finishing/Packaging Supervisor Course (3 months)

7) Sewing Machine Operator Course (3 months)

8) Measurement & Quality Control Course (3 months)

9) Apparel Merchandising (3 months)

Engineering

Jan 10 IIT-Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Roorkee, BHU Varanasi & ISM Dhanbad

www.iitd.ernet.in/jee & other IIT websites JEE-2003

Info Tech

Jan 14 Symbiosis Centre for Information Technology (SCIT), Plot 15, Pune Infotech Park, Hinjawadi, Pune 411027

Tele: (020) 2934308/09

www.scit.edu

Masters Programme in Information Technology

1) IT Bus Mgt; 2) Network Tech; 3) S/w Devp; 4) MPIT O Level

Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies & Research, Senapati Bapat Rd, Pune 411004 (Mah)

Ph: (020) 5650427

Website: www.symbiosiscomputers.com

MSc (Comp Appln) / MBA (IT)

Management

Jan 14 Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007

PG Prog in Global Business Operation (2 - yr)

Jan 15 K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies & Research, Vidyanagar, Vidyavihar (E), Mumbai 400077

Ph: (022) 5106552, 5140006

www.simsr.com

PG Prog in Mgt Studies (2-yr)

Jan 15 Gitam Institute of Foreign Trade (Collab with IIFT, New Delhi), Gandhinagar Campus, Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam 530045

www.gift-india.org

MBA (Intl Bus, 2-yr)

Jan 15 Bharathidasan Institute of Management, PB No 12, BHEL Complex, Tiruchirappalli 620014 (TN)

www.bim.edu

MBA (2-yr, FT)

Jan 15 Manipur Institute of Management Studies, Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal 795003

MBA

Medicine

Wockhardt Hospital & Heart Institute, 14, Cunningham Rd, B’lore 560052

Ph: 080-2281146, 2261037

www.whhi.com

Post Basic Dip in Cardiothoracic Nursing (1-yr)

(Free accommodation + Stipend)

Jan 15 University of Delhi, F/o Medical Sciences, VP Chest Institute Bldg, 6th Floor, Delhi 110007

1) Post Doctoral Courses (DM; MCh)

2) PG Courses (MD; MS)

3) PG Dip Courses (Clinical)

4) Non Clinical Dip: (Health Admin (DHA) & Health Educn (DHE)

Jan 15 Punjab Technical University, GT Road, Jalandhar-144011

www.ptujal.com

BSc (Med Lab Tech) (3-yr)

Protective Services

Jan 15 Central Industrial Security Force, RTC, Arakkonam, PO-Suraksha CISF Camp, North Arcot Dist 631152 (TN)

Recruitment of Bandsmen

1) Head Constables (Trumpet, Clarinet)

2) Constables (Euphoniums, Slide Trombone, Tanner Sax-O-phone, Cornet, Horn).

ADMISSION DEADLINE

Agriculture

Jan 14 Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni-Solan (HP)

PhD (College of Horticulture; Forestry)

Elig: MSc in rel subj (65% or OGPA 6.5)

Appln F: Send Rs 300/- by DD favouring "Comptroller, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry" payable at State Bank of Patiala, Nauni at above add.

Armed Forces

Jan 31 Indian Army, Additional Directorate General of Recruiting (Women Entry Sec), West Block-III, R K Puram, New Delhi 110066

www.joininidanarmy.nic.in

Women Special Entry Scheme (Officers)

A) Non Technical Entry

B) Technical Entry

C) Specialist Entry

Elig & Details: Employment News (28 Dec-3 Jan ‘03) or website.

Management

Jan 15 Manipur Institute of Management Studies, Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal 795003

MBA

Elig: Bachelor’s Deg (50%)

Selectn: Scores in MAT (AIMA-CMS, 2 Feb ‘03), GD & Interview.

Appln F: Send Rs 650/- by DD favouring "MIMS" drawn on SBI (Code No. 5320) to above add.

Feb 10 Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, School of Management Studies, Kashmere Gate, Delhi 110006

http://ipu.ac.in

MBA (Comp Aided Mgt; E-Commerce; Intnl Mktg)

Elig: BE/BTech/Bachelor’s/Master’s Deg (60%).

Selectn: Entrance Test (23 Feb), GD & Interview.

Appln F: Send Rs 150/- by DD favouring "Registrar, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Kashmere Gate, Delhi 110006" with self-add env (24 x 30 cms) or download from website.

Medicine

Feb 17 Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune 411040

MBBS

Elig: Cl 12 with Eng & PCB (1st attempt, 60%) & Maths in Class 10/BSc.

Age: For Cl 12: 17-22 yr (dob: 1 Jan ‘82-31 Dec ‘86). For BSc: Below 24 yrs (on 31 Dec ‘03).

Selectn: All-India written test (4 May), Interview.

Appln F: Send Rs 155/- by DD favouring "Commandant, AFMC, Pune" payable at Pune & with your particulars & add, 2 self-add slips (9 x 5 cm) and stamped (Rs 45/-), self-add env (11" x 13") by 31 Jan. Write your name & add on reverse of DD. Also at designated HPOs. (i.e. Ch ‘grh HPO): Rs 155/- (cash).

Recruitment

Jan 17 Mumbai Port Trust, Apprentice Training Centre, Mb.P.T. Workshops, 4th Floor, Bhandar Bhavan, Clarke Bunder, Mazagaon, Mumbai 400010

Recruitment of Apprentices

(Fresh Grad/Dip holders in Mech/Elect Engg)

Elig: Bachelor’s Deg/Dip (Mech/Elect)

Appln F: Send Rs 20/- by crossed IPO favouring "Board of Trustees of the Port of Mumbai" payable at GPO, Mumbai with stamped (Rs 10/-), self-add env (9" x 4") by Jan 13.

Jobs Overseas

Overseas Manpower Placement Bureau, Haryana State Industrial Devp Corpn. Ltd., C-13 & 14, Sec-6, Panchkula

Email: hsidc@chd.nic.in

Overseas Placement for Trained (+3-yrs wk ex):

1) Nurses

2) Teachers (Eng & Sc)

3) Optical Enggs

Elig: 1: BSc (Nur).

2: BA/BSc + BEd (1 Div).

3: BE/BTech (Opt)/MSc (Opt) or equiv.

Appln F: Contact above add.

Scholarships

Jan 15 Indo-Russian Centre for Biotechnology (IRCB), IIIT, Nehru Sc Centre, Kamla Nehru Rd, Allahabad 211002

Sr Research Fellow

Elig: Master’s Deg (Biotech/Genetics/Mol Genetics/Genetic Engg/Bot). Age: Below 35-yrs.

Appln F: Employment News Dec 28-Jan 3 ‘03.

Jan 31 Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012

www.iisc.ernet.in/yefp

Young Engineering Fellowships Programme

Elig: Students of yr 3 or 4 of BE/BTech/BSc (Engg) with excellent academic rec.

Appln F & Details: See Website.

Transportation

Feb 11 Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management (M/o Tourism & Culture, GoI), Govindpuri, Gwalior

www.iittm.org

1) PGDBM (2-yrs)

2) PG Dip in Tourism Mgt (1-yr)

3) Dip in Destination Mgt (8-mths)

4) Bachelor of Tourism Mgt (Hon) (3-yrs)

Elig: For 1 & 2 & 3: Bachelor’s deg (50%) or equiv (3-yrs wk ex. For 3):

For 4: Cl 12 (50%).

Selectn: Written Test (2 Mar) at 12 centres, GD & Interview.

Appln F: Send Rs 650/- by DD favouring "IIITM, Gwalior" payable at Gwalior or website. Also available at: DTTDC, 9, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.

University

Feb 12 Regional Engineering College, Tiruchirappalli 620015 (TN)

www.rect.edu

1) MBA (2-yr)

2) MCA

Elig: For 1: UG/PG Deg. For 2: UG (Maths at Cl 12).

Selectn: For 1: Entrance Test, GD & Interview. For 2: Entrance Test.

Test: For 1 & 2: Feb 23 (at 10 centres).

Appln F: Send Rs 700/- by crossed DD favouring "The Principal, Regional Engineering College" payable at SBI (Code 1617) to: The Co-ordinator-MBA/MCA Admissions, at above add.

May 2 Allahabad Agricultural Institute-Deemed University, Allahabad 211007 (UP)

www.aaidu.org

Fac/o Bus Studies:

PG: MBA; Master of Agri-Bus Mgt.

UG: Bachelor’s of Hotel & Tourism Mgt/BBA

Fac/o Hum & Socl Sc:

PG: MSc (Anthro); MLISc

UG: BLIsc; BEd (1-yr)

Fac/o Health & Med Sc:

PG: Master of Public Health (Part I, II, III & IV)

UG: BSc MLT; Sc Health Sc; BPharm

Fac/o Science

PG: MSc (Biochem/Biotech/Microbiol/Maths)

UG: BTech-Biotech (Genetic Engg/Biochem Tech/Indl Microbiol); BSc (H) (Microbiol/Biochem/Phy/Maths).

Fac/o Theology

PG/UG (Divinity)

Fac/o Engg & Tech:

PG: MCA; MTech (Agri Process & Food Engg/Farm Mc & Power Engg/Soil & Water Engg (Irrigation Drainage & Engg/Soil Water Conservation)/Dairy Tech/Energy Mgt)

UG: BTech (Mech/Elect & Comm/Elect & Electron/Process & Food Engg/Water Resource Engg/Agri Engg/Dairy Tech/Biotech (GeneticEngg)/Biotech (Biochem Tech)/Biotech (Indl Microbiol); BCA (H).

Fac/o Agriculture:

PG: MSc Agronomy (Crop Prod/Weed Sc/Crop Physi)/Agro Forestry/Genetics & Plant Breeding/Horti (Veg Sc/Floriculture/Fruit Prod & Post Harvest Tech)/Plant Protection/Plant Pathol/Agri Extn/Agri Eco (Farm Mgt /Agri Mktg)/Soil Sc/Food Nutri & Dietetics/Human Deve/ HSci Ext Edu.

UG: BSc Agri Tech/Forestry/Home Sc.

Fac/o Vet Sc & AH

PG: MSc (Dairying/Ani Nutri/LPM/Ani Genetics &Breeding/Poultry Prodn)

Dip: IDD (DH)/IDD (DT).

Elig: Website

Appln F: Send Rs 250/- by DD favouring "Registrar, Allahabad Agricultural Institute-Deemed University" payable at SBI-AAI (Br Code: 2506), by May 2 or download from website.

CARING (www.careerguidanceindia.com), New Delhi

Email: pervin-trib@careerguidanceindia.com