 |
|
However, with the fast changing research & development in the field of hardware and software, providing computer education is becoming challenging day-by-day. There is a cut-throat competition among computer institutes to impart quality and relevant education to their students. These institutes/colleges have included curriculum at par with the continuing global trend and provide best training facilities. This is necessary for remaining ahead of competition and also to maintain their credibility among students and their prospective employers. These institutes have seen tremendous change in the past decade in terms of courses offered and teaching methodology. Many leading institutes of the past have been overtaken by the new ones, mainly because the courses taught were not relevant to the changing scenario around the world. The responsibility for keeping the institutes ahead of others, therefore rests on the shoulders of their faculty members or instructors. Thus, computer coordinators are key to the success (or failure) of any computer institution. A computer coordinator has to be always on his toes to keep himself updated, both in terms of information and technique imparted. This is how he can keep interest of the students alive in the subject and also in building reputation of the institute. These people are the backbone of any computer institute or college and are specialists who design, teach and regularly update the module and contents of subjects being taught. They are conversant with the programming and hardware aspects. These people provide practical training and support to the students in developing programmes and preparing the projects. They are also trouble-shooters and fix software or sometimes hardware related problems. In spite of being associated with teaching, computer coordinators are in many ways different from teachers or faculty members of other discipline, say history or physics. Their role in fact is beyond that. They have to be well aware of the latest happenings in the fast changing field of computers, and the course module has to be so designed and taught, that it proves to be beneficial to students. The languages and programming tools being taught by them have to be continuously reviewed and updated as per their utility and demand. A computer coordinator, apart from planning a course of study, should be able to create environment conducive for effective learning. He not only instructs the students but also evaluates their performance and constantly remain in touch with the other organisations for sharing information. Nowadays, with almost all schools, having started computer education right from the primary level, the task and scope of computer coordinator has increased many folds. They work either full time or as a part-time consultant for co-ordinating computer-related services and providing administrative support. These include setting up of computer laboratory, planning of budget for computer education, selection and purchase of equipments, preparation of teaching syllabus, etc. Computer co-ordinators also provides training to other faculty members and work as local experts. They even handle minor problems concerning hardware or peripherals and are to some extent responsible for maintenance of computer equipments. Some foreign colleges employ resident computer co-ordinators, as consultants. They act as interface between students and computer, educate residents on all aspects of computer. They support networking and communication services, help in software and hardware installation and assist in developing allied skills like web development and multimedia, among the students. They organise workshops and programmes related to IT. The qualification required for becoming a computer coordinator may vary depending upon the requirement of institute or college, but they should preferably have a diploma or degree in computer applications, i.e. BCA, PGDCA. The premier training institutes employ computer software engineers or MCAs, depending upon the curriculum. Apart from academic qualifications, a computer coordinator should have an excellent interpersonal and communication skill. He should be patient, have academic bend of mind, enthusiastic and adaptable. The remuneration commensurate with the qualifications and may depend upon the reputation of institution. However a computer coordinator may
begin earning between Rs 5000 and Rs 10,000 which subsequently gets
increased with experience. For those, who want to choose a peaceful and
satisfying career, and have an appetite for continuous learning can opt
for being a computer coordinator as it is rewarding as well as
challenging. |
 |
 |
The
computer revolution, which came to India in early eighties, has spread
its wings in virtually all walks of life. Life in the past 15 years has
changed so much that it looks as if we have come out from the
bullock-cart age to the jet age at the speed of light. With the help of
computers, what used to be a matter of days earlier is now a matter of
minutes. The computer revolution in the country was even recognised by
US President Bill Clinton, who acknowledged the fact after returning
from his trip to India, that actual computerisation in India was far
beyond his expectations, and the day was not far when India would be a
computer super power.