Periyar University has proposed to introduce Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) from the next academic year (2018-19) to enable the students to compare the course content with the eminent faculties across the country, Vice-Chancellor of Periyar University P. Kolandaivel said here on Wednesday.
The students of the university departments will have to take two online courses for eight credits compulsorily. All the master level students must enrol and complete the two courses in the Swaayam and Swayam Prabha- related to their discipline of study in the respective University departments, Prof. Kolandaivel said while speaking at the Swayam-awareness-cum orientation programme on the university campus.
The awareness programme was brought up by the Swayam cell of the Periyar University for the mentors representing each of the university departments.
With the motto line of “no age, mo boundaries, now no more limitations”, the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has introduced 17 types of online courses. Swayam and Swaayam Prabha are two such notable programmes intended to take the best teaching learning resources to all, including the most disadvantaged. These initiatives have been envisioned to bridge the digital divide preventing them from joining the mainstream of the knowledge economy, the Vice-Chancellor said.
Prof. Kolandaivel said that the University Grants Commission has taken serious steps to improve the quality of higher education in India. Through the courses under Swayam programme students can evaluate the best course content and the faculty members and choose from among them. This initiative will provide better learning opportunity to the students to expand their horizon of knowledge
The online courses contain video lectures, specially prepared reading materials, self-assessment tests and online discussion forums.
Dr. Kolandaivel said that Periyar University will revise the curriculum and syllabi accommodating the MOOC courses..
V. Krishnakumar, Dean, explained the modus operandi of the course enrolment and nature of examinations. R.Subramaniya Bharathy, University Swayam cell, offered felicitations.
