“Teacher education must keep pace with present day demands of learners”

M. Shanmugam, left, Senior Regional Director, IGNOU-Regional Centre, Madurai, giving away degree certificate to a student at the graduation day function held at K. Nanjappa Gounder College of Education, in Dindigul on November 12, 2011. Photo: G. Karthikeyan.

Framing new policies and adopting innovative strategies and models were needed to meet the demands of learners of this modern age, said M. Shanmugam, Regional Director, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Regional Centre.

Addressing the fifth graduation day at K. Nanjappa Gounder College of Education near here on Saturday, he said that revamping teacher education to suit emerging Information and communication technologies to meet present day demands was a top priority and big challenge for the governments of developing and under-developed countries.

Constant upgrading of teaching-learning technologies and skills were needed. With the concept of ‘serving anybody from anywhere at any time' gaining momentum, appropriate learner-friendly technologies and resources for education had become a necessity.

Audio and video CDs, interactive multi-media course material, on-line courses and programmes, and e-learning tools had been replacing conventional methods of teaching / learning in all spheres of education, especially in school education.

Countries that delayed their educational policies and adopting information and communication technologies (ICT)-based strategies would certainly lag behind in development, he said.

The ICT-based teaching and learning strategies were flexible and facilitated in reaching the unreached groups and promoted independent learning.

The pace of technological revolution and emergence of a knowledge society could change the traditional role of teachers and students.

Traditionally, teacher and the books were the only source of knowledge for students.

In many cases, the teachers did not have adequate knowledge to supplement the view of students.

With decentralisation of knowledge sources, students were more informed than the teacher.

There was a need to facilitate training on ICTs for teachers both at pre-service and in-service levels.

A fine balance

At the same time, retaining existing technologies for a considerable period and embracing new technologies would result in fine balance and improving quality of education.

Despite heavy spending on elementary education, many schools had limited resources for buying books, stationery, furniture and other classroom materials. Teachers lacked adequate qualification and training. Their lesson plans were often outdated or irrelevant.

The acquisition of fundamental ICT skills among teachers and students helped knowledge sharing and multiplying educational opportunities.

Pre-service and in-service teacher development and continuous training or lifelong learning for teachers would make teachers to hone their skills, he said.