In a novel initiative, educational technology clubs for teachers are being set up under the umbrella of the State Institute of Educational Technology (SIET).
These are envisaged as clubs with a difference — teachers who are part of the clubs can come together to discuss educational technology, new developments in it, and kick off projects on their own.
SIET director B. Aburaj says schoolteachers are being provided with such a platform for the first time. The clubs, he says, will utilise the talents of schoolteachers and synergise their efforts for development of technological tools.
Moreover, the technological tools keep evolving, with ample scope for employing emerging technology in instruction. The clubs will help introduce teachers to the possibilities of such technology in a manner that it reaches the maximum number with least delay.
Seminars and workshops on technology in education and online courses through the IT clubs will be held for quicker dissemination.
12,000 schools
Over 1 lakh teachers from 12,000 schools will be part of the the school clubs. Fourteen district clubs and 169 subdistrict clubs will also be set up. The government has issued orders in this regard, and a circular has been issued to schools and to the Deputy Directors of Education to form the clubs at the subdistrict and district levels. At the school level, the principal or head teacher will be the chairman. Each school club can independently design the digital content needed by it.
At the subdistrict level, the chairman of the clubs will be the Assistant Educational Officer. There will be a convener for each club.
Teachers interested in developing digital learning tools such as videos, animation, interactives, apps and so on can avail assistance through these clubs.
The clubs will be formed this year. An amount of ₹10 lakh has been earmarked for setting up the clubs and understanding their role. The activities, Mr. Aburaj, says will get going next year. Depending on their success, SIET plans to set up incubation centres in every district.
