Published Paper Details:

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has emphasized on training teachers in information and communication technology (ICT) in its new academic guidelines for colleges and universities. Where the teaching-learning process and research activities were badly disrupted due to the lockdown imposed in the country due to the spread of Kovid-19. The UGC guidelines then recommended the continuation of the educational process in universities. Among all the suggestions which include academic calendar, examination forms etc., the UGC said that the faculty should be adequately trained in the use of ICT and online learning tools. The UGC said that university teachers should be trained in such a way that they complete around 25% of the curriculum through online learning and 75% of the curriculum through face-to-face learning. He also said that the universities should strengthen the guidance-council system through a portal displayed on the university website to provide timely guidance and counseling to the students. In addition, each student's assigned faculty advisor and supervisor should maintain regular communication with the students. It also asked universities to develop virtual classrooms and video conferencing facilities and trained all teaching staff on the use of technology. For research-based courses, the UGC recommended teachers to use virtual laboratories, share recorded visuals of laboratory work and available digital resources. It suggested universities to prepare e-content/e-lab experiments. ICT must be used in teacher training in India to strengthen discipline and impart skillful education in teachers.