By Ramesh Badoni, IT Faculty & Course Coordinator, SCERT Uttarakhand
The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Uttarakhand, under the leadership of Director Academic Research and Training, Bandana Garbyal, has successfully completed the First phase of its pioneering MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) initiative. Titled “Fundamentals of ICT Tools for School Teachers”, this online training program has achieved remarkable milestones in its initial rollout, showcasing its wide-reaching impact on Uttarakhand’s government school teachers.
Key Analytics and Achievements
The course has achieved outstanding participation rates, as showcased by the data provided by the UK E-SRIJAN Dashboard:
School Participation Status:
- 11,000 schools (69.31%) of the 16,249 total schools in Uttarakhand have actively participated in this initiative, a testimony to the wide acceptance and enthusiasm for this course.
Teacher Participation Status:
- 30,574 teachers registered for the course.
- 96.46% of these teachers (29,492) have already started the course, reflecting its relevance and effective outreach.
- 90.98% of participants (27,817) have successfully completed the course, a highly commendable success rate.
District-Wise Registration:
- Udham Singh Nagar leads with the highest number of teachers registered (3,244).
- Other top-performing districts include Almora (3,518) and Dehradun (2,069).
- Even some of districts like Uttarkashi (1,150) and Chamoli (1,180) show low but significant participation, reflecting the course's extensive reach.
Teacher Engagement:
- Daily and hourly tracking shows peak teacher activity around 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with over 6,800 logins during the peak hours.
Impact of the MOOC
1. Empowering Teachers with ICT Skills:
The course focuses on building teachers’ competence in ICT tools, enabling them to integrate digital technologies into their teaching practices. This is particularly beneficial in rural and remote areas where access to modern resources has been limited.
2. Enhanced Classroom Practices:
Teachers have reported improved confidence and creativity in lesson planning, using tools like web apps, mobile applications, and interactive assessment tools.
3. Boosting Statewide Education Quality:
With over 27,000 trained teachers, the ripple effect on students’ learning experiences across Uttarakhand is undeniable. Teachers are now better equipped to provide engaging, technology-driven lessons, fostering a more interactive learning environment.
Role of Vidya Samiksha Kendra and E-SRIJAN Bot
The Vidya Samiksha Kendra Uttarakhand has been instrumental in monitoring and managing the MOOC through the E-SRIJAN bot, a platform specifically developed to run such large-scale digital training programs. Its real-time tracking capabilities have ensured seamless course delivery and robust teacher engagement.
Acknowledgment of Team Effort
The success of this initiative would not have been possible without the meticulous planning and execution by:
- The course coordinator and team of Subject Matter Experts, who developed the curriculum and interactive content.
- Support and supervision from Director Bandana Garbyal, whose vision has guided this project from inception to execution.
Conclusion
This MOOC marks a significant leap forward in the state’s journey towards digital empowerment in education. The remarkable participation and completion rates underscore the commitment of Uttarakhand’s teaching fraternity to embrace technology and improve learning outcomes for their students.
As SCERT Uttarakhand continues to innovate, initiatives like this will undoubtedly pave the way for a brighter and more digitally inclusive future in education.