Orientation Meet for Level-2 AI and ICT Tools MOOCs Development for School Teachers Held by SCERT Uttarakhand

Dehradun, October 1, 2024 – SCERT Uttarakhand organized an online orientation meeting for the creation of Level-2 content for the course, AI and ICT Tools for School Teachers, as part of the state’s effort to advance digital learning. The session was chaired by the Director of Academic Research and Training,  Bandana Garbyal, and Additinal Directors SCERT  Ajay Nauriyal and Asha Rani Painuily were present virtully in the mean time of meet. The meet agenda, coordinated by Ramesh Badoni from SCERT’s IT department , focused on orienting content creators for the second phase of the program, which builds upon the success of Level-1, already developed and uploaded on the online platform, set to be officially launched soon at the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) Uttarakhand.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Garbyal lauded the team behind Level-1, recognizing their efforts in establishing a strong foundation in ICT and AI tools for teachers. She expressed her confidence that Level 2 will further enhance teachers’ skills by providing more advanced tools and techniques. The Director emphasized the need for interactive, high-quality content, stressing that these efforts will position Uttarakhand as a pioneer in fostering 21st-century skills among educators.

Associate Professor Ajay Semalty shared insights from his vast experience in MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and encouraged Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to bring in innovative and practical approaches to the course. His focus was on ensuring the content was learner-centric and aligned with global education trends.

Ramesh Badoni presented the structure of the Level-2 course, which will focus on advanced AI applications, productivity tools, and integrating ICT into lesson plans. He also introduced new course creators, stressing the collaborative nature of the project and the importance of fresh perspectives in the course's development. He announced that AI tools would be more deeply embedded in this level to enhance the teaching experience and content delivery.

The Level-1 course, soon to be launched at VSK Uttarakhand, provided foundational knowledge of AI and ICT tools in education and served as a stepping stone for further learning. Level-2 will take a deeper dive into areas such as content creation using Generative AI, productivity tools, and ensuring internet safety and digital citizenship for both teachers and students.

Level-2 Course Highlights: 

• Day 1: ICT in education and AI tools overview.
• Day 2: Productivity tools for lesson planning and classroom management.
• Day 3: Engaging presentation tools with multimedia integration.
• Day 4: Communication and collaboration platforms.
• Day 5: Internet safety and responsible digital use.
• Day 6: Practical integration of ICT into daily lesson plans.

The orientation also focused on the course development process, including lesson script development, video production, quiz creation, and practical assignments. Participants were guided through a structured approach to content creation that ensures high interactivity and engagement.

With Level-1 ready to be launched and Level-2 in development, SCERT Uttarakhand continues to lead in digital education, empowering teachers with essential AI and ICT skills to transform their classrooms and equip students with 21st-century skills.

Dr. Istiyak Ahmad from Uttaranchal University, Dr. Ashish Ratudi from Dolphin Institute of Technology, Dr. Atul Bamrara, Dr. Kailash Chandola, Daulat Gosai, Supriya Bahukhandi, Pradeep Negi, Manoddhar Nainwal, Prakash Chandra Upadhyay, Archana Gargya, Bhaskar Joshi, Rajmohan Singh Rawat, Ashok Bhatt, Vinod Basera, Dr. Prabhakar Joshi, Ajay Pal Negi, Balvinder Kaur, Ankit Joshi, Bhopal Singh Negi, Dr. Ashutosh Verma, Vinay Dhyan, Dr. Mukesh Nautiyal, Ajay Pal Negi, Shiv Prakash Verma, Rajat Chhibber, and Lata Arya all participated actively in the event.

SCERT Faculty Sunil Bhatt Joins EOT Program at SIPARD, Agartala

Sunil Bhatt, a faculty member from SCERT Uttarakhand, has been selected as a trainer evaluator for the Evaluation of Training (EOT) course conducted at the Administrative Training Institute (ATI) - SIPARD in Agartala, Tripura. The course, designed by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, aims to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of various training programs.

The training is attended by 25 participants from diverse institutions, including deputy collectors, Nayab Tehsildars, assistant professors, SCERT faculty, and DIET lecturers. The course covers comprehensive evaluation stages such as needs assessment, objective setting, training design, and implementation. Participants will utilize evaluation methods like pre-tests, post-tests, and performance appraisals to assess outcomes and gather suggestions for improvement.

The evaluation framework includes well-known models like Kirkpatrick’s and Brinkerhoff’s, focusing on relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability. Upon completing the program, Sunil Bhatt will share the course insights and vision with other SCERT faculties and officers, ensuring the application of these evaluation techniques to improve the quality and impact of training programs in Uttarakhand.

This initiative is expected to enhance SCERT Uttarakhand’s training processes through systematic evaluation and continuous improvement.

SCERT Uttarakhand organized three-Day Training on School Health and Wellness Program for DIET Faculty

A three-day training program on the School Health and Wellness Program (SHWP) for DIET faculty is being held from September 26 to 28, 2024, aiming to promote awareness on critical health issues among school students. The training is currently being implemented across six districts of Uttarakhand, focusing on adolescent challenges, HIV, puberty, AIDS, cultural differences, sanitary napkin usage, early marriage, balanced diet, respect for elders, and environmental threats.

During the program's inaugural session, Mrs. Bandana Garbyal, Director of Academic Research and Training, provided key suggestions on how to effectively implement the training at the school level. She emphasized the importance of integrating SHWP activities into the curriculum and ensuring the holistic development of students. Her remarks followed presentations by participants on the various SHWP activities they have been working on.

Dr. Pankaj, an expert from the Directorate General Health, Uttarakhand, delivered an insightful lecture in the morning session, explaining the SHWP modules and detailing the various activities covered under the program. Over the course of the three days, experts from the health department will engage the participants on a range of issues related to student health and wellness.

The SHWP is a significant initiative aimed at addressing the health challenges faced by adolescents, equipping them with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of puberty, maintaining a balanced diet, understanding the importance of hygiene, and promoting overall wellness in schools.

The program is being coordinated by Neelam Panwar, ensuring smooth execution and engagement with the DIET faculty, who will eventually carry this knowledge to schools across the state. Active participation from Groups lead DIET Dehradun faculty Rakhi Pandey , DIET faculty Uttarakashi Sunjay Bhatt and many more active representation observed by Director Bandana Garbyal.