In 1975, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a home-grown experiment that was a harbinger of how technology would enable educators in the future. Under the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment, instructional TV shows were beamed to 2,400 villages in India to train 50,000 primary school science teachers. Over four decades later, technology advancements and adoption of online learning accelerated through the pandemic have dramatically changed the learning and teaching experience.
However, empowering teachers with the knowledge and skills to improve student outcomes still remains as much a priority as it was 50 years ago. With new digital tools at their disposal, here are three ways technology can equip teachers to lead change in Indian classrooms.
Unlocking opportunities in a hybrid classroom
As Indian institutions rethink how to make students employable and career-ready, they are experimenting with hybrid models to integrate job-relevant online courses and supplementary content. With hybrid classrooms come other benefits too. The faculty gains access to a range of online teaching aids from private authoring capabilities to rich grading features and ready-made question banks. Colleges can potentially tailor learning paths for every student, based on an understanding of his/her learning needs and strengths. Online learning can also build in flexibility, allowing students to vary the duration and pace of learning.
