MMTTC, Tezpur University, Assam, India, Organises Short-Term Course on Online Course Development
Dr B. Shadrach, Director of the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (Col Cemca), the regional centre of Commonwealth of Learning, addressed educators as the Special Guest at the inauguration of a Short-Term Course (STC) on Development of Online Course/Programme at Tezpur university in Assam, India. It is being organised by the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC) at the University from 16-20 December 2024. The workshop, conducted in blended mode, would focus on building educators’ capacities to create high-quality online courses aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Professor Shambhu Nath Singh, Vice Chancellor of Tezpur University, welcomed the participants, underscoring the growing need for well-designed online courses to meet the demands of millions of learners. “The success of online learning depends on the quality and inclusivity of the courses,” he emphasised.
In his address, Dr Shadrach commended MMTTC’s efforts to enhance teacher development and outlined strategies for creating engaging and effective online courses. Highlighting challenges such as low completion rates on Government of India’s MOOC platforms, like SWAYAM, he stressed the importance of interactivity, storytelling, and case studies in course design to hold the attention of online learners. He also encouraged the adoption of the four-quadrant approach, which integrates multi-media instructional content, supported by supplementary learning materials including case studies, interactive discussion forums, and assessment tools to enhance learner engagement.
Follow the link for more insights: www.cemca.org/news/mmttc-tezpur-university-assam-india-organises-short-term-course-online-course-...
#onlineeducation #onlinecourses #blendedlearning #OpenEducationalResources #MOOCs
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Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Course: January 2025.
The Commonwealth of Learning’s (COL) #COL4D fifth and final offering of the Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) Course is now open for registration and commences 20 January 2025. The course is designed to meet the increasing need for competencies of government officials, policymakers, organisational staff and individuals to effect personal and collective transformation in promoting gender equality.
Over eight weeks, participants will learn to use various frameworks and tools to integrate a human rights perspective into the workplace and the community. The course will examine best practices in programming for gender equality and empowerment against a backdrop of the humanitarian issues of our times and the push to meet SDG 5 on gender equality by 2030.
Each week, a one-hour webinar will be held to enable participants to discuss pertinent topics in each module and allow diverse voices to share their experiences. The course materials are accessible to participants using assistive technologies and those who need translation of materials into different languages.
This updated course offering contains integrated feedback from previous cohorts and includes thought-provoking case studies and links to online materials, as well as more user-friendly content. For each module completed, the participant earns a badge, allowing them to receive recognition for as few or as many modules as they wish.
For more information on the GEWE course or to enrol, please visit: forms.office.com/r/WD3Xu2r33a
To download the course brochure, click: commonwealthoflearning.info/gender-equality-course-brochure
Cost: Free
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Empowering Visually Impaired Learners in Solomon Islands: Graduation Marks a Milestone in Inclusive Education
In a significant step towards fostering inclusivity and independence, thirty blind and visually impaired individuals graduated earlier this month from the "Taep fo Laef" and literacy programmes in Honiara, Solomon Islands. The training programmes, led by the Blind and Vision Impaired Persons Support Initiative (BVIPSI) with support from COL, focused on equipping visually impaired persons with essential skills for greater independence, employability, and inclusion in society.
The graduation ceremony, held in the week of the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated the achievements of the participants in the presence of distinguished guests, including Dr Franco Rodie, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD). The cohort of 200 individuals with disabilities benefited from this initiative, with the graduating group marking a significant advance in their personal and professional journeys.
The "Taep fo Laef" programme concentrated on imparting practical skills such as computer literacy, daily living techniques, and employability skills to help participants navigate their environments more effectively. In parallel, the literacy programme offered foundational training in essential reading and writing skills, including phonological awareness, letter recognition, blending sounds, and sentence construction. These competencies aimed to bridge educational gaps and provide participants with opportunities for greater engagement in education, employment, and community life.
The graduation ceremony showcased inspiring demonstrations of the participants' progress in these areas, toward greater self-reliance and confidence, underscoring the transformative impact of the programmes.
Addressing the graduates via video link, Dr Betty Ogange, COL’s Education Specialist: Teacher Education, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to advancing learning in underserved communities. She noted that the "Taep fo Laef" programme exemplifies how innovative delivery methods can empower visually impaired individuals to lead independent and fulfilling lives.
For the participants, the programmes provided more than skill development—they fostered a sense of belonging and community, empowering them to navigate a world often not designed with their needs in mind. The success of this activity underscores the power of collaboration and the impact of committed partnerships.
The programmes were made possible with technical expertise from COL and were supported by a grant to COL by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand.
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