New techniques: Innovation in teaching stressed

Learn Smart School programme aims to introduce innovation in learning and teaching

ISLAMABAD: Education in the country has always been considered a challenge in terms of dissemination, innovative means and correlating it with the local syllabi and modern demands.

An education forum “Innovation in Learning and Teaching” on Thursday urged policymakers, government officials and non-governmental organisation and other participants to bring technology to the classroom for better learning outcomes.

Approaches, techniques and results were discussed about Learn Smart School programme that aims to introduce innovation in learning and teaching.

Country Manager of Knowledge Programme Talha Munir Khan said the purpose of this programme was to introduce digital content with the use of technology to strengthen the classroom with enabling environment.

He said over 0.3 million online users use their services while to date they have managed to deliver about 18,000 e-learning courses. “One of the basic purposes of this technology is to change the pedagogical approaches in areas of teaching and learning and make the environment student-enabling,” he added.

Director Learning Solutions Mehr Shah shared experiences of “knowledge platform”. A few documentaries where also screened with comments from teachers, students and parents about the technology and how it impacted the learning outcomes and teaching experiences.

A digital screen, Ultra Boat, was used in the programme along with hand-held devices for students who give real-time answers to questions and feedback on the spot including course study, examinations and quizzes. “To run this programme there is no need for internet connection as the syllabus which is enshrined in the national curriculum, local culture is practicable once downloaded on the laptop,” she said adding that it also includes text from books, along with input from teachers.

Similarly, proficiency badges are also awarded to students with regard to their capability and performance.

“Above all it is not only abreast with teacher training capabilities but also compels them to shift focus on value added activities that includes interaction with students,” she remarked.

“I am finding it very easy to take feedback from because it helps me interact with students in an unorthodox way and I feel very convenient with this because every student wants to take part in the activity section,” a teacher from a school of Mardan stated in a documentary screened.

An official from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications said it was time to move from conventional learning to digital learning.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2015.