by BISMumbai Correspondent

A training programme on the role of educational technology in supporting blended learning in the virtual environment for educators and learners was held last week. Some 90 staff members of Don Bosco High School and Junior College in Naigaon (East) participated in the on-line program.

The resource person, former South Asia Delegate for Salesian Communications Fr. Joaquim Fernandes, highlighted the UNESCO ICT Competency Framework for Teachers (CFT).

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) can impact student learning when teachers are digitally literate and understand how to integrate it into curriculum.

Used by countries around the world, the UNESCO ICT-CFT highlights the role that technology can play in supporting six major education focus areas across three phases of knowledge acquisition, knowledge deepening, and knowledge creation.

Former director of Tej-prasarini Mumbai, Fr. Fernandes also trained the participants on-line in Instructional Design and Video Production to create effective and engaging instructional videos for learners.

The computer teachers were trained in ‘Scratch’ a free coding programming language for the online community where one can create interactive stories, games, and animations.

‘Scratch’ is a free tool that has been developed by the MIT Media Lab and it can be used to create Stories, Games and Animations. It is a stepping stone to the world of Computer Programming.

“Scratch helps young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively — essential skills for life in the 21st century,” says Fr Fernandes.

“I am very happy with my online classes, as it keeps me engaged in my activities and I am able to meet my teachers and friends online and share comments and chats with them daily”, says class VII student Vivian D’Souza.

His parent adds, “My kid has become disciplined and productively busy ever since the commencement of the online classes. He is excited as he gets to meet his friends and chats with them. He also completes his assignments and projects at his own pace as there is no stress or time-bound schedules, no traveling, and no classroom peer pressure now.”

The Principal of Don Bosco Naigaon, Fr Anthony Fonseca, believes that online education is the future.

He says, “Integration of technology in education will further accelerate and soon Online Education will become an integral component of school education.”

Courtesy: MattersIndia as forwarded by Fr C. M. Paul