Digital Education and Skilling: Changing role of Teachers and Trainers – Webinar Report

“A mediocre teacher tells, a good teacher explains, a superior teacher demonstrates but a great teacher inspires”, said Dr. Rajesh Khambayat, Joint Director, PSSCIVE, Bhopal, in a webinar conducted by NSN on the occasion of Teachers’ Day 2021.

On the occasion of Teachers’ Day 2021, NSN organized a special webinar on the topic “Digital Education and Skilling: Changing role of Teachers and Trainers” in association with C.V. Raman Global University, PSSCIVE, Bhopal, and NTTF.

Prof. B.S. Satyanarayana, Vice-Chancellor, CV Raman Global University (CVRGU), and Dr. Rajesh Khambayat, Joint Director, PSSCIVE, Bhopal made the opening remarks in the introductory session and set the tone for the webinar. The webinar session was moderated by Dr. Madhuri Dubey, Founder, NSN.

Several school teachers, vocational trainers, and University professors participated in the webinar and shared their expertise, knowledge, and experience of being a teacher/trainer.

Major focus areas in the webinar were

• Challenges faced by teachers/trainers in continuing the training during the COVID-19 pandemic through digital skilling and adopting new technologies
• Importance of practical training in technical training courses and delivering a holistic programme that includes future skills
• Overcoming challenges in designing and delivering a blended learning course at the university level
• Importance of upskilling and reskilling of teachers as per the changing demands of the technology

Participants in the webinar were

1. Ranjitha M – Senior Training Officer, NTTF
2. Mr. Sathishkumar – Assistant Manager (Training), NTTF
3. Ms. Vijayalaxmi A Inamdar – Senior training Officer, NTTF
4. Prof. Priyadarshi Kanungo – Dean – Engineering, CVRGU
5. Dr. M.K. Gopaliya – Associate Prof. ME, CVRGU
6. Dr. Rojalina Priyadarshini – Asst. Prof. CSIT, CVRGU
7. Mr. Rajat Kumar Samantaray – Asst. Prof., EE, CVRGU
8. Mr. Ambika Prasad Mohanty – Asst. Prof., Civil, CVRGU
9. Ms. R. Prasanthy – Vocational Trainer – Electronics and Hardware, Puducherry
10. Mr. Martin K P – Vocational Trainer – Sales Associate, Kerala
11. Neha Shiva – Vocational Trainer – Beauty and Wellness, Bhopal
12. Aarti Upadhyay – Vocational Teacher – Retail Management, Bhopal
13. Pragat Naik – Instructor – Retail, Goa

Some of the key takeaways from the webinar

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a catalyst in linking conventional vocational training with digital skilling. However, it has been a huge task and affected billions of people.  Along with learners, teachers and trainers were one of the most affected who had to adapt to new methods to learn as well as to continue the skill training through digital means.

“It must be seen as a unique opportunity to create employability and inculcate entrepreneurial mindset, where knowledge and skill come together”, said Prof. B.S. Satyanarayana, Vice-Chancellor, CV Raman Global University (CVRGU).

Vocational education at the school level

Vocational trainers at school are adapting to the newer technologies and are paving way for the younger generations to learn digitally. Vocational trainers are also able to give hands-on training and practicals to the students through online mode while they are at home. This practical training provided by trainers at schools create awareness about various opportunities out there and guides students to follow their aspirations.

However, the challenge here is to convince parents about the importance of vocational training right from the school level. Vocational trainers play a major role in creating this awareness among parents and students on vocational training.

Delivering technical training during COVID-19

Many skill training and educational institutions faced issues in conducting classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF) conducted classes and examinations through digital means using end-to-end software. The faculty were regularly upskilled as per the demands of the changing technologies. Digital skilling was seen and taken as an opportunity for delivering conceptual learning and skill-oriented learning, which are crucial in career and job readiness. NTTF also provided recorded classes to the students who faced the challenge of network connectivity.

Use of blended learning in skill-based education

C.V. Raman Global University has been providing skill-based practical training through blended mode. To mentor students online, they divided them into smaller groups and conducted online interactive sessions. Since blended learning is the new normal in delivering the training, teachers, and trainers are also required to continue learning along with the students.

However, online learning cannot replace the charm of classroom learning. The Centres of Excellence at the University gives multi-disciplinary practical learning experience to the students. Through this practical knowledge can be inculcated and students get an opportunity to explore and develop their abilities.

Also read: 10 most valuable resources for vocational teachers and trainers – https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/10-most-valuable-resources-for-vocational-teachers-and-trainers/

The webinar on “Digital Education and Skilling: Changing role of Teachers and Trainers” focused to bring the experiences of teachers and trainers in adapting to newer technologies and using blended learning to train the students while they are at home.

The pandemic has given a chance to everyone to learn new skills and explore newer opportunities in their careers. Though it was a challenge at the beginning for teachers and trainers to adopt to online training, they have taken an exceptional leap to continue the training. They focused on transforming their mindsets from classroom training to online training.