Distance Education
The Distance Education Programme (DEP) is a National component of SSA, which is sponsored by Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. It is being implemented by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in collaboration with all States/ Union Territories of India. The DEP-SSA will be an important input in the in-service education of teachers and other personnel in the area of elementary education. It will supplement the face-to-face training by using Multi-media packages like audio-video programmes, radio broadcast, teleconferencing etc. The Distance mode of training would not only help address a larger number of individuals, but also would provide uniformity in training inputs and reduce the transmission loss, which is generally experienced in the face-to-face cascade model of training.
The Distance Education activities are being planned, proposed, initiated, monitored and documented by a State level Co-ordinator working at the State Project Office. The State Resource Group (SRG) for the Distance Education Programme(DEP), SSA has already been constituted and the first SRG meeting was conducted on 6th September 2003 at the SPO, SSA, Kerala. Prof S.V.S Chaudhary, Project Director, DEP-SSA-IGNOU participated in the meeting.
The Distance Education Programme has helped in providing support to produce and deliver distance learning inputs and materials for training primary education personnel and build capacity among institutions and people of National, State, District, Block, Cluster and School levels.
The Programme aimed at designing, developing and delivering Distance Learning Materials both print and non-print, to address the cultural and curricular diversity in the primary education scenario. Distance Education Programme had been consistently providing technical support and had been engaged in building capacity among primary education personnel. The programme was aimed to minimise the transmission loss that arose in the cascade model of training with suitable distance learning inputs and thereby increase consistency and quality of training programmes.
The various programmes and activities conducted by the Distance Education Programme, SSA, Kerala during the year are given below :
Training and Capacity Building
Several workshops have been conducted by participating DIET Faculties, BRC Trainers and Primary School Teachers for developing Distance Learning Materials. During these workshops, face to face training has been given in selecting areas and concepts, preparation of draft scripts for the development of audio programmes and Distance Learning Materials. Group discussions and exchange of ideas with regard to the methods to be followed in the application of the DLM were finalised.
Audio Programmes
Audio Scripts based on various concepts of elementary education have been developed. Fifteen different audio lessons were prepared. These will be produced and duplicated into audio cassettes which will distributed to DIETs, DPOs, BRCs, SCERT and SIET. The master cassettes will be copied in to CDs for submitting to All India Radio for broadcasting.
Video Programmes
Video Programmes are planned to be developed to facilitate Teacher Training Programme. Video programmes co-scholastic areas will be prepared in Beta and VHS forms. These are expected to telecast through Doordarshan Programme. One hour video programme (15 minutes each) on Art, Work Experience, Physical Education and Health and Hygiene is also planned to be developed by the Distance Education Programme during this financial year.
Teleconferencing
A national level teleconferencing on appraisal of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan was conducted on April 3rd 2003. The scheme using electronic media, has been launched by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development. Rajasthan Governor Sri. Anshuman Singh Ji has inaugurated the teleconferencing. The Primary and Elementary Education Secretary of the Ministry, Sri. S.C.Tripathi pointed out that about 3.25 Crores of the 19 Crore children in the age group of 6 and 14 in the country are deprived of education. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is aimed at providing basic education to this segment and improve the quality of elementary education in the country. Thirty officials from the State level and District level implementation of SSA participated in the Trivandrum centre. This Programme could provide chances for interaction between the participants at the State and Senior level officials of MHRD and IGNOU, New Delhi.
Interactive Educational Website
One of the major activities of the Distance Education Programme has been the establishment of an interactive educational Website entitled www.keralassa.org. The website can be used as an information and communication technology for professional development of elementary education personnel. Regular management, utilisation, upgradation and updating of the Website are being pursued by the Distance Education Programme.