Best Practise
Best Practise-1
1. Title of the Practise
Use of IT for Optimum Learning
2. Objective
To enhance the learning mechanism among students, the College has developed an e- learning portal that has been specially designed to reach out to students and bring them into the digital platform of learning. It is also designed to ensure that all students are net savvy and are acquainted with such digital forums for optimum academic learning
3. Context
This has been an initiative introduced just prior to the Pandemic and with the lockdown the institution has been able to make great strides in bringing both students and teachers on the same digital platform and pursue quality academic engagement.
4. Practice
The e- learning portal is a platform for students to gain access to the teaching materials, videos, power point presentations uploaded by the teachers of the different departments as per the syllabus and the course content. The e- learning portal is designed as such whereby each student is provided with a username and password and the contents uploaded are easily accessible to students at any given point of time. The portal is accessible through the college website.
The College has also taken up to the online elections of students to the Student’s Council of which the representation and nomination of candidature is uploaded in the college website. Voting is carried online through the website and the results are also announced in the same.
Admissions procedure to the session for both the BA and BSc streams had been carried out online. The prospectus and necessary forms were uploaded in the college website. Students furnished all necessary documents through the website and the lists of eligible students were also displayed in the same.
The payment of fees for all the semesters both for the Science and Arts streams including the examination and admission fees are carried out through an online platform. Procedures and the portal for payment are done through the college website in collaboration with SBI through the SBI collect mechanism.
To survey the teaching and curriculum mechanisms of the college, feedback forms were designed on the criteria of teaching, facilities provided by the institution and the curriculum, of which the survey was carried out online for all the students.
The College has the Management Information System (MIS) to provide necessary information and announcements to students. The system is linked with all students of the college as well as the faculty members through sms. Information pertaining to class schedules, examinations, programs and holidays are shared through this system.
To make students aware of the events, programs and other related matters pertaining to the college, a digital notice board has been installed at the premises.
5. Evidence of success
The digitalized practices of the College have enabled the institution to move forward to an eco friendly and IT enabled institution, enhancing learning through the use of technology and the media. Students are exposed to learning through new platforms and to the adjustment of the “New normal”. This has received media coverage both in the print and electronic media showcasing this customised and efficienteLearning portal of the College and how the institution has been able to successfully adapt to the challenges of the times.
6. Problems encountered
Students in far flung areas had problems with net connectivity, and the intermittent network coverage.
Best Practise 2
1. Title of the Practise
Social Extension Programs and Activities
2. Objective
The extension activities were aimed to sensitize the students towards the varying needs of the community, while also providing them a practical experience of the ground realities in different settings.
3. Context
Student life must extend beyond the campus, engaging in activities that are not only for productive learning but also making some impact on the society and community at large. This will also require the students to be aware, read and be informed of the various social issues and challenges and how best they can be an instrument of change. Academic curriculum is primary, but the experience and lessons to be learned from these noble projects last a lifetime.
4. Practice
The College using its own intellectual resources and in collaboration with external agencies specialised in certain fields conducted a range of social extension programs. These were spearheaded by the IQAC and a specially constituted Committee of teachers, the Community Outreach Program Committee. To realise this objective, programs were held at different places, both in the city and villages. Professional linkages were also made withe Governmantal departments and traditional institutuions. This social extension initiative was also incorporated in the activities of some Departments of the College as well as the NSS unit.
5. Evidence of Success
The following are the social extension programs that have been carried out:
- Workshop cum Training on Mushroom cultivation was organised on the 18th June 2016 by the Botany Department providing training on the cultivation of Mushroom. The college in the workshop accommodated many students especially from rural areas.
- Professional Development Program for Science school teachers where teachers on the 20th & 21st of July 2017 where around 27 schools from different parts of Shillong attended.
- A one-day workshop on 21st century Teaching Skills was organised especially for School Teachers on the 18th of October 2019.
- A One Day Awareness Program on the theme ” Managing A Pandemic- Ways to enhance Nutrition, Health and Safety for ourselves and our immediate surroundings” on the 20.11.2020 at the Conference Room of the college.
- On the 20th November 2020, the Community Outreach Program
Committee of the college (COPC) conducted an Awareness Program on Protocols pertaining to COVID 19 Pandemic for the shop- vendors in Bishnupur Bazar area, Shillong.
- On the 27th November 2020, a similar program on the theme, ’Managing a Pandemic – Ways to enhance Nutrition, Health and Safety for ourselves and our immediate surroundings’ was conducted at Mawlyndiar and Laitmawsiang village, Laitrynew Sohra, at their respective Community Hall.
- On the 1st December 2020, the COPC of the college in collaboration with the Forest and Wildlife Department, Government of Meghalaya conducted an’ Awareness Program on Wildlife’ at Iing Dorbar Hall, Neng Gate, Pynursla sub- division, East Khasi Hills to address the increasing Human- animal conflict in these areas which has resulted in damage to property and loss of lives.
In such programs, the teachers, students and the local community converge to address such issues that are facing the community and with the pooling of resources or through discussions and deliberations, the same can be addressed effectively and fruitfully.
These activities have been widely publicised by the local media and have been very well received by the community at large.
6. Problems encountered
With a tight and time bound academic calendar, available time is a major constraint. To liaison and coordinate with specialised agencies, experts and grassroots leaders for successfully conducting a program takes time. It is therefore quite a challenge for teachers and students to be able to balance between their academic obligations with these ground breaking activities.