Empowering Teachers for Digital Future: Launch of FICCI-EXTRAMARKS Smart Teacher Training Program
New Delhi: The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to not just have enormous economic crisis, but it is also having a devastating impact on global education. According to the latest figures published by UNESCO, 191 countries have implemented countrywide closures of schools, affecting over 1.5 billion students (over 90% of world’s student population). In India, more than 320 mn plus learners, 9 mn plus teachers across 1.5 mn plus schools are affected due to nationwide shutdown.
In order to continue teaching-learning practices, the school education fraternity has embarked on various technological platforms to deliver virtual learning to the students and have made significant investments. Looking at the scenario, the online education delivery seems to be an effective mode and could also have a long term and significant impact on the K-12 teaching methods and pedagogy.
In the given circumstances, The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has announced the launch of ‘Smart Teacher’ training program in partnership with EXTRAMARKS, India’s largest Digital Education company. Extramarks has been conducting pan-India virtual training sessions for teachers empowering them to use digital learning platforms and teach students digitally during this critical time. Extramarks has virtually trained over 10000+ teachers across the country to ensure continuity of learning and bridge the digital gap in how to use technology in a pedagogically meaningful way to enhance teaching and learning.
The key objective of this initiative is to up-skill and build digital capability of school teachers. We also aim to provide a holistic platform to the teachers and educators that will empower them to understand and subsequently engrain practical use of tools and technology for enhanced Online teaching methodologies.
?Teachers across the country will immensely benefit from this joint initiative of FICCI/ Extramarks and will be able to learn the best teaching methodologies using technology particularly how to deliver concepts virtually and measure learning outcomes,? said Mr Atul Kulshrestha, Chair, FICCI EdTech Task Force and Founder and CMD, Extramarks. Our collaboration will also help in integrating technology led pedagogy in school systems, which is at the core of NEP-2020, he added.
‘Smart Teacher’ is a Certified Training program. It will be conducted through online modes which will consist of high-impact live sessions, discussions, and activities. Teachers through comprehensive training programs will collaborate with a diverse set of peers to further enrich their learning and professional network. It is a 3-day Capability Building Program, devised to help teachers grasp the evolving pedagogical needs of their students. The Program also empowers teachers in adopting New Age teaching-learning methodologies that are practical in nature and in sync with their individual teaching style.
The program is focused on embedding digital technologies in teaching and learning practices with innovative and engaging online content creation, classroom and lesson planning with effective assessment tools for measuring learning effectiveness and timely intervention to bridge learning gaps.