Teacher training modules to be broadcast soon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the not-so-distant future, teachers in the state can tune into FM channels to take a few lessons in classroom coaching. The move is on to broadcast teacher training modules through Gyanvani FM, which is the educational radio channel of IGNOU and also to rope in Ananthapuri FM (of AIR) as part of exploring new media for teacher training exercises.  The decision was taken at the State Resource Group Meeting of DEP-SSA (Distance Education Programme through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan) which is a joint programme of IGNOU and Ministry of Human Resources Development. DEP-SSA is a national-level project that aims to provide need-based and local specific in-service training for teachers by employing distance education methodology. The State Resource team of DEP-SSA meets once in a year in every state and the meeting in Kerala was held the other day in Thiruvananthapuram.  It is as part of exploring new avenues including media and Information and Technology Communication (ICT) tools to impart training to teachers on newly- developed resource materials that the State Resource  Group meeting zeroed in on FM channels as a prospective option. While it has been decided to broadcast training modules for teachers and the trainers through Gyanvani, talks would be initiated with AIR, ViCTERS Educational channel and Doordarshan in this regard, said DEP-SSA South Zone Programme Officer, Jilly John.‘’The training modules for life skill development and Children With Special Needs (CWSN) would be radiocast through FM. We are trying out video and audio media as it have been found to be more effective in training exercises,’’ Jilly John said.  The State Resource Group has officials from various agencies like SCERT, SSA, SIEMAT and various NGOs which deals with teacher training and management in the state. It was also decided at the meeting to explore new ICT programmes to make learning of Mathematics, English and Science more easy for children. The meeting focused on creating an action plan for the next year to take forward distance education programmes in the state in a more collaborative manner with other states.