The international placement initiative has been the biggest game changer so far for IITE students, while making technology a part of the curriculum developed a new culture of technocracy among students, helping them in getting global exposure, says Dr Shashiranjan Yadav, Vice-Chancellor, Indian Institute of Teacher Education, Gandhinagar, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
Share your experience in initiating teacher education.
I have been a teacher for more than 25 years, I was aware of the issues of teacher education. When I started introducing reforms, the re was resistance from the old-fashioned teacher fraternity. But I worked slowly, firmly and moved on. When positive results started coming in, everybody realised the need for changes. And support started pouring in.
The concept of international placement originated from a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which he talks about his dream of India exporting teachers to the world.
Tell us about the game changing ideas that helped you develop a working model of teacher education.
The concept of international placement originated from a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which he talks about his dream of India exporting teachers to the world. The video inspired us to innovate. We used Google search engine to identify some Indian schools in Gulf countries and developed working relationships with them. For six months a selected group of students were trained by experts in communication, technology, psychology, teaching, learning, pedagogy, content, etc. On 27th June 2017, when the international job fair took place, 10 students were selected by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Middle East for its school in Kuwait. As the students and their parents now prepare to join their dream jobs, it is also a big moment for IITE.
The international placement initiative has been the biggest game changer so far.
Technology is another idea which was a game changer as well. We made a new computer lab for students, provided smart board to students in an open space, gave Namo tablets to the first year students besides including technology into their curriculum and LMS too proved to be a real game changer as it helped us develop a new culture of technocracy, helping the students in getting global exposure.
What was the idea behind introducing theatre? How did it help shape the students’ personalities?
Theatre was introduced in 2014. Some students hated it, but most of them loved it. It results into that the most mischievous students of the college got involved in theatre activity. For that group, theatre turned out to be their first love. The group started winning in drama competitions and winning is always contagious. Now, after three years, drama has become an integral part of the IITE culture. The most mischievous students have become some of the best students of the university. It has helped students become confident, better presenters, focused and polite. Theatre has turned out to be an agent for change.
