MUMBAI:
In a first, abstract maths and engineering lessons will be delivered through
smartphone apps for engineering students at the Institute of Chemical Technology
(ICT), Matunga.
With
almost every student possessing a smartphone, the institute has decided to
develop apps for tougher courses to make learning interesting. According to
professors, first year students fare poorly or fail in math because their basic
concepts in math and engineering are unclear, something that is important when
preparing for a professional world.
“With
the invasion of smartphones, students have become very tech savvy and their
attention span is only 10 minutes or even less. Students don’t appreciate
abstract concepts such as differential equations and integration unless they
are applied to some phenomenon that they are studying,” said vice chancellor GD
Yadav. “Abstract concepts need to be reinforced through pictures.”
Next
week, the institute will meet officials from a Chennaibased agency to discuss
and workout the modalities of developing the apps. Inputs will be sought from
professors on the various tough courses and therefore decide which content must
be made available on the apps.
“The
internet has all kinds of information that is freely available which students
can’t discriminate. Developing aps for specialized courses will help them focus
on what is relevant and important for students,” said Yadav. “With desktops
getting redundant, smartphones now assume the role of a second teacher.”
Developing the apps is on the lines of Massive Open Online Courses that
offer a platform of interaction between students and teachers. “Teaching
pedagogy has changed in many countries and it’s time that we also followed suit
by innovating the way we teach. Just like the blackboard, the app will be also
act as an interface for students that will be effective, and make learning
interesting and fun,” said professor Bhaskar Thorat, head, department of chemical
engineering.
Source | Hindustan Times | 5 August 2015
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