Institutional Best Practices
BEST PRACTICE – I
Title of the Practice:
“THE EMPOWERED DIGITAL CAMPUS: A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM FOR COLLEGE STAFF AND STUDENTS”
Objectives:
- Improve the digital literacy skills of faculty and students, including knowledge and understanding of technology tools, software applications, and online platforms.
- Enable faculty and students to use digital tools effectively for teaching, learning, research, and collaboration.
- Promote responsible and ethical behaviour in the use of digital resources, including online safety, privacy, and security.
- Encourage faculty and students to use digital technologies to create innovative and engaging learning experiences, projects, and presentations.
- Facilitate effective digital communication among faculty and students, including email, instant messaging, video conferencing, and online forums.
- Support the use of digital assessment tools, including online quizzes, tests, and assignments, for efficient and effective evaluation of student learning outcomes.
- Provide equal access to digital resources and technologies for all faculty and students, regardless of their background or location.
Context:
- Digital empowerment of students and staff in a college is a crucial step towards realizing the vision of Digital India, a movement launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015.
- Digital empowerment of students and staff in colleges is also aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes the use of technology in education and the development of digital infrastructure in educational institutions.
- By equipping students and staff with digital skills and knowledge, colleges can create a technologically advanced learning environment that fosters innovation, creativity, and collaboration.
- As a result, students and staff in colleges now need to have the necessary digital skills to navigate and succeed in this new learning environment.
Practice:
- The college has conducted a District level 2-day workshop on MOOCS and other digital initiatives on the platform of District Resource Centre to provide lecturers with knowledge from all over the district.
- Faculty members have acquired certificates in Introduction to Computer from SPOKEN TUTORIALS, IIT Bombay.
- All the teachers and students were trained multiple times to acquire knowledge about virtual classes and other pivotal online tools.
- The college has introduced G-Suite for conducting online classes.
- Students were encouraged to do certificate courses such as Introduction to Computers, Career Edge, Learn programming with JavaScript, and Microsoft 365 degrees under MOOCS, TCS ION, and IBM Mind MAP PTech, irrespective of their academic background.
- The college has conducted Online Quizzes in various subjects and used plickers for online quizzes.
- Online class time table was prepared, and attendance of the students was monitored. All the online classes were recorded and made available for the students for reference.
- The college has established 3×100 MBPS line connectivity with WIFI and LAN (AP Fibre Connectivity under RUSA – 01 Private Connections – 02) and One 10 MBPS Leased Line under RUSA for Virtual Class.
- Students who couldn’t afford the data recharges were given access to the college WIFI for attending online classes within the college premises by strictly following social distancing.
Evidence of success:
- Improved digital literacy skills: Students and staff have demonstrated improved skills and knowledge in the use of digital tools and technologies, including software applications, online platforms, and social media.
- Increased digital fluency: Students and staff have shown increased confidence and proficiency in using digital technologies for teaching, learning, research, and collaboration.
- Higher student engagement: Digital empowerment programs that focus on developing digital creativity and innovation have been shown to increase student engagement and motivation, leading to improved academic performance and retention rates.
Problems encountered and Resources required:
Digital Empowerment requires investment in infrastructure, staff training, cyber security measures and programs. The college had to make efforts to address these challenges in order to successfully implement digital empowerment.BEST PRACTICE - II
Title of the Practice:
“GREEN HORIZONS - PIONEERING SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES”
Objectives of the Practice:
- Reducing the Environmental Footprint: The college aims to promote sustainable practices such as solid waste management, conserving energy, and organic farming to reduce the environmental footprint of the campus.
- Encouraging Sustainable Behaviours: The college provides education and resources on sustainable practices, such as alternative transportation methods and reducing water usage, to encourage sustainable behaviours among students, faculty, and staff.
- Promoting Renewable Energy: The college promotes the use of renewable energy sources such as solar energy. This involves installing renewable energy systems on campus and encouraging the use of electric vehicles.
- Implementing Waste Management and Energy Policies: The college implements waste management and energy policies on campus to reduce environmental impact.
The Context:
As the need for environmental protection grows, educational institutions must lead by example in promoting sustainable practices. The Green Horizons initiative aims to create an eco-friendly and sustainable campus, which not only benefits the institution but also fosters an understanding of sustainability among students.The Practice:
Green Horizons implements a variety of practices to achieve its objectives. These include:- Solar Energy: The college uses renewable energy sources such as solar energy to reduce its carbon footprint.
- LED Bulbs: LED bulbs are installed in college buildings to save electricity.
- Solid Waste Management: The college follows leaf composting and vermicomposting for solid waste management.
- Plantation Programs: NSS volunteers and Eco Club Green Army carry out plantation programs to enrich flora and fauna on campus.
- Organic Farming: Students are engaged in organic farming practices, including using organic pesticides such as Neem extract and Tagetes oil.
- Battery-Powered Vehicles: Some of the faculty members use battery-powered vehicles to reduce carbon emissions.
- Azolla Pond: Promotes sustainable agriculture, which helps society and teaches students about sustainable practices.
Evidence of Success:
- Eco-Friendly Campus: Through periodic tree plantations and other practices, the campus has become eco-friendly.
- Solar Energy: The college meets its electrical power requirements through solar energy.
- Plastic-Free Campus: The Eco Club Green Army’s awareness campaign has made the campus plastic-free.
- Awareness Campaign: NSS volunteers and Eco Club, and Green Army organise awareness campaigns regularly.
- Green and Energy Audit: The campus undergoes regular green and energy audits.
- Vermicomposting: The vermicompost beds generate rich compost used for the college’s garden.