The Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) in its determined stance for continued professional development and TVET systems enhancement of its member countries pursued online programs addressing challenges such as educational challenges impacting the society in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Realizing that the world of education is changing due to the COVID 19 pandemic., CPSC arranged the open registration program on “Teaching and Learning through Blended Methods” from November 9-13, 2020 via Zoom.
Sixteen (16) TVET institutions and polytechnics, based in India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines and Thailand sent their professionals for training to gain understanding on the concept and components of blended learning approach, learn to develop teaching aids to enhance blended learning, and be able to develop action plans to design a blended learning course.
Apart from blended learning concepts, elements and components, the program provided learning experience on developing a learning management system using moodle system, developing a course using an Authoring Tool and on designing a blended learning course. The Program Coordinator and Resource Person, Engr. Abdul Ghani Rajput, enthused the eager participants to an interesting and engaging learning activities in designing and developing blended learning courses for each of their institutions.
The 18 participants composed of a Provincial Director, an Academic Deputy Director, an Asst Professor, a Foreign Affairs Manager, Instructors, Lecturers, an Education Service Officer, Vocational Training Officers and TESDA Specialists expressed appreciation on the new knowledge that they gained from the program which they intend to adapt and utilize for the improvement of their institution’s program delivery. The participants hailed from Nachimuthu Polytechnic College, India; KKTM Kuantan-Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA Kuantan (KKTM Kuantan), Mara Japan Industrial Institute, KKTM Ledang, Politeknik Ungku Omar (PUO), Politeknik Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (POLISAS), Malaysia; Institute of Technology, Mongolia; Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Provincial Office-CAMIGUIN, Davao Oriental Polytechnic Institute, New Lucena Polytechnic College, TESDA District Office – CAMANAVA, TESDA Women's Center, Dipolog School of Fisheries, Arteche National Agricultural School, Balicuatro College of Arts and Trades, PhiIippines; and Siam Business Administration Technical College, ThaiIand.
Dr. Ramhari Lamichhane, CPSC Director General, in his opening remarks, described TVET as one of the key sectors that most government are focusing on considering it as a cross cutting sector among other sectors and the most essential in the countries’ socio-economic development. He also emphasized the importance of blended learning in addressing TVET needs and challenges the society faces in these times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing that blended learning is a vital element to address TVET challenges in the current critical times of the pandemic, Dr. Ram said that CPSC designed such milestone program to provide ideas, concepts and equip TVET institutions of knowledge and skills in developing and establishing blended or distance learning systems in their institutions to be able to deliver quality and demand driven training programs to all TVET stakeholders.
Apart from Engr. AbduI Ghani Rajput who acted as Program Coordinator and Resource Person, Engr. Sanyog Bhattarai also imparted presentations during the program as one of the resource persons.
