Strengthening training needs of faculty on education technology in a state agriculture university: A retrospective view

Abstract

Effectiveness of teaching can be, gauged through students Assessment of Teachers (SAT). But, the faculty often don’t like their teaching be evaluated by their students. In the west it is more common. But, in India, it is uncommon. Nevertheless, to achieve academic excellence, this step is very essential. It is in this direction studies were undertaken to ascertain the training needs of faculty on Educational Technology at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore during 1991, 1999, 2007 and 2011 by Somashekhsrappa, Naika, Ravikanth and Pallavi respectively form the basis. This paper traces (a) the origin of concept of Education Technology (b) perspectives of Education Technology (c) The approach followed. The Results reveal that training needs of teachers on Education Technology over two decades, were varied as revealed by RJ scores. However, certain core areas like theories of learning and its application in teaching, methods and motivation techniques appears to be very important for the faculty. This calls for arranging in house training programs for newly recruited teachers or deputing outside, for refresher courses. So that, the faculty can sharpen their knowledge on pedagogy of teaching in the university to achieve Academic excellence in the years to come.