2022-23

 

Webinar on 'Preparing for the 4th Cycle of NAAC Accreditation' jointly organised by IQACs of St. Teresa's Institute of Education, Santacruz and  Pushpanjali College of Education, Vasai

On 4 March 2023, the IQACs of St. Teresa’s Institute of Education, Santacruz and Pushpanjali College of Education, Vasai jointly organised a webinar on the theme ‘Preparing for the 4th cycle of NAAC Accreditation’. The resource person was Dr Sunita Wadikar, Former Principal of MES Pillai’s College of Education and Research. The initiative was spearheaded by Dr Sr Tanuja Waghamare(Principal of St. Teresa’s Institute of Education) and Sr Delicia Fernandes (Principal In charge of Pushpanjali College of Education). The IQACs coordinators of both institutions Dr Cindrella DMello and Dr Agnes DCosta coordinated the programme.

 The webinar began with Dr Cindrella DMello elucidating the objectives of the webinar. Dr. Sr. Tanuja welcomed the participants.  There were around 75 participants who represented different Higher Education Institutions and Teacher Education Institutions. Thereafter Dr Agnes DCosta introduced the resource person Dr Sunita Wadikar.

 Dr Wadikar began by emphasizing that quality is the result of intelligent effort. She explained the rationale behind NAAC Assessment and Accreditation and emphasized the NAAC core values that form the corner stone of the process. She deliberated on the Quality Indicator Framework and explained the seven criteria and the key indicators under each criterion. Valuable tips were given with respect to how these criteria need to be interpreted.

 As documentation forms an integral part of the accreditation process, the resource person emphasized that valid documents that provide robust evidences of work done need to be maintained and presented. She also explained that this documentation could be in the form of geo tagged pictures, feedback, reports and infographics that will give a clear idea of the regular work being done in the college.

 

Dr Wadikar then elucidated the procedural details starting from the IIQA and then the submission of the Self Study Report. As this has to be done in stipulate time, she reiterated the need to keep all evidences and documentation at hand to avoid last minute rush. Elaboration of the Student Satisfaction Survey and Data Validation and Verification helped to gain clarity about the process. Qualitative and Quantitative metrics of the SSR were duly explained.

 The resource person then spoke about the Peer Team Visit and gave some valuable inputs in the form of Dos and Donts that need to be followed. Finally she elaborated how the final grade is awarded to the institution based on Peer Team Report, system generated quality profile and institutional grade sheet.  The seven letter grade scale was duly elucidated. Dr Wadikar advised everyone to refer to the NAAC website for all updates. She maintained that the whole exercise is a team effort with the institutional leader and all stakeholders playing an important role.

 The forum was left open for queries and many participants asked their doubts. The resource person and the IQAC co ordinators resolved the same by sharing some of their experiences. The participants spontaneously share their feedback appreciating the initiative of St. Teresa’s Institute of Education, Santacruz and Pushpanjali College of Education, Vasai in organizing the insightful webinar. Feedback forms were filled and certificates were dispatched to all attendees. Dr Cerena Dcunha, Associate Professor, St Teresa’s Institute of education proposed the vote of thanks.

International Webinar  Revisiting Education – Holistic Development through Empowered Minds Organised by the Alumni Associations of St. Teresa’s Institute of Education, Santacruz West and  Pushpanjali College of Education, Papdy, Vasai 

As part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between St. Teresa’s Institute of Education and Pushpanjali College of Education, the two institutions jointly organised a webinar on 6 May 2023. The theme of the webinar was ‘Revisiting Education – Holistic Development through Empowered Minds’.

The session began at 9.30 am with a prayer organised by Ms Melita Dsouza and Ms Venisha Fernandes, S.Y.B.Ed students of St. Teresa’s Institute of Education. Principal of St. Teresa’s Institute of Education Dr Sr Tanuja Waghmare then shared the rationale of the webinar and elucidated the need for the same in an ever-changing educational scenario. The webinar was sponsored by Bassein Catholic Co-operative Bank. Mr Julius Machado gave his best wishes for the webinar on behalf of the bank.

Session One: Innovations in Education in the view of Digital Transformation

Resource Person: Mr John Leonard, Teacher, Maryland, Annapolis, USA

Mr. John Leonard shared his experiences and reflections to engage students in content, engage students in review, to maintain documents. He shared how technology can be used to work in a smart way to organise one’s work and to collaborate with others. He discussed the timeline of technology during the past twenty years and introduced the participants to many useful tech tools. He also discussed how the ADDIE Model can be integrated into tech-based learning. Teachers who use technology often face a dilemma regarding the what and when of use of tech platforms. Mr Leonard shared some tips to overcome this dilemma. He then demonstrated some interesting uses of Google Drive to organise content. He also demonstrated the use of platforms like NearPod and Edpuzle. Both these platforms allow scope for interaction to ensure learner interactivity. He also shared how Newsela can be used by teachers to cater to students of different ability levels. He also shared how AI tools like ChatGPT can be leveraged to make learning effective. Simultaneously he also offered a word of caution about the use of AI based platforms emphasising that AI is a tool and not a replacement for teachers. Mr Leonard also shared tips how AI linked issues like plagiarism can be dealt with. He shared a list of various tech-based resources that participants could explore on their own and thus get enriched. The entire session illumined us to many technology tools which can augment classroom learning.

 

Session Two: Emerging Importance of Holistic Wellbeing of Students and faculty

Resource person: Dr Gauri Hardikar, Life Skills Consultant and Coach, Sr Vice President, World Curriculum, USA

Dr Gauri Hardikar discussed the dimensions of holistic development emphasizing how education for holistic wellbeing is a synergistic outcome of a blend of physical, mental, social and emotional development. Drawing the attention of the participants to the Post Covid scenario, she deliberated on the need to have supporting teachers. Her deliberations were substantiated with statistics and research findings. She discussed the what, why and how of holistic well-being peppering her inputs with anecdotes. Dr Gauri drew from the ancient Indian system of education where the 64 kalas and 14 vidyas ensures a holistic multi-disciplinary education. Next, she discussed some best practices in happiness education from the global scenario sharing some interesting tips from the UNESCO Happy Schools Project. She then explained Dr. Martin Seligman’s PERMA Model which revolves around the five core elements of happiness and well-being viz. Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishments. She then shared some simple exercises for happiness that one can practise using the PERMA Model.  Dr Gauri offered some wonderful insights regarding how value system needs to be developed so as to give learners a moral compass. Thus, the session was a beautiful blend of philosophical and practical inputs.

 

Session Three: Quality Concerns in School Education

Resource Person: Ms Upasana Sanghvi, Educator, Galaxy Education System, Rajkot 

Ms Upasana elucidated the basic aspects of quality education emphasising how quality education can lead to empowerment and help to promote peace and well-being. She shared some useful insights like making levelled worksheets to ensure differentiated instruction. Other useful strategies based on constructivism were explored. She explored the nuances of a robust learning environment sharing useful tips to ensure a sound learning environment. Ms Upasana shared some best practices such as ‘Making Learning Visible’ which gives students a platform to showcase their learning and ‘Good Work Project with Learning Buddies’ where students learned through peer interaction. She also emphasized the need to emphasize skill-based learning and not just content-based learning.  Ms Upasana focused on the need to encourage students to indulge in research so as to gain confidence in problem solving. She shared many take aways from her own experiences as a teacher reiterating the need for teachers to be reflective practitioners. Parents too play an important role in quality education and hence Ms Upasana urged the participants to coordinate with parents to help students attain their learning goals.

The webinar then concluded with a vote of thanks by Sr Delicia Fernandes, Principal In charge of Pushpanjali College of Education.

Team work was evident all throughout the endeavour. The mentorship of the Principals of the two institutions Dr Sr. Tanuja Waghmare and Sr Delicia Fernandes ensured smooth coordination. Dr. Joan Lopes, Dr. Cerena D'Cunha and Dr. Reshma Rodrigues of St Teresa’s Institute of Education were the coordinators for the webinar. The organising committee consisted of Dr. Giselle D'Souza Dr. Cindrella D'Mello Dr. Shakuntala Nighot from of St Teresa’s Institute of Education   and Dr Sheetal Chaudhari and Dr Agnes DCosta from Pushpanjali College of Education. The technological requirements were managed by Ms Uriah Barboz and Ms Rebecca Dias. Ms Sanika Asolkar assisted with collation of feedback and certificates.