AICTE allows technical institutes to adopt hybrid learning

NEW DELHI: The All India Council For Technical Education (AICTE) has allowed to implement hybrid learning uniformly in technical colleges in India. Tech Avant-Garde (TAG) has been appointed to mentor AICTE-approved educational institutions to transform from physical to hybrid learning centers, it said in a statement.

The AICTE has also sent a circular to all its approved institutes and colleges addressing the vice-chancellors and principals about the hybrid learning centers.

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Buddha Chandrasekhar, chief coordinating officer, AICTE said, “The reason for this circular was - COVID-19 pandemic radically disrupted every aspect of life, including education. This disruption left educational institutions clamoring for systems and structures that ensure a continuation of learning for all students. In this context, initiative by AICTE recommending Hybrid Learning in technical colleges to make them robust and lockdown proof which is much essential.”

Implementation of hybrid learning should be uniform and must follow certain standards such as learning environment, class community, lesson design, engagement and interactivity and assessment and feedback, the council said.

Ali Sait, CEO, Tech Avant-Garde said, "The hybrid model combines the best of in-school and remote learning, with digital engagement. It's more than a quick fix. It is a way to enhance and accelerate learning by providing student-centered approaches to meet diverse learners’ needs."

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The AICTE further informed, “TAG will audit and advice free of cost. For any clarifications, colleges can call #91-8139999211 or email to tagconneet@t-a-g.com. Whenever educational institutions decide to implement Hybrid Learning, they can fill-in the form by clicking the following link https://forms.office.com/r/3kH0hP8rup.”

The AICTE also said that the colleges and universities will have to build whole-system resilience in their institutions while transitioning to a hybrid learning model.

Three strategies that aid in creating such resilience include:

Collaborative Capacity-Building: Institutions can leverage technology to support leaders and instructors in collaborating with one another as they transition to a hybrid model.

Standardize Digital Platforms: Colleges and universities should select technology tools that lead to a cohesive and engaging student learning experience and standardize the implementation of these tools in order to streamline communications and workflows. With a standardized digital platform, students are able to quickly become proficient with the tools and can focus on their learning rather than navigating the technology.

Utilize the Chosen Digital Platform for Change Management: College systems must implement their standardized digital platform to support change management across all stakeholders in their systems.