Teaching Learning Process

2.3.1. Teaching Learning & evaluation schedules are discussed and planned before the commencement of the new academic session. The details are given in the academic calendar.

Different committees propose action plan of various activities such as cultural programmes, seminars, special lectures, NSS, NCC and sports events.

A unit wise syllabus is discussed with the faculty of the department and the course work is distributed. The students are given topics for project work, presentations and classroom discussion.

The two house examinations are held as per university schedule in the months of September and December, help in evaluating students on the basis of their performance and results. The internal assessment is based on the students’ performance in the two house examinations, her regularity in classes, participation in various activities and written assignments.

All the faculties maintain work diaries. Thus college follows the process of continuous evaluation which includes Monthly tests, Mid Semester Exams, House Exams, Assignments, seminars and Annual Examination continuous assessment is done by the college. After evaluating the answer sheets of Monthly tests, Mid Semester Exams, and House Exams, the teachers have to submit the Award list by a specified date. The Semester / Annual Exams are conducted and evaluated by the University.

2.3.1. How does the college plan and organise the teaching, learning and evaluating schedules? (Academic Calender, teaching plan, evaluation blue print, etc.)

SSR-2014 – Akal Degree College for Women, Sangrur 2.3.2. How does IQAC contribute to improve the teaching-learning process?

In the first place college IQAC explores the possible capabilities of departments in general and of individual faculty members in particular. The main thrust of the college IQAC is focus on Quality Enhancement, the meetings of Heads of Departments are held in which they are motivated to arrange their activities in a manner to be able to rise to a still higher level.

IQAC helps the various departments to propose and initiate activities for the development of the skills of the students. Its contribution to improve teaching learning process in an institution is exemplary. It plans in the beginning of the academic session and reviews the same in the subsequent meetings. The college IQAC also helps the teaching departments in the documentation of their activities.

The college possesses several features that contribute greatly to acquiring knowledge, management skills and transform students into life long learners and innovators. Great efforts are made by the teachers to inculcate qualities / values and skills that would last a life time. In order to promote independent critical thinking among students, a very vital role is played by the Students Council. This council acts as on open body to plan, execute, control and manage various students related and other activities of the college. The formation of this council is highly beneficial as it gives opportunities to all students to use their judgement, creativity and scientific temper during college days. It is a conscious effort on the part of the faculty to let the students plan and execute events themselves as it gives them a good experience in Event Management as they look after several aspects such as:

 Contacting, inviting and receiving guests.

 Hospitality

 Making stage arrangements, decorations etc.

 Anchoring the function.

This experience in Event Management within the safe environs of the college campus makes them confident and helps them in acquiring skills that are useful throughout life.

The College magazine ‘Testimony’ plays a pivotal role in nurturing creativity among students. It provides a platform to students to give expression to their creative outpouring, while encouraging them to write and create. Other activities like Debate, Group Discussions, Seminars and Presentations etc.

promote critical thinking among students.

2.3.3. How is learning made more student-centric? Give details on the support structures and systems available for teachers to develop skills like interactive learning, Collaborative learning and independent learning among the students?

Learning is made more student centric by laying stress on specific learning outcomes for all courses and making it more participatory and interactive through the following types of participatory activities: Group

SSR-2014 – Akal Degree College for Women, Sangrur Activities like Group Discussions, Field work; Role Playing and Academic debates which while strengthening the knowledge base contribute to skill formation and managerial skills both at personal and interpersonal level. The Language departments organize Quizzes, Magazine-designing, Creative Writing Competitions, Debates and Poetry competitions. Various clubs have also been established with the aim of tapping, nurturing and channelizing the energies of every individual student. The academic clubs organize activities to facilitate the creative academic pursuits of students individually and collectively. Almost all the departments organize various types of co-academic and cultural events like quizzes, poster making, paper reading, debates, skits etc. that help students in chiseling their personality. Independent learning is continually assessed through the examination system and classroom feedback.

Thus, the various ‘spaces’ in the College and outside as well, like the classroom, the play grounds, the library and the seminar Hall, give a platform to the students for wholesome, multi dimensional learning.

2.3.4. How does the institution nurture critical thinking, creativity and scientific temper among the students to transform them into life-long learners and innovators?

2.3.5. What are the technologies and facilities available and used by the faculty for effective teaching? Eg: Virtual laboratories, learning resources from National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) and National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NME-ICT), open educational resources, mobile education etc.

In order to provide an effective learning experience, teachers are encouraged to use modern teaching aids, ICT, Internet etc. We have three fully equipped computer labs with Wi-Fi and internet facility.

2.3.6. How are the students and faculty exposed to advanced level of knowledge and skills (blended learning, expert lectures, seminars, workshops etc.)?

The latest books and magazines are provided for the students.

The usage of Internet facilities and daily newspapers help the students and faculty to keep abreast of the recent developments. Educational Tours also the students give exposure and knowledge to along with recreation. Extension lectures are arranged to enhance the knowledge of the students and the faculty.

Seminars are also conducted in various departments where eminent academic personalities are invited to deliver lectures. Faculty is encouraged to attend refresher courses, Orientation Courses, Workshops and trainings in other Universities.

SSR-2014 – Akal Degree College for Women, Sangrur 2.3.7. Detail (process and the number of students / benefitted) on the academic, personal and psycho-social support and guidance services (professional Counseling / mentoring /academic advise) provided to students?

Academic support and guidance is provided at every step, right from the admission time. A special guidance and counseling committee is constituted at the time of admission to help students in seeking admission to the college.

They are asked about their area of interest and advised accordingly, keeping in mind their performance in the lower examination. Sometimes, renowned scholars from other institutes are also invited to deliver lectures for the benefit of students. Women Welfare Cell of our college takes care of the social needs of the girls students. NSS inculcates the spirit of social service among students. So during their stay in college, students are constantly guided and supported by the teachers as well as tutors who mentor them. There is also a Grievance Redressal Cell which resolves complaints of the students.

2.3.8. Provide details of innovative teaching approaches / methods adopted by the faculty during the last four years? What are the efforts made by the institution to encourage the faculty to adopt new and innovative approaches and the impact of such innovative practices on student learning?

 The Faculty is constantly motivated and encouraged to adopt innovative approaches / methods in the classroom:-

 The faculty uses “Chalk and Talk” as the primary method of teaching.

Practical / Lab. work is also an integral part of all practical courses.

 Group discussions are often held in the classrooms to discuss the pros and cons of a particular topic. This practice not only increases the knowledge but also verbal skills of the students.

 Role playing is another method used in classrooms. Very often, Drama is taught in literature classes by assigning different roles to the students.

College also invites eminent writers to interact with students. This proves to be a very inspiring and motivating approach adopted by the faculty.

 Mock vivas are also conducted by various departments.

 Presentations by students are held on assigned topics for comprehensive understanding of the syllabi.

 A number of educational trips and tours are also organized, so that classroom knowledge is supplemented.

 Project based learning is followed by the BCA / PGDCA / M.Sc. IT students.

 Internet facility has been provided to the students in the library.

Thus the impact of all these students in innovative ideas is that monotony is broken and boredom is dispelled. It gives exposure to our students and interactive methods, discussions, tutorial session debates etc instil confidence in our students.

SSR-2014 – Akal Degree College for Women, Sangrur 2.3.9 How are library resources used to augment the teaching-learning process?

The library is well stocked and enriched with reference books, light reading books like fiction, biographies of eminent personalities, magazines, journals and newspapers. The stock is regularly updated to keep abreast with the latest academic development. A facility of Book Bank is also available to provide books for full session to the needy as well as meritorious students. Internet facility is provided to the students in the library. Exhibitions of books are arranged in the library from time to time, in which latest books and journals on different subjects are displayed.

2.3.10. Does the institution face any challenges in completing the curriculum within the planned time frame and calendar? If ‘yes’

elaborate on the challenges encountered and the institutional approaches to overcome these.

The institution has not faced any major challenge in completing the curriculum within the planned time frame and calendar. Faculty members chalk out the outline in the very beginning of the session and divide the syllabus according to the upcoming house tests in September and December.

College activities and functions are mostly planned in such a way that they do not affect the classes much. However, if syllabi completion is affected due to certain unforeseen circumstances, teachers take extra classes in order to ensure that syllabus is completed well in time.

2.3.11. How does the institute monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching learning?

To monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching-learning, teachers of all the departments collect the required data related to performance of the students on the basis of class tests, assignments and house exams. The results of the house tests are discussed in the staff meetings where teachers discuss their results and plane a strategy for the improvement in results of weak students. The tutorial system ensures that students open up to their tutors regarding the problems they face during their stay in the college. The system of feedback from students also serves to monitor and evaluate the teaching learning process.