Open Learning at Delhi University to go Digital

After achieving the milestone of becoming India’s first institution to complete 4.5 lakh online admissions, the Campus of Open Learning (COL), Delhi University is gearing up to bring a makeover with flip classrooms and short skill-based courses. The main objective behind this initiative is to facilitate the students, especially from economically weaker sections, with the use of tablets and further improve the digital mode of education.

Initially, COL will implement online courses called Small, Private, Online Courses (SPOCs). The courses are on lines with those at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These Open Badge and Open Medal courses will be of short duration, and the focus would be on crucial skills such as social, professional and soft skills. These courses will make the students fit for business and industry.

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The Open Medal courses are being planned at COL’s professional training centres. COL has been running regular mode skills-oriented courses for the past five years. Currently, these additional courses would help students get jobs according to their capabilities.

The major highlight of SPOCs is that the students will earn badges once they achieve a certain milestone or develop a particular skill. The students can also post their badges on social media or an online portfolio. Chandra Shekar Dubey, Director of COL, explained that when a potential employer or someone clicks on the badge, it will be linked to information on how and when the badge was earned.

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Under this system, the students would be exposed to lessons not only in class but also at home with material provided to them for a home study before they come for class sessions. On the other hand, the emphasis will be on discussions, case studies and project-oriented learning.