Let me reiterate my thought out of experience in past 40 yrs , the first bulk trial at Dewas [M.P] , with a textile giant then Mafatlal’s . I had no qualified textile technologist with me , except 3 freshers I got with me from V.J.T.Inst , Mumbai , when I was transferred from Mumbai unit , for expansion , massive work trusted at 6 yrs experience then. It was lateral &vertical expansion of capacity , modernisation of technology , creation of different product mix with added values , rationalization of labor force , adding all utilities needed for the ‘ new but mix of old & new ‘set up of technology and people of course . I needed technicians where no one was ready to come to Dewas !! What to do, easy job –blame the management for selecting such location! I came to Indore, selected 11 young, sportive, enthusiastic B.Sc boys got them to Dewas , there my school was born & boys gave birth to mentor in me .
Can learning for 60 boys be the same ? In the same way ? NO , our two kids refuse to , right under the nose .
So different ways of learning hence teaching or mentoring [ when it comes to professional courses ] .
As on today , my mind tells me —
1. class room , where we explain [ demonstrate in our lab , factory visit ] , the complete textile conglomerate . I expect this to finish right in first 2 semesters .
in these two semesters , the student must be relieved form , school ways of learning & teaching , notes etc . How to read books ; make notes , How to listen& make notes , how to recall it when at home or free class . Use of library , related web sites etc
Sir for higher classes , the class room is for — explain the syllabus the faculty wish to cover in specific periods , under the sub topic . Give the reference material ..books name with page number and so on . if any past project work contains the topic use it [ we have 2 projects per student per batch ] . With broad lines then batch is left for self study, books , lab , own or organized visits . Then we gather back after specific time for discuss the queries.
So we need subject coordinators, who has the grasp of subject decides what to address when , whom [ diploma , degree , master or research in total or part ]. Such faculties are to be created .
2. Laboratory – let the technology be old or new , so long it explains the process , added by factory visits . It is very expensive hence uneconomical to have up date lab at any point of time , [ just enquire , right on the spot , how many samples are produced on knitting machines bought year back and the pic will be clear, the answers vs proposal sir ] the is specifically for the technology not engineering . Understanding the basic concept , then explaining present status gives more allied information too , what drives towards development ? this should be say 12.5% of times , remaining 12.5 % factory visits . That completes practical demo.
Please give me 5 mins to explain factory visits —
First 2 to 3 semesters , to know complete textile process , so he knows the different avenues of Currier .
Next more objective visits , students are briefed in advance , may student form own batches to dwell more time and have interactions at class .
Next Minor/ major project / vacation training / study at industry while on college attendance . Factory study of faculty & lab man is equally important .
3. Library , web sites , visiting guest from industry on topics desired by subject coordinator , technology suppliers , presentations by student from self study – factory visits etc.
Now coming back to different ways of learning — few will have more inclination to any of above way more than other ! let us make use of then encourage peer education .. provide platform to develop allied soft skills .
Factory visits , for all student will be just up to 4 th sem. , by the time they would have decided their own choice , then it is will small team with faculty — economical , some places 10 seater tempo can also be used . They also can be shared by student, when they can have expensive handsets.
Why each faculty cannot develop/generate interest of 6/8 boys for his subject!! After 6 th sem .,keeping importance of other disciplines too.
Faculties needs big change in attitude, before altitude. Notes are not less than 5 to 12 yrs old , which can be up dated with factory visits , machines manufactures , different supplies to industry .
When we use the students capacity , our teaching needs will reduce and take different dimensions .
Developing the topic by faculty is one of the important area.
Papers published or any such efforts, in case also should be on record I feel.