“Best Teaching-Learning Practices for Faculty Mentors”
A Five-Day Faculty Development Program (FDP) on “Best Teaching-Learning Practices for Faculty Mentors” was organized by the Department of Basic Science and Humanities, VCET, Puttur, from February 3-7, 2025, in a hybrid mode, featuring two days of online and three days of offline sessions. On Day 1, the first session on “Outcome-Based Education (OBE)” was conducted by Dr. Shrikanth Rao S.K., who provided an overview of the Outcome-Based Education (OBE) framework, emphasizing its role in curriculum design and assessment. He discussed various strategies for aligning learning outcomes with teaching methodologies to ensure effective student engagement and skill development. The second session by Dr. Shreesha Bhat focused on “Interactive and Engaging Classroom Strategies”, highlighting innovative teaching strategies that enhance student participation and engagement. He highlighted the significance of active learning and the flipped classroom model in fostering a dynamic and interactive learning environment. On Day 2, Prof. Vandana Shankar led a session on “The Art of Effective Communication for Teachers”, emphasizing the importance of both verbal and non-verbal communication in the classroom. She demonstrated how storytelling techniques can make complex concepts more relatable and engaging, thereby improving students’ understanding and retention of information. The next session by Dr. Robin Manohar Shinde explored “Assessment and Feedback Strategies”, elaborating on different assessment methods and their role in evaluating student learning. He explained the distinctions between formative and summative assessments, the importance of structured feedback loops, and the process of creating rubrics to ensure fair and effective evaluation. On Day 3, the program commenced with a formal inaugural function at Sri Rama Sabhabhavana, VCET, Puttur, presided over by Sri Muralidhara Bhat B., Treasurer, VCET, with a keynote address by Dr. Sarojini B. K., Professor, Mangalore University, on “The Science of Effective Mentorship in STEM”. She discussed blended learning approaches, the role of technology in education, student-centered mentorship, and continuous professional growth. The first session of the day was “Innovative Teaching Methods” led by Dr. Madhava Bhat, Former Principal, Vivekananda College, Puttur, introduced modern teaching strategies aimed at enhancing student engagement and improving learning outcomes. He emphasized the importance of creativity and adaptability, demonstrating situational and conceptual teaching techniques through interactive activities. The next session by Dr. Vijay V S, Assistant Professor, SJEC, Mangalore, focused on “Universal Human Values”, emphasizing the significance of ethics, empathy, and human values in shaping responsible students and faculty mentors. He also explained why AICTE incorporated value-based learning into the curriculum, stressing its role in holistic education. On Day 4, Mrs. Sharavathi Ravinarayana, Art of Living, conducted a session on “Mindfulness and Yoga for Educators”, guiding faculty members through breathing exercises, stress management techniques, and mindfulness practices to enhance their well-being. The next session, led by Dr. Mahanthesh R. Choudhari, Associate Professor, VCET, covered “Research Methodology and Academic Writing”, where he explained research techniques, structuring academic papers, and effective scholarly writing practices, concluding with a short assessment for participants. The last session of the day was a “hands-on session on Software Tools for Teaching”, conducted by Dr. Govindaraj P., HoD, AIML, VCET, who introduced AI-powered tools such as ChatGPT, Gamma AI, Quill Bot, Napkin.ai, and Overleaf to enhance lesson planning, content creation, and technical documentation. On Day 5, Dr. Ravichandra S. Karkal, Consultant Psychiatrist, led a session on “Know Your Students”, explaining student psychology, behavioural challenges, stress management, and mentoring techniques using real-life case studies. The following session by Preethi Shenoy, Counsellor, focused on “Work-Life Balance and Well-being of Teachers”, addressing stress management, time prioritization, setting boundaries, and self-care practices for educators. The final session, conducted by Dr. Mahesha M G, Associate Professor, MIT Manipal, covered “Teaching Challenges and Strategies in STEM”, where he discussed pedagogical gaps, AI-driven teaching aids, and innovative instructional methods such as the flipped classroom model to improve STEM education. The FDP concluded with a valedictory function, presided over by Smt. Vidya R. Gowri, Director, VCET, Puttur, with Dr. Mahesha M G as the Chief Guest. The speakers emphasized continuous learning, innovation in teaching methodologies, and the crucial role of faculty mentors in shaping students’ futures. Participants shared their feedback, highlighting the practical value of the sessions, and certificates were distributed to all attendees. Dr. Shwethambika P. and Ms. Latha Mohan Shetty of the Department of Basic Science and Humanities coordinated the FDP.
