ICTOODLE 2022

ICTOODLE 2022: International Conference on Technology Enabled Online and Distance Learning for Education: In the Context of NEP 2020, jointly organized by the Department of Computer Science and Directorate of Distance Education Pondicherry University, was very well received by the participants.

Here are some of my observations and take-home points from the Conference:

• Education in general and Higher Education in particular, is at an exciting phase of metamorphosis. Now we have only two scenarios: a) Higher education institutions adapting the educational technology or b) Educational technology companies adopting higher education. It is a question of relevance and survival for the higher education academia.
• With the changing learning patterns of the Millenials, we can't stick to outdated modes of content delivery. Non-linear and engaging modes such as Gamification / Game-based learning should be encouraged to keep the learner engaged.
• Knowing the learners is essential in all modes of teaching and learning: physical, online, or blended. Analyzing the behavior and needs of the learners through fast-evolving ethnography methods such as netnography, and cyber-ethnography would certainly enrich the effectiveness of the teaching-learning process.
• Information and Communication Technologies have migrated from the "nice-to-have" into the "essential" category. ICT is no more for enriching but it is for enabling. We have an interesting conundrum about whether to treat ICT as a Partner or Servant in making the educational process effective.
• Topping the list of To-do's is the "Assessment". How do we go about the assessment process in the remote learning process? To make the assessment process meaningful, we really need to engage in developing models of assessment that would be drastically different from the existing modes of assessment.
• The improvements in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality is going to bring unforeseen experiences for both the learners and the teachers. It's high time that both the teachers and the systems gear up to embrace powerful immersive technologies.
• As a researcher in Accessibility and Inclusion, I was happy to see a growing interest in making the digital mode of education accessible to a wide spectrum of learners which definitely includes Persons with Disabilities. Technology can serve as a powerful agent of inclusion. Sensitizing the stakeholders regarding the needs of Learners with Disabilities is an integral part of making the distance learning process inclusive.
• Education can no more depend only on centuries-old methods. Learners who are digital natives, expect the teachers and the systems to speak their language and embrace the cyberculture.

Huge Thanks to HoD of the Computer Science Department, the Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology, and the Director, Directorate of Distance Education, Pondicherry University for making this Conference Real.