Title of the Practices –Promoting ICT Initiative.

Objective of the Practice: ICT in education is the usage of information and communication technologies to impart quality education or to impart knowledge. It plays a vital role in developing the rural area in various sector, it has helped to develop the rural sector in tremendous way. It is used in rural area for the growth of various field like education, agriculture, and health and many more. ICT integration in the classroom enables students to learn more efficiently and better prepares them for the future. In the education sector, computer technology is being used both for running and administering the Institution, and teaching the students. Activity based learning can make learning easy, fun and more effective.

The Context: National Education policy (NEP) 2020 suggests blended mode of teaching and learning .This is a milestone step towards promotion of inclusive education. There is a dire need to take strong step to promote ICT Initiative in any educational Institution like R.L.S.Y. College, Aurangabad . This area has an agriculture based economy and majority of the workforce is agricultural labourers. The low literacy and socio-economical conditions of this area is also main obstacle in growth of higher education.

The Practice: Keeping in view the above situations, R.L.S.Y. College, Aurangabad has taken very important steps to fulfil the gap of digital divide. During five years, we have established a smart class where classes can be run through a projector. Number of projectors has been increased marginally. The student user of Wi-Fi has increased manifolds as we have this facility uninterrupted due to installation of solar panels. A digital library will be operational very soon. The admission process and fee deposition are being made fully digitalized during assessment year. It also serves as an instrument of awareness among rural students as a voice in the nation's socio-economic, political and educational life. It contributes to qualitative and quantitative changes in rural lifestyle. Being a constituent college in this area, R.L.S.Y. College, Aurangabad has taken these responsibilities in a very positive manner.

Evidence of Success: The admission process along with online fee depositions are being implemented smoothly. From the last four assessment years all the admissions in the college are being processed digitally. The number of Wi-Fi users increased approximately five times from the last 2018-19 session. Uses of smart class for seminar, debate, quiz, and classes’ purposes increased. For the help and benefits of students different WhatsApp groups run by college administration are very helpful to remote and rural students.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required: We required more smart classes for benefit for all stakeholders i.e. students as well as faculties of the college. As we are located in a relatively remote area, we are facing an acute problem of power cut and this is an essential requirement of any ICT initiatives. Apart from other factors, rural student acceptance for the ICTs application is a major challenge. It is often taken for granted that any technology transfer to the rural areas would be accepted but we have to consider their own established cultural and traditional ways of doing things.