Best Practice 1
Title of the Practice: Digital awareness through QR codes
Objectives of the Practice:
- To eliminate problem of remembering long web addresses.
- To speed up the login process to various web-based services.
- To increase use of technology and gadgets.
- To make the learning process interesting and
- To provide easy and quick access to study material and online resources.
- To provide in-depth information about biological specimens and plants in the property.
- To quickly facilitate and fulfill the academic needs/requirements of library users in a remote area.
- To speed up the processes like, admission, lodging grievance, and library services.
- Providing selective and filtered information to students.
- Introducing new technological advancements to students.
The Context:
The educational landscape is changing as a result of technological developments and changing student needs. To put it simply, technology is essential to education. Today’s students take screenshots and photos instead of writing everything down in a notebook. Also, they share PDF notes and electronic books. Education institutions can improve student learning by making it more immersive and engaging with the use of technology. And this is when QR codes come into play. QR stands for quick response. It basically functions as a short, scan able graphic that looks like a barcode and directs you to a certain digital location. We may share digital learning materials and information with a wide audience by using QR codes. This includes websites, photos, videos, PDFs, and other formats. We can also utilise QR codes to make administrative procedures like admissions and identification more efficient. Learners can actively participate in the learning process rather than merely reading notes from books. This not only makes the experience participatory but also aids in the improvement of the students’ conceptual understanding. Overall, these patterns show that technology has changed the educational landscape. Technology is used by educational institutions all over the world to increase accessibility, immersion, and interaction in learning. To provide students with study materials and other useful information, educational institutions can use QR codes. QR codes are fast and easy to use.
The Practice:
As majority of students are mobile savvy, the college has broadly adopted the practice of using QR codes in various activities. Our library uses QR codes extensively and is committed to provide optimum and finest information and reading material to our students. We have a separate wall dedicated to QR codes in library, which is very popular among students. Every library shelf holds QR code of particular syllabus. The library staff easily rearranges the books on specified shelves by using QR codes. QR codes are imprinted on Identity cards of staff members scanning which leads to their profiles for authentication. Numerous specimens can be found in biology labs, and students are often curious to learn more about them. To make the learning process for students as easy as possible, we have utilised QR codes to provide comprehensive information about biological specimens, in our Botany and Zoology labs. Apart from this we have pasted QR codes in our college’s gardens, there students can simply scan and get additional information about various plants and trees. Students and teachers don’t have to remember long web addresses anymore. QR codes are installed at various spots in the college premises to offer them different services, convey information and instructions.
Evidence of Success:
Use of QR codes has made various tedious procedures easy and accessible for both students and teachers. College faculty members have begun to prepare PDF notes and distribute their QR codes to students in place of handing out paper notes. The use of QR codes has made it easier to manage library, and through these students are exposed to a vast sea of knowledge, which is just a click away. Besides its utility the scanning process is an exciting activity among students hence, is very popular, so it has increased students’ involvement.
Problems Encountered and Resources Required:
It was initially challenging to effectively instruct students on using QR codes, given that they lacked QR scanners. The state government initiated a programme last year that gave all students smart gadgets that enabled them to scan.
Initially, internet access on campus was not very good, but today it is a fully WiFi campus, with 5 Modems and 3 Optical Fiber Cable connections.
Best Practice 2
Title of the Practice:Promotion of Sustainability
Objectives of the Practice:
- To promote Sustainable living practices.
- Supporting local economies as college’s social responsibility.
- Implementing Eco-friendly initiatives.
- To promote green and environment friendly practices in the campus.
- Developing campus gardens.
- Rain water harvesting.
- Sensitising about Climate change.
- Run a college Eco club.
- Proper segregation and disposal of waste.
- Tree Plantation.
- Energy Conservation.
- Stopping use of disposable items.
- Going Digital.
- Producing Compost.
- Generating awareness for waste management.
- Protect Flora and Fauna.
The Context:
There are numerous reasons why individuals and societies embrace sustainability in their daily lives; straightforward goal is to preserve the prospects for the coming generation. To be really sustainable, individuals and organisations must continue to develop solutions and adapt today and in the future. Students need to be introduced to sustainable behaviours when it comes to sustainability on college campuses notably since they are already exposed to other concepts and opportunities through what is known as a “co-curriculum” — the learning that takes place outside of the classroom. This includes discovering how to live in a community, getting to know people, joining clubs, and making sustainable efforts. These factors combine to form the nucleus of what it means to live on a college campus. Students are now evaluating the sustainability and making greater efforts to promote sustainability which will better prepare students for the experiences that will be most important to them in the future. Additionally, sustainability is being integrated into the core curriculum. These principles will be reflected in the curriculum and culture of a college that places a strong emphasis on them.
The Practice:
College is adopting more and more sustainable practices. Making lasting efforts is sometimes perceived as being much more difficult than it actually is. The majority of solutions entail a straightforward change between two products, such as going from a disposable water bottle to a reusable one. Others may require more work, such as founding and running a campus garden. The ability to satisfy our immediate wants without sacrificing the potential of future generations to satisfy theirs is sustainability. It pertains to social, economic, and natural resources. Contrary to popular belief, environmental activism is not the only aspect of sustainability. Economic growth and social equity are additional issues. In the end, it is a collective perspective that highlights how individual behaviours and collective behaviours impact the natural world.
The following measures have been taken under this practice:
- Organised several awareness campaigns with the help of Eco club
- Conducted various competitions in regular intervals
- There is ample natural light in every classroom as a result of careful design, to avoid need of turning on lights.
- Solar street lights are installed
- Maintained college gardens
- A rain water harvesting system is constructed
- A ground water recharge zone is built
- Botanical garden is been taken care of
- College is a plastic free Campus
- College has developed a Solid Waste Management and E Waste Management system.
- College has been celebrating days of environmental significance like Himalay Diwas etc.
Evidence of Success:
College has successfully formed the Swachhta Action Plan Committee. Institution is now recognised as Swachhta Action Plan Institution by Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education Dept. of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India. College successfully conducted Green Energy Audit. Rain water harvesting system is working suitably. Entire college is a green campus with lush green gardens and abundant biodiversity. There is a clear sign of increased awareness among students and they have started to make sustainable choices.
Problems Encountered and Resources Required:
There are certain difficulties and challenges in adopting sustainable practices such as, inadequate infrastructure, money, technology, or human resources, shortage of infrastructure, or renewable energy systems. As majority of students come from poor economic background, sometimes it is challenging to embrace sustainable practices. Despite these obstacles and limited resources, there are numerous encouraging changes taking place, and more and more people are realising the importance of making the transition to a more sustainable future.