ONE-DAY WORKSHOP AT CDOE, PANJAB UNIVERSITY

In an era where digital platforms are reshaping the contours of higher education, online learning has emerged as a powerful gateway to affordability, accessibility, and the democratisation of knowledge. 

Recognizing this transformative potential, the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), a multidisciplinary department of Panjab University, Chandigarh, today organised a one-day workshop on “Designing Online Courses” at its Seminar Hall. 

The workshop aimed at training and orienting faculty members from the Punjabi Department and the Sanskrit Department, apart from the CDOE faculty, to equip them with the skills required for developing effective online courses. The workshop was conceptualised as a capacity-building initiative to enable faculty members to design, develop, and deliver quality online learning material in tune with national and global pedagogic standards. 

The Chief Guest, Prof. Rakesh Wats from National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, Chandigarh spoke at length on the cardinal principles of access, equity, and quality in online education. Emphasising the role of technology in bridging educational gaps, Prof. Wats highlighted how online education fosters skill development, flexibility, and lifelong learning, making education more inclusive and learner-centric. 

The technical and pedagogical backbone of the workshop was provided by Prof. Tejinderpal Singh, faculty member at the University Business School of Education and SWAYAM Coordinator, who served as the Resource Person. 

Dr. Singh conducted three intensive and highly interactive sessions. The first session focused on planning and designing an online course, the second on creating video lectures and e-content, and the third on developing assessments and discussion activities for online platforms. His sessions were marked by clarity, practical insights, and hands-on guidance, leading to enthusiastic participation and meaningful interactions from the faculty members.