MOOCs-The way to go

MOOCs plays a vital role in transforming higher education across the globe. Today, providing an access to higher education to people of all sectors is the highest priority in all the developed and developing countries. Currently many universities in developed countries are able to get to the top rankings (by various agencies) because of their high education standards, flexibility in the education system, curriculum and outreach programmes. By this they are able to attract the best brains from across the globe. MOOCs helps them to attain this to a greater extent apart from the policy matters. In this paper, cumulative data of three consecutive years of a NPTEL local chapter and of courses in Coursera taken during the peak pandemic duration is taken in to consideration for the analysis of trends and popularity of MOOCs among students and faculty fraternity in a technical institution.

Self-Reliant Learning Strategy in Vocational and Technical Education: Insights from Group Collaboration

In this study, a self-reliant learning strategy was used in the teaching and learning of a Mathematics module at a local technical institution to investigate its effectiveness in improving the students' performance in descriptive statistics. This study also examined how group work activity, when integrated with the self-reliant strategy, can contribute to students' development in directing their learning. Forty-two students were observed on how a self-reliant learning strategy affects their performance. It is found that the self-reliant learning strategy had a positive impact on the students' performance in their learning of descriptive statistics and that group work activity improved students' learning skills, especially on planning, monitoring, and evaluating their course of learning on their own. The findings of this study hoped to provide pedagogical alternatives and persuade teachers to consider the self-reliant learning strategy that promotes flexibility in the course of the students' learning.

Exploring the Level of Computer Literacy for Candidates in Higher Education: ICDL Programme at Bahrain Polytechnic

Bahrain Polytechnic is a Higher Education technical institution established in 2008 (by Royal Decree No. 65 for the year 2008). Its main mission is to supply the Bahraini economy with a skilled Bahraini labour force aiming to contribute to economic growth and diversification. The Polytechnic ensures that its values of excellence, learning and innovation are achieved by designing curricula that meet international standards as well as national and individual needs through continuous consultations with the industries and international education institutions. The development of computer and technological literacy is a significant predictor for success in the workplace and is also one of the key skills that the polytechnic provides through its programmes to students and faculty. This paper explores how computer literacy and skills are acquired by educators and students through International Computer Driving License (ICDL) tools employed at Bahrain Polytechnic. The study also considers the challenges that hinder learners from completing the requirements of ICDL. If adequate numbers of faculty and students have already learned basic computer skills, then the question facing the polytechnic is if computer literacy should continue to be taught at all levels. To answer this question, ICDL tests were administered to ascertain the computer literacy level of existing faculty and students. The results of the tests will determine which ICDL tests students and faculty should be placed on in order to address their computer literacy needs.

Design and simulation of a microgrid for TIH campus

<p><span>This paper proposes a methodology for designing and operating a microgrid (MG) for the main campus of the Technical Institution Hawija. In this MG, a battery energy storage system (BESS), photovoltaic (PV) generation system, and controllable loads are included. Due to the high penetration of the PVs, over-voltage issues may occur in this MG. A novel operation strategy is considered by coordinating the BESS, PVs, and loads to prevent power outages and accomplish a secure operation of this MG. In this proposed approach, droop controllers have been implemented to provide the appropriate references for the PVs and BESS to maintain the voltage of the MG within a secure range. The generation of the PVs may be curtailed to guarantee the fidelity of the voltage. The intended simulations will be based on MATLAB/Simulink to show the efficacy of the intended design.</span></p><script type="text/javascript" src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/mathjax/2.7.0/MathJax.js?config=TeX-AMS-MML_HTMLorMML&amp;delayStartupUntil=configured"></script><script id="texAllTheThingsPageScript" type="text/javascript" src="chrome-extension://cbimabofgmfdkicghcadidpemeenbffn/js/pageScript.js"></script>

An Experiential Study on the Learners' Perception of E-Learning and Traditional Learning

The teaching-learning process had been confined to the classrooms before technology found its place in the field of education. The classrooms were either student-centred or teacher-centred. The scenario changed slowly and classroom instruction became technology-supported. Today's learners, the digital natives, rely more on technology rather than teachers. The drastic change raised a question whether they need teachers or technology for higher levels of learning and the possible results. In order to find out an answer to this question, a study was conducted among the young engineering graduates belonging to a private technical institution in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu. Surprisingly, the results favoured the traditional mode of teaching in spite of the numerous advantages listed out by the respondents.