Abstract
The Open and Distance Education
system has strong background of Methodologies for development of various
courses in Social Sciences, Languages, and Science-Technology. Our systems
always think on suitable methodology before launching any new Programme. From
DDIs to OUs, our system gave lot of contributions for developing various
learning models and methodologies. Lesson format, SIM/ SLM, Print+ Electronic
and now use of ICT, Social Media, are various development stages of ODL.
Methodology of Political Science has been developed through various new ideas
and models. The changing technology shall help us for developing new format and
methods. The coordination shall require between methodology and content for
using new technology in Political Science. Our course writers, editors will
give more contributions, if they adopt proper subject knowledge and appropriate
technology.
Introduction:
The Open and Distance Education has long
background of development and is playing a big role for providing education to
masses and thus helps them for upgrading their knowledge and skills. Now in the
present scenario, the Open and Distance Education has become the key knowledge
provider for developed and underdeveloped courtiers. India is one of them which
encouraged ODLduring the last more than forty years. Presently, we have 14 Open
Universities and more than 250 DDIs which are providing the education to
learners. Our distance education started from conventional universities the
courses like B. A. B. Com. M.A. and M.Com. These courses attracted the learners towards
the ODL system. The languages and social sciences are backbone of ODL system.
The majority of students prefer the subject like History, Political Science,
Sociology, Economics for completion their UG/ PG degrees. The most of learners
are dependent upon getting study material and counseling through study centers.
The Political Science is highly demanded subject by the learners; this
subject is very popular due to its different identity. Political Science teaches
a State Theory, Political Philosophy, International Relations, Diplomacy, Area
Studies and also new area come forward from political system in the department
of Political science in India and abroad.
Our Distance Education system has developed several courses in print and
electronic media. Our OUs and DDIs are offering fallowing courses at UG/ PG
level.
UG level: Our courses are
Introduction of Politics, Foundation Course of Political Science, Indian
Political System, Political Thought, Introduction of Public Administration,
International Politics, Local Self Government and Panchayat Raj etc.
PG level: At PG level
the courses are Political Theory, Issues in Indian Politics, Foreign Policy,
Modern Indian Political Thought, Western Political Thought, International
Politics, Comparative Political Analysis, Administrative Thinkers etc.
To develop this material and media, a
methodology aspect plays an important role. Methodology is changing factor in
developing various political science courses. To review the role of Methodology
in teaching of political science is very interesting.
Objectives:
This paper can explain-
·
Meaning
of Teaching Methodology and charteristics of DE teaching methods.
·
Objectives
of teaching of Political Science.
·
The
role of DDIs and OUs in developing methods.
·
ICT,
Blog methods and Social media methods.
·
Relation
between methods and Political Science
·
New
emerging area of Political Science and
methods
Definitions of Teaching
Methodology and Its Meaning:
Teaching is basic need in Conventional as well as Distance Education.
Its systematic process has long traditions. Before going into an in-depth
discussion of the paper, I shall brief few points in this regard. A teaching method comprises of the principles
and methods used for instruction to be implemented by teachers to achieve the
desired learning by students. These strategies are determined partly by subject
matter to be taught and partly by kind of the learners. For a particular
teaching method to be appropriate and efficient it has to be in reaction with
the characteristics of the learner and type of learning it is supposed to bring
about.
Davis(1997) suggests that the design and
selection of teaching methods must take into account not only the nature of the
matter but also how students learn. In today’s school the trend is that it
encourages a lot of creativity. It is a known fact human advancement comes
through reasoning. This reasoning and original thought enhance creativity.
The appropriate methods for teaching can
be broadly classified into teacher-centered and student-centered methods. In
teacher centered approach to learning, teachers are main authority or figure in
this model. Students are viewed as ‘empty vessels’ whose primary role is to
passively receive information with an end goal of testing assessment. It is
primary role of teachers to pass knowledge and information onto their students.
In this model, teaching assessment is viewed as two separate entities. Student
learning is measured through objectively scored test and assessments. While in Student-Centered
Approach to Learning, teachers are an authority or figure in this model, in
which teachers and students play equally active roles in the learning process.
The teacher’s primary role is to coach and facilitate students learning and
overall comprehension of material. Students learning are measured through both
formal and informal forms of assessment, including group projects, student’s
portfolios, and class participation. Teaching and assessment are connected;
student learning is through participation, demonstration, recitation, and
memorization.
Characteristics of Distance
Education Methodology:
Distance Education has long background of its development. It is student
oriented system and learning process. So the system developed learning
methodology as requirements of learners.
Generally the five-six points are very much relevant for helping the
students learn. They are as follows:
1.
Open Access:
For open courses, most of institutes don’t require any specific entry
requirements or qualifications. So all students are welcomed to attend,
regarding of their educational background or work experience. This is
specifically available in the case of MOOCs.
2.
Freedom of time: Separation of teachers and
learner in time or place, or in both time and place.
3.
Freedom of Pace: Learners are not requiring completing
a programme of study within specific time. Instead, learners learn at their own
pace and make their own decisions about the learning path that is to be
fallowed for their programme. However, some distance teaching institutions
differ in the offers and some programmes are closely paced.
4.
Freedom of Place: Learners are not required to
fulfill a residency requirement at host institution. Most learners do not leave their homes or workplace to pursue a
programme of study.
5.
Open Programming:
Some institutions are offering Open Programmeing for distance learners. Learners
have more choice many modules as per his/ her liking.
6.
Open to Everybody: DistanceProgrammes are open to
people of abroad. Now in present days On-line programmes are best options available
for distance learners.
The above points have given the contributions for developing
education methodology of distance and open learning. We developed several programmes
in our Open Universities and Distance Education Institutes in conventional universities.
Objectives of Teaching Civics and
Political Science:
Aims are broad general statement that communicates long range purpose or
intentions. A very generalaim can be broken down into different kinds of
objectives. Objectives are more precise statement of purpose. The aims and
objectives cannot remain the same in all times and under all circumstances. The
teacher should utilize these aims and objectives insuch way that he may produce
ideal citizens of the country. Some important aims of teaching Civics and
Political Science are given below:
1.
Developing
ideal citizenships
2.
Understanding
of nation and its structure
3.
Developing
national character
4.
Developing democratic values
5.
Political
consciousness and social efficiency
6.
Develop
scientific outlook
7.
Strengthen
national and international integration
8.
Understanding
of political theory and thoughts.
9.
International politics: trade, agreement and treaties
10. International organizations
: UN, NATO, Warsaw Pact , Non- Alignments Movement
11. Understanding of
day to day politics and process.
These are some objectives before the
Political Science teachers and student community. The objectives are variable
factors and it can be changed as per requirement of subject or paper.
The Role of DDIs in Developing
Methodology for Political Science:
The origin of
Indian Distance came forward from DDIs and its conventional structure. The Delhi University (DU) started the
Bachelor of Teaching Programme in 1962 through the correspondence mode. After that in 1971 the University of Mumbai
started the Distance Education for working class in Mumbai. Presently, more than
250 Distance Education Institutes are working under the conventional universities.
So this pattern made the major contributions for developing Distance Education
courses at UG/PG level. In this pattern the conventional influence also play a
major role from syllabus to developing courses in distance mode. The same impact was observed in respect of
Political Science and I have the experience of two institutes namely IDOL,
University of Mumbai, Mumbai and Center for Distance Education, Shivaji
University, and Kolhapur.
University of Mumbai’s Distance education
developed the Methodology in conventional way with the help of teachers working
in the colleges and department of University. The Institutes prepared the notes
in ‘lessons format’ during the period of 1971 to 1985. The college teachers
developed lessons and material were circulated within the students community.
Mostly, lessons were based on information; definitions and some diagrams were
incorporated in the lessons. This pattern continued till 1985 and Institute
renamed as Directorate of Distance Education. The lessons format was converted
into the nature of book. In this pattern content was very less and students
were dependent upon the reference books. Apart from this, the DDI provided the
counseling to students through the Personal Contact Programme(PCP) at various
colleges in jurisdiction of the University. This pattern had some plus as well
as negative points.
Positive points
are:
1.
Students
were getting academic support in Politics and other subjects.
2.
Teachers
were involved in the preparation process of study material. And they have
learned little knowledge of writing skills.
Negative Points are:
1.
Material
was in rough format and not sufficient for distance learners. Sometimes content
was not sufficient for learners.
2.
Lack
of professional work in the process of lessons preparation. So the learning system
was not developed properly.
This pattern was
slightly changed after 1991 with the help of OUs and DEC’s guidelines to DDI’s.
But unfortunately the specific methodology and its patterns were not clearly
defined for Political Science and other Social Sciences too.
The
Role of OUs in Developing Methodology for Political Science:
The Open University pattern has given new
dimension for preparation of study material in SIM/SLM format. The first Open
University was established in 1982 in present state of Telangana. After that
the establishment of IGNOU (1985), YCMOU (1989), pattern was changed and DE mode
gave proper methodological base to the
Social Sciences courses. Political Science is one subject which came forward
with new format. Presently, 14 Open Universities are working in ODL and this
system provided the sound base for preparation of study material. The DDIs also
get the benefit of the expertise from OUs in the preparation of study material
in SIM/SLM format. IGNOU established STRIDE for developing training activity of
SIM/SLM and using other media. This origination gave a lot of contribution to
course writers, editors for developing their skills and knowledge.
The OUs pattern gave the special status
to curriculum development process and this process involved the following:
·
Developing
curriculum goals;
·
Understanding
decisions related to curriculum planning;
·
Gathering
of society , institutions and learner related data and characteristics;
·
Deciding
content area;
·
Sequencing
and finalizing curricular contents;
Similarly, instructional development
which deals with micro level and specific curricular/course transaction,
involves the following:
·
Planning
a unit , keeping view the contents to be included;
·
Determining
all kinds of instructional recourses to implemented the plan;
·
Developing learning experiences, i.e. determining how
the content shall be best transacted;
·
Making
media selection and integration;
·
Selecting
equipment needed to execute instruction;
·
Preparing
all kinds of materials needed to transact instruction.
There are some
activities which curriculum development and instructional development share in common.
These areas include writing of objectives, sequencing of objectives,
ascertaining learner need and characteristics, development of instructional
materials and determining their effectiveness. For instance, curriculum
development involves development of instructional objectives for the entire
programme or individual courses where a team of experts are involved; whereas
writing of instructional objectives for a particular unit /lessons or learning experience
by a single teacher or academic refers to instructional development. This
pattern developed the fallowing format which is more useful in ODL system.
Structure of Unit:
Index
1.1
Introduction
1.2
Content
1.2.1
Sub
content
1.2.2
Sub
content
1.2.3
Sub
content
1.3 Keywords
1.4 Answer to check self-study questions
1.5 Summary
1.6 Exercise
1.7 Fieldwork
1.8 Further reading
The above OUs structure model for developing unit curriculum played
amajor role development of courses. The IGNOU, YCMOU, Kota Open University and
other OUs utilized this structure. When I was working with YCMOU (1992-1998),
my school developed the several courses of Political Science and other social
sciences. ‘भारतीय राजकारणाची प्रक्रिया’ (Indian Political
Process) and ‘आपले हक्क आणि
त्यांची परिपूर्ती’ (Our Rights and Their
Fulfillment), ‘राजकीय संरचना’ (Political Structure) are few
examples. I have implemented same
pattern in Center for Distance Education, Shivaji University, Kolhapur during
the period 2007-2009. I have conducted 45 one day workshops for course writers,
editor for various Board of Studies (BoS). And the result was very positive in
development of Political Science courses and other social sciences.
The Role of Media (Print+ Electronics) for
Developing Teaching Methodology for Political Science:
Open Universities print
model has brought the major changes in print media and changed the face of Open
and Distance Education system. A sound content with interactive books impacted on
learning community. The private coaching classes and their students utilized
this SIM/SLM books for their preparation of UPSC competitive examinations. Last more than thirty years, the books have
been changing mode with suitable methodology. The electronic media were
supported to SIM/SLM for more interactive learning methodology. The Print+
Audio/ Video were the experiment in this process which gave more content to
learners. Normally the SIM/SLM books provide the following:
·
Definitions
·
Content
·
Differences
·
Various figures
·
Diagram
·
Maps
·
Typography
·
Pictures
·
Self-check
questions
·
Key words
·
List of books
·
List of website
·
Field work
·
Summary
·
Flowchart
On the basis of book’s content, this
model developed minimum two Audio and one Video with the help and academic
participation of subject experts. This content was reached at learners through
the Study Centers and Regional Centers. This pattern was implemented in various
subjects including Political Science. The National experts involved in
preparation process of Audio/Video. This
pattern was also implemented in regional languages too.
ICT Base Methodology for Political
Science Courses:
Today’s world is world
of information explosion. This information explosion is taking place in such a
fast speed that even a literate person is feeling as if he or she is illiterate
being not able to cope up with such information explosion. Here the question
arises how is one to cope up with it? The answer is information technology (IT)
that can help in coping with information explosion. So, we can say that
“Information Technology is nothing but coping up with explosion of information”
Meaning of IT:
Information Technology
consists of two words: Information and Technology. If you the two words you can
understand the word of information technology together. The term “Information”
refers to “any communication or representation of knowledge such as facts, data
or opinions in any medium or for, including textual, numerical, graphics
cartographic, narrative or audiovisual forms” According to definition of UNSECO
“Information Technology is scientific, technological and engineering discipline
and management technique used in handing the information, it’s application and
association with social, economic and culture matters”
Characteristics of IT:
Information Technology
has the fallowing characteristics:
·
Acquisition,
Storage, Manipulation, Management, Transmission or reception data or
information.
·
Real time access
to information
·
Easy availability
of update data
·
Connecting geographically
dispersed regions
·
Wider range of
communication media
ICT Use
in Political Science:
Our OUs and DDIs are
offering political science from the begging of Distance Mode in India. The
present system offers the subject through SIM/SLM and counseling through the
study centers. We also use some part of Information and Communication Technology
for delivering the knowledge and content. But our main source is SIM/SLM for
distance learners. And this scenario
seen in OUs and DDIs system. Now the time has come to increase the ICT in all
subjects including Political Science. Dr. Ezekiel Eregha discussed some points
on ICT in teaching of Political Science. He discussed his theory in respect of
conventional mode but we can implement for our ODL pattern. The uses of ICT in
teaching of Political Science. The main points are as follows:
1.
They supply a
concrete basis for connectional thinking and reduce meaningless word responses
of students.
2.
They make learning
more permanent since the students see what they here.
3.
They offer a
reality of experience, which stimulates self-activity on part of students.
4.
They have a high
degree of interest for students, and sustain aroused interest.
5.
They develop
continuity of thought, especially motion pictures.
6.
They contribute to
growth of meaning and hence to vocabulary development.
7.
They provide
experiences not easily obtained through other material and contribute to the
efficiency, depth and variety of learning.
8.
They help in
storage of information needed for quick reference and guidance in governance.
He gave importance to Group teaching, creating
atmosphere for learning, Reference purposes.
The ICT base system has some limitations
which are challenges before us. The points are as below:
1.
Poor electricity power
supply in urban and rural areas.
2.
Unavailability of
national ICT infrastructure.
3.
Insufficient qualified
ICT Personal in Institutions.
4.
Poor
implementations of ICT policies.
5.
Security problems
6.
Poor funding for
ICT.
Blog Based Methodology:
Blog is part of Information and Communication Technology which will be
best method for teaching of Political Science. Generally the technology base teaching
is using in Technology Education like Computer Science and Information
Technology. But encasement of
technology can help us for teaching of Social Sciences and particular in
Political Science. Our OUs and DDIs system utilizing technology for
registration and financial purpose. And this techno-culture will help us for
utilizing the more ICT in teaching methods. We know that blog is handled by
individual or by Institutions. In our ODL blog will be space of Institutions.
Basic
Requirements:
1.
Officially open the
Blog
2.
Give the wider
publicity with help of email or SMS within registered students.
3.
Selection Blog
writers and their topics
4.
Prepare the content
in English and regional languages.
5.
Give the time table
of topics
6.
Upload the blogs as
per schedule
7.
Collect the
reaction and comments from students
8.
Give the
satisfactory reply or information to students.
9.
Take review of
responses.
10. Make the changes in presentation and in
content, if required.
Blog utilisation for:
1.
Providing
supplementary information which is not covered in SIM/SLM
2.
Give the proper
guidance to students for their examination preparation with model questions and
its answers.
This blog method is new one in our present structure of ODL. The
more time will be required for implanting this type of methodology. Our ODL
learners are not aware about blog method they are scattered in various places. Sometimes
the local problems like electricity, internet and language barriers shall
affect on utilizing this methods. But in future this method can become a
powerful tool in teaching of political science. A more changes will be required
in ODL system and particular in teachers and students.
Use of Social Media:
After the 2000 A.D the social media became the part our life. The
mobile phones, internet, websites had changed our social, political, economic
and culture life. Now the present days, the social media has been given the
various contributions in human life. Some intake gave new dimension to our life
and some has badly affected in our personal life. The Social media has
tremendous potential to make changes in the society. So utilising of social
media, in ODL pattern is necessary one. ODL pattern utilising social media for
delivering information, instructions to students. Mostly our ODL students are
much familiar for using social media. We can utilise this strength for
implementation of our courses. We have the fallowing social media available
through internet.
1.
Wikipedia: This
social media is open source for everyone who wants to learn and give the up
gradations in the content through editing options. The everyday there changes
in information available on this media. The students, teachers, researchers
shall get general information with link.
2.
Facebook: This
social media is most popular in present days. Facebook providing updates of the
event, personal information, comments, pictures, videos. We can try to incorporate
relevant information in our teaching activity.
3.
Twitter: This
social media is one of the prestigious one where all world leaders are giving
their sharing, reactions. Twitter providing several links of books, journals,
videos, to the viewers. Every minute this media providing new information,
analysis and its useful links.
4.
Google+: Google+ is
another media which is providing information, pictures, articles, blogs etc.
5.
YouTube: This media
provides videos on lot of subjects. There are several speeches available of
Political scientists, researchers. And we have opportunity to upload our
videos. So this media very useful to developing our subjects.
6.
LinkedIn: This is a
platform for professionals and peers, and then connecting with them through social
media. We can use this media for collecting proper information from the
experts.
The social media discuss so many issues, problems and delivered the
heterogeneous reaction on globe. Politics, International Politics and
development, Security issues etc. are always in the focus in World Politics. We
are getting so much information and sharing through the Social Media. This media providing several links to its
registered members. Therefore we can try to collect relevant information for
upgrading our knowledge of Political Science.
The supplementary knowledge is one of the major requirements in ODL in
all subjects. The social media tools shall help us in this regard. But there
are some limitations occur for utilising social media tools. The social media
is presenting in English language so non English registered members can’t get
proper access. The regional languages
has limitations on social media.
Coordination between Methodology and Political
Science:
Methodology is unavoidable
factor in teaching learning process and ODL system adopt this approach after
establishing of Open Universities in India. The ODL system has developed
several methodologies and it became an identity for us. The conventional Universities
and its teaching learning process give less importance to methodology because
this system has potential of face to face interactions. But ODL has different challenge for
implementing the courses. So ODL system is very close to term of methodology.
When we think about methodology for Political Science courses, we should give
the top priority for fallowing major points.
1.
Choose appropriate
methodology for Political Science courses as per understanding need of
learners.
2.
Try to establish
relation between content and methodology.
3.
Define appropriate
methodology of course and give training to course writers, editors.
4.
Seriously implement
methodology aspect in course development process.
5.
Before launching
the course take the review of work.
6.
Take feedback from
learners after examination about using methodology in SIM/SLM. And make the
changes as per need.
Emerging New Area of Political Science and Future
of Methodology:
The globalization process has been started before twenty years and the
world politics shifted from bipolar to unipolar. The U.S policies, IMF, World Bank the
Multinationals Companies are dominating on under develop countries. There were
several changes taking place in area of Economics, Social, Education and
technology. India has also adopted globalization process in 1991 and made the
changes in all develop sectors. The service sectors were expanded and new
inputs added in the relevant area. Our curriculum, courses has been changed
according new needs of the society. The Indian ODL system got benefits of all
new changes and our system can able to offer new courses in applied nature. Our Political Science is on the same way and
expanding its applied nature. Political Communication, Political Management,
Leadership Studies, Policies Studies, Area Studies, Political Consultancy,
Political Think Tank, Corporate Political Analysis, Psephology, Political
Journalism, Parliamentary Studies these
are new applied area of Political Science where we have to work on it.
The possible role of OUs in developing
methodology for Political Science with special case to Area Studies and
International Relations.
Importance of Area Studies and
International Relations:
* To gain more and more knowledge of
global affairs.
It will help to formulate the foreign,
economic and cultural policy of our country. Though there are nearly 40 Area Study
Centers in India. But half of them are located in New Delhi only. So they
should be expanded in other parts of India including OUs. Our one national Open
University i.e IGNOU is offering two areas studies.
Challenges: Inadequate knowledge of local
languages. And less funding to Area Studies.
So, OUs have more opening in
developing Area Studies and we should try to catch this opportunity.
Presently, our courses structure is very
traditionally run with help of writers and editors. In future we have to define
new methodologies for new courses according their nature. Apart from this, I
would like to mention that the NCTE the apex body of teacher education does not
offer the teaching methodology for political science and this is injustice on
teachers as well as on the subjects. I know this not directly affected on ODL
system but it is seen that the subject started from 3rd STD as
Civics later as Political Science in 9th STD is not getting its
teaching method at School and Higher Secondary level. This national seminar is devoted for a
discussion on methodology. So we have considered all these aspects in
developing methodology for teaching of Political Science in ODL.
Conclusion:
1.
Methodology is
important aspect in teaching process and this process give the support to
teachers/ course writers and distance learners.
2.
Open and Distance
Education has a great potential of Methodology the system developed several
format for developing courses in last more than thirty years. And system is
open to learn and implement new methodology, if required.
3.
Our ODL system has
sound background of SIM/SLM and this actual strength of the system.
4.
We are using other
media as supplementary tools in learning process for students. Our most of
students dependent upon print media.
5.
The other media
will help us for defining new methodology for the Political Science and its new
development. But we should ready to accept new changing teaching – learning
environment.
6.
The new emerging
interdisciplinary area of Political Science will give more space for developing
new methodology. This new development shall challenge before us.
7.
Frequently, the
scientific review of teaching methodology in ODL is necessary one.
Recommendations:
1.
Define various
methodology formats for Political Science in respect of use of ICT, Blogs and
Social Media in teaching process in ODL. And separate workshops shall be
required for our ODL set up.
2.
Use Print Media
Methodology as basic knowledge in development of other methodology and format.
3.
Before using the
other methods, try to create proper environment for course writers and learning
community.
4.
In present system,
students of ODL are not getting any single document or dictionary about the
terminology in Political Science. We have prepared this type of document which
will be more help to students and course writers.
5.
Establish one’s
group for detail study of new interdisciplinary development in Political
Science and findout a relevant area of new courses.
6.
Methodology
develops the good teachers and writers in any subject. In the national frame
work, NCTE a National body of teacher education is not providing methods of
Political Science in B.Ed. course. It is injustice with our subject and
teachers. Therefore, we have to raise
this issue before appropriate authority.
Our B.A (Political Science) students of ODL and will get new opening for
their survival, if methods introduce in present course.
7.
To develop the best
methodology and content the language play a major role in the process. So, we
have very careful about professional development of our course writers, editors
in respect of English and other Regional languages.
Key words:
1.
Methodology: A
systemic teaching process and strategies
for utilize to convey the content and knowledge.
2.
Personal Contact
Programme(PCP): Counseling sessions for DE learners where the face to face interaction is possible within teachers
and learners. This activity organize in the study centers.
3.
SIM/SLM: Self
instructional material or Self learning material. This term is utilized in DDIs
and OUs structure .
4.
UPSC: Union Service
Public Commission the body organized competitor examination for selection of
Indian Civil Servant.
References:
1.
JhaJainendra
Kumar(Ed.) , Encyclopedia of Teaching of Civics Political Science, Vol-1, Anmol
Publications Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi-110002, 2001.
2.
STRIDE Self
–Learning Material Development, IGNOU, New Delhi- 110068. 2000.
4.
Eregha Ezekiel,
Information And Communication Technologies (ICT) In The Teaching of Political
Science
5.
M. Natrajan,
Innovative Teaching Techniques for Distance Education, Communication of the
IIMA, Vol 5 Issue 4, 2005.
(* This paper was read and presented at
National Seminar on “Teaching Social Sciences Disciplines through ODL: A 21st
Century Perpective”, organized by Netaji Subhas Open University, Kolkata, March
3, 2017.)
