Report of EDUSEM 2013 A State Level Seminar Of Shivam College of Education In association with Research Cell, Punjabi University, Patiala On “Research in Education: Concept and Implication” On 14-12-2013

Prof. M.I.S Siddhu,Addl. Dean Research Cell P.U.Patiala  presented his key-note address by talking about the reality of the educational research. He said that priority areas of research in education are continuous and comprehensive evaluation, wastage and stagnation, teacher training according to globalization.Prof. Siddhu further said," In education the need is to change the evaluation system which was already adopted by Guru Nanak Dev university by showing the answer sheets to students and satisfies their queries inside the classroom regarding the grade and marks.No chances of further revaluation will be given to them which will make the evaluation system more transparent and teachers will be responsibly evaluate the answer sheets.

Dr.Tapan Kumar Sahu, Principal of the host college welcomed the guests gave a brief presentation for setting the theme of the seminar, sub-themes expected outcomes of the seminar. He said that the theme of the seminar was conceived with the help of eminent educationists inside and outside the state.

The Educational advisor of the college Shri Rakesh Kumar said, " education professionals are always learning, finding out things, analysing information, adapting their behaviour according to information received, looking to improve and adapting to modern demands. All of this constitutes research - whether professionals want to call it that or not.

Speaking on the occasion Dr.V.K.Rai, Principal, Modern groups of institution emphasized the need and importance of research in education.At the same time he provides a brief sketch of research concept and procedure for the teacher educators.

At the end of the inaugural session Sr.Sunmeek Singh Henry,President of the college briefly discussed the changes and innovations carried out at Shivam groups of institution and gave a vote of thanks. After the inaugural session the seminar moved on to the technical sessions.On the first technical session the sub-theme was “Priority areas of research,Research problem-sources & selection,Methods of Educational Research”

Prof. M.I.S Siddhu,Addl. Dean Research Cell P.U.Patiala  was the chairperson for the session.He initiated the technical session stressing a need to make the teacher education programme meaningful and research oriented. In all five participants presented their papers.Dr.V.K.Rai,Mr.Maninderpal Singh,Dr.Manoj Sharma,Ms.Rama Sharma,Mrs.Neeru Anand presented their valuable thoughts on research i.e.Research Methods,Research ethics and sources of research problem etc.

A question was also raised about that why not Research oriented workshop was organized by the university to acquaint the teacher educators with different aspects of research .It was suggested by the the Dean research cell that he will discuss the matter with the university and try to organize such programmes in future especially for the teachers of teacher training colleges.

The second technical session chaired by Dr.P.P.Singhal. In this session five participants presented their papers using dialogue approach.On the second technical session the sub theme was “Data gathering tools, Data Interpretation, Sampling, and Action Research”. Mrs.Saroj bala,Mrs.Archana of Swami Vivekananda College of Education,Dr.Shashi Kiran,Principal,G.T.B groups of institution,Dr.Surinder Kadian,Principal,Shiva College Dirba presented their papers.

The resolutions and recommendation discussed and accepted unanimously are as follows :

If education is not based upon research and evidence, then it runs the risk of being based upon one or more of the following:

                 “Dogma, Theory, Ideology, Convenience, Prejudice”

Research enables all of the above to be challenged. Basing decisions upon evidence is morally sound. Hence Educational Research can help teachers to understand what works and why, what the short and long-term implications are, provide a justification and rationale for decisions and actions, help to build a repertoire to help deal with the unexpected, identify problems, inform improvement and so forth.

1. For the academic and professional enhancement of the teacher. Educators, the facilities for continuous orientation of them should be provided. Attending refresher and orientation programmes being organized by Academic Staff Colleges must be made mandatory for all teachers teaching in Teacher Education Colleges (affiliated to different universities) in Rajasthan.
2. Crash courses for educational research by the Deptt. Of Education of the university must be organized for teacher educators, attending which must be compulsory.
3. More efforts should be made to develop Teacher Education as a discipline with its own entity and identity.
4. National Council of Teacher Education and UGC must work in tendour try to provide institutional and individual research projects.
5. In order to enhance the quality, reliability and validity of the teacher education research should be form an integral part and imparted only by experienced teacher educators.
6. Teacher Educators should develop a pedagogy of using ICT in classrooms and train their students for this.
7. Teacher educators should form on line discussion boards, research boards etc. for their self empowerment.

              At the end of the technical session II, the valedictory session was organized, which was also chaired by Dr.Tapan Kumar Sahu. The fourth edition of the college magazine “Parvaaz” was inaugurated by the delegates. Nitika Singla,Chief co-coordinator of the seminar  read out the recommendations which were finally approved by all.
               The Director of the seminar and Principal of the institute was requested to offer his concluding remarks related to the seminar .Ms.Neeru Taneja coordinator of the seminar gave a vote of thanks to the Dean,Research cell, resource persons, guests and the staff for their cooperation for the successful conduct of the seminar. She expressed the hope that the teacher educators would continue deliberating the issues in future at appropriate forum for a more meaningful teacher education and academically and pedagogically relevant contexts.