The department of English is at the forefront of successfully utilizing novel, innovative and flexible Teaching -Learning pedagogies that focus on the needs of the digital natives that are our students. Thus, we have a rigorous process of learning and self-discovery by adopting a highly focused and yet flexible approach to education as opposed to rote learning. We adopt an experiential mode of learning for all our courses, as well as a process based learning framework using an integrated Learning management System ad evaluations such as ePortfolios.
The following are some, but not inclusive of all the delivery methods used in the programme. Facilitators use a combination of the following to create an ideal learning environment
Active Learning Lectures
Lectures if and when used are interactive where students work with us to get new insights in the subject area, on which they can build their own understanding to higher learning.
Discussions
Discussions are used often in classrooms as a platform for students to be creative and critical with old and new ideas. Besides developing critiquing skills, arriving at consensus on various real life issues and discussion groups lead to innovative problem solving and, ultimately to success. These are used as a formative evaluation.
Simulations
Simulations are another often-used method for the facilitator to provide students opportunities to understand real life situations and scenarios, and solve challenges in a controlled environment or make use of them in simulating cultural experiences by locating/transposing them in new (local, regional, national and international) situations.
Role Playing
Another often used teaching strategy in all the classrooms (especially the literature classes) is role-playing where students are challenged to make strategic decisions through role-plays, and to analyze the impact of these decisions. This is heavily- used in Drama, and fiction classes.
Collaborative and Cooperative Learning Strategies
Both Collaborative and Cooperative Learning strategies are used by our facilitators, as it creates the most positive learning environment in the classrooms. Learners acquire skills of gathering, managing, and sharing knowledge. as well as creating knowledge through a collaborative process. Learning how to manage other people in a group dynamic also hones their inter-personal skills.
Gallery Walks (Modified)
Using the concept of a gallery walk, we have created 'Celebrating Days' as a teaching-Learning and Evaluation process. This is an immersive learning experience innovated by us, where the students learn through the whole process. Here the students prepare to share their knowledge of the classroom to others (Students/Teachers/Public) through the celebration of a day, and the undertaking of an exploratory project. The whole learning experience is documented through videos, photos and newspaper articles.
Study Tours/Field Visits
The department annually organized field trips, and study tours to Mumbai, Jaipur, and within Goa itself. These provide opportunities to the learners to test their in-class learning in real life situations as well as to understand the functional diversity in learning spaces. We have visited Jaipur Literary Festival, Kala Ghoda Arts and Literary Festival, Mumbai, Goa Arts and Literary Festival, Serendipity Festival, Goa, Museum of Goa, Mumbai ComicCon, etc.