ICT mediated platforms for capacity building of faculty members in agricultural universities

Abstract

In teaching-learning process teachers play a crucial role in enhancing effective learning and they are the pillarsof agriculture education and rural development. The faculty in agricultural colleges play a vital role in shaping the future ofagricultural graduates. Agricultural faculty are required to use different e-resources in teaching, webinars, conferences,trainings, workshops, etc to update the new knowledge, skills. It also empowers teachers to revise and increase therelevance of outdated curricula for better delivery of agricultural courses and concepts to students. Yet, many of thefaculties are facing difficulties in handling the online classes due to lack of proper training in using the online platforms likeZOOM, WebEx, Google meet. In this backdrop, the authorities of State Agricultural Universities should take initiatives topopularize the usage of ICT tools and encourage faculties to customize with the online platforms for various educationalpurposes. Though, e-resources represent many challenges at every level of their selection, acquisition, preservation,maintenance and management. At the same time, these resources have also come with many advantages giving solution tomany professional problems like solution to space problem, providing remote access, convenience in use, increasedreadership with improved services, leading to more opportunities for productive research output and academic excellencewithin short time