ADVANCED AND SLOW LEARNERS
(ASSESSMENT PROCESS, INITIATIVES AND OUTCOME)
MRIIRS has undertaken and institutionalized adequate mechanisms for assessment of the learning capabilities of the admitted students on continuous basis to deal with student diversity and to bring about inclusivity. University pronounces its commitment to train and equip both advanced and slow learners along with average performers to enable them to embark on a successful career.
Throughout this exercise, an utmost is taken to ensure that this does not lead to any decrement in the morale and disposition of the slow-learners. This endeavor has been aligned as a path-correction rather than pointing out to slow-learners any kind of incompetence or inadequacy.
ASSESSMENT MECHANISM
The assessment mechanism involves two levels. At entry level, the learning levels of admitted students are assessed on the basis of their merit/performance in the qualifying examinations.
Subsequently, the second level of learning level assessment of the students is on the basis of their examination results (Sessional Examinations, preceding End Semester Examination) at different stages and classroom performance. During the course of any semester, performance is analyzed, to plan and implement actions for subsequent performance improvement during the semester. The progression of achievements of students with respect to previous semesters are recorded to assess their advancements and subsequent interventions.
INITIATIVES FOR ADVANCED AND SLOW LEARNERS
To improve teaching-learning outcome, certain initiatives are planned for both the identified groups at departmental level. Within one week of start of session, HoD designates a coordinator and assign additional responsibility for categorization of Advanced and Slow learners as per defined SoPs and submission of subsequent action plan. Coordinator submits the list of advanced and slow learners and action plan to HoD for perusal after deliberations with respective course coordinators.
- Initiatives for Advanced Learners:
- Additional mentoring sessions to become excellent achievers
- Scholarships and appreciation awards
- Problem solving based advanced assignments including those with a higher degree of difficulty
- Encouragement to participate/coordinate Seminars/ Workshops/ Conferences/ Technical Project Competitions/ quiz-debate competitions/ group discussions to further improve their logical, analytical and presentation skills
- Industry sponsored projects/internships
- Encouragement to lead student council/research project development group/ student technical clubs/ editorial board of student magazine and related activities
- Motivation to write and present quality research papers, to enroll in and complete MOOCs/Value Added Courses as per the laid down policies and SoP’s
- Advanced coaching/guidance sessions for preparation of higher-level competitive examinations.
- Provision to provide Seed money for implementation of their innovative proposals, financial aids to participate in the National/International level competitions
- Conduct of crash courses and pre-placement mock interview sessions to brush up their technical, aptitude and soft skills
- Guidance and support to register Start-ups/file patents/copy rights
- Initiatives for Slow Learners:
- Without adversely affecting their morale, special one-to-one academic and personal counseling sessions are organized with individual course teachers, mentors and head of the departments to motivate and counsel them.
- Additional attention is given during the tutorial classes being having less strength as compared to normal lectures
- Conduct of remedial/extra classes. Schedule for these classes is prepared and shared beforehand.
- Additional course notes to improve basic understanding of the course
- Conduct of open-books class tests, sessions to solve previous year university question papers, question banks
- Introduction of peer group learning during lab and tutorial hours with one advanced learner and two-three slow learners in a group
- Encouragement to attend expert talks, alumni lectures, motivational talks and skill-oriented workshops
Apart from these customized teaching-learning strategies for advanced and slow learners, the average learners are given equal opportunities to excel their talent and be part of all the activities being conducted in the department/University including career counselling, competitive guidance, enrolment in MOOCs/value added courses, participation in expert talks/workshops, research paper writing guidance and publication, personality development classes, enrolment in crash courses for preparation towards placement etc.
Outcomes are being witnessed in terms of progressive improvement in SGPA’s of the students, placements, research publications by the students, MOOC certifications earned by the students, participation in project competitions etc.
