Date:11/10/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/10/11/stories/2004101101031300.htm

Back `Better scope for multimedia tech'

Our Bureau

Mangalore , Oct. 10

THE Chairman of the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Prof R. Natarajan, has said that multimedia technology, which is considered as a second wave in educational technology, may have a better chance of success due to the ubiquitous use of computers in education.

He was delivering the convocation address at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) at Surathkal in Mangalore on Saturday.

Studies on theories of learning have demonstrated that more than one sensory channel improves comprehension and learning.

However, Prof Natarajan said new technologies were only considered as adjuncts complementing the classroom processes. The role of teacher is not threatened.

Prof Natarajan said that human contact was valued highly in education.

Welcoming the gathering, the NITK Director, Prof S.S. Murthy, said NITK gives a major thrust to research activities, and the Institute Research Fellowship and Teaching Fellowship schemes have been introduced. The faculty is being encouraged to seek research funding from agencies such as the Ministry of Human Resources Development, AICTE and the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Stating that NITK gives importance to industry-institute interaction, Prof Natarajan said that formal memoranda of understanding have been worked out with some of the major industries in this regard.

Prof Murthy said there was considerable scope for establishing extension centres of NITK in other countries. Mr N. Vinay Hegde, Chairman of Board of Governors of NITK, presided over the convocation.