THREE DAY NATIONAL SEMINAR on Perspectives on the Future of Digital Education: Inclusive – Immersive - Equitable

The Consortium for Educational Communication, popularly known as CEC, is an Inter-University Centre (IUC) that was established in 1993 by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India. It has been established with the goal of addressing the needs of Higher Education through the powerful medium of Television along with appropriate use of emerging Information Communication Technology (ICT). CEC offers Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) for both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) levels in diverse disciplines through SWAYAM.
Established in 1968, the University of Calicut is the largest institution of higher learning in Kerala. University of Calicut is located in Malappuram district of the state of Kerala in south India, just 11 kilometres away from Calicut International airport, 12 kilometres to Parappanagadi, 13 kilometres to Feroke and 23 Kilometres to Calicut Railway stations. National highway 66 crosses through the university main campus.

The Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMMRC) at the University of Calicut is the only one of its kind to be set up in Kerala by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 1997 under the aegis of CEC. The Centre is dedicated to harness the information and communication technologies for furthering the cause of higher education. The EMMRC at Calicut University has won the Kerala State IT Mission award and the state's best E-learning practice award.

Scope and Outline of the Seminar:
In an age marked by unprecedented technological progress, the realm of education is undergoing a profound transformation. The Digital Age has ushered in a new era of learning, one that is characterized by innovation, accessibility, and the potential for unparalleled inclusivity. The classrooms of today are more connected, and students will have more access to knowledge. Learning communities are shifting from using computers to support learning to using computers as knowledge construction tools.

In the Indian higher education scenario, the future of digital education has significant connotations to democratize education, enhance quality, and prepare students for a rapidly changing job market. The massive open online courses (MOOCs) have brought in premium education resources across the globe helping learners to upgrade their qualifications and skills and improve their employability. With artificial intelligence taking the center stage, the teaching- learning process is about to take a quantum leap in terms of personalized, adaptive, and data-driven educational experiences.

Towards an inclusive, immersive, and equitable learning society
Digital education with online collaborative tools can promote inclusivity by breaking down traditional barriers to learning. It allows students from diverse backgrounds to access learning resources and opportunities. Learning can become more immersive by harnessing emerging technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Further, ensuring widespread access to digital devices and reliable internet connections is crucial to bridge the digital divide and provide equal opportunities for all students.

Objectives of the Seminar

1. To examine strategies and technologies for promoting inclusivity in digital education, addressing issues related to accessibility, diversity, and quality of education.
2. To showcase the potential of immersive technologies such as VR and AR for making learning more engaging and interactive.
3. To discuss methods for ensuring equitable access to digital education.
4. To share success stories and best practices in the field of digital education, that have proven effective in achieving inclusivity and equity.
5. To explore how digital education can enhance pedagogical approaches, personalized learning, and student engagement.
6. To analyze the role of government policies and institutional strategies in promoting inclusive, immersive, and equitable digital education.
7. To identify and address the challenges and potential pitfalls associated with digital education.
8. To foster collaboration among educators, researchers, policymakers, and technology developers to collectively work towards future digital education.

Sub-Themes:
1. Generative Artificial Intelligence 2. Accessibility and Inclusive Design for Digital Education
3. Immersive Learning Environments
4. Equity in Online Learning
5. Personalized and Adaptive Learning
6. Teacher Training and Professional Development
7. Faculty Reengineering and Futuristic Education
8. Cultural Sensitivity and Diversity
9. Digital Education Policy and Regulations in the context of NEP 2020
10. Global Collaboration in Digital Education
11. Instructional Design, Emerging Technologies and Trends



Who can participate?

In this National Seminar; Academics, Research scholars, Postgraduate students from various streams from Higher Education Institutions and Post-Doctoral Scholars can participate.

Call for Papers Papers are invited for the above given subthemes for oral presentation or poster presentation. Send your abstract, full paper and personal details on or before 31st October 2023 through the link:
https://forms.gle/fsT1Yj1bELSVZYMr7

There is no registration fee for presenting a paper/poster in the seminar as a delegate. Your paper will be selected for oral presentation or poster presentation depending on the review. You will be intimated about the acceptance and mode of presentation for your paper after review. Selected delegates will be paid to and fro 3 AC train fare and accommodation.

Important Dates
Deadline for submitting abstracts and full paper: 31st October 2023

Notification of acceptance: 10th November 2023

Date of Seminar: 06-08 December, 2023


Guidelines for Paper/Poster Presenters:
Contributors should note the following:
1. All submissions must be made in MS Word format.
2.The manuscript should be about 3000 words (About 15 A-4 size pages typed in double space).
3.The cover page should bear only the title of the paper, sub-theme, name/s of author/s, their official address, E-mail ID, phone numbers, a brief biographical note of the author(s) and acknowledgements, if any.
4.The first page of the manuscript (after the cover page) should contain the Title & the Abstract only.
5.Papers which focus on the seminar theme would be given top priority in the selection process. The manuscripts will be subjected to a critical review. The decision of the reviewers will be final and binding in all respects.

Publishing of Final Papers
The accepted final papers may be published as part of the proceedings of the conference and shall be provided to delegates in electronic format.

For more details visit: seminar.emmrccalicut.org Chief Patrons
Prof. (Dr.) M.K. Jayaraj, Vice Chancellor, University of Calicut

Prof. J.B. Nadda, Director, Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC), New Delhi

General Conveners
Damodar Prasad D., Director, EMMRC, Calicut.
Dr Shatruddha, Research Scientist, CEC

Contact
Prof. (Dr.) A. Hameed | Dr. Manoj Praveen G. | Rajan Thomas

For More Details, Contact: Co-Conveners
Prof. (Dr.) A. Hameed, Professor, Department of Education, 9447539069.
Dr. Manoj Praveen G, Associate Professor, Department of Education, 9446645939.
Rajan Thomas, JRO, EMMRC, Calicut, 9495108193.