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Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Educationists flay MCQ tests for polytech colleges
Chennai: The Directorate of Technical Education (DoTE) recently decided to reform assessment methods in polytechnic colleges, transitioning from descriptive type answers to MCQs from this academic year. Previously, the assessment system involved questions of two, three, five, and seven marks demanding descriptive answers. The reformed system increases emphasis on MCQs, even for questions that require application, analysis, and critical thinking. For internal theoretical assessments, number of MCQ questions (one mark) is double that of short answer questions. As for the end semester examination, the entire assessment (one-mark and two-mark questions) is MCQ-based. For theoretical-cum-practical exams, also known as practicum (integrated tests), equal weightage has been given to MCQs and theoretical questions (two marks and three marks), accounting for 50 marks. The remaining 50 marks come from practicals, as revealed by a perusal of the communication from DOTE accessed by TOI. While the directorate contends that the reform would help students move on from rote-based learning and help measure learning outcomes accurately, educationists says the measure is a smaller component of outcome-based education, which the NEP 2020 endorsed. "When the state itself is opposed to NEP, bringing about reforms outlined in the policy is wrong. Outcome-based education kills the spirit of learning. This is a failed model of evaluation. Thrusting this on students without consultating them is unfortunate," said Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary, State Platform for Common Education System. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai MCQs can only assess the 'what' aspect, not the 'how', L Jawahar Nesan, former convenor, State Education Policy, said. "Especially in a polytechnic setup, the weightage on practicals has to be increased. Focusing on MCQ-based assessment is opposite to the desired learning outcomes. Ideally, 95% of the questions should be comprehensive, providing a multi-dimensional assessment model for the student to analyse the problem," he added.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Plans on to make govt engg college students future-ready
Chennai: Flipped classrooms, skill labs, new courses in emerging areas, and participation in hackathons are how the Directorate of Technical Education (DOTE) is planning to make govt engineering college students future-ready. The state govt announced 10 new courses, including BE computer science engineering with specialisation in AI and machine learning, data science, cyber security, BE robotics and automation, and BTech in industrial biotechnology in the govt engineering colleges for 2025-26 academic year. "We are creating centres of excellence for robotics and AI, and smart manufacturing in the govt engineering colleges. The govt engineering colleges will also be equipped with labs to run these new courses," said J Innocent Divya, commissioner of DOTE. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai The directorate is also in talks with industry insiders to establish skill labs in the govt engineering colleges. The industry will establish labs and, in return, they will get trained graduates. Further, it will be made mandatory for all students studying in govt engineering colleges to take part in hackathons, to provide them with exposure to industry problems. "We are moving from conceptual understanding to product development. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Sticky Sweet Treat Is Healthier Than You Think – 15 Reasons to Add It to Your Diet! Learn More Undo Students will understand the basics first and then build solutions to industrial problems. We will focus on developing this mindset," she added. These colleges will also adopt the flipped classroom concept, where the content of the lectures will be shared in advance with students. "There will be group discussions on real-world issues in the classrooms. It will help children to work on complex problems," said Divya. The directorate is also planning to train the faculty members to change their mindset as well. After skilling these students, the directorate may also bring global capability centres (GCCs) for campus placements to enable these students bag offers with better pay packages.
The Hill
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
What is a ‘bunker buster' bomb?
President Trump is facing a critical decision on whether to use America's B-2 bombers to drop the GBU-57 'bunker-busting' bombs on the Fordow nuclear facility, which is buried in the mountains of Iran. Doing so may be the only way to truly prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb, but it would also greatly increase U.S. involvement in the conflict and risk bringing the nation into a war in the Middle East. Israel has neither the GBU-57 bomb or the B-2 bombers to fly them. Their use is seen as critical for hitting the Fordow facility. While a 'bunk-buster' bomb is a broad term to refer to bombs designed to penetrate deep below the surface before exploding, Trump is deciding whether to utilize the latest GBU-57 A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bomb currently residing in the American arsenal. The latest bomb delivers 10 times more explosive power than its predecessor, the BLU-109, according to the Air Force. The warhead is a large, GPS-guided, penetrating weapon with the ability to attack deeply-buried and hardened bunkers and tunnels, according to the latest report from the director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOTE), which is part of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. It is known to penetrate about 200 feet below the surface before exploding. The MOP is critical to taking out highly fortified targets buried under literal mountains, like those found in Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea, according to The War Zone. The guided weapon can impact the surface above its target with a high degree of accuracy. The only way to deliver the bomb is through a US B-2 stealth bomber, which can hold 40,000 pounds. However, the U.S. Air Force said it has successfully tested the B-2 loaded with two of the GBU-57 A/B bunker busters, which, in total, weigh about 60,000 pounds, or about 30,000 pounds each. Each bomb is about 20.5 feet long, according to the Air Force. The warhead's case is made from a special high-performance steel alloy, according to another report from the DOTE. The bomb's design allows for a large explosive payload while maintaining the integrity of the penetrator case during impact. The MOP is the most powerful, deeply burrowing non-nuclear bunker buster in the world. is critical to taking out highly fortified targets buried under literal mountains, like those found in Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea. The weapon is guided and can impact the surface above its target with a high degree of accuracy. Development of the bomb began in 2004. In 2009, Boeing became the prime contractor to complete MOP/Aircraft integration. As of 2015, Boeing had delivered at least 20 of the bombs. While the exact size of the current MOP stockpile is not known, it's understood to be relatively small.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
TN relaxes rule to enrol all Class XII students in second year diploma through lateral entry admissions
Chennai: The Directorate of Technical Education (DOTE) has relaxed the rule to enrol all Class XII students, including commerce and arts stream students, in the second year of diploma courses in polytechnic colleges. Previously, only students who studied in the maths group and vocational group could directly enrol in the second year through lateral entry admissions. "All principals are being allowed to admit Class XII students, including commerce students who cleared the exams, directly in the second year," a circular from DOTE to all the principals of polytechnic colleges said. Of the 7,92,494 students who appeared for the Class XII exams, 7,53,142 students cleared the Class XII state board exams. Tamil Nadu has 492 polytechnic colleges, including 55 govt polytechnic colleges, with an intake of 1,43,499 seats. However, admission to polytechnic colleges has been declining in the past few years. Last year, the polytechnic colleges enrolled 58,426 students, which is only around 40%. As part of the efforts to improve admissions, the state govt has now allowed students from all streams in Class XII to join polytechnic colleges. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Moscow: Beautiful New Senior Apartments with Two Bedrooms Senior Apartments | Search Ads Search Now Undo "The govt is revamping the curriculum for diploma courses to impart industry-relevant skills to students. So, the maths subject in the second year has been replaced with skill-oriented courses. It won't be a problem for students from other streams to study the diploma courses," a principal from a polytechnic college said. The principal also mentioned that students from other streams will not have much difficulty at the diploma level as all of them studied maths till Class X. Academicians have proposed bridge courses for students coming without a maths background. "Students cannot study engineering without a maths background. This bridge course will help them master fundamental engineering concepts and get trained in industry-relevant skills," Anna University former vice-chancellor R Velraj said. This year, the state govt is taking various efforts, including a campaign to enrol dropouts in Class X and XI, to increase admissions in polytechnic colleges.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Polytechnic students in state to get on-the-job training
Chennai: To bridge the skill gap among diploma holders, the state govt is planning to introduce a work-integrated diploma programme from 2025-26 academic year. According to the plan, final-year students will spend two semesters in the industry as part of training. This training will be converted into 40 credits that include teaching, learning, and practice. Students have to submit a project report every six months."This programme aims to bridge skill gaps by integrating academic learning with practical experience. It will enhance students' employability, and they will be industry-ready," said S Sarathi, joint managing director, HL Mando Anand India Private Limited. The company has entered into an agreement with the Directorate of Technical Education (DOTE) to provide industrial training to diploma will also receive a minimum stipend of 12,000 a month during the training and a certificate mentioning the key skills imparted during the training. "We have also developed a curriculum for the one-year training. They will also learn basic manufacturing, maintenance, quality issues, and industrial safety along with the training," he companies, including Rane Group of Companies, Delphi TVS, Gabriel India, and ZF Commercial Vehicle, are likely to provide training to 5,000 students studying in 55 govt polytechnic colleges in the first phase. The state govt is likely to expand the industrial training to 20,000 polytechnic students later. To improve enrolment in polytechnic colleges, the higher education department has announced various measures, including enrolling students who dropped out from schools in Classes X and XI this year. Recently, DOTE also entered agreements with companies for skill enhancement training for teachers and students and to develop the curriculum. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
