ShodhPatra: International Journal of Science and Humanities

Technology in Teacher Training: Challenges and Policy Directions from DIETs in Manipur

ICT Integrating teacher education is crucial for the quality, literacy, and preparation of the teachers for imparting knowledge effectively. Even though ICT-based teacher training is envisaged in NEP 2020, there exists a large gap to be filled before ICT can truly be a part of teacher education in the rural and tribal areas of the country in terms of infrastructural availability and accessibility (such as - lack of proper digital infrastructure; lack of faculty training; and lack of digital connectivity). This research explores the ICT resources of five DIETs located in hill districts of Manipur, and challenges with ICT adoption. It is also observed that there are ICT resource centres but there are inactive in use since there are no smart classrooms, no Wi-Fi, and no organized digital training programs. Faculty lack the training in digital pedagogy needed to support technology-enabled teaching. There is also very low access to e-learning platforms for student-teachers, further exacerbating the digital divide that exists between rural and urban teacher education institutes. The study suggests improving ICT infrastructure, giving training in digital pedagogy to the faculty, implementing policy interventions, and enhancing government support to close the digital divide and improve the alignment of these rural DIETs to the ICT goals of NEP 2020.