Goa’s YouTube channel is first of its kind initiative in the country
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched DISHTAVO – Digital Integrated System for Holistic Teaching And Virtual Orientations – an online learning platform involving YouTube channel, which is first of its kind initiative in the country.
Teachers from colleges across Goa, under this project participated in recording lectures in all higher education disciplines and degree programs including BA, BSc, BCom, Music, Home Science and so on.
The in-house program undertaken by the directorate of higher education with the assistance of the Goa University will be largely useful in conducting higher education classes for the academic year 2020-21, during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and will also be useful for online classes.
The Chief Minister, who also holds the education portfolio, said the DHE will provide a boost to e-learning in colleges around Goa, through its own YouTube channel, DISHTAVO, wherein the students would be able to view recorded lectures.
“DISHTAVO is a comprehensive and holistic program to create e-content in the form of video lectures of syllabus pertaining to the colleges affiliated to the Goa University,” the Chief Minister stated. He further said that although online classes have resumed in all colleges in Goa, poor network connectivity and unavailability of powerful gadgets with students have proven to be a major hindrance in this e-learning process. “DISHTAVO will overcome all these hurdles,” he added, pointing out that the particular educational project aims to provide students, access to the academic content for 24 hours.
The academic year will witness around 10,000 lectures being uploaded for the benefit of students, with every lecture video of 10 minutes to 12 minutes duration. Given a large number of degree programs and disciplines in the colleges, seven recording studios have been set up at the Goa University campus, with a technical team comprising expertise from within the colleges and the university.
Sawant said the entire project is a result of the dedication of the DHE, the GU and countless college teachers. He further added that the project was completed at an unbelievably low cost, and said that such initiatives are a step towards making Goa an education hub.
Sawant also mentioned that DISHTAVO will make Swayampurna Goa initiative, a grand success.
Higher education director Prasad Lolyekar said that DISHTAVO is an additional platform providing educational resources to students, and would not replace classroom teaching.
Consultant for teaching and learning Anil Dinge was also present on the occasion.
