Experiential Learning at Its Best: Budding teachers visit NCERT

Students and research scholars of the School of Education at Apeejay Stya University, Gurugram undertook an enriching educational visit to National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi. The visit aimed to provide future educators with practical exposure to the functioning of national educational institutions and the growing role of technology in teaching and learning.

The visit was conducted under the guidance of Vijay Kumar, Head of the School of Education, who emphasised the importance of experiential learning for aspiring teachers. The programme enabled B.Ed students and research scholars to gain firsthand knowledge of how educational policies, resources, and digital initiatives are developed and implemented at the national level.

During the visit, the participants explored the facilities of the Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET), a premier unit of NCERT that focuses on integrating media and technology into the educational system. Experts at CIET introduced the students to several digital initiatives that are transforming the teaching–learning process in India.

One of the major highlights of the visit was a detailed demonstration of DIKSHA, the national digital learning platform that offers digital textbooks, interactive learning modules, teacher training materials, and QR-code linked educational content. The participants also learned about APAAR ID, an initiative designed to create a permanent digital academic identity for students and securely store their educational records.

Students were also introduced to the functioning of the Rashtriya Vidya Samiksha Kendra, which monitors educational data across schools in India and supports data-driven decision-making in the education sector. Officials explained how digital dashboards are used to track student attendance, evaluate the progress of educational programmes, and analyse school performance.

Another significant component of the visit was exposure to the professional audio and video recording studios at CIET. Here, participants gained insights into the process of creating educational media content, including digital lectures and multimedia learning materials. Experts explained the different stages of media production such as content planning, recording, editing, and digital dissemination, which play an important role in expanding the reach of quality education across the country.

The university expressed its sincere gratitude to Amarendra P. Behera, Joint Director of CIET, NCERT, for facilitating the visit and sharing valuable insights on the role of educational technology in strengthening school education in India.

On this occasion, participants also conveyed their heartfelt appreciation to Sushma Paul Berlia, Chancellor, Dr. Neha Berlia, Pro-Chancellor, and Dr. Vijay Vir Singh, Vice Chancellor of Apeejay Stya University, for their continued encouragement in promoting experiential learning opportunities for students.

The School of Education also acknowledged the mentorship and guidance of V. S. Garg, Advisor to the School of Education, whose support continues to inspire faculty and students in strengthening academic initiatives.

The visit proved to be highly informative and inspiring for the participants, enabling them to connect theoretical concepts with practical insights into educational technology, curriculum development, and national educational initiatives. The programme concluded with an interactive session and group photographs, leaving students motivated to adopt innovative and technology-enabled teaching practices in their future careers.