Effectiveness of Blended Mode of Teaching Learning for Skilling of Food Processing Professionals

Abstract

As food processing is a sun rising sector, demands for
trained human resources for food industry are growing fast. The
conventional educational institutions are producing a limited number
of graduates and post graduates in this area, hence there is wide
gap between the supply and the demand of trained persons.
Considering the potential of the Open Distance and eLearning (ODeL)
system for strengthening the Human Resource Development (HRD)
in this area, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
developed a PG Diploma Programme in Food Science and Technology
(PGDFT), which was offered through blended mode. The purpose of
offering the programme through blended mode was to enhance the
theoretical knowledge of the learners through online course content
and video lectures and to develop and upgrade the skills by conducting
practical and hands-on industrial training. The programme was offered
through this mode in two academic sessions. The present study was
conducted to evaluate the efficiency of this programme in knowledge
enhancement and skill development of the learners. The study was
designed using mixed method of COL PREST A5 and data was
collected from the registered learners in this programme using a
questionnaire/Likert type scale developed by the researcher and
validated by the experts. The questionnaire was focused to assess
the effectiveness of the blended mode for programme delivery in
capacity building of the learners through study of different components
like quality of e-content, online lectures, support services, delivery
of the programme, evaluation, skills development and so on. The
learners were also asked to express their opinion about the strengths
and weaknesses of this programme, reasons for dropping out and
also to provide suggestions for improvement of this programme. Both
qualitative and quantitative methods were used for data analysis.
The results would help to improve the quality of the programme and
suggest alternative strategies for capacity building in future in the
backdrop of new interventions such as SWAYAM and SWAYAM
Prabha by the Govt. of India.