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LNMU plans 10-hour ‘blended’ classes for PG students ahead of exams
The decision will apply to the third semester students of the postgraduate department (academic session 2021-23.
Lalit Narayan Mithila University (LNMU) in Darbhanga on Wednesday announced the commencement of a blended learning model that combines online and offline classes, stretching up to 10 hours a day, according to a notification issued by the university registrar.
The decision will apply to the third semester students of the postgraduate department (academic session 2021-23), whose examinations are starting on August 8, said a university official familiar with the development.
“In consideration of the students’ welfare, the university has decided to adopt a blended learning approach, offering five hours of offline classes and five hours of online classes each day, from July 1 till July 31, 2023,” the notification said.
To accommodate this unique schedule, all holidays for the departments of postgraduate studies at LNMU and its affiliated colleges with PG teaching have been cancelled for the duration of the classes.
The respective HoDs and principals concerned are supposed to intimate the students about the class scheduled to be held on holidays.
According to the timetable attached with the notification, online classes will be conducted from 7 am to 9 am and then from 5-8 pm.
Offline classes will be conducted from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm, as usual.
To facilitate teaching, department heads or coordinators may seek assistance from retired faculty members within their university or subject experts from other universities, without providing any remuneration for their services.
When contacted, head of department of chemistry at LNMU, Prem Mohan Mishra, said it is just not feasible to hold classes from 7 am in morning to 8 pm in evening. “A large number of students, who come to department to attend classes, cannot reach here after attending online classes from 7 am to 9 am and rush back to attend virtual mode from 5 pm to 8 pm. Most of them don’t have Internet facilities as well. When will the teachers take bath and lunch break to engage in class work?”, he said.
Registrar Dr Ajay Kumar Pandit couldn’t be contacted for his comment.
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