Classroom Communication in Engineering and Arts at Undergraduate Level in Indian Context

Abstract

Effective classroom communication is the highest challenge to teachers at undergraduate level in this 21st century. Owing to the higher level of exposure to internet and distractions through entertainment, when teachers stand in the classroom to establish an intellectual communication that is transmission of ideas, so many factors disrupt the effective communication between the teacher and the learner. The role of a teacher has also become a facilitator, which is diminishing the rigidity of a teacher. A facilitator is supposed to impart knowledge and skill using all the latest technological advancements like power point presentation, computer assisted teaching, using internet, you tube videos and online learning platforms etc. The challenge is that the facilitator should excel the machines and internet by maintaining classroom dynamics to make the teaching-learning process interesting, lively and fruitful. This paper is an attempt to delineate the salient features of effective classroom mechanism at undergraduate level in arts and science, maritime and technical education. It presents the importance of communication as a dialogue in classroom, learner participation, the reasons for non-participation, classroom management strategies and limitations, actual process of long lasting learning amongst Engineering, Arts and Science domain learners, the necessity of experiential learning and the requirement of skills based teaching and learning.