Date: 18th May 2024
Time: 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Resource Person: Dr. T. J. Deepika, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE)
Venue: St. Peter’s Engineering College
Audience: Faculty Members

Introduction:

On 18th May 2024, St. Peter’s Engineering College successfully conducted a Faculty Development Programme (FDP) aimed at equipping faculty members with the necessary skills to leverage the Fatcat platform, an innovative educational tool designed to enhance the learning experience. The session was led by Dr. T. J. Deepika, Assistant Professor from the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE). Dr. Deepika is a recognized academic and educational technology expert, making her an ideal resource person for this session. The FDP focused on the platform’s features, best practices for integrating it into teaching, and strategies for maximizing its impact on student learning.

Objective of the Programme:

The primary goal of this Faculty Development Programme was to familiarize the faculty with the Fatcat platform, a comprehensive learning management system designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of teaching. The session aimed to:

• Introduce the Fatcat platform and its key features.
• Demonstrate the practical integration of Fatcat into everyday teaching practices.
• Provide strategies for engaging students and improving learning outcomes using the platform.
• Highlight the best practices for utilizing its analytical tools to track student progress and adapt teaching strategies accordingly.

Session Overview:

Dr. T. J. Deepika’s session provided an in-depth exploration of the Fatcat platform. Her presentation was structured into three core segments:

1. Introduction to the Fatcat Platform:
   • Dr. Deepika began the session with an introduction to Fatcat, explaining how it functions as an all-in-one educational tool for managing content, assessments, and student interactions.
   • She highlighted the platform’s intuitive interface that allows instructors to easily upload course materials, create quizzes, and track student performance in real-time.
   • A demonstration of the platform’s collaboration tools was provided, showing how faculty members can interact with students, conduct discussions, and provide feedback seamlessly.
2. Best Practices for Integration:
   • Dr. Deepika emphasized the importance of blending traditional teaching methods with digital tools to create a hybrid learning environment.
   • She shared practical examples of how the Fatcat platform can be integrated into the curriculum, such as setting up automated quizzes, facilitating peer reviews, and conducting live assessments.
   • The resource person also provided insights into customizing the learning paths for students based on their individual performance, enabling a personalized learning experience.
3. Maximizing Impact on Student Learning:
   • The session stressed the use of the Fatcat platform’s analytics to measure student engagement, monitor learning progress, and identify areas where students might be struggling.
   • Dr. Deepika explained how the platform’s data-driven features allow faculty to make data-informed decisions and adapt their teaching strategies to better support student learning outcomes.
   • She also discussed strategies for boosting student engagement, such as utilizing gamification elements in quizzes and offering timely, constructive feedback using the platform’s interactive tools.

Interactive Session and Hands-on Practice:

Following the presentation, the FDP featured a hands-on segment where faculty members were given the opportunity to navigate the Fatcat platform themselves. This hands-on practice allowed the participants to:

• Set up a mock course, upload course materials, and create assessments.
• Explore the various features of the platform, including the gradebook, student progress tracker, and discussion forums.
• Use the platform’s communication tools to simulate real-time interactions with students, such as grading assignments and providing feedback.

The interactive session encouraged active participation, and Dr. Deepika provided real-time assistance to faculty members as they navigated the platform.

Key Takeaways:

1. Enhanced Efficiency: Faculty members found the Fatcat platform to be highly efficient in streamlining the administrative aspects of teaching, such as grading and managing assessments.
2. Improved Student Engagement: The platform’s interactive tools, combined with real-time feedback features, were noted as valuable assets in improving student participation and learning experiences.
3. Data-Driven Teaching: Faculty appreciated the platform’s robust analytics that provide insights into student performance, enabling them to tailor their teaching methods to meet individual student needs.
4. User-Friendly Interface: Many participants found the platform’s interface to be intuitive and easy to use, even for faculty members with limited experience in educational technology.

Conclusion:

The Faculty Development Programme on the Effective Usage of the Fatcat Platform was a resounding success, providing the faculty with valuable insights and practical skills that they can implement in their teaching practices. The session empowered faculty members to take full advantage of this educational tool, fostering a more engaging and impactful learning environment for students.

Dr. T. J. Deepika’s expertise and guidance were greatly appreciated, and participants expressed their enthusiasm for integrating the Fatcat platform into their teaching workflows. The workshop concluded with a Q&A session, where faculty members discussed various challenges and solutions regarding the practical application of the platform in their courses.

This FDP marks a significant step in St. Peter’s Engineering College’s commitment to staying at the forefront of educational technology and enhancing the quality of teaching through innovative platforms like Fatcat.

Event Organizers:
Department of EEE, St. Peter’s Engineering College