13 - Curriculum Development Centre, Kalamassery

Information Search Analysis and Presentation Skills DevelopmentPeriods/Week : 3Periods/Semester : 48IntroductionThe average Engineer walking out of education institution is surprised by the amount of non-technicalwork he or she faces in the real world (by the amount of personal contact, the number of phone calls,meetings, reports and presentation etc). Further many cannot find appropriate jobs, because of the lackof these skills. The problem aggravates in the case of diploma pass outs who are supposed to haveinteractions with different cadres in an industrial environment.The time allotted for ISAP skills development are to be utilized to provide a slice of practical trainingin a form that may be used in a class room setting. This is not to be taught in a conventional manner.Here the emphasis will shift from teacher oriented methods to students oriented methods. While theinformation – skills acquired by all students will be same, the actual methods & techniques used byeach student will vary according to his or her initiative, enthusiasm, effort taken etc.These hours are to be taken as a supplement to the theory classes. Students will acquire ISAP skillsbased on the fundamental knowledge he/she has acquired from the theory sessions.ObjectivesEducational researchers have found that 17 year olds, in a single academic year, learn about 200 to300 new words, in a university environment. However, during the same period they acquire around4000 words in their informal home and play environment. That is learning is higher in an informalenvironment than in an academic one designed specifically for that purpose. The primary objectivehere is to simulate the informal learning environment.Student is provided an ideal opportunity to acquire skills in learning to learn which is essential for theprofessional growth. This will inculcate information skills in the students. These skills will be a lifelong asset to him or her in fact they grow with age.Oral and written communication skills are of at most importance to any engineer for a positiveprofessional growth. Emphasis is given for this aspect also.ActivitiesA. PART ONE.Write articles on various technical areas and basic research papers. Students can identify simpleprojects individually or groups of not more than 4 any technical area. Emphasis here is on theacquisition of ISAP skills.Source of Informationa. Peopleb. Print media – Magazines, News papers, Journals, Vendors catalogues etc.c. Electronic information – CD ROM, Usage of internet – User news groups, WWW.B. PART TWOTransparency based Presentation1. Preparation1.1 Audience Analysis.1.2 Information Gathering.1.3 Transparency design using Power Point/Presentation software.1.4 Production of transparency for OHP.2. Delivery87