Induction Training Program
Preparing new faculty for the academic career
The induction training program is for newly recruited faculty (meaning one to three years, since the date of joining), belonging to universities/institutes/colleges/polytechnics of all disciplines. The major objective of this program is to help improve the quality of fresh faculty in Indian institutions of higher learning and expose them to the best practices in the area of teaching-learning methodologies. The present higher education system focuses only on the domain (subject) knowledge of the faculty. It does not focus on the teaching-learning process, pedagogical content, and its various tools which are very vital to increase the quality of learning experience in the different educational programs. The induction program covered topics not limited to teaching and research methodologies (¬flipped classrooms, collaborative learning, case approach), use of ICT, curriculum structure and design, sensitization to gender and social diversity, professional ethics, sharing of best practices, and keeping of developments in their field of study, etc.
Workshops
Thematic workshops on innovative design and manufacturing education
TLC regularly conducts many signature workshops in addition to the regular weekly training programs and seminars. The major themes of the workshop include design thinking, project-based learning, sustainable design, and manufacturing. 3D printing, robotics, and DIY Manufacturing technologies. TLC also offers custom-designed workshops on teaching learning process for schools and colleges.
Seminars
Informative presentations on makerspace topics
TLC conducts national seminars on innovative design and manufacturing in both online and offline mode. Students and faculty mentors can usually attend this seminar free by registering on the website. The seminars cover both theory and practice in makerspace development, DIY hardware development, and pedagogical principles in teaching and learning.
Training Programs
Hands-on Training on hardware and software
TLC regularly gets requests from schools and colleges on their specific training needs on software and hardware and is usually custom-designed for individual needs. Several open-source hardware and software-related training programs are conducted for faculty from colleges and universities.
Collaborations
Joint development work on Edutech
TLC also extends its support and collaborates with EdTech startups to develop next-generation low-cost alternatives to expensive imported equipment for educational use. In addition, TLC had helped EdTech startups in developing STEM content in vernacular languages. TLC also jointly works with SMEs to develop manufacturing laboratory equipment using open source technologies.
Outreach Programs
Programs for schools and women entrepreneurs
TLC has recently started a collaboration with Gurgaon-based SRF Foundation (SRFF), on setting up model Tinkering Labs in eight government high schools in Chennai and five government high schools in Bengaluru. SRFF is working with several private industries in India as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility toward transforming schools in several states. The Tinkering Labs are Maker Spaces for the high schools, and TLC staff will mentor the SRFF technical personnel and school teachers on the development of affordable Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education materials, so that students can be introduced to innovative and creative thinking, through project-based learning in design and manufacturing, robotics, electronics, coding, and 3D printing.
Exhibitions
Product display at Trade shows
TLC also regularly participates in tradeshows to display developed CNC machines and other open-source manufacturing machines that were developed by TLC. In the past, TLC has won awards in Machine tool exhibitions for their frugal innovation in CNC machine development.
Faculty Externships
Intensive immersive programs for engineering college faculty
Faculty of engineering colleges can join for a short-term (week-long) or long-term externship (month-long) program to develop new teaching resources for their practice courses using the TLC labs and resources. These intensive programs are aimed at faculty development and collaborative work between TLC, the host institute, and other institutes.
SWAYAM MOOC Courses
MOOC course development using state-of-art TLC studio
TLC has a SWAYAM complaint studio with all modern facilities for recording MOOC lectures focussing on design and manufacturing courses. TLC also offers classroom and outdoor recording capabilities with all hardware and software tools to host a full course either as a refresher course for the faculty or faculty development course.
Student Internships
Short-term or semester-long student internships
TLC offers internships to Indian and international students to develop educational technologies mentored by faculty. In the past students who have interned at TLC have developed educational kits using CNC, robotics, AR/VR, Energy, Smart Products, etc., TLC offers unpaid internships to nearby students to develop open-source hardware technologies for 3D printing.
Facility Tours
Daylong guided tour of the makerspace and InnoSTE(A)M labs
TLC makerspace is regularly visited by faculty along with their entire class for a day-long guided tour of the maker facility and are introduced to maker culture. The faculty and students are given an orientation by the TLC coordinator and are presented with possibilities of project-based learning. Students then visit the nearby schools and are motivated to listen to school students mentored by TLC at InnoSTE(A)M labs.
EdTech Startup Mentoring
Accelerating the EdTech development
TLC makerspace is also extending its support to entrepreneurs by offering prototyping facilities at IIITDM at an affordable cost. TLC makerspace labs create an ideal space for edutech startups to co-create with IIITDM students and faculty.
Consulting
Guidance on Makerspace development and Curriculum Design
Teaching-learning center with its experience of setting up a makerspace has guided and consulted many institutes and industries to set-up similar makerspaces in their institutes.
Research on Educational Technologies
Research Programs in Educational Technologies
TLC has many research collaborations with indian and international university to conduct research into practice education with affordable low-cost open-source alternative technology in energy, manufacturing, robotics, and automation.
CNC in a bag
On-site training on DIY manufacturing equipment
TLC receives requests for workshops from several universities, colleges, and polytechnics. To reduce the costs for the institutions and participants, these workshops are conducted onsite, with TLC staff as Resource Persons. Occasionally, the Coordinator delivers overview and motivational talks at the workshops. The institutions are charged only with travel, boarding, and lodging charges, and TLC kits and equipment are taken to the workshops. Students are instructed hands-on in groups of three students typically, preferably from multiple disciplines.
Product Development and Tech transfer
Industry 4.0 related product development and technology transfer
TLC in collaboration with MaDeIT innovation foundation, design innovation center, center for smart manufacturing, center for IoT, AI, and Robotics at IIITDM is involved in creating awareness and products for the I4.0 technologies. We intend to make the next generation of engineers who are nimble and capable of working in factories of the future.