Integrative learning: Integrating a course on human values with technology education

A lot of importance is given to training students in technical subjects so that they can get a science or engineering degree leading to a job that provides financial security. There is no doubt that such an effort will succeed in preparing technologically proficient students who may be successful in obtaining jobs with handsome salaries. However, as educators and human beings, we must broaden our view of teaching objectives and educate our students to cultivate their minds to look at the whole picture or totality of life, to develop awareness and sensitivity to the environment around them and a deeper understanding of the problems and issues that they face in their lives. This paper provides details on EnhanceEdu team's efforts to design and teach a “Human values” course to engineering college teachers in a teacher training program (TTP) along with technical courses on subjects related to computer science and engineering. EnhanceEdu, a joint initiative of Ministry of Communications (MCIT) and IIIT-H (International Institute of Information Technology — Hyderabad) works towards empowering individuals and communities by enhancing the quality of education. The purpose of such a program is to foster integrative learning across several disciplines and to empower teachers to impart similar training to engineering students at the respective colleges they are employed with. EnhanceEdu adopts a sound pedagogical model called “Learning by Doing” (LBD) for all the courses designed and developed as part of its curriculum: technical courses, human values course as well as additional soft skills that include topics such as time management, active listening and personality development. Through the integrative learning process, teacher-mentors who receive the training are able to connect skills and knowledge gained from multiple sources along with their own life experiences and actively apply concepts of human values into their daily lives. This model of integrative learning could provide an innovative example to other educational institutions that currently focus on providing technical education but appreciate the value of training students to evolve into not just graduates with sound technology skills but into self-aware, caring and sensitive citizens who make meaningful contributions to society on the basis of their education and talents.