Archive for January 24th, 2011

Test taking enhances learning; So regular tests given by coaching classes are good

The latest issue of the Science magazine talks about research that establishes the importance of test taking to learning. See http://www.sciencemag.org/content/early/2011/01/19/science.1199327 for the abstract of that study. The New York Times article on that Science article at http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/21/science/21memory.html?_r=1 says it in simpler words. Following are some excerpts.

Taking a test is not just a passive mechanism for assessing how much people know, according to new research. It actually helps people learn, and it works better than a number of other studying techniques.

… But “when we use our memories by retrieving things, we change our access” to that information, Dr. Bjork said. “What we recall becomes more recallable in the future. In a sense you are practicing what you are going to need to do later.”

It may also be that the struggle involved in recalling something helps reinforce it in our brains.

Maybe that is also why students who took retrieval practice tests were less confident about how they would perform a week later.

“The struggle helps you learn, but it makes you feel like you’re not learning,” said Nate Kornell, a psychologist at Williams College. “You feel like: ‘I don’t know it that well. This is hard and I’m having trouble coming up with this information.’ ”

By contrast, he said, when rereading texts and possibly even drawing diagrams, “you say: ‘Oh, this is easier. I read this already.’ ”

… Testing, of course, is a highly charged issue in education, drawing criticism that too much promotes rote learning, swallows valuable time for learning new things and causes excessive student anxiety.

“More testing isn’t necessarily better,” said Dr. Linn, who said her work with California school districts had found that asking students to explain what they did in a science experiment rather than having them simply conduct the hands-on experiment — a version of retrieval practice testing — was beneficial. “Some tests are just not learning opportunities. We need a different kind of testing than we currently have.”

Dr. Kornell said that “even though in the short term it may seem like a waste of time,” retrieval practice appears to “make things stick in a way that may not be used in the classroom.

“It’s going to last for the rest of their schooling, and potentially for the rest of their lives.”

What the above study means is that the coaching classes of India, especially the ones that coach for IIT have it somewhat right. The regular tests they do indeed make the students learn better.

However, many of the coaching classes take up so much time that students do not participate in other scientific activities such as doing experiments. As a result many students coming out of the coaching classes do not have much idea about doing hands-on experiments. Another criticism of coaching classes is that many students just learn the problem solving patterns without really learning the basics.

January 24th, 2011

Private State Universities of India as listed in the UGC site as of 18th Jan 2011

Following is from http://www.ugc.ac.in/inside/privateuniversity.html.

Public Notice on Private Universities


18thJanuary, 2011

It has come to the notice of the University Grants Commission that some of the State Private Universities have affiliated colleges and started off-campus centre(s) in violation of the UGC (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities) Regulation, 2003 and against the judgment of Honble Supreme Court in case of Prof. Yash Pal & Others vs. State of Chhattisgarh & Others. Some of these Universities are running these Centres on franchising basis also which is not allowed.

The public at large and the student community in particular are therefore informed that as per the information available with the UGC as on date, there are following 73 Private Universities established by the Acts of the Legislatures of different States:- 

Assam 
Bihar 
Chhattisgarh 
Gujarat 
Haryana 
Himachal Pradesh 
Jharkhand 
Karnataka 
Madya Pradesh
  Meghalya
Mizoram 
Nagaland 
Orissa 
Punjab 
Rajasthan 
Sikkim 
Tripura 
Uttar Pradesh 
Uttrakhand
S.No. Name of Private University Date of Gazette Notification Date of Inspection Status of the University with regard to inspection by UGC
  ASSAM      
1 Assam Doon Bosco University
Azara, Guwahati
12.02.2009 —– Information called for inspection purpose
  BIHAR      
2 Aryabhatta Knowledge University
8, Off Polo Road 
Patna-800001
11.08.2008 —– Information called for inspection purpose
  CHHATTISGARH      
3 Dr. C.V. Raman University
Kargi Road, Kota 
Bilaspur
03.11.2006 9-10 November, 2009 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
4 MATS University
Arang Kharora
Raipur
03.11.2006 19-20 June, 2009 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
5 Maharishi University of Management and Technology, 
post: Mangla,
Bilaspur- 495001
18.04.2002 —- Information called for inspection purpose
  Gujarat      
6 Ahmedabad University
Navrangpura,
Ahmedabad-380009
Gujarat
07.07.2009 —– Information called for inspection purpose
7 Charotar University of Science & Technology
Changa-388421
Distt. Anand
04.11.2009 —– Information called for inspection purpose
8 Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information & Communication Technology
Gandhinagar-382 007
06.03.2003 21 August, 2004 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
9 Nirma University of Science & Technology
Sarkhej, Gandhinagar
12.03.2003 15 May 2004 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
10 Ganpat University
Ganpat Vidyanagar
Gandhinagar
23.03.2005 17-18 October, 2005 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
11. Kadi Sarva Vishwavidyalaya
Sarva Vidyalaya Campus
Gandhinagar
16.05.2007 13-14 October, 2008 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
12. Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University
Gandhinagar-382 009
04.04.2007 3-4 October, 2009 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
13 Calrox Teacher’s University
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
07.07.2009 —- Information called for inspection purpose
  HARYANA      
14 O.P. Jindal Global University
Sonepat
January, 2009 —– Inspection report can be seen at annexure
15 ITM University
Gurgaon, Haryana
21.10.2009 5-6 February, 2010 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
16 AMITY University Haryana
Amity Education Valley
Panchgaon,Manesar
Distt. Gurgaon, Haryana-122413
26.4.2010 —– Information called for inspection purpose
  HIMACHAL PRADESH      
17 Chitkara University
HIMUDA Education Hub
Solan-174 103
21.01.2009 —– Information called for inspection purpose
18 Jaypee University of Information Technology
Distt. Solan-174 103
23.05.2002 02.06.2004 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
19 Eternal University
Baru Sahib Distt.
Sirmour
22.10.2009 —– Information called for inspection purpose
20 Shoolini University
Solan
Himachal Pradesh
15.10.2009 —– Information called for inspection purpose
21 Indus International University
V.P.O. Bathu, Tehsil Haroli, Distt. Una,
Himachal Pradesh-174301
01.02.2010 —– Information called for inspection purpose
22 Arni University
Kathgarh, Tehsil Indore
Distt Kangra (H.P.)
04.11..2009 —– Information called for inspection purpose
23 Manav Bharti University
Solan
Himachal Pradesh
22.09.2009 —– Information called for inspection purpose
24 Baddi University of Energing Science & Technology
Makhnimajra, BADDI
Distt. Solan, Himachal Pradesh
22.09.2009 —– Information called for inspection purpose
25 Maharishi Markandeshwar University
Kumarhatti, Sultanpur Road
Solan-173 229
Himachal Pradesh
19-09-2010 —– Information called for inspection purpose
  JHARKHAND      
26 The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India University
Ranchi
17.06.2008 —– Information called for inspection purpose
  KARNATAKA      
27 Alliance University
Chikkahagada Cross, 
Chandapura- Anekal Main Road,
Anekal, Bangalore-562106
Karnataka
16.09.2010 —– Information called for inspection purpose
  MADYA PRADESH      
28 Jaypee University of Engineering & Technology
AB Road, Raghogarh, Distt, Guna-473226
Madya Pradesh
University has been established by way of an ordinance (No. 3 of 2010) which needs to be regularised by State Legislature Assembly of M.P. Govt. 

Yet to be notified by M.P. Govt.

—– —–
  MEGHALYA      
29 CMJ University 
Modrina Mansion
Laitumkhrah Shillong
Meghalaya-793003
20.07.2009 —– Information called for inspection purpose
30 Martin Luther Christian University
KIPA Conference Centre
Shillong-793 004
13.07.2005 15-16 April, 2008 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
31 Techno Global University
Anita Mension, Bishnupur
Shillong-793 004
02.12.2008 —– Information called for inspection purpose
32 The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India University
Meghalya-794 001
04.11.2009 —– Information called for inspection purpose
33 University of Science & Technology
Meghalaya
02.12.2008 —– Information called for inspection purpose
  MIZORAM      
34 The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India University
Aizawal, Mizoram-798012
21.03.2006 12-13 August, 2009 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
  NAGALAND      
35 The Global Open University
Wokha-797 111
18.09.2006 29-30 July, 2010 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
36 The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India University
Dimapur, Nagaland
04.11.2009 —– Information called for inspection purpose
  ORISSA      
37 Centurion University of Technology and Management
Village Alluri Nagar
Via-Uppalada
Paralakhemundi – 761 211
Gajapati, Orissa
27-08-2010 —– Information called for inspection purpose
  PUNJAB      
38 Chitkara University
Chandigarh-Patiala National Highway(NH-64)
Village Jhansala
Tehsil Rajpura, Distt. Patiala
Panjab-140 401
07-12-2010 —– Information called for inspection purpose
39 Lovely Professional University
Jalandhar, Ludhiana
Distt. Kappurthala
12.12.2006 17-18 October, 2006 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
  RAJASTHAN      
40 Amity University
Kant Kalwar, Jaipur-303 002
29.03.2008 —– Information called for inspection purpose
41 Bhagwant University
Sikar Road, Ajmer-305 001
14.04.2008 —– Information called for inspection purpose
42 Jagannath University
Vill. Rampura
Teshil-Chaksu, Jaipur
16.04.2008 13-14 July, 2009 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
43 Jaipur National University
Jagatpura, Jaipur
21.10.2007 10-12 April, 2008 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
44 Jodhpur National University
Narnadi, Jhanwar Road
Jodhpur
11.08.2008 15-16 March, 2010 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
45 Jyoti Vidyapeeth Women’s University
Vedant Gyan Valley Village
Jharna Matpala Jabner, Jaipur
21.04.2008 —– Information called for inspection purpose
46 Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University
RIICO Industrial Arrea, Tala Mod
NH-I, Achrol, Jaipur
03.02.2009 —– Information called for inspection purpose
47 Mewar University
Chittorgarh
22.09.2008 15-17 April,2010 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
48 NIMS University
Shobha Nagar, Jaipur-303 001
29.03.2008 —– Information called for inspection purpose
49 Pacific Academy of Higher Education & Research University (PAHER)
Pacific Hills,Airport Road 
Partap Nagar Extension
Udaipur-313003
29.04.2010 —– Information called for inspection purpose
50 Shri Jagdish Prasad Jhabarmal Tibrewala University
Chudela, Distt. Jhunjhunu.
03.02.2009 —– Information called for inspection purpose
51 Sri Padmapat Singhania University
Bhatewar, Udiapur-313 601
29.03.2008 —– Information called for inspection purpose
52 Singhania University
Pacheribari, Jhunjhunu
29.03.2008 —– Information called for inspection purpose
53 Suresh Gyan Vihar University
Mahal Jagatpura, Jaipur
21.04.2008 21-22 December, 2009 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
54 Shridhar University
Pilani Chirawa Road, Pilani Rajasthan-333031
03.04.2010 —— Information called for inspection purpose
  SIKKIM      
55 Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management University
Jorethang
24.03.2006 16-17 March, 2008 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
56 The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India University
Sikkim
09.10.2004 —– Information called for inspection purpose
57 Sikkim Manipal University of Health Medical & Technological Science
Gangtok
11.10.1995 28-30 January, 2010 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
58 Vinayaka Missions Sikkim University
Middle Tadong, PO Daragaorn
Tadong-237 102
30.07.2008 —– Information called for inspection purpose
  TRIPURA      
59 The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India University
Agartala-799001
31.03.2004 14-15 July, 2004 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
  UTTAR PRADESH      
60 Amity University Uttar Pradesh
Gautam Budh Nagar
24.03.2005 16-17 July, 2009 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
61 G.L.A. University
17 Km. Stone
Mathura-Delhi Highway
PO- Chaumuhan
Mathura-281406
01.04.2010 —– Information called for inspection purpose
62 Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University
Chitrakoot Dham-210 204
06.10.2001 —– Information called for inspection purpose
63 Integral University
Kursi Road, Lucknow-226 026
26.02.2004 2 September, 2004 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
64 Mangalayatan University
Aligarh
30.10.2006 —– Information called for inspection purpose
65 Mohammad Ali Jauhar University
Rampur
19.06.2006 —– Information called for inspection purpose
66 Teerthanker Mahaveer University
Moradabad
05.09.2008 —– Information called for inspection purpose
67 Sharda University
Gautam Budh Nagar
Greater Noida (UP)
24.03.2009 30 March-1 April, 2010 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
68 Swami Vivekanand Subharti University
Delhi-Haridwar Bye Pass Road
Meerut
05.09.2008 —– Information called for inspection purpose
  UTTRAKHAND      
69 Dev Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya
Gayatrikunj, Shantikunj
Haridwar-249 411
22.01.2002 3-5 July, 2010 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
70 Himgiri Nabh Vishwavidyalaya
(University in the Sky)
Dehradun
11.07.2003 14-15 November, 2009 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
71 Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI)
Indira Nagar
Dehradun-248 006
10.07.2003 18-19 April , 2005 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
72 University of Petroleum and Energy Studies
P.O. Bidhali (Via Prem Nagar)
Dehradun-248007 (Uttarakhand)
10.07.2003 21 May, 2004 Inspection report can be seen at annexure
73 University of Patanjali
Patanjali Yogpeeth
Haridwar
22.01.2002 —– Information called for inspection purpose

These 73 Universities are competent to award degrees as specified by UGC under Section 22 of the UGC Act with the approval of the statutory councils, wherever required through their main campus. Wherever the approval of the statutory council is not a pre-requisite to start a programme, the Universities are required to maintain the minimum standards regarding academic and physical infrastructure as laid down by the concerned statutory council.

It is also informed that Private Universities cannot affiliate an institution/college. They cannot establish off campus centre(s) beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the concerned State. However, they can establish off-campus centre(s) within the concerned State after their existence of five years and with the prior approval of the University Grants Commission. So far, UGC has not approved any off campus centre(s) of any Private University.

Course(s) under distance mode can be started by the private university only after the prior approval of the UGC-AICTE and DEC joint Committee for which Director, Distance Education Council, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi – 110068 is the coordinator.

Students/Public at large are advised to go through this website carefully at the time of taking admission and should clarify the status of the University from UGC before taking admission in any Private University other than those listed above

Further, para 3.7 & 3.8 of the UGC (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities) Regulations, 2003 are reproduced below for information of all the Private Universities: –

3.7. A private University shall provide all the relevant information relating to the first degree and post-graduate degree/diploma programme(s) including the curriculum structure, contents, teaching and learning process, examination and evaluation system and the eligibility criteria for admission of students, to the UGC on a proforma prescribed by the UGC prior to starting of these programmes.

3.8. The UGC on detailed examination of the information made available as well as the representations and grievances received by it from the students as well as concerned public relating to the deficiencies of the proposed programme(s) not conforming to various UGC Regulations, shall inform the concerned University about any shortcomings in respect of conformity to relevant regulations, for rectification. The University shall offer the programme(s) only after necessary rectification.

A copy of the UGC (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities)Regulations, 2003 alongwith the proforma for submission of information by the Private University are annexed with the notice

Secretary

January 24th, 2011


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