Role of Information Technology in Teaching and Learning of Classical Literature

Saravanan Raja CAS in Linguistics, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India . Abstract is one of the longest surviving classical languages in the world. Tamil language and literature has existed for over 2000 years. Cilappatikaram is one of the , the others being , Civakacintamani, Valaiyapati and . The poet prince Ilango Adikal, popularly believed to have been a Jain monk has created this epic. He is reputed to be the brother of Senguttuvan from Chera dynasty. As a literary work, it is held in high regard by the . The nature of the epic is narrative and has a moralistic undertone. It contains three chapters and 5270 lines of poetry. The epic revolves among , who having lost her husband to a miscarriage of justice at the court of the Pandiya king, wreaks her revenge on his kingdom. The present paper mainly focuses on teaching and learning of classical literature in general and in particular, to teaching and learning of Cilappatikaram through computers. In the recent past, information technology has found a major place in all spears of education. Information technology helps in promoting opportunities of knowledge sharing throughout the world. These can help the teachers and learners having up - to - date information and knowledge. Information technologies are assumed to play a constructive role in education to make the teaching and learning process more productive through collaboration in an information rich society. In this current scenario, development of innovative teaching methods for teaching of Tamil classical literature like Cilappatikaram is the need of the day. The use of internet for downloading the original text in Tamil along with the translated version in English will be much helpful for the learners when compared to the conventional classroom teaching. Besides, a combination of computer audio and video discs related to Cilappatikaram will enhance the learning process. Well designed computer mediated instruction is more likely to impart effective teaching and learning of Tamil classical literature which is discussed in detail in this paper. Introduction At present, knowledge may be regarded as power and it comes from having information. Information encompasses and relies upon the use of different communication channels or technologies called information technologies, for its effectiveness and equal access. Information technologies may extend knowledge beyond the geographical boundaries of a state or country providing relevant information to the relevant people round the clock. Information Technology “is any computer-based tool that people use to work with information and support the information and information processing needs of an organization” (Haag. 1998; pp.17. 518). It includes computers and its related technologies; WWW, Internet and Videoconferencing etc. Information technology can be used to promote the opportunities of knowledge dissemination. Accurate and right information is necessary for effective teaching and learning; and information technology (Haag, 1998; p.10) is a “set of tools that can help provide the right people with the right information at the right time.” Information technologies help in promoting opportunities of knowledge sharing throughout the world. These can help the teachers and students having up-to- date information and knowledge. Students are able to work in collaborative and interactive learning environments effectively communicating, sharing information and exchanging ideas and learning experiences with all in the environment. Information rich societies are developed and dominating and they are controlling the information throughout the world. Information encompasses and relies on the use of different channels of communication, presently called information and communication technologies (Hussain, 2005) and would be incorporating better pedagogical methods to cope with such emerging situations. These have changed the scenario of education particularly, pedagogy and instruction making teaching learning process more productive, creating collaborative, learner centered and interactive global learning environments. Therefore, information technologies are assumed to play a constructive role in education to make the teaching and learning process more productive through collaboration in an information rich society. Information technologies can promote the opportunities of restructuring the teaching learning process. These can transform teaching and learning by offering alternatives to the teacher provided information, access to virtually unlimited resources and opportunities for real world communication, collaboration and competition. Traditional lectures and demonstrations can become web-based multimedia learning experiences for learners. Use of information technologies in classroom situation particularly interactive technologies however; ensure attention and active involvement of students. Well-designed computer- mediated instruction is more likely to engage individuals for effective learning than simple lectures and book reading in a classroom. Information technologies are the result of knowledge explosion. These include hardware and software technologies and facilitate teaching learning process. Using information technologies learners are now able to participate in learning communities throughout the world. They are independent and free in choice of their programmes of study and access

515 to the resources. They may learn collaboratively, share information, exchange their learning experiences and work through cooperative activities in virtual learning communities. Information technologies facilitate teaching learning process in more productive fashion. Visualization is any technique for creating images, diagrams or animations to communicate a message. Visualization through visual imagery has been an effective way to communicate both abstract and concrete ideas since the dawn of man. Typical of a visualization application is the field of computer graphics. The invention of computer graphics may be the most important development in visualization and the development of animation has also helped advance visualization. It is a process of transforming information into a visual form that enables user to observe the information. On the other side, it uses techniques of computer graphics and imaging. Successful visualization can reduce the time to get information, make sense, and enhance creative thinking. Visualization uses various aspects such as texts, graphics, images, video, audio and animation. Teaching of Cilappatikaram to students by using these techniques has been discussed in this paper. Cilappatikaram is one of the five great epics, the others being Manimekalai, Civakacintamani, Valaiyapati and Kundalakesi. The poet prince Ilango Adikal, popularly believed to have been a Jain monk has created this epic. He is reputed to be the brother of Senguttuvan from Chera dynasty. As a literary work, it is held in high regard by the Tamils. The nature of the epic is narrative and has a moralistic undertone. It contains three chapters and 5270 lines of poetry. The epic revolves among Kannagi, who having lost her husband to a miscarriage of justice at the court of the Pandiya king, wreaks her revenge on his kingdom. The present paper mainly focuses on teaching and learning of classical literature in general and in particular, to teaching and learning of Cilappatikaram through computers. Cilappatikaram contains three chapters and the Canto five of the first chapter Pukarkantam has been taken for this study. In Canto five, the festival of (Indra vizha) has been explained in detail. To the delight of the earth and the admiration of heaven, the festival of Indra was celebrated by the people of Puhar. One thousand and eight kings bore on their heads gold pots filled with cool and holy water, rendered fragrant by floating pollen of flowers of the Cauvery taken from where it merges the sea, and performed the bathing ceremony of the Lord of Gods, Indra. The festival of Indra comprises of several events which will be explained in detail with the help of various visual objects like graphics, images, video, audio clips and animation along with the relevant texts. The festival of Indra has been depicted in the form of images as given below in one of the websites.

Poompuhar – Pattinapaakkam Poompuhar –Nalangadi Indra Festival in Poompuhar

Apart from these images, the events related with this festival can be further explained in detail with the other forms of visualization like audio clips, animated clippings, etc. Conclusion

Information technologies are the result of knowledge explosion. These include hardware and software technologies and facilitate teaching learning process in a more productive fashion. Information technologies are restructuring teaching learning process to meet the International standards. In this current scenario, development of innovative teaching methods for teaching of Tamil classical literature like Cilappatikaram, one of the five great epics assumes great importance.

516 References  Aggarwal, A. 2000. Web-Based Learning and Teaching Technologies: Opportunities and Challenges. London; Idea Group Publishing.  Haag, Cummings and Dawkins (1998). Management Information Systems for the Information age, McGraw Hill USA.  Menges, R. J. 1994. Teaching in the age of Electronic Information. In Wilbert J. Mckeachie (eds.), Teaching Tips: 9th Ed. U.S.A.; D.C Heath and Company.

 Pillai, R.S. 1989. Cilappatikaram, Thanjavur: Tamil University.  Venkataswamy Nattar. 2011. Cilappatikaram: muulamum uraiyum, : Ramaiya Publication.

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