One of the biggest casualties of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown has been institutionalized education. Schools and Institutes have been shut to prevent the spread of the virus and this has given way to online classrooms, a very new concept in India even for the most sophisticated schools and Institutes. It is commendable how easily some educational institutions have moved to virtual classrooms, all thanks to tools such as Zoom, Google Hangouts and Microsoft Teams. But there are some still struggling to get online.
There are teachers and Institute from I-Pro Edu,Nashik putting extra effort to engage students in classes by revamping timetables, shifting discussions online, taking feedback from Learners and monitoring students constantly. While there are some who are doing the bare minimum and using WhatsApp to stay connected with students. We are trying out tools like, Google Suite, Zoom and YouTube videos to make online classes as engaging as offline ones. But there are also other problems that we are failing miserably at this shift.
The Right Platform for Delivery and Technology:
We are using video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Google Hangouts to conduct classes. Many teachers find these tools extremely helpful to make classes even more engaging than regular classroom while others are struggling.
Considering that theirs is a generation heavily dependent on gadgets, getting them to use the devices is not an issue. Getting them to use it judiciously and in a manner that doesn’t drain them completely, requires a lot of planning and monitoring both by Students and Teachers.
In light of the coronavirus, companies such as Microsoft and Google have opened up the availability of their remote learning tools to schools and are offering support to teachers and students to help them use their resources.
As per the COVID-19 situation, we have arranged free Webinar or Demo sessions In the Lockdown period so that our students and new students also get the knowledge from I-Pro Edu,Nashik about all foreign Language and making practices on it. We have solved their queries on Zoom Portal also we have created Whatsapp group to maintain all data and solving their queries by Experts in particular respective Language and study fields. We have shared our Study Material, Videos, Books and many more new ideas through Social media and YouTube Channel
How we use Zoom?
One of the biggest concerns for teachers is how they will continue to engage students and keep an eye on their progress from afar.
“Teaching students using Zoom is different, not difficult, in the sense that you miss the physical presence of the students in the class.”
– says teachers from I-Pro Edu,Nashik.
Zoom schedules help manage everything and most classes seem to run as per a timetable usually followed in Institute. Choosing the video platform hasn’t been easy for all.
“We started with Google Hangouts, but switched to Zoom. Zoom had more features: raising hands, whiteboard, etc…It is smoother, it feels more discursive. I don’t feel shortchanged.”
– says another teacher from I-Pro Edu,Nashik .
Teachers can also utilize Microsoft Forms and Google Forms to create their own quizzes and test students. I-Pro Edu is sharing useful videos for teachers on its YouTube Channel on how they can create engaging activities for students using Google Apps and Zoom.
Figuring out the new Technology:
Online learning wasn’t completely new to us. The Institute had thought ahead, and our faculty had already held a planning session for giving Foreign Language Learning .
We are sorting out the timetable according to subject weightage, Language Batches , spread across the entire week. They are also ensuring that everything starting from attendance to giving assignments to Learners is done in a similar manner as their regular classroom so students don’t have to struggle to cope up.
Students who miss classes are contacted instantly through WhatsApp and proper reasons are taken. “We have time-tables, breaks, Coaching, Online free demo sessions, practices etc: most of such practices have been kept intact. They are with us from morning till afternoon, however, we’re taking feedback from Learners and Students consistently, and we’ll review the same if needed.”
Safeguarding :
With this increased focus on digital learning, more young people will be accessing content online. Therefore, the biggest priority for both teachers and parents is keeping students safe. One forward-thinking I-Pro Edu has created many infographic with some great safeguarding questions Learners should ask as they move to distance learning.
In this COVID-19 situation after lockdown we must try to take our students and learners safe by using proper safeguarding and precautions at I-Pro-Edu,Nashik. We can use hand sanitizers and make sure all students and teachers wear face mask shield in lectures too. Also as social distancing is very vital part of the precautions that we can apply. The chairs in the classrooms will be arranged such as there will be 2-6 Ft distance between each Students as per Government notification and precautions Guidelines. We will check students Temperature while entry by using Temperature-checker Device. We will take care that no students having any symptoms of COVID-19.