The new trend e-learning is to its peak nowadays due to the pandemic. Actually, it’s not a new trend but we made it new as if we never applied before. I would like to ask a couple of questions. Do you still have a landline at home? Or Do you have a smart phone? My next question is – If you have a smart phone, how many such phones do you have in your family? Definitely not less than two. Did you accept this change? Or you are still in that old fashioned landline or button phone. It’s your choice.
But, when it comes to Education, many people in fact, to be more clear, many parents must be thinking, Aah! It’s okay, if my child is not going to School and what if one year gets wasted? Isn’t it? Is it just because of money and we are controlled by money? Of course, I agree that there are a few genuine cases with financial crisis. Just, close your eyes and ask yourself, am I doing the right thing?
The Distance Learning Programme that many Schools are offering and the teachers working for their students is not for money but for the students who are at stake. It is the drive of the teachers due to their passion, one of the main reasons for them to adapt to educational technology. This Distance Learning Programme has taught me a lot and gave me a wonderful experience to improve my technical skills, grooming the teachers in technology usage and to think innovative that would result in effective learning of the students without any break to their education. The enthusiasm in the students is just amazing. They are absolutely enjoying their lessons through Distance Learning. In fact, 86% of parents say that instead of time pass screen watching, this is more productive that the students are able to learn and continue their education even when they are not attending the School physically which is in alignment with the Digital Education Guidelines provided by the Department of School Education and Literacy, MHRD. The students are already missing the School so much and they are not able to go out and play. The learning videos, the activities, the concept videos made by the Teachers that were shot at home, the learning activities, the games, the worksheets, the co-curricular activities and many more are reaching the students to their door step in a jiffy. Our National Policy on Education has initiated the Educational Technology Programme in 1972. Also, I feel that one of the goals of our Education System to bring in ‘Digital Literacy’ is accomplished. Our honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India is witnessed by all of us. However, the health of the students is also very important. The pre-recorded videos that the students may watch with the help of their parents at their convenient time are very helpful and it is also taken care that the screen time would not be more than 40 minutes per day. This Distance Learning Programme has taught that the team work can be executed though the whole team is not in one place i.e. School. This pandemic has also taught us the values like work-life balance, time management, crisis management, emotional management, and what not. Being in the Education field, I am very happy that I could learn so much and the learning continues.
Let’s take the Technology in our Hands but not be in the Technology Hands!
Ms. Gowri Kurapati,
Pre-Primary Head,
NCFE-CVR