By Ritika Srivatsan
E-learning has impacted not only students as we have reported earlier but also teachers who are adapting to the learning curve. In March, many thought of online learning as temporary. However, after nearly seven months of remote lessons, e-learning is here to stay, and so are its implications. Teachers feel this year would create an attainment gap unlike no other as each student’s ability to learn depends on various uncontrollable factors.
A Rocky Road
A normal academic year for teachers would consist of them interacting with students in person, disciplining them in hallways and using different techniques to gauge their attention in class; none of which are possible now.
Jaya Bharti (name changed), a pre-school teacher in Bengaluru is finding it tough to deal with the consequences of E-learning. As her students are below the age of four, their attention span withers easily, and often she’s left talking to the camera with no response. “It’s particularly hard on the children since they’re so young, but the idea is to try and make it as close to a real pre-school,” she says. Bharti puts in extra effort to make the classes interesting. For Gokulashtami (a festival that celebrates Krishna’s birth), children were asked to dress up in ethnic wear. Bharti donned a saree and held a clay model of Krishna as she explained his story and his fascination for flutes. Similarly, on World Popcorn Day, she riskily set up a portable gas cylinder in her office to make popcorn while instructing students on the other side of the screen. Parents helped children make popcorn at home which proved to be a successful activity.
“With Zoom we had many problems,” says Raveena Malik, a 9th and 10th grade English teacher. “Students would share the meeting id with friends and play music in the background. We have now switched to the school’s online portal and it’s working well so far. Bad network and unstable electricity are perennial problems though. As a teacher, it’s stressful because students are waiting online, but it takes ten minutes to get everything back together again.”
As teaching online requires a high-quality camera and fast internet, Malik has spent a huge sum on acquiring them. She bought a new computer for Rs 52,000 and spent an additional Rs 5,000 on improving the bandwidth. “There’s much of our investment, but considering the whole year may be online, it’s necessary,” she says.
How is learning affected?
The ability to comprehend concepts with E-learning depends on various factors, such as access to electronic devices, attention span and disturbances at home. Many are placed at a disadvantage through no fault of their own, and an online school will further increase the attainment gap as some will outperform the others. However, all the teachers agree that remote learning is better than a long break from school with no learning.
Sharda Mudgal, a middle school teacher, records lessons of 45 minutes each, and sends them as YouTube links. Students can access these remotely at any time. “There is no disturbance with this method; so no complaints from parents,” she says. “Worksheets and notes are sent through email and clarifications are conducted on Zoom. Problems with live lessons are endless and this is better but don’t know how much they have understood.”
While Mudgal is unsure of how much a student has truly understood, Malik believes most are definitely grasping the new concepts. “We can tell if students are learning through regular tests,” she says. “Homework is discussed, and students ask questions, but we can’t check on everyone by putting them on the spot like we could in class. They’re smarter and make excuses for not answering online.”
Regarding the 30% reduction in portions by the Central Board of Secondary Education, Malik believes it was necessary as many may not be able to cope with rigorous online learning which will affect educational achievement. “Students cannot be expected to perform when they do not have the essential tools for remote learning, so reduction is a good idea.”
Getting back to school
After adapting to remote learning, returning to campus may be hard. Eventually, schools will return to normal, but many believe the best way to do would be with blended learning. This method involves students returning to classes in small numbers while the rest of the class attend online. “For those with good facilities, online lessons are best until the COVID-19 threat is eliminated, but most do not have access,” says Malik. “Therefore, returning to school in a controlled manner might be a good idea.”
Teachers, though initially hesitant and non-tech savvy, they have now successfully adapted to the learning curve. Some are often going beyond their means to accommodate and give students the best education. The tutors are often the unsung heroes that need to be commended for all their hard work during these uncertain times.
