Education In The Times of Covid19

Online teaching is not as easy as it looks from outside. It might appear as easy as speaking into the microphone and listening from the other end. Numerous challenges are faced at both the ends.

All over the globe, Covid19 has created a situation where traditional methods have to be foregone, and modern solutions have to be accepted in order to survive. While in the Indian scenario the shift to modern technologies has been easy for the big players. But, in India, one out of every four students takes private tuition and in a couple of states more than three out of every four students, or over 75%, opt for it, according to a report by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).

While educators are struggling to adapt to this modern method of teaching due to the sudden transition in the education system and students left clinging to their phones and laptops. In this unprecedented time of Covid19, the question arises on how higher education will take place? Till when competitive exams will be postponed? How the loss of this essential time will be recovered? and many more…! These questions need introspection.

GOING DIGITAL

Going digital is the first response of educators. Big players in the education industry either suspended the classes or have moved toward the digitization of the education system. Universities, schools, etc have started to move in the direction of digitization but small players are still struggling to find the solution to overcome the obstacles in these unprecedented times.

According to the surveys, digital transition has not been a great challenge on part of either educators or students but if the situation doesn’t get better then the industry needs infrastructural investment and training for the same.

DIGITAL ENABLERS

Online teaching can happen in two ways. First, the use of recorded videos distributed through a platform. secondly conducting a live streaming session with a group of students. But these alternatives to traditional teaching methods have some limitations as well. And here comes in the role of the platforms which are enabling the educators to come online and educate. These are supported by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), and the department of technical education. There are many initiatives that are also taken like e-PG Pathshala (e-content), SWAYAM (online courses for teachers), and NEAT (enhancing employability).

GOING FORWARD

For now, the future has no clarity, in the minds of students as well as teachers the way ahead of this problem is not certain as of yet. But, somewhere the technology and its enablers are paving a way for the educators to help them reach new heights and cope up with the situation. EdTech startups are a new way ahead. Various startups are working on the betterment of educators and the teaching experience of the students. Though most of the educators prefer the traditional method of teaching,but change is the need of the hour.