In the present scenario, regarding COVID-19, various steps are being taken to stop the spread of the virus and protect student community. Though many schools are shut down, e-learning is an effective medium of instruction. It provides a safe and healthy learning environment.
Keeping the current difficult times in view, Gitanjali School, senior branch is conducting online classes for all the students through video conferencing sessions. Technology is being used to the optimum for effective teaching-learning intervention.
The students’ email ids were collected through Google Forms and the data was arranged class-wise in Google Sheets. Next, a Zoom application account was created in Zoom Cloud Meeting. A timetable has been prepared for all the classes to accommodate all the subjects for the online classes. Meetings were scheduled separately for classes 9, 10, 12 and Cambridge Checkpoint 8, with each meeting catering to more than 100 students. All students were sent invites to their email ids to join the sessions.
Once all the students join in, the teachers start their sessions by whiteboard teaching as well as with the help of videos and PowerPoint presentations through the screen sharing option. Open source content available in various websites on the internet is being utilized to the maximum for the full benefit of the students. The sessions are very interactive as students clarify their doubts simultaneously.
Also read: Santhosh Ram Chary: COVID-19 can make e-learning go viral
The follow up sessions are also being conducted at flexible hours from home by the teachers so that students have the advantage of extra learning time.
Google Hangouts is another useful tool being used by the teachers to conduct the classes for Cambridge IG 10 and A Level students. Invites were sent to the email ids of the students and chats are initiated with the students through video calls. The teachers also use a Screen Pad for diagrams and other board-related explanations.
Additional support material like notes, presentations and worksheets are sent to the students through the school portal.
In its constant Endeavour to be updated and in sync with the latest developments in Technology, Gitanjali School always promotes the use of the latest technologies in all areas so that students are always benefited.
The apprehensions and fears related to the safety of the students are overcome and learning goes on.
With the growing popularity in e-learning, it occurred to me that it should mean more than the electronic ,If we are going to call it learning ,shouldn’t it be effective ,efficient and engaging?
— David Merrill
(Maya Sukumaran, Principal, Gitanjali Senior School, Hyderabad.)
