Journal Press India®
Online Education calls for more involvement of the Teacher
The virtual education system by way of compulsion on account of Corona Pandemic has seen new dimensions for imparting online education right from kindergarten to higher education all across the globe. Academic institutions and teaching community have been inventing newer ways to engage the students, make them participative in the classes and thus enhance their learning and skills. Though, the virtual education cannot take the place of face to face classroom education. However, given the situation, there is no option except to go by the system per-se. The efficiency of online education lies with both; the teacher engaging the class as well the student attentiveness and seriousness during the class. Here, the role of trainer or teacher assumes more significance as the way, the teacher involves the practice of conducting the session may vary to a larger extent. It is the efficiency of the trainer to run the classroom into various activities such as, discussion on questions and assignments, brain storming activities, problem solving activities or even working on projects. The need is to run exercises and segregate the groups into different kinds of assignments depending on the need and nature of the subject being taught. It may be by way of developing written answers, formal presentations and so on.
There has to be an active mode of delivery involving student participation by giving them a chance to learn and practice through virtual collaboration providing required intimate environment to enable them to express their views as well lead the group. To begin with this practice and to make it more meaningful, there should be clear assignment description, well structures deliverables, the method and mode of deliverables and overall guidance on the process. It will have a focused attention of students and they will concentrate and devote all time to prepare and present systematically.
Within each breakout room, beyond communicating via chat, audio, and/or video, students can share software to co-create digitally, either by displaying the work an individual group member is composing for everybody or giving other group members the ability to make changes to it, sequentially or simultaneously. There may be different ways of accomplishing the assigned tasks by the students using new IT tools and technology. They could be encouraged to form smaller groups for more meaningful outcome on the theme. Communication with student groups during the breakouts is very much recommended to understand and guide them that they are following a right path. The modern audio visual technology and instruments provide all sort of facilities to associate and remain connected with students at all times. Even, communication by way of short messages from the trainer can be of great help to the groups. Another crucial aspect is timely reporting by the groups and it has to be monitored constantly by the teacher. Each student is the group is required to deliver and report and this will motivate all students to work more diligently. Use of break out rooms is a new concept to improve the online delivery mechanism during the classes to engage the students more effectively.
Another area where much initiatives are required is to provide the students with the relevant inputs, course material and other qualitative reference resources. In the present scenario, when technology changes are so fast, there is a need to incorporate the latest and provide new and updated reference course materials on the subject. This will, in turn, motivate the students to explore and expose to newer and updated information and analysis to become professionals in true sense. Therefore, it is imperative that teacher or trainer upgrades, innovates through research and imparts, the best of inputs and to ensure professional growth.
We need to recognize that there is a sea difference between virtual and physical mode of class and as a teacher, one has added responsibility to turn these online classes to more learning and skill upgradation sessions. Unless, we as a teacher change our mindset and come out of the traditional method of classroom delivery, the virtual teaching will not derive desired results and students will be deprived of the knowledge and skills. On the contrary, if virtual education is made lucrative with latest deliverables tools and techniques, it may yield much impressive results.
Prof. A M Agrawal
Pro Vice Chancellor
GLA University