Positive results of online education for some…
Lockdown and online classes brought along apprehension, stress and anxiety for education of special students, across the world. However this phase has also sowed seeds of hope, satisfaction and innovation. For teachers, the best guru dakshina on the occasion of Teacher’s Day is seeing the positive results among their students, strengthened student-teacher bond and more trustworthy relationship with the parents.
Lockdown and Education
Conversations about online classes is common within our immediate circles. For urban parents juggling office work and giving attention to kids during classes has not been easy. For some continuing education depends on the access to smartphone, internet connection and even affordability.
There are reports of government also working on mechanism to reduce the digital divide in online education. Leveraging Doordarshan, the stare-owned TV channel, working with telecom and DTH providers, many options are been considered. These developments and conversations made me think of the special students.
How are these special children coping with the lockdown? Are they adjusting to the new learning environment? How are parents managing at home? A quick internet search revealed this problem is not limited to India alone.
Online Education for Special Students
From USA to UK, parents and families of special students felt neglected. They were at a loss to make children understand why they can’t attend school. Families were looking for therapeutic support to sail through this situation.
The circumstances are not different in India. A study suggests 15.7% of Indian students are diagnosed with Learning Disability. A UNESCO report highlighted that 75% of children with learning disabilities do not attend school in India. The number of dropouts increase significantly with the successive level of schooling.
The possibility of students dropping out from school was my aunt’s biggest worry who teaches hearing and impaired students at a municipal school. Weak socio-economic background, fear of rising Covid-19 cases in their neighbourhood made these students more vulnerable to continue education. With reverse migration, many students moved back to their villages.
“Apart from starting online classes, I am also thinking of their and family’s safety. Looking to arrange grocery and other help for them”.
My aunt said during the initial phase of the lockdown.
For my sister-in-law the problem of socio-economic stability of the families was at a lesser extent. Her students are mostly autistic, hailing from affluent families. They have high energy and short attention span. But parent dealt with different problems – lack of additional support at home, work pressure etc.
When a mother complained about his son refusing to carry a mask for long time she thought of another method of teaching him. The mother prepared mask from his favourite T-shirt. The son was taught to wear the mask to his mother. This exercise developed familiarity with fabric, he started wearing the mask and carrying it for long intervals.
The Gradual Change
While speaking to my family members, also teachers, I realised the initial apprehension is gradually transforming into a very fruitful exercise – both for students and teachers. It is a winning spirit of converting adversities into opportunities.
How did this change happen?
Personal Bond with the Students
Having trained the students for last few years helped, both shared a personal bonding. This was a huge advantage when students were stuck at home and while conducting online classes. This relationship goes beyond teaching. Receiving video-calls at midnight or some student wanting to speak to the teacher because they want to hear their voice is not uncommon.
Individual Attention Increased
Now teaching was not in a classroom. Online group coaching is not a viable method considering the student profile. The class was divided into groups and batches – on a completely new mechanism basis teacher’s understanding.
For students not having access to mobile internet or a smartphone a new teaching mode had to be thought of. Arvind, studying in a municipal school, has moved back to his village. With no access to a smartphone, a local mobile store centre becomes his classroom every day. The teacher calls him at a pre-decided time, using the 10 mins productively to share assignments and instructions.
From Activity to Instructional Learning
One of the biggest change for teachers was the mode of teaching. Typically the lessons were activity based. Now it was more of instructions – not only for the students but also to the parents and fellow teachers. Teachers and students had developed a set rhythm of learning in class. With no physical access, parents were also made aware to conduct certain activities and guide the children. At the same time fellow teachers were also trained to adapt and adopt this form of teaching.
Adapting Digital Tools
Power point presentations, Google Meet, Goggle Forms, became a part of a teacher’s daily routine. With no blackboard or activity board, lessons were now explained in a presentation. Pictures, graphs, video elements were substituting for classroom teaching. Sharing interesting videos from YouTube, DIY craft lessons came handy while engaging with the students.
At the same time teacher training became important. Online collaboration was devised to coordinate with the fellow teachers and students.
“Many times we faced technical difficulties or poor network. Hence we started having an assistant on standby to monitor if the group is facing any issues.”
Said a teacher.
Trustworthy Relationship with Parents
Parents and teachers want best for their children. The pandemic has made the relationship between teachers and parents more respectful and trustworthy. Families are happy when students return home with an interesting craft project or learn to prepare a new dish. With online teaching, they are getting personal experience of their child’s day at school. The mutual exchange between parents and teachers has only strengthened the respect.
This rainbow of hope is making the teachers smile this Teacher’s Day. There are some lingering clouds, but looking at the silver lining is their biggest satisfaction.
An ode and salute to the teacher and student’s Winning Spirit.
Nurture Winning Thoughts !
Tejal
