Since the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the normal lifestyle of people across the globe, virtual world has come to the rescue. Amongst many institutions and schools in Gujarat we at Gajera Trust were the first to shift the base to virtual platforms to conduct classes online. Learning and teaching materials have shifted from the blackboard to more sophisticated gadgets that supports teaching and learning at any level of learning, starting from preschool to the higher learning. We believe that E-learning promotes active and independent learning. It not only can educate the child on a day to day basis, but also makes the child learn independently. Educators interacted with all learners through online and also cleared every doubt if any raised by the learners. Not only Academics but also the competitions, events, celebrations and co-curricular activities, club activities were taken care of through online. Under the guidance of the Management all the educators took initiative and conducted the practical assessments and online examinations too.
Strengths of E-Learning
Flipped Classrooms – Teaching has started with flip classrooms also for students. Educators post the videos on topic before they teach the students online. Students go through the videos and come prepared in the online classes where they themselves become active and learn.
Liberty to Experiment – E-Learning allows educators to develop and create their materials according to their schedules and whenever they want to. It gives them freedom to experiment in their teaching practice and the ability to make changes if something doesn’t work. It also gives an opportunity to prepare their own teaching and videos and audios which will help the learners to go through as many times they want to.
E-Learning Tools – A wide range of learning tools and resources are being researched and implemented. The real world education of theory has been able to be taught through multimedia, Google classrooms, zoom, Google meets, Parent-Child application (Gems App), video, chat.
Virtual Field Trips – Online technologies have removed the barriers of time, cost and location from the learning activities and experiences available to students. Virtual field trips are being conducted to engage with and to explore places. Students are virtually being guided through Museums, Chocolate Factories, Dubai Malls, Aquarium, Zoo, Historical Places, Amul Factory, under water Zoo, Disney Land etc. The opportunities for virtual field trips are limited only by the creativity of the leader (the faculty) and the engagement of the traveler (the learner).
Anywhere – The main advantage of E-learning is that it allows students to participate in high quality learning situations when distance and schedule make on-ground learning difficult-to-impossible. Students attend and participate online classes from any part of the world, provided they have a computer, Laptop, mobile phones.
Anytime, Any Pace – Asynchronous communication through online conferencing programs allows the professional juggling work, family, and study schedules to participate in class discussions. There is no question about doing the work; just do it at the times that are more convenient. Students can access their courses at any time of day or night. Further, they have continuous access to lectures, course materials, and class discussions.
Benefits of E-Learning – Educators have the right/time to lead students’ success both during and after school hours too. E-Learning allows educators to stay connected to their students outside of school hours in order to exchange ideas, resources, videos, methodologies, and pedagogical practices. It is helpful for educators to support their students outside the classroom where they don`t spend much time together.
“By Learning you will teach, by teaching you will learn.”
