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What challenges have you faced in online/remote learning? I can think of 5 major challenges.
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As schools India begin to close down their virtual classes for summer break (many have been closed longer due to limited or no access to Internet or devices), let us take stock of what challenges we have faced so far...
1. Some have resisted change. Teachers may have logged into virtual classes because the school said so, but used the same chalk (alas not this time) and talk. Mostly talk. Not because they are stubborn, but because they weren't adequately prepared. Most have found themselves in a sink or swim situation. Though most have managed to stay afloat. .
2. Tech has not been the most dependable companion. From inadequate data to patchy internet to crashing devices. We've seen all and more. Most teachers due to poor wages often use old computer and laptops, often hand me downs fromother family members, if at all they have these devices. Content creation is a challenge on smartphones. But the teachers have braved this storm too. .
3. Often students have not been motivated enough either because we had not time to prepare them for something like this, or our content hasn't engaged them effectively. Add to that the sense of imprisonment and isolation. Kids are meant to be playing, running around outdoors... But they are cooped up at home, forced to stare into a screen for hours. If I was in this situation, I wouldn't be motivated either. But they are coping as best they can.
4. Isolation from friends and teachers isn't the best thing. Many children out there may be living in violent, abusive homes. If not direct physical abuse, children often ate victims of emotional abuse and neglect. Often their only safe place of escape was school. .
5. To be a n the same room as the students gave us live cues to what was going on the students heads. If they looked keen, I knew the lesson was going well, if lost, I quickly course corrected We can only guess now. Without being able to pick up non verbal cues, it is very difficult to gauge how much the students have absorbed or who needs extra attention. Of there are ways to collect this kind of feedback, but that leads to more content creation, or students not willing to engage in the feedback process.
What do you think? Do share your views in the comments...
Teach Smart!
