Swati Dhawan, Educationist
Was learning locked down? Certainly not. In fact, amidst the pandemonium like pandemic, students and teachers struck the right chord and came together as one unit where the enthusiasm of the students brought out the best learners in their teachers. The teachers quickly learnt and adapted the art of virtual teaching. After all, the learning couldn’t wait. The unflinching faith of this young brigade kept their educators motivated to take a plunge into the various learning applications and platforms just to ensure that the learning doesn’t stop at any cost. Actually, the past year has provided new horizons to the student – teacher bond where the unsaid is discussed and unheard is expressed and unprecedented times turned into a new normal.
The year went by has been absolutely a nightmare for the children where they, on the contrary to their natural temperament, remained confined in their own houses, couldn’t meet their friends, couldn’t go out to play, couldn’t venture out to their favourite joints but they took all the odds in their stride – never succumbed to these excruciating times. Incredible! Worth an applause!
Nonetheless, fears, anxiety and apprehensions loomed over us! But we stood by each other with solidarity. Some introverts (who generally remain behind the scenes) expressed themselves quite confidently, of course, still behind the camera, but they ‘unmuted’ themselves, as they found a confidante in their teacher and cheer leaders in their fellow classmates. The ever – so – peppy members of the class explored multi – dimensional ways to make the most of the virtual platforms through debates and group discussions where sometimes forty minutes weren’t enough to come to a consensus. The role of the educator turned into one of the moderator and facilitator in no time, and being the educator myself, I couldn’t enjoy it more. The concepts of flipped classroom and peer tutoring have been executed seamlessly (which generally is difficult in the offline teaching) and gave students the opportunity to delve into various other modes of learning than the traditional one. Student – teacher bond has undoubtedly strengthened as both understood each other’s concerns, empathised with each other and quickly found out means to comfort each other to pave path for the unhindered learning. We are still evolving, exploring and experiencing the new era of education. Hybrid learning is the new norm and we are getting accustomed to know each other behind the mask or on the screen. I firmly believe that tough times do not last, tough people do. The student – teacher bond shall outlive these trying times for sure. All we need to do is just hang on and nurture each other.
