COVUDENTS

Schooling in times of Covid...

Back in the day when we were all kids, we went to school and were called students. Post covid, some are being home-schooled and are attending online classes conducted by schools. I have named them Covudents.

Covudents : Covid + Students.

As a mother, it seemed like a big risk to me at first. We had enrolled my 4 year old son for online classes for Mont 3. Ignoring the suggestion of many to home-school him or drop out for a year was a challenge.

The first few months, it looked like a bad decision. However, the progress of classes ensured better communication and understanding.

Covid has opened new avenues and thrown light on new methods of teaching. Those that one couldn't imagine had we not been struck by the pandemic.

Videos, for example are a wonderful way of explaining new and complex concepts. Graphics, vivid colours and sounds make it much simpler for little minds to grasp information.

Teachers' use of Games and Quizzes made revision fun and engaging.

The ‘Raise Hand’ ✋option on Google Meet served as an obedient assistant to teach students how to obey.

Teachers din't have to raise their volume to silence students, 'Mute all' did it.

Assessments were made transparent since students were to write and finish submissions during the class.

There is no doubt that it was a lot of hard work for both the parents and teachers. It was a task to manage students (especially beginners). But, the combined effort made it happen.

My son has now successfully completed grade 1. Ask him about it and he had his own list of pros and cons.

• I din't get to go to school and meet my friends but I got to see them on the laptop.
• I was worried when there were tests but I enjoyed answering them in the Quiz games.

    

                      

• So many things were difficult to understand but when mam made us dance and learn, it was all so easy.
• I did get homework but a week to complete and upload was a relief.
• Sitting in class for 30 minutes gave me back pain but chatting with friends, seeing and showing toys was fun.
•  I dint like to keep the video on during class but it was good that I could switch it off and run to the washroom in an emergency.
• Coding classes were boring but making puzzles and doing animation projects was amazing. 

He has also learnt some important soft skills that he is unaware of. He has become confident while meeting new people and talking to them. He laughs at his friends for making mistakes but also encourages them to correct them.

He has learnt the art of waiting for his turn and finishing a task in a specified time. He has also learnt how we can change the background in the window – something that I don't know how to do.

After almost 2 years of being at home, he is super excited to go back to school post the summer vacation. He looks forward to enjoying the school environments where he can seize to be a covudent and become a student just like us. I look forward to see him come back home with new stories everyday.

CHEERS!

GOD BLESS!!

CHS