Schools in Bhubaneswar offering online classes during school closure for Covid-19

BHUBANESWAR: Following closure of schools due to Coronavirus outbreak in the state several city schools have started google classes and lessons through youtube channel, Skype and ERP for students to keep them engaged during the emergency holidays.
While many high profile schools like Kiit International School, SAI International School and DAV Public Schools have been providing online lessons the Centre has asked to all state governments to promote online education to help students compensate for study loss.
“The outbreak of Covid-19 has enforced students to tarry at home but the Generation Z has adapted the online mode of communication with teachers to keep up with learning. Teachers and parents are well connected on WhatsApp groups. Smart phones are helping teachers to prepare short videos on different concepts and subjects that are further uploaded and reaches students as a guide to learning,” said Mona Lisa Bal, chairperson of KiiT International School.
She said, the school is making the most use of technology like YouTube, Skype and other social media platforms to make the students updated and engaged.
“We are sending work sheets and diagrams in coherence with the video to students for recapitulation and revision. Power point presentations appended with audio notes are sent across grades for comprehensive approach. Language teachers French, Spanish and Japanese are attuned to video conferencing for engaging children with real time learning. As a closure of each chapter or concept different e-resources are provided to the children by extra marks and on YouTube. Skype sessions function as an aid for revision, assessment and remediation,” she added.
Similarly SAI International School in the city has started online classes and informed parents about the virtual teaching and learning process for timely completion of the course. The virtual teaching and learning process through E-mail and SMS has started for secondary and higher secondary students of the school, official sources said.
“We have started the process by sharing a weekly suggestive timetable through the School App, comprising of a study time of six to seven hours each day. The User ID and Password for the online classes has been shared with the respective parents of each student. The in-house study modules and materials to meet the needs of the students are been prepared and uploaded in the web portal in phased manner,” said Nilakantha Panigrahy, principal of SAI International School.
Authorities of DAV Public Schools said, they are planning to start online classes for students but have not yet started. “We are waiting till the end of CBSE class XII exams and evaluation process,” a spokesperson said.
The online lessons have become easier as with just one click, students can access a gamut of information on each subject, chapter wise, through short notes, videos and audios, power point presentations, mind maps and flow charts. “An assessment through Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and objective questions, is given at the end of each chapter. Students can contact their teachers over phone to clear their doubts anytime,” Panigrahy added.
In addition to the initiatives taken by schools many parents have started downloading e-contents for their kids so that children remain engaged at home as all outings like visiting to parks, tuitions, coaching centres, parks, chess and other classes have been closed till March 31 in the state due the coronavirus outbreak.
“In this additional break due to coronavirus outbreak children are doing nothing except watching TV or playing with the phone or computer. The online classes are a big relief as they keep the kids engaged. Children are also happy that they feel it easier to read in audio-visual medium than physical classes,” said Mirambika Sahu, a mother of two school going children.