Online Education

 Is online education the bane of the current academic scenario? Well, that is the chorus. Undoubtedly, the online education has its limits. Many have been much talked about already.

In my opinion, the real problem with the online education is that it is not meant for large classes. Even offline, large classes face multiple issues. My Additional English classes used to have at least hundred students. If I were to stand at the pulpit,  so to say, the first two rows may pay attention. 

To make the whole class attentive, I literally used to follow the traditional peripatetic method. That is to say, I used to walk through the columns between two rows of benches throughout the lectures. Students had no other go but to open the textbooks, jot down the points, et al.

At times, I introduced some group and pair activities that I used to time up. The leader per group would make a representative presentation. Sometimes I would introduce some games or competitions.

All such activities are impossible online as students know very well how to be technologically present while remaining even physically absent. The classic "Mam, issues with the internet or the wifi, Mam" is the favourite alibi if you insist on physical and/or psychological participation.

This negative aspect of the online education granted, the online education is effective indeed. How, you are asking? Online education is a boon indeed when you are teaching a focused individual wherever (s)he could be physically. 

Online education then encourages a deep bond between the teacher and the 'teachee'. Often they end up being good friends, buddies almost. Mentoring, supposed to be central to education now, happens naturally. Thus studies become genuine, a process of intellectual and emotional nurturing.

Every issue has two sides. Why always look at the dark side, right? Its difficult days behind it, why beat out the online mode, the only, rather effective, mode that helped us survive during the corona times!

Pratima@why worry over the half full glass always?