Changes

As a result of the lock-down owing to Covid-19, schools are exploring ways of supporting student learning. Given that the situation is not a short term challenge and is likely to pose difficulties intermittently, it is necessary to evolve [https://deccanherald.com/opinion/panorama/reclaiming-education-during-a-pandemic-866035.html appropriate and flexible strategies] to design learning possibilities for students, especially for students who may not receive much support at home. The flexible strategies will involve a combination of online sessions with offline activities, project-based learning, thematic learning, etc. Having no interactions with students, or relying only on online education would not be adequate and research says that students, particularly from marginalized backgrounds run the risk of malnutrition, dropping out of education, early marriages and child labour.

As a result of the lock-down owing to Covid-19, schools are exploring ways of supporting student learning. Given that the situation is not a short term challenge and is likely to pose difficulties intermittently, it is necessary to evolve [https://deccanherald.com/opinion/panorama/reclaiming-education-during-a-pandemic-866035.html appropriate and flexible strategies] to design learning possibilities for students, especially for students who may not receive much support at home. The flexible strategies will involve a combination of online sessions with offline activities, project-based learning, thematic learning, etc. Having no interactions with students, or relying only on online education would not be adequate and research says that students, particularly from marginalized backgrounds run the risk of malnutrition, dropping out of education, early marriages, and child labor. In Karnataka, the education department has suggested that schools initiate learning activities, which will not require all students to be in class at the same time. Titled 'Vidyagama' this program has elements of teachers creating learning opportunities for students through community-level interactions, providing activities and assignments that students can do by themselves, and with support from those at home.  

The TCOL program has aimed to support schools and teachers to integrate ICT in their teaching and this situation requires careful attention to possibilities of supporting learning, and the 2020-21 program will focus on this requirement.  

The TCOL program has aimed to support schools and teachers to integrate ICT in their teaching and this situation requires careful attention to possibilities of supporting learning, and the 2020-21 program will focus on how Vidyagama could be designed and implemented by schools. This page discusses the possible approaches/steps which can be used as a reference, each school would need to develop its own customized approaches based on local contexts and priorities.

=== Principles of the program ===

=== Principles of the program ===

====Creating appropriate lessons/content for online teaching (creating and teaching) ====

====Creating appropriate lessons/content for online teaching (creating and teaching) ====

Online teaching is NOT the conversion of 'chalk and talk' into video recording of lectures, much more creativity is needed to make the learning an engaging activity. Students are unlikely to spend hours watching videos of teaching. Interactivity is even more necessary in online learning.  

Online teaching is NOT the conversion of 'chalk-and-talk' into video recording of lectures, much more creativity is needed to make the learning an engaging activity. Students are unlikely to spend hours watching videos of teaching. Interactivity is even more necessary in online learning.  

This means that lessons would need to be developed and digital versions created to be used in online teaching. The lessons can be developed as projects that students can co-design and implement in their homes/communities along with their family members.       

This means that lessons would need to be developed and digital versions created to be used in online teaching. The lessons can be developed as projects that students can co-design and implement in their homes/communities along with their family members.       

The approaches would need to have a subject-specialization, even as disciplinary boundaries will need to be transcended during this period. Hence these are discussed by subject - Mathematics, Kannada, English, and Science.                   

The approaches would need to have a subject-specialization, even as disciplinary boundaries will need to be transcended during this period. Hence these are discussed by subject - Mathematics, Kannada, English, and Science.                   

==== Familiarity and comfort with online learning platform (connecting and teaching) ====

==== Familiarity and comfort with online learning platform (connecting and teaching) ====

Familiarity with [https://teacher-network.in/OER/index.php/Learn_BigBlueButton BigBlueButton] will require two sessions of a few hours each, the second to refresh learning and solve any doubts or issues. See BigBlueButton_Workshop page for a workshop to learn BigBlueButton  

Familiarity with [https://teacher-network.in/OER/index.php/Learn_BigBlueButton BigBlueButton] will require two sessions of a few hours each, the second to refresh learning and solve any doubts or issues. See BigBlueButton_Workshop page for a workshop to learn BigBlueButton  

[[Category:TCOL Phase 3]]

[[Category:TCOL Phase 3]]