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 labor.   

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.  

In Karnataka, the education department has suggested that schools initiate learning activities, which will allow students to get in touch again with learning, and increase interactions with the school education processes. The program, titled '''Vidyagama,''' endeavours to take the learning beyond the physical environment of the classroom.  The program will involve meeting students - physically and digitally - according to the infrastructure and connectivity levels of the students.  While the broad contours of the program have been designed by the education department, individual schools can structure the student interactions and activities, based on the requirements.  

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.

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 ===

=== What can be some guiding principles for the schools ===

# '''Decentralization''' ('''connecting school and community, strengthening teacher agency and school autonomy''') - Locating the teacher at the center of the effort and supporting decentralized efforts by schools and communities, rather than a centralized one-size-fits-all program. This is essential for flexible, including 'out of box' local actions to changing situations. Local actions will also be quicker than centralized decision making. Teachers and schools need to be empowered to take timely decisions to respond to challenges, instead of waiting for instructions. This requires appropriate guidelines to be provided, requiring local actions. 

# '''Decentralization''' ('''connecting school and community, strengthening teacher agency and school autonomy''') While the guidelines have been given, a lot depends on the teacher and school autonomy in designing and implementing the program.  The specific strategies will change based on the location, the kind of infrastructure available, the number of teachers and the demographic profile of students.  Locating the teacher at the centre of the effort and supporting decentralized efforts by schools and communities is likely to be more effective than a centralized one-size-fits-all program. This will enable  flexible, including 'out of box' local actions to emerge to changing situations.

# '''Comprehensive efforts''' - Exploring multiple options to provide holistic learning opportunities to students, beyond only 'digital education'  

# '''Using multiple learning resources efforts''' - Creating a portfolio of activities and resources that can be used in multiple settings will be essential to address studentsExploring multiple options to provide holistic learning opportunities to students, beyond only 'digital education' is being envisaged.  This involve

# '''Aims of education''' - Going beyond syllabi and textbook confines, to explore education in the context of an unprecedented pandemic, whose impact will stay for decades. This exploration is needed in line with the larger aims of education, to build concerned and capable citizens, who can work towards the attainment of our constitutional ideals.  

# '''Aims of education''' - Going beyond syllabi and textbook confines, to explore education in the context of an unprecedented pandemic, whose impact will stay for decades. This exploration is needed in line with the larger aims of education, to build concerned and capable citizens, who can work towards the attainment of our constitutional ideals.  

# '''Adequately resourcing''' - schools and teachers to be able to respond to the challenges. The pandemic will require far greater investment in schools, especially schools working with students from marginalized communities, and the resourcing/funding of activities will directly influence the overall effectiveness of the efforts.  

# '''Adequately resourcing''' - schools and teachers to be able to respond to the challenges. The pandemic will require far greater investment in schools, especially schools working with students from marginalized communities, and the resourcing/funding of activities will directly influence the overall effectiveness of the efforts.