Page 34 - EducationWorld Feb 2021 Low

EW SPOTLIGHT FEATURE

Education in a Post-Covid world:
Why schools must prepare for a shift to

online learning in 2021

The Covid pandemic has impacted life in ways we could not imagine just a year ago.
Education was severely disrupted due to the limitations imposed on movement, meetings
and gathering. Ms. Divya Lal, Managing Director of Fliplearn Education Pvt. Ltd
explains her views on why schools should prepare for a shift to Phygital learning in 2021.
net, transcending geographical limitations of and positively impacts the 4 basic equations
space or travel, economical and on-demand in the process – teacher-student; student-
learning have permanently altered the student; parent-student and parent-teacher.
education landscape. All four equations are regenerated as a new
It is imperative that we prepare students – collaborative model takes root.
and ourselves as educators - for the future. This democratization of education has
While a pandemic that would transform the external benefits – a reduced cost of delivery
face of education could not be anticipated, we is bringing new students into the education
can confidently say that from here onwards net, an ambition expressed by most countries,
technology will seep into every student’s life schools and governments. In this new hybrid
chool routines were suspended, like never before – all the way until they join avatar, blended learning is de-emphasising
teaching stalled, learning took a hit. the workforce. In other words, the age of content accumulation as a test of a student’s
Children’s education, examinations, blended learning is upon us and everyone - knowledge and prowess and shifting the
Sassessments, admissions, students, teachers, parents and institutions focus on what we call their ‘processing
placements, all took a beating. So, what - are better prepared rather than not at all, for abilities’ or their ability to comprehend and
does the future hold for education? Will it be its advent. translate. In this new world, information is
business as usual, back to the classroom – or A blended learning mode has powerful freely available, on demand at a fraction of the
will we see permanent shifts and changes in proven advantages in times of Covid cost of traditional books – and the student has
the way we teach – and learn? sensitivities. It allows teachers to maintain to only sharpen his or her skills at using it to
The saving grace for education during this the autonomy of their class while providing understand or explain concepts.
stressful period of disruptions was online a level of educational safety that means The strongest argument in favour of
education. While on the rise even before students could continue learning regardless blended education remains its ability to
Covid hit us, online education came as a of the world around them. But the advantages be tailored to groups, classes, batches, or
rescue act for students, teachers and all run deeper. Digital and mixed learning can individuals allowing for a flexibility hitherto
stakeholders in keeping schedules going. Not offer an educational experience for students unavailable to the entire process of education
surprising then, the online learning industry that can be more impactful than traditional delivery models. This bespoke blending
has witnessed significant growth due to the classroom education. Students can learn can allow for individual attention or group
limitations imposed by the Covid pandemic from home and freely control their learning. education as the subject or student requires.
across the world. The simple virtue of being This independence revolutionizes the set- Now that schools are reopening, the
so much more convenient and cost effective education pattern allowing students a break post-covid challenges are emerging. The
than conventional face-to-face courses has from the demands of the classroom so they insecurities among all stakeholders – schools,
made eLearning highly popular.What was can concentrate on their own needs and learn students, parents and teachers due to new
earlier mainly for working professionals and at the right pace that suit them.This makes the regulations will continue for some more time
distance learning students - who used it for the educational experience more personalized before full normalcy will be restored. However,
convenience, flexibility, and affordability-has and also enables teachers to concentrate on it is clear that the transition period will have to
today become a great asset to the education their relationship with the student and facilitate be managed through a combination of digital
system at large. their individualized learning. When students and physical approaches to teaching and
All estimates suggest that going forward receive personalized support, they are more learning. This blended pedagogy mechanism
online education will hold a major share of the likely to succeed. – called the phygital–is by all estimations
teaching-learning process. Partly due to the A blended approach to education accepts going to be the way of the future as the
impetus it has received, which has resulted in the fact that education is no longer limited transition to digital education progresses
online platforms upping their game, providing to a classroom or school and that the age of and seeps into the education system. It is
better and more extensive content, enabling 360-degree education is upon is. Education for schools and institutions to embrace this
sharing and improved App development digital is happening all the time around the student model wholeheartedly. It is an option that
education has today become a practical tool as he or she accesses information, task empowers flexible learning and teaching
to transcend some of the typical limitations work, test papers, assessments at will round without disruptions in a post-Covid world that
imposed by in-person education for centuries. the clock with no limitations to space, time continues to be fraught with insecurities and
Hence, flexibility of learning at one’s own pace or location. The blended learning format unusual challenges. Schools can no longer do
and time, instant access to resources on the redefines the traditional education paradigm without it

EDUCATIONWORLD FEBRUARY 2021