Integration of information technology in education

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the shutting of schools and challenging the education system to switch to online teaching with a quick turnaround.
In response, the education system has had to bring in dramatic changes giving further rise to e-learning platforms. A research has suggested that the online learning has increased knowledge sharing and retention of information in lesser time.
Online models of teaching too require upgrades so integration of information technology in education should be further accelerated in order to make it an integral part of education in schools. With advanced hybrid teaching models emerging, there are more significant benefits. Therefore, incorporating technological resources and innovative education strategies will be bound to transform the teaching and learning processes throughout the sector. This will enable the teachers to reach out to the students more efficiently and effectively through various modes of communication. Once schools open again, both traditional offline learning and e-learning can go hand in hand. There are many schools, however, that plan to make e-learning a primary mode of teaching after having experienced its benefits.
Considering its own set of challenges, the online educational model at GD Goenka has seen steady changes and updates to courses to make them more dynamic, interesting, interactive and moreover enhancing better outcomes. Here are some of the steps taken in innovation and technology over this period:

• Applying extra efforts to humanize the learning process for the students by paying personal attention and helping them smoothly adapt to the new learning environment
• Realising communication is key and further builds a sense of community with the students by connecting through various groups and forums on social media
• Continuously designing and creatively enhancing the quality of courses to help impart teaching
• Focusing on pedagogical issues and emphasizing on collaborative, case specific, project-based learning in a well-structured manner
• Effectively strategising on an instruction-based learning concept based on feedback from learners
• Modifying strategies to make content enable students practice and hone their skills and help them thrive
• Modifying curriculum and classroom time to ensure that the students engage as in “normal” classrooms
• Checking with the students to see how they cope and ensure complete focus
• Investing time with every student to practise mindfulness, provide equal opportunities to speak and connect with one another and share thoughts to help build confidence
• Investing on education-digitised teaching training techniques and inclusive learning
• Collaborating with new education allies such as social welfare organisations to help engage students and parents
• Using tools such as Google Classroom to ensure all assignments are organised in one place; Padlets for collaborative work; online quiz used as pre-knowledge testing for students.
• Using apps like Seesaw, Edpuzzle, Canva, Jamboard etc. helped in smooth and efficient learning
In addition to the points mentioned above, here are some additional enhancements and innovations for Cambridge support exams, assessments & additional resources.
• Issuing guidance through regular newsletters and digital communication.
• Making component adjustments and constantly monitoring school-assessed grading system
• Setting up professional development webinars that provide full guidance and support to all exam officers and teaching faculty
• Working with governments/universities to update processes under Covid guidelines and protocols so that the students are not disadvantaged.
• Reviewing Cambridge past papers and test makers
• Resource plus-teaching learning material to help in delivering engaging lessons
• Periodical reviews on confidence checkers, syllabus quizzes and progression tests.
• Using tools with subject-specific content, formative feedback, conducting surveys/voting and also for collating ideas and online content.

Dr. Neeta Bali is the Principal, GD Goenka World School, Sohna, Gurgaon Road. Views expressed are personal.