It really fascinates me, to use Laptop or mobile for doing the routine work. In the present situation of countrywide lockdown, When CBSE issued an advisory to keep the students engaged in productive activities , it made me think very positively . I really enjoy being involved in this process of Online Teaching.
Though I had been working for more than the last seven years, creating and running my educational
platform for Self- learning of Commerce, all alone, in my free time, I see its benefit now while teaching my own students with the help of this site. Never had I thought of earning money out of this but to render help to the needy students, with whatever technical knowledge I have apart from academic knowledge and experience.
I had initiated this website for those who could not find timely personal academic guidance in this regard , those who don't want to waste money on private coaching or tuitions, those who cannot afford doing so and above all for those who think that self-learning of Commerce is possible and are willing to make it reality. Above all, with an urge 'To satisfy myself and Do something for social cause'.
How I teach my Students?
I had always avoided using personal photo even where people fondly upload their personal and family photos at the time of every big or small event. So, question of using such apps showing my own would be strictly 'No', unless declared compulsory by the higher authorities.
I have been forming Whatsapp groups for class related information sharing and activities, for long.
So, gathering the students online was not a problem. Adding more students to my class group because of increased need also did not pose any problem. Two students were made admin of the group , thus, new students were added by them.
Then started the planning of MY ONLINE CLASS.
In the beginning, It was explained to them how class 12th syllabus is different from that of class 11th they have passed. The books, paper pattern , the type and level of questions asked, the expectation of the examiner etc. all were explained in whatsapp chat ( text messages). Some students started participating very enthusiastically.
Gradually, we started discussions using the same method - Whatsapp text messages. Then followed the process of sharing pdf files and powerpoint presenations. Some youtube videos were shared along with article links to my website. Every time, I gave some work and submitted by students in group would make the group chat complicated to understand anything properly. Whenever I would ask them to retrieve some file that had been used and discussed a few days back, would have been deleted by most of them. So, keeping a record of everything became a major problem for me. How to judge them would again be a pending problem.
I would daily take their attendance only by scrolling the text messages in the group, and marking in my diary. The attendance was good and I thought other students would soon join and everything would be alright. But, this process of taking their attendance after the whole process was over, consumed my double time and effort. Moreover, reading all the messages again and deleting 'yes mam', 'ok mam' to shorten the chat for record, became monotonous. Whatsapp chat was making my phone heavy, may not be technically but personally for me, definitely. I had a better option in my mind.
I have been running my 12th Commerce channel on this app for about one and half years without any problem. I had formed a group there and have an experience of working of the groups also.
I created a private closed group adding a profile image naming my class and settings were properly adjusted to give enough freedom to the students in the group. I posted the group invitation link in my class whatsapp group on one Saturday and asked my students to switch over to Telegram app and declared that Monday class would be held on the new platform.
Approximately nine students were already there on Telegram. I added them immediately to the newly created class group. Three students joined on Sunday. On Monday just before fifteen minutes of the class, messages started pouring in , "I have downloaded the app ma'am, but not able to find my class". Some other students would suggest them to use only the given link to join the class. And within forty minutes the whole class was there except three students.
After welcoming them on the new platform, I asked all students to adjust their settings for ensuring privacy and then we discussed that day's topic in brief. It was new experience for me also teaching and talking to my own class students on Telegram.
After three four days of settling down, all students were asked to mark their attendance only in my personal chat with them and use group chat only for common discussions. They have been asked to submit their work done also in their personal chat with them. This way, I am in better position to take view of everything related to students individually and personally.
Here , I use everything, images, pdf files, article links to my website, power point presentations, text messages, voice messages , You Tube videos etc. whatever I would use, can be used here easily.
Regarding data usage, I have not faced this problem till date, since the Telegram is cloud based. Everything is stored automatically. Unless you delete anything it will stay there. Yes, all images, pdf files, etc. anytime you need these, you can retrieve for use.
Here, we are doing everything what a teacher and her students would do in a traditional classroom. I explain, discuss, show, ask questions individually, everything. Yes, I do surprise checking also. I just ask any student randomly to reply by voice message ,to my question, immediately. Though I don't use, there is option of video calling too. There are some rules for maintaining discipline also to make this class successful.
How I test them.
I am creating online quizzes for class 12th students(2019-20) who have their Business Studies exam
still pending. They need to be refreshed. They are using these quizzes. I use such online quizzes for testing my class students also. After giving a particular time say twenty two minutes(including 20 minutes time for test) ,of sending the quiz link, they are required to submit the screen shot of the score of their quiz. The time allotted is such that they are not having extra time to see here and there while attempting the quiz.
In case, I need to assess by giving descriptive answer type questions like in case of Accountancy ,solutions are to be sent by images after getting their sheets signed by their parents, as a testimony of their honesty in doing the work. Everything a student is required to send will be sent in personal chat, and there it will be safe for ever.
Still, One main advantage, You don't need to repeat anything for absentee students. They can read and hear whenever they need it. They will miss however live sessions.
Phone becomes heavy?
No.
Secrecy?
Yes, Assured.
This much, I can talk based on my experience till date.
Students, who would not normally participate in class discussions are more than happy to discuss here in class online. Some of them are really showing better understanding and performance. They have become more active mentally. This lockdown has really made us, teachers innovative.
Let's take this LOCKDOWN POSITIVELY.
STAY HOME, STAY SAFE,
TEACH ONLINE, LEARN ONLINE.