Issues in an online school
Back to School – Remote
１．Communication
Communication sent from teachers and schools would be usually sent through an email or a group chat, which are harder to navigate through because of the sheer volume. Once missed students have to constantly dig through spam folder later. Almost all the assessments are conducted online as well. Finding out assignments and assessments. Since there is less communication, the performance differs.
２．Virtual Engagement
Online learning needs students to have access to class materials, documents, assignments before the class even starts. And sharing it through traditional means is impossible, so emails and chats gets messier for students. And since students have to keep track of all of this, there is a high chance that they overlook some assignments.
３．Learning Management System
Since, teachers are not physically present, if a student misses a class, it will be harder for them to get their doubts clarified, be it due to shyness, afraid of getting scolded or not providing recordings.
４．Technological literacy
Most students are used to technologies, especially SNS but, when it comes to other technological aspects, such as operating through MS word, MS PowerPoint; and face difficulties in navigating during live classes, communication related app, websites, browsing through class materials is still a major concern.
５．Scheduling
There is a big gap in scheduling as now-a-days teachers schedule their classes during their convenience, and having several classes a day on top of that irritates students the most.
From Blackboard to Virtual board
1. Communication
This is probably the most important part for both teachers and students. If teachers had to convey previously, they could just send a message through a student and let them announce in the class, but now, the problem is there is no way to know if everyone has got the message or not. After online classes have started it became harder for teachers to create and send course content for each class.
2. Keeping track of Classes
Since one teacher is not restricted to one class in most of the cases, they may get their course schedule, timings, lecture slides and everything mixed up, which causes huge panic and time loss.
3. Providing Feedback
After assignments and assessments submitted by the students, it will be harder to go through each student and give them feedback separately. Sometimes, because of the sheer volume, it may lead to mix-ups, as it is no longer physical.
4. Engagement
Even if the teacher tries to engage students by adding videos, slides, games and URLs in the class, it may still be harder to follow.
5. Technical Challenges
Since most teachers who teach are over the age of 40, it will be harder for them to adapt to the new technology, especially for sharing of documents, one on one with students for doubts clarification.
Physical space to virtual space
1. Create a centralized communication system
The major issue each faced by teachers and students alike is the mode of communication. Previously, it was easier be it an announcement, assignments, material distribution. By creating a centralized communication place between students and teachers, it will be easier for students and teacher to navigate and respond to announcements and queries.
2. Create a time table
By creating a time table just like a school most of the burdens from the teachers and students will come down. Since, time tables dictate what happens when in a school, when integrated with a communication tool, it helps students’ access everything in that time period.
3. Centralized place to share resources
We spoke about communication earlier, but wouldn’t it be better if students and teachers can also share class materials such as lesson plan, videos, web URLs, and meeting links. It will certainly not only make it easier because you only have to upload it once and others can access it.
4. Learning Management Systems (LMS)
Creating an LMS will be beneficial to both students and teachers as, if a student takes leave, the teacher can just upload the class recordings on LMS for the student to go through. It will be easier for teachers to monitor the growth of students as well. Since its online, teachers can become creative and make classes fun by making games with flash cards and such.
5. Assessment and attendance
Attendance marking is one of the major problems especially now that its online. There is no need to have a separate portal for it, instead integrating everything in one place like a “one stop shop” will really help clear the heads of students and can focus better in class.