Adaptation of Education during ‘Covid-19 Pandemic
Julie Gard, a professor of University of Wisconsin-superior, writes a poem titled as- “An Invocation for Learning and Safety” for academics across the country who are teaching during a time of crisis and uncertainty. She suggests us how to overcome any critical situation In this poem. She utters-
“To live an altered life that is still full of meaning
to keep learning and dreaming in a time of crisis,
to let crisis influence us but not dissuade us
so that it’s not our roadblock, but our material.
Let us continue this experiment together,
with every precaution possible, borne of commitment,
curiosity and love.
Let us be open to transformation.”
It was December-2019, suddenly a news spread out around the world that a virus named as ‘Corona’ was identified in Wuhan of China. The virus caused a wide spread epidemic throughout China. Chinese health officials took the unprecedented measure of quarantining nearly 60 million people. Despite the massive quarantines, the virus spread beyond China’s borders to other parts of the world. It was confirmed to have spread to Bangladesh in March 2020. In order to protect the people of our country government first declare lockdown throughout the country from 17 March to 30 May gradually and prepare some necessary steps to spread awareness to keep this syndrome away from us.
Since 17 March, 2019 to till now all the educational institutes in our country have remained closed. Undoubtedly, the direct and most immediate impact of the COVID-19 on the educational sector is the loss of learning opportunities. Helping students deal with the adverse impacts of school closures, the government introduced remote learning through Television, Mobile phones, Radio and the Internet. From March, 2019 in pandemic situation, e-learning or distance learning has gained popularity in the education sector.
We can also incorporate Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and YouTube Channels. We are running into the 21st century where technology knows no bounds. This is the face of radical development where technology is taking over every niche and corner. Smart phones, Laptop and Tablets are no more unknown words to this generation. Now, the Covid-19 situation shows us the alternative way to be habituated with 21st century’s educational skills. For an example, there is a picture of the celebration of the birth centenary of the Father of nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman which we arranged virtually.
Coping up with pandemic situation, we are trying to improve our e-learning activities day by day. Every teacher should encourage the young learners to accept the challenges of the 21st century as well as this pandemic situation by using latest modern technologies. In this connection, Covid-19 plays a positive role for developing e-learning not only in education sectors but also world trade, commerce and business sectors largely. Alfred Tennyson truly says in his famous poem- ULYSSES
“………..………………. yearning in desire
To follow knowledge like a sinking star,
Beyond the utmost bound of human thought”.
Being a teacher of Daffodil International College, I am pleased and grateful to the management of Daffodil Family. Because our honorable & far sighted Chairman, Dr. Md. Sabur Khan Sir, seeing the condition of Wuhan of China, instructed us to be prepared with e-learning so that our learners cannot deprive of learning procedure. Since then, we have continued our academic activities through using technologies with full swing. In this regard, I am also grateful to our honorable CEO Sir, COO Sir, Executive Director Sir & Principal Sir for their direct guidance to cope up with this adverse situation. Now we are teaching our students through Google meet, Google classroom, and e-learning courses of Smart edu. Not only that our students are also attend the Lab Classes virtually and given their Homework, Assignment, Examinations through using these platforms. Alhamdulillah, now our teachers, staffs and students can use these platforms successfully and they are going forward day by day.
Besides education, our students are participating in various co-curricular activities through online. They have proved their talents through achieving many awards. We also celebrate our national days like – International Mother Language Days, Independence Day, Victory Day, National Mourning day, the birth centenary of the Father of Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bengali New Year through using online platform. It is noteworthy that all the teachers, students and staffs of our institution attended those program maintaining the dress code. All these activities are done through e-learning platform which were previously beyond our imagination. Here is a snap of our students who took part in various competition during this Covid-19.
Lastly, I like to say that although Covid-19 has taken away some valuable lives, it has given us many positive lessons. Especially, it plays a very positive role for developing e-learning almost in every sectors of life. Covid-19 also teaches us to be mentally strong at any adverse situation, technologically updated. Moreover, we have to be more conscious about taking the precautionary measures against Covid-19 pandemic to avoid this virus.
-Sanchita Nargees
Sr. Lecturer
Daffodil International College