Digital Schooling in the age of #21daysoflockdown

The country came to a grinding halt since March 25th. Since the older folk and young kids were more prone to the #Coronavirus, it made sense to keep them indoors. And for a country with a population of 120 Crores plus, the risk of the pandemic escalating would have been too much. To #FlattenTheCurve, the country's leadership decided to lockdown the country for 3 weeks (#21daylockdown) from March 25th to April 14th 2020. 

All this meant that schools would be closed, and parents would have to scramble to figure out how to keep kids busy (it felt like an extended summer break). While the reports of #COVID19 spreading rapidly across the globe was keeping everyone in panic mode, some school authorities used the time to devise innovative ways to keep kids engaged. And thus came the time for #DigitalSchooling and #Collaborative Learning. 

With the #21daylockdown , schools like The Shriram Universal School, Hyderabad #tsushyderabad introduced digital learning. #NewAcademicYear 2020-21 began  today (April 1st, 2020). The school is moving content online - creating online videos and PPTs and still enforcing a school time table. Some schools have partnered with mobile app creators to push course content through apps. Kudos to the schools for taking such steps! 

Of course, there is a greater role for parents to play in such circumstances - e.g. ensuring discipline from kids at home - to wake up, follow a routine, watch the videos (under adult supervision), clarify questions and such. Of course, it may strain the eyes a little bit, but it is any day, better than letting the kids watch TV or other digital monitors (Tablets or Phones) for similar lengths of time. 

Digital Schooling during Lockdown

For much younger kids, like my 4 year old daughter, the school opted for #CollaborativeLearning. The school administration has a WhatsApp broadcast group, and they have been using it to send important information. Now with the lockdown enforced, they decided to use it inform parents about how the school will continue to keep kids and parents involved and engaged, and has been sending some activities daily. Parents are encouraged to send pictures after the kids complete the activity. 

While these are not long term solutions, and cannot replace classroom learning and/or human interaction, these are great steps forward. It will mean that Teachers and administrators have to breach the digital barrier faster and adopt technology in a way that was not prevalent before. With the digital classroom, teachers will have to hone new skillsets - namely, better presentation and communication/ articulation skills. It is indeed a challenge for some, as they have to prepare the content much in advance. Indeed, it will further strain the internet bandwidth. Indeed there are very limited resources available at our disposal right now (e.g. lack of Printers, or craft paper or geographical map of India) and they may not be available for some more time. 

However, one cannot dispute the swiftness of action by schools, appreciate what they are trying to do in these unusual and turbulent circumstances, and encourage the adoption of digital means to further education. This is what we can call #SchoolFromHome (SFH) - just like WFH. This will provide a lot of confidence to try out such innovative ways in the times to come. A lot of other activities have moved online, and really the pace of digital transformation has gone up, thanks to #COVID19. Indeed, every cloud has a silver lining!

PM Modi’s speech on Coronavirus outbreak

PM Modi's Address to the nation last night in the wake of #coronavirus was a well balanced one in all respects. It was sensible, had a call to action, and the right tone. I hope those who could not watch it live make the time to watch the recorded message.

PM Modi’s speech - Youtube Link

Here are the key take aways:

1. Show Resolve and restraint.

2. Stay at home. Elderly above 60 must stay indoors for next few weeks.

3. We Indians, with a population of 130 crores, can not be complacent.

4. Be responsible - Stay healthy, keep others healthy. Don’t try to be a hero and think that because we are healthy, nothing will happen to us. Won’t contract, and won’t transmit.

5.Be compassionate and sensible towards others, especially low wage workers. Pay them fully. They need help.

6. Be a responsible citizen & abide by Govt. guide lines.

7. Maintain social distance. #socialdistancing

8. Don’t panic, don’t give into #panicbuying. There is enough for everyone.

9. Show appreciation and gratitude towards people in essential services who are helping fight the virus.

10. Reduce pressure on Hospitals- postpone routine check ups, non-essential surgeries.

11. Economy will be impacted. Economic task force is constituted.

Observe #Janatacurfew on March 22nd. Sunday from 7am to 9pm. This is essential to curb #CoronaVirus and get the message across to the Indians.

Same day, at 5pm, clap/ ring bells/ sound the siren to show gratitude towards those who are helping/ performing service to those affected.

While all this was fine, I just had one other observation - Mr. Modi mentioned Navratri and “Shakti”. As a leader representing the entire nation, I expect my leader to represent people of all religions and communities and speak for all of them, and not make singular references to festivals or celebrations of one religion or community. Also, should he have delivered his message in English? Let me know what you think in the comments below.

#Indiafightscorona #staysafe #covid19