Teachers of an NGO are being trained to be “digital learner” at a time when organisations have realised that in-person classes will not be a regular affair.
From identifying digital learning gaps to effectively using the smartphone as a resource and improving digital literacy, the training for 19 teachers of Calcutta Rescue aims to reach out to all students despite their varied backgrounds.
The training was shifted to online mode following the rise in Covid cases.
The use of apps for conducting exams, taking classes through videos, asking students to make projects in charts and converting them into PDF files are some of the lessons that the teachers are learning.
“We will have to teach our children in a blended mode because it seems unlikely that we will be able to have regular in-person classes. Especially the primary and middle school children won’t be able to come for classes. We will have to adapt newer ways of reaching to all,” said Ananya Chatterjee, the school administrator at Calcutta Rescue.
For the past two years teachers have been adopting various methods of online learning and over the past few months they have been able to address many issues, she said.
Earlier, there were fixed hours for teachers to reach the centres and take classes or clear doubts, This has changed during the pandemic.
The training is being funded by Helga Todd Teachers’ Education Foundation.
Calcutta Rescue has selected some modules like fresh thinking for your classroom, growth mindsets for teachers and learners, planning lessons to reach to all learners, how do children learn and how to help them learn.
At the end of each module the teachers will receive a certificate. “The situation demands teachers to be more flexible....These courses help them to think differently,” said Chatterjee.
