Our online classes are focused on elements of engagement, encouragement and empowerment, says Director of JD Institute

Among all educational institutions, it was most difficult for design institutes to move to virtual classrooms because of the need and aggressive use of practical sessions. However, Mumbai-based JD Institute of Fashion Technology has made virtual classrooms a success considering the importance of curriculum to go on. With online sessions and availability of e-resources, it has become easy for students to understand in-depth concepts. In a conversation with Shiksha.com, Director Yogesh Dalal of JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai talks in detail about their transition journey to virtual classrooms and initiatives taken to make it a success.

Here is the edited excerpt of the conversation:

Q: How has today’s scenario of lockdown and global pandemic impacted your education system?

A: The pandemic has significantly disrupted the educational system, especially the field of design education where providing practical knowledge is of utmost importance. With no certainty when will colleges and institutes re-open and things will go back to normal, it is very important that the education sector take some major measures to continue providing knowledge to the students and provide the future with responsible citizens. The structure of teaching and learning is highly affected by this sudden lockdown, but as said by our managing trustee, it has not been able to completely uproot the noble art of teaching. Being one of the top Design Institute, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai has started on-line learning, as it is rightly said one should never stop learning.

Q: What are some of the interesting initiative your institute has taken to make it easy for your students and also contribute to eradicate of this pandemic?

A: As Covid-19 has interrupted and transformed the old teaching model to technology-driven, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai has included e-learning solutions. With students and faculty member remained confined to their homes, we are keeping the students engaged with virtual lectures to complete their courses. The lectures are based on the elements of engagement, encouragement and empowerment. With this initiative, JD is ensuring that there is sense of social awareness propagated to students, enhancing the way they view the process of learning and eventually propelling them to implement the learnings to create innovative art and design.

Q: How is the institute planning to conduct exams, evaluate and declare result online?

A: Currently, our main focus is on completing the syllabus and providing knowledge to the students, however with no certainty when the institute will reopen, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai will be conducting examination, viva, jury, evaluation and assessment through secured online platform.

Q: How are students responding to new initiatives?

A: Our students are immensely enjoying the online session. Although the situation is challenging with students having very limited sources, outstation students have proved their passion towards learning by using their problem-solving skills and overcoming all the challenges to learn and improve their design skills.

Q: What impact will it have on student’s interpersonal, team management skills?

A: JD Institute has always given utmost priority towards shaping interpersonal, team management skills while constructing our rounded curriculum. But keeping in mind the current situation it has been very challenging for the faculties to keep the students’ interpersonal, team management skill, however, our students and faculties have risen to challenge, and they are being overwhelmingly resolute in progressing in their career goals.

Q: What are the best practices that the college is adopting to ensure seamless online learning?

A: s the main focus is to provide education to students with online learning, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai has taken various measures to ensure seamless online learning. We have included live classes, recorded lectures, formative online assessments and questionnaires.

Q: How will today’s situation revolutionise online learning in India and abroad?

A: With today’s techno-savvy generation, students will look forward to learning more things online and have higher expectations from the institute for online sessions. This is a challenge for the institute and future of education and the knowledge providers to explore and experiment various online learning methods and how to apply and combine them with regular learning, although nothing can beat traditional education system coronavirus has damaged the education system.