We will conduct exams offline after July 1 while ensuring social distancing, say experts at Amity University Gwalior

The sudden lockdown due to the current pandemic situation has introduced all educational institutions to a new normal – online learning. However, some are finding it beneficial while some do not prefer it over physical classroom setup. Amity University, Gwalior is also one such institution that understands the various challenges associated to virtual classrooms such as bandwidth issues, unavailability of internet in some remote areas and lack of other resources. In a conversation with experts at Amity University, Gwalior, Shiksha tries to understand how they are fighting against the current pandemic situation without impacting curriculum negatively.

Read the edited excerpt below:

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

A: The present lockdown has forced the educationists to rely heavily on technology, particularly the power of the internet and personal computing devices. Also, a number of software such as MS Teams, WebEx, ZoHo and Zoom which were hitherto not so popular are extensively being utilised post lockdown. National and International academic events have been replaced with Webinars. Video conferencing has become the norm for management of educational institutions and students.

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

A: We have commenced online classes and are extensively using our Learning Management System AMIZONE (Amity Intranet Zone). MS Teams software is being used for the conduct of online classes. To contribute to the eradication of pandemic, our NSS volunteers have come forward and a list of their names has been shared with district administration. The University has also distributed food packets to the needy as a goodwill gesture.

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

A: We are not planning to conduct online examinations because of lack of connectivity in remote areas, disruption of internet, bandwidth and software related issues etc. Also, the authentication of the student itself continues to be a grey area. Therefore, exams can only be conducted as per UGC guidelines from July 1, 2020, keeping social distancing norms in mind.

Q: How are students responding to new initiatives?

A: After a few initial hiccups, the students have adapted to online classes very well and are also submitting their assignments online. Also, group discussions and webinars are being conducted and students are benefitting from the same.

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

A: Online learning cannot replace physical classrooms which are essential for students to learn the value of interpersonal relationships, team skills and develop their personalities. Sports and physical activities are other important aspects which campus life affords.

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

A: Some of the best practices adopted by the University are as follows:

• Conduct of online classes.
• Marking of attendance virtually
• Conduct of webinars
• Submission of assignments online
• Online quiz, essay writing competitions etc.
• Online group discussions
• Online presentations by students
• Virtual supervision of online classes by senior management

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

A: More emphasis will now be laid on having webinars with speakers of national and international standing. The emphasis in higher education is clearly shifting from ‘teaching’ to ‘learning’ in that the onus of ensuring that learning takes place will now be more on the student. They will be provided all necessary tools and learning resources, such as online classes, webinars, video lectures and research material available in open domains, but the responsibility to actually ‘learn’ by using all these mediums effectively will squarely be the student’s.