COVID 19 - MY WAY

 COVID 19 - MY WAY

One year back, sitting at home and browsing through the news channels, I did notice the arrival of the deadly Coronavirus but today, after some nine months of sitting at home and restricting meeting people or going out for even recreational purposes, I regret the spread of the virus and several people’s ignorance for the same. Battling with the virus does not include just staying safe from it but also undergoing the mental trauma of not going in the laps of nature and not actually meeting up people and not travelling around and learning several new things and the list goes on. 

I wonder, if this is the impact that I have been struggling with, then what impact does it have on the minds and bodies of children who have been so much accustomed to going to school, enjoying the laboratories, playing in the ground, talking to their friends and of course studying in the classroom when their teachers used to write on the boards and they would share a quick giggle as we would turn our heads? These innocent hearts are not supposed to be at the receiving end of the pandemic and so, to do my bit, I make sure I make them feel at school and at ease as much as possible.

In my regular teaching, I have incorporated the use of some online white boards to add to the ease of transition from face-to-face studies to virtual studies. We have replaced the regular greeting in the classroom from ‘Goooood Mooorning Maaaaaaaam’ to extracts from songs like ‘My Favourite Things’ and ‘In my own little corner’. Initially students hesitated in singing the songs at home, wondering what their family would think, but gradually they all got along the flow. Though I do regret purely virtual communication, it relieves me to see that these young learners are always waiting for the classes and they have become more expressive because they now don’t depend upon the teacher to read their facial expressions all the time. They have learnt to speak and share what bothers them or escalates them. Their creativity too knows no stops, they proved it with the most beautiful Rangoli designs made on MS Paint. Students also cherish it when they use interesting videos and audios and use technology wisely to mute the speakers at certain moments and do this unique role play and also learn along the way. It gives me immense pleasure in seeing my students blooming with joy when they find all the learning based apps and quiz at their fingertips. Apps like padlet, flipgrid, kahoot and many more definitely lit up their face and fill their little world with happiness.

Though usually the challenges are gloomy but as it is always said, “Joy lies within”, we found our way to stay safe and keep going with the teaching-learning process. We gladly accept the challenge that this virus was put to us and are sure to hit back with strong and healthy selves.