covid 19 – Since the Coronavirus outbreak, we’ve all been confined to our homes, and we have all started to feel the need for human proximity at times of this pandemic, haven’t we?
Science and technology play a vital role here with their major contribution in the advancement of telecommunication. Although we are practicing #socialdistancing but all of us are well-connected to each other through technologies like the Internet.
This branch of knowledge has transformed the way we communicate by delivering multiple virtual platforms to the world like Zoom, WebEx, Google Hangouts Meet, BlueJeans, Microsoft Teams, the list of such platforms is quite long.
These applications and software connect people even from remote areas and help them come together and communicate. The world is on its way to becoming a global village.
People all across the world are easily communicating with their peers, family and friends. Let’s look at some other ways this technology is being used.
How is this helping people with #workfromhome?
Due to Coronavirus more and more employees are forced to work from home. Organizations are trying to duplicate their office environment in this lockdown situation by working from home and having video conference calls with clients and colleagues.
IUSSTU has also proposed global partnerships and collaborations to share expertise in scientific research. They suggest Indo-US scientists to carry out joint research activities and connect through virtual mediums.
They quoted “Collaboration of both national and international, facilitates the development of a diverse, globally-engaged science, engineering, and technology-enabled workforce.”
How is this helping the student-teacher relationship?
The pandemic has resulted in a lockdown due to which all schools and colleges across the world have been shut.
The face of education has changed since teaching is undertaken on digital platforms with the help of virtual classrooms and online classes. Results of multiple types of research indicate that e-learning has shown expansion in retention of information for students.
With smart class, language learning applications and virtual tutoring, education technology has already been growing and now with Covid-19, the market for online education has expanded to a new level.
Teachers and faculties have also reported positive feedback for these digital platforms.
They say that they find online evaluation of tests and assignments easier. It is witnessed that students are also gratified by these online classes since they can record the live classes in case of queries.
They can revisit as the platform is open for them to access even after class.
Numerous online learning applications and websites have also seen a considerable increase in admissions and registrations during this lockdown. Amid the disrupted academic year, called-off classes and cancelled examinations, most students are using educational-technological tools available to them to follow their passion and studies.
Some of the websites and applications like Byju’s, Udemy, and Unacademy now have discounted rates and for many courses the fee has been waived off just to support the will and interest of the learners.
How is this helping the students with extracurricular activities?
Taking advantage of the time and technology, students are investing their time in activities other than studies. They are taking lessons in fields of their choice like calligraphy, coding, dance, doodling, photography and what not. Also, many professionals like the singer Shaan have come forward to showcase their skills and mentor the learners through online video lectures.
What are some of the activities you are interested in? Do let us know.
Do these technologies have any negative aspects?
covid – Till now, we’ve been talking about how these technologies have benefited society. But doesn’t a coin have two sides?
These digital platforms have helped us undoubtedly but on the flip side, some of these e-conference platforms have been declared unsafe and banned. The government says these video meet applications can be easily hacked into and confidential data and information can be stolen.
Recommended: Is Zoom App Safe For Your Business?
In addition to that, many teachers have faced multiple challenges while conducting online lectures since they are unable to see the students get an idea of where they are struggling.
While some students claim that these digital platforms are not that effective.
Also, while working from home, video conferences and other virtual calls; people feel a lot of time loss due to slow internet connections.
All technologies have their own benefits and disadvantages. They must be handled carefully by the users in order to make the best out of them. How has your experience been while using these platforms? Do share your thoughts with us.
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5 comments
Informative
Great Efforts
Very well written and informative article ..well I have been using teams & skype for almost 5 months and never felt like I am away from my office ..it’s just we are getting habitual with this new normal thing
Very well done.nicely written.
Nice blog.