From Green to Screen

It was a different scenario altogether before the outbreak of the pandemic. The recent COVID 19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll in the life of all, mostly the young children. The world has shrunk and now we are compelled to keep ourselves confined within the four walls of our rooms. Regular interaction, contact, dealings everything has stopped, and it is only through the electronic media and gadgets that we run our everyday activities – from sharing to caring.

Amidst all these, the schooling system too has had a serious setback. The learners are continuously suffering. Friends and acquaintances, teachers and teaching, recess, the lush green fields, chit-chats are no more part of a student’s life. The students’ world has shrunk to computer screens. Have we ever thought how difficult it has been for the children to cope up with the new system?  It is never easy to spend hours in front of a screen.

Combating Digital Fatigue

We all are going through a tough time. The process of teaching and learning has taken a complete turn as since the past sixteen months we have been on a digital platform, making full use of it, to accommodate this teaching-learning process in an engaging manner. India has seen its toughest time during this pandemic, and it is the only nation where the facilitators are conducting classes using the virtual platform since the outbreak of the pandemic.

By now, you must be wondering about the digital fatigue that is so very real to happen to all of us. Yes, strain and stress are part of this digital world, but it is no wonder that CHIREC has been handling this in a very organized manner and has efficiently been using technology itself to curb the effects of this digital fatigue. We make it possible to keep things simple for our students. Besides academics, we get our students to engage in a regular healthy exercise regime that include both mental and physical stress relief practices. In between classes, students are given time to relax and calm their mind and body. Students are our priority – their health is our utmost concern. We pull out all the necessary stops to keep our students energized throughout the day.

Digital Classroom Bonding

In addition to everyday teaching-learning process, it is important that the students remain engaged and active as they used to be during the physical class time. CHIREC leadership and the facilitators understand that classroom bonding is extremely important during this period and they have left no stone unturned to make this bonding happen. So, what have we done? We have introduced play time, co-curricular activities, various competitions, special activities, socially useful productive work, cultural and health activities and many more to keep our students energized throughout. Believe it or not, all these activities have proved extremely meaningful to our students and in return we have received a rejuvenated and energized classroom, always!

How To Take Your Mind Off the Screen

CHIREC has also been conducting its classes online, but as we all know that it is a school that makes a difference, it is trying its best to incorporate ways to keep the students happy and energized. The school has always advised its students to maintain a balanced routine. Now, the time being unfavourable to all of us, we at CHIREC recommend that our learners should limit their after-school screen time. How is that possible? One can play indoor games with siblings or take up a hobby such as painting, playing an instrument, kitchen gardening etc. to remain occupied during his leisure. Reading a variety of books and journals would also help children to enhance their knowledge and vocabulary. We advise that students should limit watching television, tablets, mobile phones etc. and rather invest in some quality work like preparing a dish that is loved by the family members or design a surprise gift for a loved one. Young learners would have fun in make-believe plays or listening to stories from their grandparents. If one wants to socialize it is advisable that he makes a phone call rather than consider chatting as an option. Regular meditating and contemplating your thoughts on a useful task would help you relax and calm your mind. Why don’t you forget charging your phone? Yes, forgetting purposefully is sometimes beneficial to all of us!

How Far Have We Been?

Pushing aside the negativities of the pandemic, we have come across a long way. Beginning since March 2019 till date, we, at CHIREC, are successfully conducting our virtual classes and have always gone to that extra mile to keep our parents and students contented. We have been on the crest of the wave. We, at CHIREC, believe to stay the course, and time and tide will be ours. Let the CHIREC flag fly high and let our hard work and dedication bring happiness to all!

Snigdha Dhar
English Teacher, Secondary (CBSE)

Well, this question can hardly be answered using these twenty-six letters of the English alphabet! I am the one who too doesn’t know myself completely! Perplexed, isn’t it? Well, I am a fun-loving person, a teacher by profession, a caring wife and a doting mother of a 7-year old. Professionally speaking, I began my career as a freelance content writer and then slowly climbed the ladder and joined a reputed finance organization as a Senior Quality Assurance Specialist. Always passionate about reading, I always wanted to be a teacher and after my son was born, I decided to follow my passion. And now, here I stand – a teacher of English, teaching in CHIREC.