Quarantine, Technology and Teaching

In this time when the world is limiting itself and schools are suspended, the technology has saved process of teaching and learning.

We remember from history there were many situations when quarantine was only solution to survival and life was halted at all. We remember those days when there was no solution to continue teaching learning process. The advent of technology has changed the game.

“Technology has shown its power to replace traditional face to face learning in this period of quarantine .”

The major out break of COVID 19 has shaken the economy, politics, warfare and science of the world. The virus has been spread in more than 186 countries with raising death toll. The only available solution to counter the situation was self isolation or quarantine. Amid to this, the countries are facing complete or partial lock-down, suspending school activities. Educational institutions at all levels are facing suspension of school years and learning process. In developed countries, the educational institutions at all levels has somehow taken back the control of loss by shifting towards technology. Others are following the example. For example in Pakistan all the higher education institutions were advised to shift to distance learning using technology. Many of these institutes did it successfully, however, many public sector universities are facing reluctance in this regard. The Main reason of this hesitation is lack of skills and resistance to change. This situation has clarified two main aspects: one that technology has proved that it can be used for teaching learning process anywhere and in any form at any level, secondly, the digital skills are the ones that needed to be addressed in national level curriculum

How technology has helped Education

Few aspects in which technology is helping to educational institutional level are:

1. at administration of staff and students

2. administration of classes

3. online meetings and collaborations

4. Conducting examinations and vivas

4. clarity of communication ( as it is necessary in emails for sake of record)

What is coming out of it

“The way this epidemic has changed the education system compelling it to use technology is not going back.”

The use of technology is going to produce a lot of academicians who is more tech-friendly. The compulsion of using digital resources has removed the generation gap thus creating a new workforce with new knowledge and skill level. This may require a change in HR policies for hiring and sustaining of staff and talent management may turn into a big issue.

on contrary to this the pay scales and monetary benefits may transform due to available option of working from home or working in office.

This will also inject a workforce of home bound mommies who can now may take option of working from home using internet and few software.

For educational institutions there may be a demand for offering more courses online, thus increasing enrollment and income equally.

The training of teachers may be another option for starting certificates in this respect. These might seems few options but there is lot more that is on its way turning the post epidemic world into a world of technology.