Motivation

teachers up the ante

Corona virus has left no industry unchallenged. The teaching fraternity too had to face the brunt. However, teachers punched above their weight and rose to the occasion. With the sudden shift away from the classroom, pressed the need to follow innovative ways of teaching- learning process, teachers embraced technology and made online teaching a valuable experience. They dived straight into the alien world of virtual teaching and created a digitally safe environment for their students so that they can enjoy curricular and co- curricular activities with the same zeal in the confinement of their homes. Teachers who are motivated can trigger students’ motivation. In the present times, the role of a teacher has become much more archana narain Principal, The Indian Heights School, New Delhi

challenging. They need to revamp and revisit their own teaching learning approaches altogether and need to bring innovation, equity and excellence to make it more effective and impactful. The National education Policy 2020 also advocates the shift away from the traditional teaching methodologies to new innovative ways of teaching. So, motivating teachers and providing them with adequate platform where they can up-skill, upgrade and uplift their own knowledge and potential is the need of the hour so that they can fully nurture the inherent creativity and interest of students to obtain maximum learning outcome. This new paradigm shift in education is challenging and exhaustive for teachers. In order to fulfill the demands of this new-age tech-enabled education system, it is imperative that the teachers should be highly motivated. Teachers become educators based on their motivation to teach. If a teacher has no motivation then they are unlikely to be an effective educator. the factors that influence a teacher’s motivation include personal expectations, need satisfaction, monetary satisfaction and work climate. It is time school managements with open arms preserve, protect and promote a positive teachinglearning environment. Sir Robert John once said, “We are not just teachers, we are the managers of the world’s greatest resource, children.” With our zeal, enthusiasm and energy we mould and shape the future of our nation. Just a pat on the back and a few kind words does wonders to teachers.

Address Covid imposed learning challenges

alpana Baveja Principal, Manav Rachna International school, gurgaon T he Covid pandemic has been a defining event for the educational sector on multiple counts. The restrictions imposed to contain the pandemic acted as a catalyst in fast-tracking the adoption of technology. However, the suddenness of changes allowed minimal time to adapt, creating numerous challenges for all stakeholders in the ecosystem.

challenges

learning gaps, loss in interest towards studies, increase in distractions and even drop outs from school emerged as major implications due to closure of school and migration to online mode of learning. Dispersion in test scores within a class has seen an increase. The digital divide accentuated the learning

gaps between the privileged and unprivileged children. Health and well-being of students also emerged as a key concern area. a significant percentage of students have been suffering from various types of behavioural changes to include anxiety, social withdrawal, tendency for self-isolation, lethargy as well as irrational fears. Reduction in time spent studying, tendency to leave the learning gaps and unwillingness to make the most of the time available at hand are tangible effects in many cases. Social and emotional development has also taken a back seat, potentially with long term implications. The buzz word- zoom fatigue – had its impact on students too! factors such as agility of schools and ability/ willingness of teachers to modify the curriculum and adopt suitable teaching pedagogies for online teaching-learning emerged and disincentivizing online mode of education emerges as a priority.

as key differentiators from an organisational perspective. As schools limp back to normalcy, hybrid mode of teachinglearning seems likely to emerge as a long-term trend that may end up shaping the educational ecosystem, necessitating even further changes!

focus areas to address gaps

The magnitude of challenges is truly diverse and phenomenal. This necessitates a need to identify focus areas for improvement. Certain key result areas are enumerated: • Reopening schools, re-engaging students

HIgH-INteNsIty ReMeDIAl ClASSeS fOllOWeD by RegUlaR CHeCKS AND ReCAlIBRATION ARe THe NeeD Of THe HOuR.

• Identification of learning gaps (at individual & group levels) and focussed remedial learning need to be executed on priority. moving on to the next level without focussing on the building blocks of previous level will have adverse, long term implications. Highintensity remedial classes followed by regular checks and recalibration are the need of the hour.

• An integrated curriculum with an increased focus on social and emotional learning as well as skill development has emerged as the need of the hour.

• Devising pedagogies to improve communication skills and elevating confidence levels of the students would go a long way in developing skills, behaviour and mind-set to succeed in their future lives.

• Innovative techniques like partner activities, and problem solving with peer mediation would go a long way in fostering relationships among students and address many behavioural challenges. • Promoting sports and physical activities A holistic approach would be way more useful than a piecemeal one!