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The outbreak of COVID-19 has had massive impacts on all industrial sectors across the world. While it resulted in businesses having to suspend their operations due to the lockdown, it also dimmed the future of school-going students. As the schools were shut down for an indefinite period which put over 1.2 billion children out of classrooms, online education came to their rescue.
Before COVID-19, we experienced increased use of online learning platforms by students to prepare for competitive exams or pursue other courses. However, schools hadn’t realized the importance of e-learning platforms until the noble coronavirus hit them hard. Resorting to online education in haste has only brought struggle and mismanagement for many schools in imparting education to students. This has had an adverse impact on students as well as the schools.
Online Education: The Last Resort During Lockdown
As per research, online education has helped students in increasing retention power and taking lesser time to grasp concepts. Online education during lockdown is playing a vital role for schools and other institutions, helping students resume their usual routine even from the comfort of their homes. However, the online platforms currently being used by most of the schools are posing problems in conducting online classes seamlessly.
Teachers are struggling to communicate with students over WhatsApp while conducting online video sessions on different platforms. Students aren’t able to access study materials once the online class is over. All they can depend on are their textbooks and their notes. There’s no medium of connecting with teachers after the class if the students have queries or doubts, which is also the case in physical classrooms.
The challenges faced by schools are not the outcome of the pandemic alone but were also being faced prior to the outbreak of coronavirus. Online learning platforms have been gaining recognition by students and parents alike. Resultantly, an increased number of students are dropping out of schools and some parents are finding convenience in home-schooling their children. While online education is indispensable, traditional learning has its own importance. Therefore, schools should also adopt virtual school classrooms to embrace the changing trends and ensure a limitless flow of knowledge. Making the best use of both sides will ensure that schools still continue to remain the foundation of education in the future.
VClassroom as the Solution for Schools
Understanding the plight of schools and the importance of online education during the lockdown period, a solution has been launched to overcome the challenges faced. VClassroom is a virtual school classroom app that offers a multitude of features to bridge the gap between schools, teachers, and students. It has enabled schools to provide online education during COVID-19 for free. The app has been developed with a vision to make education more accessible and free for everyone.
Features of VClassroom app
The features of the app are integrated taking into account the major challenges that are faced by students, teachers, and schools during physical and virtual class sessions. VClassroom is available as a mobile app for students and teachers and on the web platform for the school.
Some of the key features available on the VClassroom app include the following:
- Live video conferencing – Teachers can hold online video classes with students as per the timetable.
- Schedule classes in advance – Teachers can also schedule classes in advance for the students to view.
- Study materials – Students can access all the study materials of each subject that are uploaded by their teachers.
- Quizzes and tests– Students can take quizzes and tests that are organized by teachers to test their knowledge on a particular topic or subject.
- Submitting assignments – Assignments can be uploaded by students for the teachers to review and mark.
- Marking tests and assignments – Teachers can easily mark and grade the submitted assignments and completed tests.
- Making school-wide announcements – The school can make announcements for teachers, students, or school-wide through the web portal.
- Discussion forum for students and teachers – The discussion forum facilitates students to discuss queries and doubts with teachers to find an instant resolution.
- Conducting Parent-Teacher meetings – The school can conduct Parent-Teacher Meetings online using the app.
- Manage students, teachers, timetables, and subjects – Through the admin panel, the school can easily manage all operations and aspects of the school system.
Why should schools go online?
Over the past years, businesses across different industries have been undergoing a digital transformation. Taking business online has become the need of the hour, not only due to the pandemic but also because of the changing consumer behavior. The technology-infused world enjoys the convenience of having everything at the tip of their fingers. And, the time is right for schools to leverage online platforms to sustain in the long run.
Virtual classrooms help schools establish a better connection with students through the various features that the platforms offer. The schools can efficiently manage and
communicate with students and their parents as well as reduce the costs of manpower and classroom-based resources.
For teachers and students, the virtual school classroom apps prove to be an effective medium of learning that provides a great level of flexibility. They help teachers to focus on every student and offer extra attention to students who take time to grasp a concept. The discussion forums connect teachers and students, where students can clarify their doubts and queries. Online education ensures effective learning for students and eases the pressure on teachers that are navigating the harsh waters of online education during the lockdown.
VClassroom is available for free on the Play Store for schools, students, and teachers to download and indulge in a fun learning experience. The app is already being leveraged for free by 6 schools to manage all vital aspects of the school system and online education during the lockdown.
The Bottom Line
Online education is not just a necessity during lockdown situations but will also continue to be one post-COVID-19. The pandemic has posed as an epiphany for schools and institutions that are now embracing virtual school classrooms. As a result, online education will be of equal importance to traditional education in the coming years. Striking a balance between physical classrooms and virtual classrooms has been long overdue and it is high time that institutions take action leveraging virtual classroom apps like VClassroom.
