How to overcome or bridge the learning gap that was created during pandemic?

2020 is a year that will be remembered for centuries, who would have thought the whole world would have come to a standstill. Apart from the various concerns and impact COVID19 has had in an individual. One such area has been the education industry. Overnight the learning had to be shifted from offline to online for an international schools in Mumbai , there has been concerns like limited internet, inaccessibility of devices etc. Apart from these, there was restrictions on movement and also closure of schools has had serious impact on students social interactions, daily routines, and also learning outcome.

So what does a teacher need to do to cover the learning gaps due to the pandemic?

Here are five steps to help instructors this challenging back-to-school season in an international schools in Mumbai

Diagnosing Learning Gaps

The first thing the educators need to measure is the students academic progress and identifying the gaps this can be achieved with the use of educational technology.

Teaching should be more personalised

After identifying the gaps, personalization the teaching will be key to reaching every student potential and bridging the gaps. This can be achieved by meaningful collaboration, making small groups for better engagement, and viewing each students as an individual with unique needs in an international schools in Mumbai

Be Flexible

In the current situation, be it online, offline or hybrid the learning and teaching environment in an international school in Mumbai can impact the students learning and the right educational technology can help educators facilitate learning, no matter when or where it happens.

Ensuring there is socio-emotional well-being interventions

Since the sudden and prolonged school closures, it is observed that have had an adverse impact in students social-emotional well-being. Incorporating and providing a safe and supportive learning environment at school will help students learn well. It is said the only constant thing is change resilience. Hence, we need to incorporate resilience in the curriculum so that if there any such situations in the future the kids are more adaptive and flexible learning to less learning gaps.

Involving the parents as co-educators

Parents play an active role in the teaching and learning process of the child. Hence, engaging and keeping them informed can help bridge the learning gap for a student. ---

As an international schools in Mumbai, our aim should be to build an ecosystem that would minimize the negative impact of any crisis on the delivery of education, so that we preserve the progress we achieve even in the most difficult times, and is ready to meet the needs of this rapidly evolving era.

As an international school in Mumbai we should provide a safe and nurturing space both emotionally and physically for the student to catch up on academics. The stakeholders need to rethink and implement continuous assessment of students academic and socio-emotional growth to maximize the impact.

To conclude, it is important to build resilience in our education systems and keep in mind three vital measures that must be taken -- personalised interventions, ensuring socio-emotional well-being and involving the parents after a pandemic situation.

Also read,

How is offline education affected by the pandemic? How are schools preparing for resuming offline schooling?

How do International Schools make classes fun and interactive?

How is school life different in a top International school?