Transforming Education through E-Learning

Times have rapidly and drastically changed as we are in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially the school learning approach. Before the pandemic, it was a common sight to see students in school buses early in the mornings. However, with the lockdown demanding social distancing, the way education is imparted changed its course with the introduction of online classes.

With online school classes at home, students are facing a drastic change in their schedule. Previously, children would spend most of their time at school. Now, the tables have turned, and virtual classes have become popular. The Heritage School is one of the best ICSE schools in Dehradun that nurtures independent virtual learners in the best possible way.

Here are some ways in which online classes are transforming education for children:

Impact of Technology

The recent changes have considerably increased the importance of technology. With efficient video calling applications, schools are now conducting online lessons successfully. Hence, students can continue their syllabus at home as scheduled.

Online Classrooms

Many teachers from different schools believe that online teaching has turned out to be productive. Students can learn the necessary skills and knowledge at home through videos and online platforms.

Online Classes: The New Normal

Before the pandemic, technology in school was put into use only when teachers required an extra helping hand for a better understanding. Now, online classes have become a part of daily life. With the inception of an online teaching system, schools are still running, different in many ways and identical in others.

To ensure that the children make the best use of online learning, ICSE school in Dehradun, The Heritage School is sharing four ways to make virtual learning more interactive and smooth.

Until it is safe to step out of homes, online classes will continue to work as a blessing in disguise.

Time Management is Life Management

Today children have many things going on in their lives. Education, managing time, and the usage of free time have changed drastically as compared to the times of their parents. At The Heritage School, one of the best ICSE schools in Dehradun, we prepare students to manage their time and make the most of it. Mentioned below are a few tips for students:-

Prioritize your work

A mental state called ‘flow’ is, when you are completely immersed and involved in an activity. Flow actually makes you feel energized and motivated and increases enjoyment of the activity. To achieve it, find a challenge, develop your skills, eliminate distractions, set aside enough time, chase for clear goals and focus completely on the task.

Use a calendar

A calendar is an easier way to schedule your appointments and remember your obligations. It can also help you to study blocks wise and devote time to different subjects. Set up a calendar on your phone or computer and always stick to it.

Use a checklist

A checklist is a perfect way to ensure you stick on task, by listing your tasks and checking them one by one, once completed. It also gives you a sense of accomplishment to mark off tasks when completed.

Get organized

You should be well on your way to be better organized once you have your calendar and checklist set up. Being organized will help you save a lot of time and allow you to allocate and manage your time better.

The Heritage School, the best ICSE school in Dehradun, hopes that with these tips, you will improve your time management skills and get the most out of your time, whether it be studying or playing.

4 Ways to Make Virtual Learning More Interactive

Virtual learning or online learning is one of the best ways and methods to make the most out of learning experience in a student’s life, especially when the schools are closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The most effective way to create one's virtual learning experience more engaging is by making it more interactive.

To ensure that the children make the best use of online learning, ICSE school in Dehradun, The Heritage School is sharing four ways to make virtual learning more interactive and smooth.

 

1. Feedback

Ask for feedback at the end of each lesson or course material online. Responding to the feedback helps in streamlining programs and making them more relevant. Leaving feedback is an excellent opportunity for interaction.

 

2. Make It Social

Allowing users to share and comment on content is a great way of communicating. Making use of social functions combined with gamification makes the course more interactive filled with the fun learning experience.

 

3. Encourage Peer Evaluation

Enable the learners to review each other’s work as it will reinforce their understanding of what they are doing. Also, it encourages a culture of shared learning, which is valuable in spreading best-practices.

 

4. Invite Learners to Contribute

Task-based learning can provide learners with an opportunity to increase their knowledge. Inviting the learners to contribute by hosting online group study sessions is another great way to empower the learning. Learners who are a little behind in the learning journey feel inspired when they see other learners' work which in turn helps them with their studies too.

 

Interactive online learning enhances exploration, gives learners the ability to put knowledge into action, assesses learner’s performance spontaneously, and increases knowledge retention. The Heritage School is one of the best ICSE schools in Dehradun that nurtures independent virtual learners in the best possible way.

Source: https://www.ef.com/

4 Powerful Tips for Effective Virtual Learning

COVID-19 has forced many schools to shut down and has disrupted the education of school-going children. Many schools have shifted their teaching process to virtual classes to educate children even while sitting at home. Virtual learning is an effective and the cheapest way to increase one’s knowledge and skills in a unique, flexible environment. There are few areas to consider while trying online classes for the first time to set yourself up for success and take full advantage of learning online.

 

The ICSE school in Dehradun, The Heritage School, is sharing four powerful tips and strategies for online learners that would help them succeed in the online learning journey.

 

Self-care

Self-care is crucial for successful online learning. For learning effectively, a healthy mind and body should work in sync. Take short breaks in between either by walking around or having a cup of tea or coffee, make sure that the screen is turned off during that period. Get good sleep, keep your body hydrated, and eat a healthy diet.

 

Time Management

The biggest benefit of virtual learning is the flexibility of time. Find out ways at which time you learn best or the brain’s peak level is high, and schedule your time for learning accordingly. Track your deadlines of learning material and minimize distractions such as closing unnecessary tabs open in the browser or switching to social media channels.

 

Community Learning

Virtual learning provides an opportunity to connect with world-class professors and a community of like-minded people working on the same project or learning a course. Make the best use of these communities by participating in forums or networking with peers.

 

Learning Strategies

Get the most out of virtual learning by sticking with the learning process and jotting down the main points you have learned in the video sessions. Repeatedly apply knowledge in different contexts, practice skills, and reinforce your learning outside of a class by connecting it to your everyday life.

 

The Heritage School is one of the best ICSE schools in Dehradun that thrives on making every student’s learning experience one of a kind. We hope that you would apply these tips to reap the best benefits of online learning at home during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Info Source: blog.edx.org

Importance of Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many of us to stay inside at home and sit down more than people usually do, which has impacted the regular physical activity or movement of the people. The Heritage School, which is the top school in Dehradun, believes that it is crucial to be active as much as possible, especially at a time like this. Take a short break in the middle of the day or after every 2 hours if you are sitting continuously for a more extended period. Do a light intensity physical activity or movement such as walking or stretching for better blood circulation and muscle activity. Doing regular physical activity improves bone and muscle strength, whereas, in the case of older people, regular exercise has proved to help in preventing falls and injuries.

Exercising reduces blood pressure, proves beneficial for type 2 diabetic patients, stroke, helps manage weight, and reduces the risk of heart disease – the conditions that can increase the susceptibility to COVID-19. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends physical activity for all the age groups as per the following specifics.

Infants Under One Year of Age: Infants should be physically active several times a day, and for those, not yet mobile, include at least 30 minutes in a prone position.

Children Under Five Years of Age: All young children should devote 180 minutes a day to exercise, and 3-4 years old children should spend at least 60 minutes of this time in moderate to high-intensity physical activity.

Children and Adolescents Aged 5-17 Years: The people in this age group should do at least 60 minutes a day of moderate to high-intensity physical activity for at least three days per week. Doing more than 60 minutes of physical activity per day provides additional health benefits.

Adults Aged Over 18 Years: People over 18 years of age should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-high intensity exercise or physical activity, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity throughout the week.

The Heritage School, ICSE school in Dehradun, recommends all the families to take care of their physical health by doing regular physical activity and encourage each other to do exercise as a part of daily routine.

Source: WHO.int

Talking about COVID-19

Your kids are hearing about COVID-19 more and more every day. The parents should be willing to talk and should make sure that they receive reliable information. The probability is that they must have already heard something. It’s essential to know that being silent and keeping secrets from your children about the current situation is not going to be good for them. So The Heritage School, ICSE school in Dehradun, shows you simple ways how to talk about it with your kids.

Be Open and Listen

Allow your child to express his views and statements on the subject without any interference. Then, ask them questions to check how much do they already know and whether the information they know is correct and reliable. 

Be Honest

Your child is growing and he is intrigued by every single thing happening around him, and will supposedly have a lot of questions. As parents, you need to sit down and answer the questions honestly. Always share information based on the age of your children and how much information can they possibly digest.

Be Supportive 

Build such a rapport with your kid which makes him/her comfortable talking to you when they are scared or frustrated or simply going through some stress. Always show support by giving them that much-needed space to share how are they coping with stuff happening around and let them know you are there for them.

Share Reliable Information

There are a lot of stories going around, and it is easy to get caught up in every piece of information you hear or see. Some might not even be true. Pick information from trustworthy sites like WHO and UNICEF.

Concentrate on the Positive

Rather than scaring off your children by telling them the current mortality rate, share with them the data of the people who are recovering from this pandemic. They will cause less stress as you shift their focus to the positive side of things.

End on a Good Note 

Check up on your kids if they are fine and coping with the situation well. Remind them that you are there to talk and motivate them to talk about whatever is putting them off emotionally. Engage your kid in fun activities like cooking, playing, gardening, etc.

It’s natural to feel intimidated by so much information flowing through TV, social media, newspapers, etc or even questions asked by your children. It’s okay to not know all the answers to questions your kids ask you. It’s fine to simply say, “We don’t know and we are working on it”. Use such opportunities to learn something new from your child. The Heritage School, the top school in Dehradun, encourages parents to seize this opportunity to get more connected with their children.

Source: who.int

How Will Technology Help in Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 on Schools?

The last few weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak has witnessed a tremendous shift in the education system in India. As the virus spreads around the world, many countries are implementing measures from a ban on mass gatherings to the temporary closing down of schools. According to UNESCO monitoring, many countries have closed down the schools to minimize the transmission of coronavirus, which has impacted 1.5 billion students across the globe.

While schools are temporarily closed for the safety of the children, schooling continues as students are being educated remotely using technology. Online learning tutorials and massive open online courses are becoming the need of the hour. From an educational perspective, students could benefit from technology at home, provided that they are spending their time productively and using tech for good.

Delivering education to every student across the country would require the states to overcome the significant challenges such as providing digital learning resources in teaching, sound capabilities in distance education, or curriculum-linked online resources for teaching and learning, regardless of place and time. The Heritage School, ICSE School in Dehradun, is sharing a few ideas that countries should focus on.

1. Designing programs and policies to include the most vulnerable, or students belonging to the economically weaker sections with equipment and connectivity.

2. Providing internet connectivity to schools that need it the most.

3. Reimbursement in the finances of the digital curriculum and learning materials for students.

4. Improvements in digital communication technologies for schools to deliver education online effectively.

The Heritage School, the top school in Dehradun, sees this time of crisis as an opportunity for all educational institutions to look into the future and build their capacity to adjust and overcome the possible threats.