This is a period of rejuvenation, innovation and reinvention. In terms of work, this ‘Covid 19 menace’ may not necessarily represent an issue but may essentially refer to a novel development.

Reasonably, the situation has given us a chance to examine the current phenomenon differently. As lecturers, we have started a new platform for our students. Therefore, as an educator, it is  time to explore the innovative ways of teaching and learning, which we have never before  experienced, and have effective relation with our students. Using this period efficiently for our students as well as our professions will represent a clever move towards lockdown.

As an educationalist, I immensely enjoy the alternative platform of our online courses which we thought would never come into reality for many reasons. No doubt it was experimental learning and we were constantly connecting and engaging with our students who were far away via the modern platform. Although initially conducting online classes posed a challenge for them, they quickly adapted so that our academic path does not get affected. This has enlightened us to never run away from challenges when life hurls them upon us and to try to adapt according to the situation.

All fascinating findings from the current scenario offer yet another compelling reason for including virtual teaching methods and experiences as a required competency area in the preparation of various programs. These experiences may obtain the effect of illustrating in the most gripping way possible about how useful and powerful technologies can be in reaching out and engaging students with diverse needs and abilities.

The results furnish good directions for further analysis on virtual teaching benefits, as well as a vantage point for viewing the emerging future of both technologies in education and captivating of education itself.

The comfort of virtual teaching may extend significantly beyond redefining what it signifies to be in college and help define what it means to be an effective teacher. By navigating the unfamiliar, challenging, and changeable terrain of virtual learning, teachers can travel beyond their past teaching and learning experiences and view their teaching practices with new sparkling eyes. Participating in this novel teaching environment, different in many ways from the traditional classrooms known, teachers could demonstrate and have opportunities to witness the impact of innovative approaches to familiar content.

Another valuable or cardinal point at this predicament, is that it would be worthy to anticipate how the Covid19 menace might have affected the pre-existing conditions of loneliness or arrested situations that are new, and whether video calling or other tech is helping to alleviate the isolation of those categories.

If we have pursued any coping remedies or lessons to take forward when this pandemic period ends, it can generate a tangible impact. As we know close family members can serve as a buffer to minimize the potential stress reactions too. Thereby, we are all trying to stay connected through calls, texts, and other virtual means through which we can contribute frequently to have a sense of unity and togetherness.

I would earnestly say that “this time will pass away”. It would be a good idea to look at the basic ECG of a human which isn’t a straight line. It could give us a straight line only when one is dead. So simply a straight line means the extinction or end of life. There is life only when there are ups and downs in our graph. As Shakespeare says “life is a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury signifying nothing”. The ups and downs in life are just to motivate us. It’s a roller-coaster filled with adventures of pleasures. We just need to stay alive each day with a smile. Let’s smile at each other, and stay safe and healthy.

About the author : Saji Uthuppan is a lecturer based in Muscat.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of TAS and TAS does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.