At Calorx Public School, Ahmedabad, online learning is not an approach, but a kaleidoscope of different internet-based activities in which the focus, dosage, delivery mechanism, and degree of interaction of the online experience vary greatly. To sum up, our observational and non-scientific scan of “online learning” across all classes from pre-primary through class X, reflects an excellent blend of digital technologies and offline hands-on learning to ensure quality education for every student.”
– Nirali Dagli, principal of the CBSE-affiliated Calorx Public School, Ghatlodia, Ahmedabad — top-ranked co-ed day school in Gujarat.
A part of the 40-institutions-strong Kalorex Group of Institutions promoted by the Ahmedabad-based Calorx Foundation (regstd.1995), Calorx Public School (CPS), Ghatlodia, Ahmedabad has established an excellent national reputation for blending globally benchmarked pedagogical practices with modern digital technologies.
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak and subsequent shutdown of schools across the country, the CPS Ghatlodia staff and management have been committed to ensure minimum disruption in learning by leveraging existing and new digital technologies. The school’s carefully planned strategy includes:
Training for faculty and parents: Training of teaching staff for conducting online classes using digital platforms and tools was one of the foremost steps that the school took along with orientating parents to the nuances of online learning.
Web conferencing and virtual classrooms: Teachers conduct classes via a learning management system (blackboard, canvas, PPT, textbook sharing with or without an integrated web conferencing platform like Google Classroom, Google Meet or Zoom). The school uses synchronous, face-based instruction via webinar platform such as Zoom. A timetable of sessions is planned and shared in advance. At the same time, convenience of teachers is also taken into consideration while setting the time-table.
Feedback from parents and students is sought on a regular basis. The online sessions are also open for the parents to participate and each class witnesses 90-95 percent attendance.
Self-paced learning with curricular resources: Teachers upload curricular resources and instructional materials such as self-recorded videos on the school’s portal or Facebook page or email the resources to students who either complete these activities online or submit them to teachers via email. The best videos sent by the pupils are acknowledged and given their credits on the school’s Facebook page. These co-scholastic videos serve as tools to ensure pupils’ creative learning engagement at the comfort of their homes.
Celebration of important events and festivals: In the effort to ensure that pupils don’t miss out on important events and festivals, the school teachers run the children through discussions, shorts films, documentaries to highlight the significance of the day. The link is also shared with parents, so that they can watch the same later at their own pace.
Offline work with online delivery: The school has been encouraging students to complete their textbook and workbook-based assignments/worksheets posted by the teachers and either send photos of their completed work or send word documents of the completed assignments to their teachers via email.
Self-paced learning with externally provided content: Playlists (links to e-learning resources, teachers’ self-curated chapter based videos and co-scholastic videos) or interactive lessons are shared with the students to be watched and performed as enrichment activities.
Integrated and differentiated forms of online learning: Teachers offer personalised lessons for pupils who miss out on the online classes due to limited internet connectivity and also for slow learners to ensure no student lags behind in academics.
Regular motivation for all staff members: Initially the senior staff of the school tried and tested the online platforms, then invitations were sent to all the staff members to join. Once a week, all the heads of the school touch base with staff members via online platforms, wherein they share the new digital learnings of the past week. They also celebrate each member’s achievements and discuss areas of improvement.
Teachers have also enrolled into several virtual skill enhancement courses which has helped infuse a spirit of healthy competition among them besides offering them an opportunity for professional development.
“The parent community has applauded the sincere efforts and tireless spirit of our teachers — the messages and testimonials sent by the parents celebrate the commitment and hard work of our teachers who irrespective of some shortcomings are running the show in a commendable manner,” says Dagli.
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