Monday, May 3, 2021
COVID_19 and child anxiety
Sunday, May 2, 2021
COVID_19 and higher education since 2020
By S Adeeb Mujtaba Ali
COVID_19 pandemic has not only successfully devasted economies throughout the globe but also disturbed the smooth-flowing education system in both developing and developed countries. It is plightful to know that around 1.5 billion primary, secondary and tertiary school-going students do not have physical access to schools. COVID_19 impact however was not only dramatic but also transformative. Transformative in the sense it has made educators/tutors come up with strategies to let not pandemics affect the teaching-learning process. But in the emerging market, it has given an additional challenge like finances and infrastructure.
Key points to be noted:
- Due to pandemic university courses are made online.
- A new teaching-learning model can be expected in near future.
Among the different levels of education facing their own challenges, it's higher education that has to revolutionize. Even though the students here are old enough to explore technology and navigate platforms but are the Universities following the traditional campus education system, ready to makeshift, in order to approach and engage students, in terms of technology familiar manpower and infrastructure?
At present platforms like Zoom, Google meet, WebEx, etc are serving as major support and a major lifeline to universities, however, it was noticed that the educators- lecturers or professors are still struggling with the technology. They are still trying to get themselves familiarised with these platforms to host online classes or other virtual activities. Not only this, but the struggle is also in maintaining a classroom setting environment and rapport with learners. The experts advise them to find a solution because now this is new normal and in order to maintain quality of education without compromising they should buckle up. Apparently, the most constructive solution to deal with such an issue is to either make digital platforms like Coursera work for them or work with them.
According to HolonIQ (a market intelligence firm), higher education comprises only 2% of the $2.2 trillion global higher education marketplace (ripening for disruption).
Even before the onset of COVID_19, it's been observed that students were more inclined towards online courses offered by the universities in comparison with their traditional courses. Universities that started taking online courses as a threat are now trying to acquaint themselves with the online teaching and learning process. Since COVID_19 has introduced Edtech as new normal.
The online solutions since 2020 were adopted unprecedentedly by educators across the globe which are however considered as an experiment at an infancy stage. It is expected to flourish in the coming days and the association between tech companies and universities will grow strong beyond the pandemic crisis.
The present situation, no doubt has been painful but it has also helped all the stakeholders (society, policymakers, educators, and learners) to understand and realize the shortcomings of our education system not only in developing countries but also in developed countries.
In conclusion, like the first industrial revolution, which was responsible for present education system, the emergence of digitalized education model is expected from COVID_19.
Excerpt on COVID_19
By S Adeeb Mujtaba Ali
The havoc created by pandemic is leaving everyone around with anxiety, stress and overwhelming experience due to social distancing and isolation from peers. But one shouldn't forget that these are necessary precautions/requirements to be observed in order to prevent the spread of virus.
One should learn to deal and cope up with stress and anxiety, panic and depression during this period. As by doing so, it will not only help you to recover faster but also help the care takers around you become more resilient.
Quick look into affects of stress:
Experiences like fear, worries, frustration, sleeplessness, change in appetite, desires, interest, feeling of numbness, short temper, sadness, insecure feeling, irritation to small stimuli, losses concentration and reasoning ability.
The patients are also reported to exhibit physical reactions like skin rashes, digestive problems, body pains, headaches. Worsened chronic health and mental health problems.
In addition, it was also noticed that people increased the consumption of alcohol, tobacco etc.
However, it's natural process which cannot be disturbed. Only with time and patience, precautions and medication we can have victory over COVID-19
Let's see some of the healthy ways to deal with stress:
1) First and foremost limit the use of social media. Ofcourse when at home with no socialization it's but obviously that we tend to engage ourselves with social media. But Dear all stop the excessive use of technology.
2) Take good care of yourself. Groom yourself, take care of your body, meditate, excercise, eat balanced food, keep yourself hydrated, take plenty of sleep. Limit or avoid smoking, tobacco and alcohol consumption.
3) Continue your routine medication, get vaccinated (it boosts your immunity) and other screenings as prescribed by family doctor/ physician according to your health condition.
4) Try to reconnect with long lost activities, a hobby, do something which makes you feel happy and merry around.
5) In this time of social distancing stay connected with near and dears through calls, video chat, attend virtual events (Workshop, conference, gathering etc)
6) Help those in need- financial support, physical support etc.
In conclusion, keep high hopes. We shall overcome. Stay positive and spread positivity. Stay home, stay safe, stay connected.
COVID-19 is new normal. A culture which has made us realise and embrace many things (positive and negative) which I guess we would not have had experienced in its absence.
Thursday, April 29, 2021
Google doodles from last year #covid_19
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Edtech (Listing 10 best Edtech's)
By S Adeeb Mujtaba Ali
According to Top Hat, Educational technology is a term that represents a wide assemblage of hardware and software for teaching and learning to be used in college and university. It is also called Ed Tech, for enabling an environment for improved learning, to ultimately boost students' outcomes engagement, participation, and access to cutting-edge technology.
Ed Tech on a broader scale refers to the use of technology that helps in facilitating collaboration in an active learning environment. Ed Tech usage provide the educators digitalized tools that have automized the teaching-learning process. On one side where we see this as a great inventory another side, it's not. of course in the fast pace, world technology has helped us in finishing any task in less time in an organized way with the least errors. A major drawback however remains is Ed Tech has disturbed the original teaching-learning process.
In spite of the cons, edtech market is blooming with several innovations. It has become very easy to set up an edtech startup. There are many government fundings for promising startups. This fusion of technology with education is headed towards a promising future. This jamming not only made the teaching-learning process fun but also prepared students to voice their opinion.
Presently, the market requirements for edtech are in high demand. Various edtech startups are emerging with innovative and personalized products and CRM (client relationship management) services resonating with their clients' demands.
Some of the celebrated Edtech which are leading the show are:
1. Blackboard:
Since 1997
Based in Washington
Mission to disrupt online education
Valuation $70 Million
2. Byju’s
Since 2011 first name :Think and Learn Pvt Ltd
Based in Bengaluru, India
Mission or Aims to provide students with best technology based Education main focus on Maths and Science.
Valuation $5.4 billion as of 2019
3. Teachers Pay Teachers
Since 2006
Based in New York City
Aim at connecting teachers with other teachers for sharing, buying and selling study material.
Valuation not known
4. Dreambox Learning
Since 2006
Based in Seattle
Subject focus Mathematics
Student-focused, intuitive, and calibrated program.
Valuation not known
5. Coursera
Since 2012
Based in Mountain View, California
E-learning platform connecting 150 universities. Offering many free and paid certificate courses
Valuation $313 Million.
6. Instructure
Since 2008
Based in Salt Lake City, Utah
Mission Connecting more than 3000 universities, combining LMS and MOOC for imparting education
Valuation not known
7. Knewton
Since 2008
Based in New York City
Focus on adaptive learning
Valuation $182.3 Million
8. Chegg
Since 2005
Based in Santa Clara, Cliff
Aim online tutoring, homework, and e-learning. In addition, students can buy, sell or rent books.
Valuation not known
9. DONORSCHOOSE
Since 2000
Based in New York City
Aim a non profit organisation, works on external funding by connecting students and funders. Focus practical learning through projects
10. Simplilearn
Since 2010
Based in Bengaluru
Mission providing certificate professional courses to open job oppurtunities
Valuation $31 million in funding
Conclusion:
Irrespective of geographical location, it feels good to know people have been doing everything best in their capacity to make education easy for all.
Sunday, April 25, 2021
Educational Counseling in US
By S Adeeb Mujtaba Ali
An important part of educational institutions in US is Educational or school counseling . It is considered as a gateway to resolve salient negative situations between students, parents and school faculty to direct it to positive outlook. Some of the fundamentals of Educational counseling are
Basics of Educational (School) counseling:
A place where a child learns important lessons while growing is a School. It is here (elementary school) that they make most cherished memories and bad (first) experiences of life. They learn the skills like cooperation, interaction and socialization academic resolves etc. While in high school the above learn ed attributes evolve and finally stepping in college they experience many challenges.
During each step of growth students are given access to professional counseling sessions that are arranged within every American schools.
The students counselors proactively works from a central location and provides counseling assistance to all the students at different levels in the school. They try to address and resolve issues which students encounter during their (every step) growth phase.
This facility is mainly arranged by school authorities to develop a healthy environment in the school and produce good, independent, mentally strong and confident individuals. The counselors help students in meeting life challenges and emerge and have positive outlook for life.
Elements of educational counseling:
Hand's on sessions, maintenance of students case records, administrative activities etc. Among all this hand's on activity is pivotal. Where in counselors conduct face to face sessions, one to one talks, virtual meetings, telephonic conversation. In short discussion through different forms of media.
Sometimes educational counselor's interventional services are also required based on the students and issues. Therefore educational counselors are expected to have an eagle view and broad vision to address all. For example, issues like personal growth concerns (puberty related), bullying, abuse, aggression, neglect, day to day trivial issues etc.
According to market survey and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), educational counselors has a growth rate of 8%, with moderate per annum pay scale of $54,560. To get into this field an individual requires master's degree and certification to practice as a counselor.
Saturday, April 24, 2021
Types of counseling and counsellors
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