GUWAHATI, March 20 - The State government today initiated phone-based learning for students during school closure to mitigate learning gaps among children.
�In order to meet the learning gaps of children and reduce the probability of dropout of children from schools, some initiatives have been proposed by the education department. As per these initiatives, the heads of the institutions or teachers of the schools will open a WhatsApp group with parents/guardians. Groups may be opened class-wise, if number of students and teachers are more in the school,� a government notice mentioned.
�Teachers have been instructed to provide necessary learning support through phone-based learning materials, including homework. Students will do the homework and teachers will check the answers on WhatsApp itself, and by visiting children who need special attention,� the notice added.
Teachers can also share short videos on academic areas and can upload them on the WhatsApp for the students.
Teachers have also been instructed to pay home visits to students in general and those with learning issues in particular. The academic support may be provided by teachers through phone/WhatsApp during morning hours from 7 am to 9 am or evening hours from 7 pm to 9 pm.
Online classes by GU depts: After the closure of all the educational institutions of Assam due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Gauhati University has been conducting online classes for the students.
The government has directed schools and colleges in the State to remain shut till March 31.
The departments of communication and journalism and physics of Gauhati University began their online classes on March 17.
Head of the Department of Communication and Journalism Ankuran Dutta said, �We have been conducting online classes on a regular basis via Skype since March 17. Around 70 per cent students are attending the classes. Every day three hours of classes have been taken. The duration of the classes will be increased to six hours from Monday.�
He added, �I have shared power-point presentation to the students before the classes.�
Head of the Department of Physics, GU, Dr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said, �The department is conducting online classes from 10 am to 3 pm. A one-hour break is provided to the students. We are currently conducting the classes of 4th semester students.
