Availability of e-learning resources has helped students to explore great miles during Covid-era, says Principal

The sudden lockdown throughout the nation has given a reason to digitalise the education in a short span of time. But, the question is are we going to continue with the virtual classrooms post-Covid era? In response to this, SRM Valliammai Engineering College, Kanchipuram is all set to continue the trend to educate students online. All the resources, books and discussion that have been made available to students online are accessible 24/7. This will not only help students to go through the content at any given point of time but will also boost their confidence during exams. This mode of education has a vast reach and a great impact. In a conversation with Shiksha.com, Principal of SRM Valliammai Engineering College, Dr B Chidambararajan talks in detail about their transition journey to the virtual classrooms.

Read the edited excerpt of the conversation below:

Q: How has today’s scenario of lockdown and global pandemic impacted your education?

A: The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted education systems all over the world, resulting in a total lockdown of colleges, and universities. Classroom learning has been put to a stop. Despite all this, India is a country, which can quickly adapt to situations and changes, yes! It’s the new online teaching method that is being highlighted here. The students are missing their classrooms but not the learning or teachers. There are various new strategies that have been implemented in their learning methods like E-Classrooms, E-Books, webinars, online quiz, E-Discussions which have taken them to a different platform in learning. This has been introduced by us as we have been a premier Institute in Engineering, R & D and Management. SRM Valliammai Engineering College, Kattankulathur has never stopped venturing newness and creativity in everything we do as we strongly believe that nothing can stop the true art of teaching which we have mastered over the years.

Q: What are some of the interesting initiatives your institute has taken to make it easy for your students to contribute to eradication of this pandemic?

A: SRM Valliammai Engineering College, Kattankulathur has never stopped working even during this pandemic. We have taken applicable actions to keep a student's willingness as they wanted to be updated at all times their thirst for knowledge was the key driver for the Management that made us try all new areas in online learning sessions. Our faculty members designed online courses that have made e-learning interesting. This has the following methods: first, the teachers have designed the course, timetable and at the respective time slots the students took part in the E-Sessions. At the end of the E-Sessions, there were E-Discussions. Later, they have submitted assignments through e-mail.  Then, with the help of ‘Apps’ that are available in google E-Learning has become interesting for both students and faculties. The parents were asked to monitor their ward when they wrote the online test, which even brought parents closer to the teaching staff members. We are encouraging our students to be more interactive during these troubled times to accumulate as much knowledge possible through the limited source of learning available. We are also empowering our students by providing them with easy access to  Microsoft Teams and the Management has invested a huge some in purchasing E-Books & journals. With these initiatives, SRM Valliammai Engineering College, Kattankulathur has made the faculties and students prepared for any situations. Nothing can stop us from being creative and innovative.

Q: How is the institute planning to conduct exams, evaluate and declare result online?

A: The COE of SRM Valliammai Engineering College, Kattankulathur is prepared as per the guidelines issued by AICTE and Anna University. We are ready to conduct both online and offline tests. The modules of examination could be MCQs, online presentations, assignments, viva-voice and concept or application-oriented questions – given weightage according to the concerned course. The practical component could be compensated by utilising the virtual lab platforms available.

Q: How are students responding to new initiatives?

A: SRM – Valliammai Engineering College, Kattankulathur has always been open to student’s feedback. To know the well-being of our students and to know their concerns related to online teaching online feedback was taken. Further, the Management has interacted with the student council members online. Students appreciated the initiatives for continuing the academic consistency even during the Covid–19 Pandemic. They were happy with the online content and delivery of lectures by faculty members followed by interactive sessions and presentations. Apart from minor issues related to internet connectivity, students responded very well in terms of their attendance and participation. The parents were also impressed with the adaptiveness towards new teaching patterns followed by our Institution. 

Q: What impact will it have on students’ interpersonal, team management skills?

A: The placement department of SRM Valliammai Engineering College, Kattankulathur, has taken the lead role in understanding the current situation and coming up with online screening sessions for students on interpersonal, team management skills. They have always provided a great placement record because we ensure that the students do not step behind moving forward. It’s the relationship that provides us with the strength to get through the tough times while upholding our stability and peace of mind. Communication is the key to drive away most of our troubles and further provides emotional support helping us with our mental health even during these lockdowns and epidemic periods.

Q: What is the best practice that the college is adopting to ensure seamless online learning?

A: Some of the practices include:

• This pandemic period didn’t stop the shift to remote learning. It has been enabled by several online tech apps such as Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, Web Ex etc., and all of which play an important role in making this online learning successful.
• Online video-based synchronous learning, effectively conducting ‘live sessions’ with their students online. The recorded sessions were uploaded in an online library for students to access if they were facing any technical glitches and were not able to connect in the sessions.
• E-notes are making learning more accessible, engaging, and contextualised. E-Assessment, E-Tutoring, E-Submission features that let students learn outside the classroom
• Virtual labs and Studios are arranged by the departments concerned
• Online certification courses have been shared with the students and they do a small research on free and paid courses available with the advice of the faculty members
• Interactive Webinars by industry experts have been arranged by the placement department and core departments.
• Online seminars and conferences were arranged by the Institution
• Availability of E-books, E-Learning resources, simulations & models, graphics & animations by the college library has helped students to explore great miles
• E-Certificates were issued to students which motivated them to take part in E-Contest, E-Quiz etc., which kept them active throughout their learning period bringing in more participation

Q: How will today’s situation revolutionise online learning in India and abroad?

A: The contents developed during this period are especially helping students and could go a long way in post-Covid times too, modernising our approach in the global level. The materials are made available to the students 24/7 which has made them feel confident during their exam preparations in the coming times and will make the sector more efficient and application-oriented along with connecting learners with appropriate resources. The educational industry is witnessing a transformation that will enable it to shift from classroom teaching to E-learning. E-learning is part of the industrial revolution and the educational revolution too. The Covid-19 pandemic will surely shift the world towards digital learning. We ensure that we are in the helping side where making knowledge more accessible to everyone so that they can make use of the resources to bring in new inventions and creativity.