Our students are very responsive and prompt in the use of technology, says Dr Kumar

In a conversation with Shiksha.com, Professor of Information System Dr Anant Kumar Srivastava at Asia-Pacific Institute of Management, New Delhi talks at length about how the institute managed to overcome the challenges imposed by the Covid pandemic. The classes, assessments everything was moved to a virtual environment. Not only this, but the complete assessment system also had to be moved online with the help of various tools. The exams, till date, are being conducted in safe a proctored mode.

The faculty at Asia Pacific Insitute of Management has left no stone unturned to facilitate a quality learning experience to students despite the global pandemic situations

Dr Kumar is a PhD degree holder from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, and has more than 20 years of experience in teaching and academic administrations of management and engineering colleges.

Read the complete interview below

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

A: It has not affected much in academics as we had shifted all classes on online mode with efficient use of technologies. Not just we tried to match the classroom teaching level by maintaining the same interpersonal level of skills among students but also we moved the complete assessment system online.

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

A: We have counseled the students to remain safe and healthy and followed all guidelines of the Government.

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

A: All examinations are conducted online in a proctored mode. Evaluation is also done accordingly on the online platform and results are declared accordingly for easy access by the students.

Q: How are the students responding to the new initiatives?

A: Our students are very responsive and prompt in the use of technology, hence they accepted all measures to remain safe without compromising on academics. 

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

A: Our teaching methodology during the Covid pandemic was modified to make it suitable for online or blended mode. All types of interactions, seminars and discussion sessions were conducted effectively.

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

A: Followings are the best practices adopted by the Asia-Pacific Institute of Management, New Delhi for effective learning in online methods:

• Pre-Preparation of all lesson plans in PPT
• Sharing of these lesson plans before teaching sessions
• Having extensive interaction sessions during class
• Using online assignment tools and quiz modules

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

A: The online teaching-learning systems will definitely going to change the landscape of education. It will be more technology-oriented and customised.