E-learning in Dubai in the time of coronavirus
Five-hour session keeps children at home focused on studies
Dubai: I just heard it. Thank you, sir, thank you, sir! Bye sir! Thank you, sir!
My son had been online with other students of his class from Our Own High School for the past five hours on his first day of e-learning.
Amazing, is all I can say. From 8am till 1pm, he got up only twice – once, to get his geometry box from the bedroom, the other, during the break time to tell my wife that he was hungry.
I never knew teenagers could sit for this long in front of their books (or digital devices, in this case) without fidgeting.
I never knew teenagers could sit for this long in front of their books (or digital devices, in this case) without fidgeting.
If the first day of e-learning is anything to go by, as a father I am excited.
It was my off day, so I could hover around to see what learning was taking place. I didn’t have to ask: “What did you learn in school? Did all the teachers take lessons?” I knew exactly what was being taught.
Kids being kids, there were hiccups too. One student discovered that he could mute everyone in the group and went on to do so, till he was shown his place.
At the same time, I am also relieved. For the past few days I have been anxious because my son has just got into Grade 10.
With the fears of coronavirus around us, I wondered if the school would be able to complete the syllabus in time for the Board exams next year.
With the fears of coronavirus around us, I wondered if the school would be able to complete the syllabus in time for the Board exams next year.
My fears have been put to rest as every student in the class was able to come online on Sunday and participate in e-learning. I was also happy that the teachers were well-prepared, sharing their PowerPoint presentations over the Microsoft Teams app.
My son is happy too – no school uniform, no waiting for the bus at 6.45am and no question of being tired after travelling to and from school.
Animated
From the other room I could hear my wife, a teacher in another school, talking animatedly with other teachers, trying to overcome the initial hurdles of how to log on to the e-learning app.
They have another two weeks to get ready as the school begins the teaching process only in the first week of April. But over the next few days, they will be online every morning with the supervisors and senior teachers, preparing presentations and planning for the task that lies ahead.
Lessons from Day 1
My conclusions from Day 1: E-learning for school children is good, but with a certain amount of adult supervision.
It is easy for children to get bored and do other things when they know that they are not being monitored.