My First Online Experience ( As a teacher)
(A true story)
The last two weeks of August, according to the Sri Lankan college calendar is the period where the second term test is held. It is a busy time for both the teacher and the student.
What I am going to bring out here happened far back in 2014; nearly a decade ago. I was then the class teacher as well as the teacher of English of Grade 11 C. I had got a group of students with whom I had to work quite tirelessly. It usually was after I came to this new school on a transfer. ( I feel I needn't mention the name of the school as my personal experience counts more than the name of the college.)
I had to use every kind of technique available in my teaching arsenals to bring my students on the track. It was a Himalayan task hitting the pass rate somewhere beyond 50% with this group of students.
Something had gone wrong somewhere. I had not worked with them before. I met them in their most crucial part of the school career. However, I had realized it was never an excuse for me to shrug off my duty. As I had been exposed to hard times during my initial period of teaching away from home in a hamlet at Sigiriya, I considered working with these young ones was interesting. I tried to enjoy my time with them, rather than being angry and looking down upon them.
I always consider every passing day adds up a new experience to my life. I remember as if it were today, what my driving trainer told me once when I was struggling with the wheel, "Mister, the experience on the road changes every passing minute. Every moment is a new experience. You have to change your plans to suit the moment." Now, after many years of driving I know the value of that piece of advice".
I strongly believe that you should never enter the classroom with a prejudice against the students. A teacher's pessimistic attitudes do more harm than good to both the teacher and the student. Such attitudes could cloud your mind and prevent you from planning out your work.
We work in a system of education where the ball is passed from top to bottom and vice versa. However, it is the teacher at the bottom that is professionally harassed. The victims of this game are none other than innocent children.
The authorities yearns for statistics rather than the quality of the work. The 'statistics guns' are usually aimed at the teacher. Hence the educational system finally produces a teacher who is all out to create an exam oriented citizen to the society. No teacher can break away from these chains. Then you become a square plug in a round hole.
The August vacation to come was a lengthy one; one whole month. I knew what would happen to whatever I had done for English in the classroom. My students needed constant repeated practice. The vacation was going to steal everything from my students. Once they return to school, I have to start from square one. So, I wanted to remedy this situation. It was a mind boggling problem for me. Sometimes, I felt if I were oversensitive.
By this time, I was the proud owner of an eight inch Toshiba tab. It cost me around eighty thousand rupees at that time. Compared with my meager salary it was a big amount. I always have a knack for technology. I like to meddle with them like a small child. I started all my blog pages with this tab. I realized, I could do something with my tab.
I quickly planned a fair number of simple activities for the whole vacation. Then I fixed a date to be completed for each and every activity. I compiled the activities into a booklet. It took only a few days for all this to be completed. If there is a will, there is a way. I strongly believe in this saying. Everything was done with my own hard earned money.
Having completed all the work, I disclosed my plan to my students first. When I told them that they were going to join me during the vacation via e-mail, they were overjoyed. I further told them to create an e-mail. I explained them as to how it could be done. Fortunately most of their parents had access to the internet. There were a few who had problems. I told them to contact a relation or a neighbour with the consent of their parents. They agreed.
I knew the true cause of their enthusiasm; it was the medium that I was going to get them engaged in my work: internet. The internet had been barred for most of the children at that time. Only adults could surf the internet at their own liberty. According to most of the adults, it was not a safe zone for children; but they never thought of explaining or guiding their young as to how it could be used for their own betterment.
My students had only a simple thing to do. They only had to direct me the answers on the day mentioned with each activity. This was a novel experience for the students. During the same period, I had employed an assistant at my own institution. My assistant was also a student of mine. I explained her my plan and the role she had to play. I only had to keep the marking scheme with her.
Now, having everything made ready, I visited my boss. I briefed him everything from A to Z. However, I didn't notice any welcome signs on his face, but some doubtful look. He told me that he needed to think and he would discuss the matter with the subject head; an unmarried lady. I realized that something was wrong, but as I knew the nature of these people, I determined to continue with my work as planned. My conscience knew I was going to do a right thing.
By this time my plan had leaked to other classes as well and requests started flowing in begging me to enroll them as well in the programme. The idea of working with the internet was the motivating factor here. Most of our teachers and principals at that time harboured an unfounded fear for the internet.
Two days later, I was called to the office. My boss welcomed me with a smile and made me comfortable in front of him. Then he started his lecture on the harms that could happen by encouraging children to use the internet. He further said that there was a strong opposition to the idea from the subject head and other teachers as well. He said that he was not in a position to help , if parents made any complaint against me. So, finally , he requested me to drop the plan and get the students to answer the activities at home and correct them after the school reopens.
I listened to everything quite patiently. I had learnt ,with regards to certain situations , silence was golden. Arguments could lead to unnecessary problems making matters worse. On the other hand, it was like plucking feathers from a tortoise shell. The established mentality of some people cannot be changed. Perhaps, the subject teacher may have added fuel to the fire. According to him, it was a crime to encourage little ones for work on internet.
I decided to launch my plan. I had arranged every thing to happen under the supervision of parents. That night, I talked about this matter further with one of my good friends. I have a habit of talking with him when I am confronted with a problem. I like him because he is only a passive listener. He never shares his thoughts with me. But, while talking to him I can find solutions to my problems. I love the patient manner he lends me his ear.
I did not disclose anything that happened behind the curtain to my students. Instead, I decided to continue with my plan. I gave all the necessary instructions to my students on the last day of the term.
Well, as expected I started getting mails from my students. My assistant had a tough time that month. However, it seemed she enjoyed the work. I supervised everything from beginning to end. Sometimes, I got encouraging mails from students. Needless to say, tears welled into my eyes when I read them.
Sajendra Kumara
This is a true story. I wanted to share this personal experience with the rest of the world. This story contains a strong message for all teachers. Never be afraid to take the right decision at the right time. Be innovative in your teaching. Sometimes, you have to battle with culture and traditions to do good to others. Work according to conscience. I have reaped immense benefits by following it. Good luck.
Sajendra Kumara
Voice: 0777597875 Writer of Educational materials.
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