Online classes: Teachers struggle to discipline tech-savvy students

“Higher secondary students are not small children who would sit quietly because their teachers say so. They are tech-savvy and know how to avoid attending classes, coming up with excuses like power shutdown, network problem and the mic not functioning,” said Jyostna Divakar, a higher secondary teacher in Ashok Nagar.

It is equally difficult to make them submit assignments, she said, adding that the teachers are also receiving complaints from some parents that their children were experiencing eye pain and headache due to online classes. “Out of 30 students, only about 10 are using the opportunity to learn,” Jyostna added.

The question about managing higher secondary students who are tech-savvy than their teachers is frequently asked during webinars focussed on online teaching and virtual classrooms for teachers from tier-2 and 3 cities, noted Saraswathy Ramamoorthy, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Learning Matters, an education-technology company based in Bengaluru.

Saraswathy suggested splitting the students in a particular class, pointing out that teachers would find it easier to focus on all students if the numbers were small. Or the online classroom should have an assistant teacher, she added.

“Each subject requires specific features and teachers have their style of teaching. In our sessions, we clarify those issues and suggest user-friendly apps,” she said.

“We have to try every possible way to educate the students. To ensure smooth functioning of online classes, establishing common rules between students and teacher would help,” Saraswathy added.

S Raja, president, Federation of the Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu said online classes were going on well except a handful of cases where teachers are struggling to cope with. “For students from villages without proper internet connection, we have planned special classes after the lockdown is lifted. Online classes help keep the students in touch with the subjects, or else it would be difficult for them when the normal classes resume.”

Nandakumar, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Nursery Primary Matriculation and CBSE (private) Schools Association said parents should get involved in the online classes by supporting their children. “I think online education and home education would be the norm in future so students should get used to it. There are pros and cons but we have to deal with the current situation.”