The pandemic has impacted the world like no other times. Like business, daily social activities and political affairs, the education sector was equally affected. Millions of children are out of school globally. How long will this virus unrest continue is still very uncertain although hundreds of vaccines are on trial?
However, for Bhutan things have been quite well and still under control under a visionary leadership of our Kings and the Medical Doctor led government. Our "smallness" in population has become our strength in combating this deadly virus.
After several ups and downs and dilemma school for high graders and colleges have resumed for contact teaching. As of today, everything is under control. Everybody within and beyond the campus is doing fine. However, conducting class tests have become quite challenging since the toner cartridge and papers have really become scarce with borders closed for months.
To keep the flame of learning high and making sure that the quality of education is not compromised, every school and teachers are carrying out numerous tests and other forms of daily assessments holistically.
Besides questions on the chart, board, flashing in PowerPoint and in groups, I have adopted a new method of conducting a test with the Classes of Science (twelve grader). We decided to take an online test. How? The puzzle is simple and easy. We have created a messenger group for each section. We agreed to bring 12 cell phones for section A and 13 cell phones for section B. We have agreed to share phones during the test. I even told them that I would share my phone and laptop with the tethering facility on my expense if need occurs. To make things easy, I share with them the modality of the test and cell phones. We agreed and promised a deal happily.
On the test day, they came with their phones and handed them over to me in the early morning. I kept their phones safe. Trust is what we have built during the course of chemistry lessons. It was the fourth period, my turn after a heavy physics lesson by a teacher in black gho. I took all their phones and we prepared ourselves for the test. The test file that I have in my phone was sent to the respective group. Once they opened the test file, I requested them to put off the net and phones to be in the silent mode. I am always proud of science students. They are obedient and loyal. Teachers don't need to guide for every part. They have a strong sense of learning zeal and extraordinary focus for what is ahead of their future. I will be missing their simplicity and honesty, hard work and patience for learning.
After forty-five minute, I asked them to stop writing. They obeyed well on my instruction. Everything went so well. We are happy more than anybody. We were satisfied with our uncommon way of conducting a test. It was easy and less time consuming. The online test seems very successful. This is the power of technology. Everything happens in the click of a button. We were genius. We did it!
We have happily wrapped everything before time. Despite endless challenges, we must encourage our kids and students to be a responsible media user or consumers of the Internet facilities and smart phones. Making them a responsible tech user is our responsibility because they live a life alongside or all through technology. It will be their food, shelter, cloth and in fact, everything. Let's hope for a better tomorrow and better future of our kids.
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