Chrysalis Konnect - Pristine

From the beginning of my career at SFIT, I taught subjects like Mechanics and Drawing in FE, and then Dynamics of Machinery and Machine Design in the Mechanical Department. All these subjects need a lot of handwork on the part of students. I mean, there are so many things I write on the board and I demand all my students to take down all those things and understand them while doing so! I would move around in the class, going to students turn by turn. It would give me a correct idea of the understanding of the class on that particular topic. I would always be looking for an answer to the question posed by my mind: should I go ahead or should I re-work on a few things in order to improve upon the understanding of the class?

I hope the picture of my class, in general, is clear to the reader! What am I coming to? You were following that routine year after year, then suddenly you were required to deliver your lectures to the students who were seated in the comfort of their homes via Google Meet! It is unbelievable and unimaginable, even in dreams! But that was the reality which went on for 2 years of lockdown. Truly speaking, I am not sure if the students were even listening to me (with very few exceptions, of course). Taking notes? No comments! So that was how I felt, helpless. I was not able to judge if my students were able to grasp what I was teaching. Not a good feeling!

Finally, in February 2022, we were back offline! I was very happy to receive my students and give them the GYAAN they missed for the last two years! I found the students to be apprehensively enthusiastic. Will they be able to sit for those longer hours? Will they become sick with COVID, as they will now interact closely with their friends? Few of the students had COVID-related issues, either with themselves or with their family members. Speaking to them to understand their mental condition was also a huge psychological task. But the more important thing which I realized was, sorry to say, the lack of concepts among a large percentage of students. It was as if they were coming back to education after a vacation of almost 2 years. The subjects are generally taught on the basis of the prerequisites learnt in previous classes, but only a handful of students exhibited the knowledge of such concepts! But still, with lots of additional efforts, I along with my team of teachers could deliver the best possible.

Preparing the students for the end semester examination was another challenge! The exam, after a break of 4 semesters, was going to be offline! Will the students be able to sit for 3 hours straight? Will they be able to complete the question paper? Will they be able to write sufficient information in order to get marks of their expectations? We all were doubtful, but still hopeful. After the first day of the exam, things became routine for the students and even for us teachers. I am hopeful of securing 100% results for all our classes.

All in all, the last two years of lockdown were challenging for all of us, including students. But we gave a fighting reply to COVID-19. We learnt many hard lessons that life taught us, but more importantly we survived. We are now ready to march ahead. Furthermore, we will strive hard and help students, in every possible way, to achieve greater academic and professional heights.