Online coaching comes to pupils’ rescue

Neha Saini

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 6

Online coaching has changed the way students prepare for competitive exams. The transition from regular classroom study towards digital medium has been one of the most remarkable changes in the education sector in the post Covid-19 era. The new normal for the competitive exams is web-based applications and video sessions, YouTube channels, specifically for subject specific coaching and social media platforms.

"Coaching centres have been investing in developing web-based applications and running YouTube channels (where they upload video files of specific sessions by teachers for students). Though it's a challenge for both, teachers and students to strike a balance, this seems to be the future of the industry," says Uttamjit Singh, owner of the Wisdom Classes, a coaching centre. He added that even if they reopen, the nature of classes conducted will definitely change. "Since social distancing will become the new normal, the batches would be cut shot and mandatory safety regulations will be implemented. Also, developing and capitalising on the digital classrooms, the study and coaching would most definitely become technology driven and dependent," he added.

Rajwinder Kaur, a student who has been preparing for UPSC exams, said the real challenge would be to get access to this technology dependent education to the rural students. "Since digital classrooms will be the future of education, infrastructural support must be provided to make it accessible to rural students for equal opportunity."

SPEAKING OUT

Several coaching centres have switched to digital mode of study and they agree that re-opening centres will not be a viable option currently. "Since we do not want to risk the health and safety of students, reopening the centres is not an option. So, digital classes will be a permanent feature even after things become a bit normal again," says Dinesh Paneri, centre Head, FIITJEE.

Online classes are the future of the industry and this new normal is here to stay, thanks to the pandemic. As students, we need to better equip ourselves to participate in this transition. We need to build skills that are conducive to online study. —Ramnik Singh Sethi, Student preparing for NEET

The focus of the competitive coaching has shifted to digital media as video sessions and classes have become the new way of coaching. Teachers are making video files of subject specific classes and updating on YouTube channels. This is how it is going to be for some time now. —Uttamjit Singh, owner, Wisdom Classes

We are using web-based applications for conducting our classes, where we connect with less than 40 students at a time. These classes are now a permanent part of our plan. The post coronavirus scenario will make it a preferred mode of function. —Dinesh Paneri, Centre head, FIITJEE, Amritsar

Online classes are a challenge, especially for competitive examinations. But this transition is permanent. Though self-study is a key aspect of preparation, e-classes and access to teachers and mentors through apps help in sustaining the continuity of our study cycle. —Rajwinder Kaur, A student preparing for UPSC