By Chinazo Okoye/Obianuju Azukaego/Nnaemeka Egwuonwu :
Awka, June 19, 2020 (MOI) Teachers at Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka have applauded the phase of ongoing online teaching technique for teachers, being backed Anambra State government.
In an interview, Principal of the School, Mr Jovita Arazu praised government for the initiative he said was wonderful.
Mr Arazu noted that the online teaching was timely, having more advantage over Whatsapp online teaching method, currently operational.
“The Google classroom helps teachers to deliver their lessons online just like they do with Whatsapp, but the advantage in On-Air-teaching is that it is audio and visual.
“It allows the teachers and the students to interact through the video which is closer to the traditional face-to-face method of learning.
“This will also help in maintaining physical and social distancing considering rising cases of COVID-19 in the country,’’ the principal said.
He also appealed to the government to help fund data subscriptions for schools as well as provision of regular electricity.
A Government and Social Studies Teacher, Mrs Christiana Ifeanyi said that she learnt a lot from the seminar.
“I have gained a lot from this training because I didn’t know the meaning of Google Classroom before now.
“I have learnt that in Google Classroom, you can teach the students in the comfort of your homes, giving them assignments that they can solve and submit online too.’’
She also pleaded with government to provide laptops for teachers and mobile telephones for indigent students.
Mrs Peace Okechukwu, a Biology Teacher adds: “Google classroom has helped us to improve our skills, especially computer skills; so, I thank the ministry Basic Education.
“I believe with this initiative, Anambra State Education sector will meet world standards in no distant future,’’ Mrs Okechukwu said.
Managing Partner, EduBridge Consultant Ltd., Mr Kosiso Anaekwe, said the training was timely since schools were shutdown as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
“We are all aware of the present situation all over the world because of COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in shutting down of schools.
“What we’re trying to do is to help the schools to set up Google for Education programme.
“These are tools provided by Google to support schools, in order to enable digital classroom that allows a teacher to connect with their students from home.’’
Mr Anaekwe said his technology company was working in conjunction with the Ministry of Basic Education and just started a pilot implementation.
According to him, Google account will be created for the entire students in the school as well as their teachers.
He also said that other than giving students assignment to submit online, the Google Meet allows a teacher use their mobile phones to hold Google classroom sessions with the students from different locations.
He stressed that the digital classroom was about bringing technology to education and was never meant to do away with the traditional face-to- face method of learning.
“There are no fewer than 80 million students and teachers using Google in classrooms and not less than 40 million schools have implemented the Google for education all over the world.’’ (MOI)
RNI/TON
