Internet issues, apathy bugs students learning from online classes

Our Reporter
Dimapur, May 5 (EMN):

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every industry and sector besides drastically affecting normal life. Yet, it has also paved way for an opportunity to engage innovative was and modern solutions to meet the modern challenge.

The education sector is one of the hardest-hit sectors. Colleges and schools have been shut as a precaution against the coronavirus pandemic. With the lockdown now having been extended, technology was the only solution to ensuring that the academic activities would not be disturbed.

After the Nagaland government on March 16 ordered closure of every educational institution in the state, some colleges came up with innovative ideas of ‘online digital class’ to ensure that the students don’t lack behind the syllabus during the unavoidable ‘long break’ caused by the nationwide lockdown.

Virtual workplaces and virtual education are common services and are in industry in itself especially in developed countries. However, the concept is comparatively new for small regional populations like Nagaland.

Eastern Mirror spoke to some students who experienced virtual classes in Nagaland for the first time.

“Education has changed dramatically; whereby teaching is undertaken remotely and on a digital platform,” said Lomi Chophi, a 2^nd semester student of Tetso College at Dimapur.

According to her, the virtual classes are a ‘more comfortable learning environment’ which makes it easier for her to communicate and clear doubts she may have.

“The virtual classes, for me, encourage for a more interaction and a greater ability to concentrate. It provides me the opportunity to practice in class discussions more easily than that of a face-to-face classroom sessions,” Chophi said.

Another student of Tetso College, Akumnaro Ozukum, who is in her 6th semester, also spoke to Eastern Mirror. According to her, virtual classes have filled gaps and saved the time of students when the whole process of education was being hampered by the pandemic and the lockdown.

Stating that she had difficulties in the initial stages of classes, Ozukum said she has changed her perspective now and able to have a bird’s eye view on how to engage in smart study. This will help help her in bigger platforms in the future.

However, Ozukum, like every other student, said that she too faced internet data problems. Engaging in online classes for a long period has its own problems.

Ozukum opined that nothing can replace classroom teaching—she cannot feel the bond with her teachers or teaching, nor express herself freely like she can do during real classroom sessions.

Beside the stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic, there are issues such as Nagaland’s data services. It is common knowledge that data and telecommunication services in the state are deplorable.

‘If the network (data services or signals) goes away in some part of the session and the particular student couldn’t log in back, the student completely misses the portion of the lectures,’ Ozukum said while explaining that ‘network’ is a big issue that needs to be addressed.

Not giving much importance

While keeping in mind that some students truly do have internet issues and also lack skills or understanding of how the technology works, there are some individuals who do not give importance.  Lirenthung T Lotha, a 4^th semester student of Unity College in Dimapur, said around 70% students do not turn up for the virtual classes and give little importance to it.

Also, Lotha said, poor internet connectivity has been a major problem they have been facing when logging in to learn from online classes.

‘We don’t exactly hear what they explain, even if they repeat. Maybe, truly to it, we also don’t feel like asking again and again,’ said Lotha.