In-person teaching has value if it’s led by values

Source: The post is based on the article “In-person teaching has value if it’s led by values” published in Live Mint on 5^th September 2023.

Syllabus: GS 4 – Ethics Role of educational institutions in inculcating values

Relevance: Roles of educational institutions and challenges associated with online education

News Recently, two teachers in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka have been caught on camera making discriminatory remarks against Muslim students.

What do these incidents highlight about the situation of educational institutions?

These incidents highlight the growing presence of prejudice in our educational institutions, which were traditionally seen as places of compassion and promoters of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Inculcating values of openness used to be a teacher’s duty. However, today, some have started expressing biases.

This leads to worries about students being exposed to such beliefs and highlights the need for steps to protect education from the influence of bigots.

What are the drawbacks of online classes compared to in-person teaching when it comes to instilling values in students?

The pandemic shifted schools online. While online classes were formal and safer, they were less effective for learning, lacking live classroom experience.

It was also noted that online classes couldn’t compete with in-person teaching even when teachers were highly skilled at their jobs.

The best teachers are those who can make students interested, curious, and excited about the subject they are learning.

These teachers are able to create a stimulating and engaging learning environment, which is essential for student success. Online classes cannot replicate this experience.

In addition to academic knowledge, students also need to learn important social and emotional skills, such as empathy, respect, and grace.

These skills are best learned through modeling and interaction with others. Online classes cannot provide the same level of social interaction as offline classes, which is why they are not a complete substitute for traditional schooling.

What is the way ahead?

The Indian government is facing the challenge of educating millions of students at a low cost. One way to do this is to use digital aids, such as online learning platforms and hybrid models that combine online and offline learning.

However, it is important to ensure that these digital aids are bias-free and provide the best of both worlds, online and offline learning. Ensuring unbiased education is crucial for instilling values and attitudes.