The topic I would like to discuss about today is improvising the teaching skills to match the currently reformed learning environment. There had been a paradigm shift in the education industry and everything has changed. These days the teaching and learning takes place in virtual classrooms. Hybrid Education is the recent evolution, so whether it is within a classroom or outside; online class or physical class; a lot of new skills need to be added in the teaching and learning system. So what are these skills that have to be added?

Firstly, the most important thing is the equipment that is used – laptops or computers; which has to be very powerful and good to avoid any glitches in its functioning. Then comes the medium of execution – such as Microsoft teams, google meet, zoom and many other video conferencing applications. Thereafter comes the content that is to be used. Our teachers need hands-on training to use all these tools since there are so many varieties and options available these days. I remember, when we started to teach through virtual classrooms, we did not know about these new tools such as polling, breakout rooms, etc. Now everything is made so easy, simple and user-friendly. We need to equip the teachers with these innovative tools and platforms to enhance their teaching methodologies and in turn improve the learning outcome.

The teachers need to understand what is virtual reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)? And how they can be inducted into the teaching and learning process. Today the students need to have a feel factor of whatever they are learning and interested in. So the teachers require to be more skilled and equipped with modern tools, techniques, equipment and digital platforms. Not only the teachers but also the schools need to invest a lot more in training their teachers. One among the different components of teacher’s training is the Emotional Quotient (EQ) which I think is more important than the Intelligence Quotient (IQ). What is Emotional Quotient? It is understanding your own emotions, overcoming your negative emotions and guiding other to deal with their emotions and above all the power to bounce back from difficult situations.

If a teacher is not equipped with healthy emotions, then how can she/he deliver the same to the students? Today the situation that we all are facing with the pandemic is very unprecedented. Everything is different and all the stakeholders, teachers, students or parents, in the education industry, are experiencing a different emotionally environ. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health has been given utmost importance now. So, we as educators, need to ensure that the mental health of our teachers is maintained and they do regular activities that makes them emotionally more balanced. Mindfulness for emotional health should be included into the curriculum as not only the students but also the teachers need it regularly. Teachers must ensure that the teaching-learning process comprises the 2 important components emotional quotient and mindfulness, which as a psychologist I too will strongly endorse.

There is no need to keep talking about the negatives and discuss what is beyond our control (ABC-All beyond control), instead we can be focusing on the things that are under our control (AUC-All under control). The Circle Of Influence will bring happiness and hope of possibilities whereas when you talk about things beyond your control then you only create more stress, anxiety, worries and depression.

So come on my lovely teachers, keeping the future learning in mind we need to upscale ourselves with the modern digital platforms, tools, techniques, creative material, etc. that is available on the net, and make the teaching – learning process a wonderful engagement.

And last but not the least, I strongly would like to mention that the best part of this pandemic situation is that all the boundaries have been diluted and the world had become one. Access to all the materials is now one figure click away so use the opportunity and ensure you and the students enjoy the teaching – learning journey.