Classroom teaching now passé?
Changing relationship between the teacher and the taught ...as told to Gurvinder Singh
Ludhiana Tribune spoke to a few teachers in the city regarding the changing relationship between the teacher and the taught. While some said the changes were positive, others believed these were not good for their relationship. They said change was inevitable and that various factors were responsible for this. Here's a brief synopsis on this chit chat on Teacher's Day:
Gurvinder Singh
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, September 4
Going by the abundance of online courses these days, it seems classroom teaching will soon be a passé.
With the expansion of online courses, people are learning from teachers across the world, which is adding a new “digital dimension” to the teacher-pupil relationship.
Not only are people of any age learning from world’s best teachers from best universities, they are also connecting with them online on different platforms and seeking their guidance.
“Not only are students able to connect with teachers through their videos, but they can connect with them through various other social media platforms,” Amardeep Lall, a city resident, who has been pursuing an online course, said.
Talking about one of the teachers she has been in touch with, she says, they haven’t met in person, but she seeks her guidance online.
“It was during my online course from Penn State University. I love the way Professor Kathryn Jablokow teaches,” she says. “I connected with her in the discussion forums and then on LinkedIn. Since then, I have been in touch with her and can call her anytime. She also remembered me out of thousands of students,” Lall says.
“It is a unique relationship between teacher and student in online courses, where the teacher teaches selflessly to unknown students spread in different parts of the world and then forms a unique online mentor-student relation, where you never see each other in person, yet that bond still remains,” she says.
“The regard for teachers of these courses be in any corner of the world is no less,” says Sarabjit, another resident, who has been learning business through free online lectures.
“I was never able to form a relation with students in school, but having learnt a few courses, I hold my online teachers based in US in high regard. The fact that I may never be able to meet them is immaterial,” he says.
Some residents said in the online world of teaching, they can be students at any age. “I feel like Eklavya who considered the idol of Dronacharya as his teacher, but here we have best teachers in online videos, who we don’t meet. But my respect for these teachers is no less than those who I consider my mentors in my life,” says Aman, another resident.
"There has been a lot of change in the teacher-student relationship over the years. Earlier, teachers used to be authoritative in nature and had 'they know everything' image. Now, due to various factors, including technology, teachers collaboratively work with students in school. Students today want to be taught in a friendly manner and due to information available from several sources, teachers have to remain on their toes. However, teachers, who are sensitive to the needs of students, even if they are strict, still earn respect, but their percentage has certainly gone down. Several factors have triggered the changes. Earlier, teaching used to be what teacher used to teach, but now teaching revolves around the needs of a student. So the entire approach to teaching has changed over the years." Harmeet Kaur Waraich, Principal, Nankana Sahib public school
"The only downside is that the status of a teacher has gone down over the years. In our times, it was a direct teacher-student bond and a teacher was irreplaceable. You couldn't afford to miss the class. But now, there is a gap in this relationship - thanks to technology! Students can explore beyond what has been taught. But at the same time, they also feel that it is okay to miss a class. That has in some way diluted the teacher-student relationship as they feel they can do without a teacher. But our teachers not just taught, but also incorporated good values in us. Now, a teacher is no longer respected due to various socio-economic factors, and even the profession of teaching is not respected as much. But what must be realised is that nobody managed to succeed even in other professions without good teachers. Teaching profession is a mission. Society needs to give teachers due respect." Mona Singh, Principal, Guru Nanak public school
"Dr APJ Abdul Kalam had said — teachers have a very special role to play because more than anybody else, it is they who are responsible for shaping the future. It seems that dedication, relationship, desire to shape the future of children has changed over the years. People at all levels have become selfish, which is the reason society is battling against various problems. They used to mentor students and instill good values in them. If the society has to progress and improve, the student-teacher relationship must improve and teachers must become concerned about shaping the future of children. Teachers must give good values to students. Teachers must also become role models, men and women of vision and principles. Teachers' role and respect must be reinstated for successful life of students and for a peaceful world." Dr Dharam Singh Sandhu, Principal, SCD government college
