INNOVATIVE APPROACHES OF REACHING OUT TO THE STUDENTS DURING THE PANDEMIC: A PARADIGM SHIFT IN TEACHING PROCESS

Abstract

The entire world is under the mayhem due to the pandemic of COVID-19 which has hindered
the educational process significantly across the globe. The nationwide lockdown and closure
of educational institutions have created a havoc in teaching learning process. The present
paper is an attempt to foresee the present scenario from the teachers’ perspective. The
objectives of the study were to explore the innovative approaches adopted by the teachers
during the time of pandemic crisis, challenges being faced by them in imparting continuity to
their teaching vocation and their preparedness for the post pandemic challenges. The study
has been conducted by selecting 25 teachers from a number of populations from different
government secondary and senior secondary schools of Sikkim purposively. Descriptive
method has been adopted to understand the present situation. Different possibilities are being explored for reaching out to the learners to provide uninterrupted education. Technology has become the best companion of the teachers thereby assisting them for giving momentum to their vocation. However, there are issues and challenge pertaining to usage of technology. In majority, lack of basic infrastructure and technological devices among the learners were the impediments and training on hands on experience would prepare them for the challenges in post covid condition. Transformation in the field of education post pandemic is inevitable.
This demands major paradigm shift in teaching pedagogy, methodology and assessment.