Sapatgram College organized an International webinar on online learning

A CORRESPONDENT

DHUBRI: The Department of English of Sapatgram College and Mankachar College, under the aegis of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), organized an international webinar recently in collaboration with the Assam College Librarians' Association on the topic 'From Personal to Virtual: Riding the New Wave of E-learning during Pandemic and Beyond'.

Prof Gerise Herndon, Fulbright Specialist in Women's and Gender Studies from Nebraska Wesleyan University, USA, Dr Kalenda Eaton, Associate Professor in the Clara Luper Department of African and African American Studies at the University of Oklahoma, USA, Prof Anita Singh, Department of English and Coordinator of the Centre for Women's Studies and Development at Banaras Hindu University, and Prof Alka Singh, Principal, Basanta College for Women from Varanasi, participated as resource persons.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Gerise said that though online teaching was not a new thing in the West, it failed to cover the entire curriculum. It lacked emotional bonding and bonhomie between the teacher and the student, he said.

On the other hand, Dr. Kalenda pointed out that since education had to deal with teaching, learning and evaluation, virtual platforms could be successfully used for learning resources but for evaluation there was much more to be done for deriving the outcome of learning.

However, Prof. Anita Singh said, "In our country we can expect a new model to emerge once COVID-19 has passed. Central and state universities must work in tandem with governments so as to bring out a comprehensive and inclusive plan."

While deliberating on the theme, Prof Alka Singh highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning. Dr. RP Singh, Principal, Sapatgram College, concluded the webinar as a moderator and remarked that since digital mode of teaching, learning and research had yielded some fruitful results, the post COVID-19 era would see a right blend between online and offline methods of education.

Earlier, Dr. GK Saha, organizing secretary of this international webinar, explained the objectives with a view to explore possible ways as an outcome which could minimize the digital divide in imparting higher education.

The webinar was attended by more than 350 participants across India and beyond.

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