The need for social distancing to prevent spread of COVID-19 has impacted the education sector as well. AJAY KUMAR tells SHALINI SAKSENA that there is need to have a blended approach to virtual classes

What are the advantages of using your portal?

It is a service that helps schools and institutions seamlessly get their classrooms online in just a week. Our virtual classroom enables 100 per cent learning up-time for students and provides an online extension for classrooms.

How does the gateway e-campus work?

Our integrated e-campus allows schools and institutions to streamline their operations online using the state-of-art ERP solution. The Edumarshal ERP is a one-stop solution to all the institution's needs. The solution is closely integrated with our virtual classroom module that allows online, asynchronous as well as hybrid learning. School staff and students connect to the learning management system seamlessly in a single click. Online classes can be conducted using a secure platform that can be customised to the needs of the school.

Given that we are used to doing things offline, how tough is it going to be for students to use online mode?

We make learning an enjoyable experience by providing a platform with a clean, intuitive layout that is created with the learners’ needs in mind. Learners are already used to using the web for a variety of activities including watching videos, reading e-books, surfing the internet for information and using video chat applications. Our platform utilises the existing skills of learners to enable a more directed learning.

What challenges do you foresee?

Online learning is picking pace in India. However most schools are still managed and operated by professionals that have gone through the classic form of education. Making a shift to an online classroom will need a consolidated effort by specialists providers of online learning solutions.

Since the lockdown a lot of things have gone online when it comes to education. How are you different?

With COVID-19 taking the world by storm and no solution in sight, it will be a while before schools re-open and when they do we will be welcomed to a new normal. Online learning is here to stay.

Are we looking at a totally new system when it comes to education?

The medium of education is transforming, while its core principles remain the same. We are not replacing the classroom, but bring it online in a blended way.

Why should students use e-campus portal?

Students can have access to course information anytime, everywhere and easily keep track of their schedule. This helps students become more self-directed learners. The learning portal provides a consolidated learning space where students can join classes, participate in discussion forums, learn from their peers, keep track of their grades, reinforce their learning through assessments and collaborate on projects. Our mobile first approach ensures every student can access content and join their classes using a  mobile phone. It’s learning, anytime and anywhere.