Everyone in the world is affected by COVID and that includes me. This reflection is based on my experience on the education landscape and future of learning.
I was supposed to start as Professor in Meiji University beginning April 2020 for a period of 2 years. Everything was already planned for me to fly on 31st March to Narita and for me to settle down before semester begins on April 15th. I will find an apartment somewhere away from city since it is cheaper, and will begin my new life in Tokyo. And at the same time I will apply my wife’s Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for her visa application as early as possible. At the same time I was dreaming to also witness the Tokyo Olympics in July, and by August probably able to go back to Malaysia for a short break during semester holidays. This was my state of mind fixated on Nippon new life after retirement from UTM.
I have been travelling to a few places prior to and post retirement in August 2019. I was in Makkah and Madinah in Ramadan 1441 together with my wife doing umrah spending last 10 nights of Ramadan in Makkah. It was such a great blessings and gift from Allah. A week after my wife retired (she retired on 13 October 2019 – we planned to retire same year), we booked a tour of 4 countries; Jordan, Palestin, Egypt, and UAE. This brought us to Baitul Maqdis through Amman Jordan and through Israel borders. Having able to visit all the three Holy Cities in the same year fulfilled my dream of witnessing Masjid Aqsa and Palestin with new knowledge and understanding about Islam which was brought down since Adam, Ibrahim and Mohammad Peace Be Upon Him. Too many places we visited including AlKahfi Cave, Prophets Ibrahim, Yusof, Yaakub, Ishak, Yushak graves. We also went to the 10 wells of Moses . Truly it is the land of Prophets Moses, Harun (Aaron) and the ulamas.
The first two weeks of December 2019 saw both me and wife travelling to Kanazawa, attending APIEMS conference and later toured Kyoto, Fujiyama, Gotemb, and Tokyo. I have visited Japan many times since 1983 when I stayed one year in Mizushima training as a Proton Body Engineer. Japan has been like my second home. So, traveling in Japan is of no problem and my wife loves the beautiful and colorful autumn leaves.
On 25th December 2020, we stepped our foot in Heathrow Airport and our 6 days visit to UK began. Aisha (my wife) has promised to bring all the children to England for a holiday after retirement. And especially to go back to Birmingham to visit the hospital where Luqman (my youngest child) who was born in December 1997 during my Ph.D. study (Dec 1996 – Feb 12, 2000). In fact, all my children began their childhood education in Birmingham. I have never been to UK since I left on the 11th February 2000, after 20 years, I was eagerly looking forward to this historical trip with all children grown up. Wani now 32, Sadiq, 30 Ain 27 and Luqman 23. (I will write in another blog about this visit).
Back to the Meiji University story. Suddenly on March 18th 2020, the Malaysian government announced lockdown that dishallowed travel abroad and whole loads of restrictions to #stayhome #wear a mask and practice social (now physical) distancing. And sanitizing, work from home. and also incoming travelers due to COVID pandemic all over the world. I was then instructed by Meiji University to teach online to the classes assigned and was given access to ZOOM platform and the Oh O! Meiji portal and Learning Management System platform. All my plans to physically go to Tokyo was postponed until next semester. I was required to prepare syllabus supplement outlining the mode of learning, the modified assessment and reduced semesters weeks. I did struggled to learn this NEW NORM for Teaching. My first class was on Monday May 11th with only 2 students in ZOOM on Global Business subject. And I had two more classes, Production Management and Academic Presentation A. As more hours was spent using this new tools and methods, I got quite comfortable using them with my new Dell 2-1 Tablet and Laptop which has touchscreen and a digital pen that I used to scribble onto the PowerPoint notes and the pdf books that I Share Screen with my students. I had an online test in one of the nights as mutually agreed by the students with the questions emailed real-time just before test begin and requiring them to submit their test which was answered on the word document itself immediately after the time ends. First time online test. I can afford because I am teaching Master class. I think after week 4 or 5 I have already settled myself and able to teach on line using other medias as well including videos on-line, the pdf books are very helpful.
So what are some of the lessons learned that I gained in learning and teaching online. This list is not exhaustive.
- Use your teaching skills as if you are physically in the Virtual Classroom by asking all of them to switch on their video and muting their mike – communicate by asking questions, calling names and requesting their opinions, answers, etc.
- You must use writing board to illustrate your points (in my case I use digital pen and touch screen tablet) on the Power Point and pdf books/journal papers
- Switch between other learning media such as pdf textbooks, YouTube videos, relevant websites and all e-sources just by a click of the button.
- Have students do exercises with you during the classes
- Share your PowerPoints well before the classes so that students can refer/view them as you explain.
- Without forgetting your accessories – microphones, webcam, your home office, and internet connection (stable and good video and sound streaming, video showing make sure there is sound .. always check with students and if needed rectify by disconnecting and connecting)
- Using ZOOM provided by Meiji University .. excellent platform, no issues since May 2020 until now (I have never taught a class using other platforms such as Webex, Goggle Meet, Skype, etc. have used Webex, Meet, only when attending webinar, meetings invited by others and frankly, I think ZOOM is better)
This is my very short account of online emergency teaching and learning because of Covid-19. I think it is here to stay and probably OL TL is also here to stay. So, guys, pick up new technology and learn new skills required in this NEW NORM and NEW ERA.
#zerotohero
#covid #emergencyonlineteaching #meiji #retiredlife
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