While there have been numerous discussions on the online mode of teaching becoming the new normal, it has come to notice that we often forget to discuss the aspect of teachers having to adjust and adapt to the new ways of teaching. 

With the complete shutdown of educational institutions and the computer screens becoming the only mode of learning today, there are ought to be some challenges that the teachers are facing in this digital era. It is no surprise that all teachers and administrators are constantly searching for online tools and applications that will make the digital learning process easier. Before moving on to a set of solutions that can be put to use, it seems like a good idea to discuss the challenges faced by teachers today. 

Lack of Motivation 

Since this is a huge change for students too, they are still in the process of figuring everything out. Sitting at home, with no distinction between private and professional life, it is easier for students to get distracted and indulge in other activities while the online classes are going on. With no school to look forward to and no events/clubs to attend, most students feel they have no option but to sit in front of the computer screen and learn. This results in a lack of motivation, making it harder for teachers to evaluate and encourage class participation.

Engagement and Interaction

These qualities in a classroom are the most essential to ensure experiential learning. Interaction can only happen when students have their mics and cameras on during online classes. Teachers have to waste precious class time to ensure everyone is ready to engage. Sometimes, the teachers feel like they are only talking to themselves and have to constantly assume whether the students are listening, understanding, and comprehending. 

Internet Issues 

Not all students and teachers are indeed privileged enough to have access to the net for long school hours. Sometimes, slow net issues and difficulties in keeping the camera on can hamper learning. Experiential learning comes to a halt when sometimes, the net does not allow for the teachers to display videos or other presentations they may have prepared for hands-on learning. Many students have made the issue of the slow net an excuse to get away with participating and instead, get a chance to indulge in other work apart from learning. 

Lack of Resources 

Due to each student sitting at their respective homes with no access to the stationary, or other shops – teachers have had to revamp their curriculum and completely change their styles of teaching. Most activities planned at the beginning of the year have had to be replaced with something more theoretical and with equipment that can easily be found at home. Even after careful consideration by teachers, there are a lot of times that most students are still not able to acquire the needed equipment, hence wasting time and hampering the learning process.

We feel that this topic is of extreme value since, at the end of the day, it is the teachers imparting knowledge and shaping the current generations to be valuable assets for the future. It is only once we are well aware of the challenges and hardships faced by them, is when we can move on to the solutions and the process of making it better for the teachers too. 

It is important to understand that this is a huge change for all teachers. From completely having to change their curriculum, to constantly adjusting to the various issues that the students face; the challenges are numerous. It will be a good idea to make sure that wherever we, as parents and students can contribute to lessening their workload and stress, we should help out. 

At ExperiHub, we teach Science and Mathematics by bringing concepts from the real world into the classroom. We conduct science experiments and have myriad science projects for better learning and understanding of concepts. If you want to learn more about Experiential Learning and cool home experiments, browse through our Online Sessions and Youtube Channel! 

Do you remember all those months we have spent waiting for a cure, hoping to get out of this situation as soon as possible? Well, the wait was definitely worth it! 

Even though we are highly fortunate that trusted and professional doctors all around the world have come up with a vaccine for this pandemic, it is important to make sure that we are clear about how it works and reacts to our body. While multiple debates are going on about the vast aspects of the vaccine, the question that everyone is seeking an answer to is; is a single dose of Covid 19 vaccine sufficient to keep us safe?

The answer to this is 2 fold – while some doctors support just one dose, others feel it is essential to get 2 booster shots.

To name some, Pfizer, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna, Sinovac, and Sinopharm are the various types of vaccines that have been approved for the masses. Here is an authentic and original take on what the creators of the top 4 vaccines have to say about only getting a single booster shot –

UK’s Vaccine Committee

The committee used a different method to calculate the efficiency of the vaccine. Instead of observing from Day 1 of getting the first booster shot, they only looked at days 15-21.

The efficacy of getting just one booster shot jumped to 89% since it is not being diluted by the high number of infections that take place before the vaccine begins to show its effect on the body. In fact, they also observed that the recovery of the immune system stays more or less the same whether you take one shot or two.

Pfizer

The first dose of this vaccine is roughly 52% effective. It shows no signs of infection or any disease symptoms even after 2 weeks of getting the dose. Out of 36,523 participants in phase 3 of the trial, only 82 developed symptoms in the late future.

However, only getting one shot comes with its drawbacks. Firstly, the protection does not kick in until at least day 12. Secondly, getting two booster shots proved to be 95% effective at preventing disease.

Moderna

After drawing a comparison, it was found out that while just one dose of vaccine can provide 80.2% protection, two doses can provide 95.6%. However, the time gap between getting 2 doses is about 28 days and hence, it poses threats to the subject’s immunity. 

While Moderna believes that just getting one dose is sufficient, they are not sure if the immunity from a single vaccine will continue in the long run or drop off after a certain stage.

Sinovac

This vaccine is slightly unusual as it has been trialled in various countries, all of which have produced different results. The researchers have altogether removed the possibility of a single dose being sufficient.

According to researchers in Turkey, two doses are 91.25% protective, while scientists in Indonesia say it is only 65.3% effective. There are other countries who range their estimation for 40-50% as well.

The results have been viewed with some scepticism and there are ongoing studies to reach a common consensus.

The fact of the matter is that getting two booster shots is not new to vaccines. At the end of the day, two vaccine shots are guaranteed to give us best results. Here is a common suggestion of some of the most renowned doctors– “Do not think one dose is better than none. If you have the chance of getting two shots, please go ahead without thinking twice.”

Moreover, the doctors are urging all citizens to make sure they are well aware and updated with the workings and after effects of the vaccine. Keep in mind that nothing about the vaccine is written in stone and as in when the research progresses, the results keep changing with time.

Finally, one last piece of advice is to continue to maintain social distancing as it is essential till the time adequate coverage of the vaccine is attained. With the limited initial availability of the vaccines, let us make sure we take precautions to avoid the further spread of the pandemic.

In simpler words, while the announcement of vaccines may sound exciting and relieving, all of us need to wait a while longer before we can resume and get back to our normal routine lives.

We hope all of us stay safe, patient, and emerge out of this pandemic stronger and united as ever!

At ExperiHub, we teach Science and Mathematics by bringing concepts from the real world into the classroom. We conduct science experiments and have myriad science projects for better learning and understanding of concepts. If you want to learn more about Experiential Learning and cool home experiments, browse through our Online Sessions and Youtube Channel!  

References – 

“Is one-dose COVID-19 vaccination better than two?” Dr. Liji Thomas, 6 Jan. 2021, https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210106/Is-one-dose-COVID-19-vaccination-better-than-two.aspx

“Is more than one dost of the Covid-19 vaccine necessary?” John Whyte, 16 Jan. 2021, https://www.webmd.com/coronavirus-in-context/video/vaccines-dosing

“Can you still transmit Covid-19 after vaccination?” BBC, 3 Feb. 2021, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210203-why-vaccinated-people-may-still-be-able-to-spread-covid-19