WHITEFIELD, BANGALORE, 26 MARCH, 2020 - GIIS Teachers and Students have proved that COVID - 19 will not hinder the passion for learning in education. With the smart, intelligent, dedicated and energetic team of teachers and leaders on board, GIIS Whitefield have been successful in taking the classroom studies to ease of study from home for students. The online annual exam, online classes and self-assessment plan in action, is indeed a commendable initiative for academics and within the shortest allotted time,  GIIS teachers left no stones unturned to make online studies possible with perfection. The support of the parents and the learning spirit of the students is noteworthy in the times when safety is priority and learning is like a free flowing river in a student’s life.
  
Dr. Shivananda C S (Principal, GIIS Whitefield) says, 'Learning comes full circle with an assessment. In the new situation created by spreading of corona virus, we still wanted students' yearlong learning to complete through self-assessment. Our teachers willingly took up self-assessment challenge and prepared all the necessary tools within a very short time. The parents and students have welcomed this initiative positively and contributed immensely to make it a success. The reinforcement of learning could be easily done through self-assessment test and online MCQ test. Many students expressed their happiness for finding a convenient platform to showcase their learning outcomes. I could hear lots and lots of appreciation from parents for taking this task. Kudos to the whole team.'

The response was excellent as we keep receiving abundance of appreciation and positive feedback from the parents. The time management, discipline, sincerity, concentration in learning and the confidence of the students to take tests are the key takeaways from these exams. As the Evaluation papers were sent in the morning through myGIIS, our students were to take the test in the defined time limit. Meanwhile MCQ question link to enrich and enhance the learning graph were sent by teachers promptly in order to facilitate additional practice. The answer keys were sent later in the day and students were to self-evaluate the papers with the guidance of parents and then send the marks and reflection based on the results to the teachers.  Certainly, technology and the internet is a blessing in the recent times to help impart education, seamlessly and smoothly via the online platform. 

With the success of GIIS virtual classroom sessions, the journey of teaching and learning continues through the Zoom app. It is being conducted for the students of Grade 10 and 12 for all the subjects. The classes are as per the time slots and students have to login as per the instructions to attend the classes. It is very informative, well-planned, well-presented and truly interactive where students are able to clear their doubts easily and promptly.

We at GIIS, have ensured that our students, teachers  and staff are safe at home during the COVID 19 pandemic in India, and at the same time the journey of learning is seamlessly conducted, through online teaching, for the benefit of the students.

It fills our heart and drives us to go the extra mile when we receive such words of encouragement from  the parents:

Richa Agarwal, mother of Myra Agarwal, says “I wish to offer my heartfelt appreciation for the effort the school and the teachers are making in organizing and conducting online classes for the students. Grade 10 had started few weeks back and the studies were in a groove. An unfortunate interruption of this sort is likely to completely derail the grade calendar for the year. But these online classes are ensuring that the break in the kids' schedule is minimal and not disruptive”.

Ms. Anshu Tyagi, mother of Amaira says, “We are quite excited to see her progress on the subject and the way she completed the exam with minimal help”.

Mrs. & Mr. Tomar, Parents of Yatharth & Adhrit, praised and thanked the professionalism, passion, proactiveness and pragmatism demonstrated by each and every staff of the school. They further added that the whole handling of COVID -19 emergency and us all swiftly springing into action to find an alternative is just and exemplary demonstration of all her compliments above.

Kaustav & Debjani Ray, Parents of Roshni Ray, candidly expressed, “A note of thanks to you and your extremely supportive team of teachers, co-coordinators & administrators at GIIS Whitefield. During this difficult period, where for the sake of public safety we are confined to the walls of our homes, you & your entire team are taking a risk to travel to school in order to conduct online classes for the sake of our children. While we are safe & sound in our homes you all are working relentlessly so that children’s education is not hampered. As parents we salute you all and we will never forget this service that you rendered at this difficult time of uncertainty.”

A big credit to the GIIS team to stand up to the situation and conducting the exams instead of cancelling it. This gave an opportunity for the kids to reinforce the learning in the last 4 months which would have been easily forgotten otherwise. Online MCQs were additional practice and the teachers had to ensure implementing it in an online format. While Google forms might be a common one, doing it in a short notice need a special mention. Another blessing was an opportunity for the parents to watch the kids take the exam in an almost exam like set up and we felt proud to see the focus of our son”, said Sounder and Srividhya, Parents of Srinivasan.

Ms. Pallavi, mother of Rishi Pegallapati, says “We thank GIIS and teachers for their efforts in conducting the online annual examination. Children have put their best efforts to write their exams and at the same time realised the areas of improvement and understood that they need to improve in certain areas. With this exercise, as a parent we could also get to know our child’s capabilities and at the same time areas where they need to concentrate further. It has been a good amount of effort to assess the papers and we also came to know that a teacher’s role is quite challenging”.

Such testimonials were not only limited to the email responses we received but Parents kept showing love through their comments on the social media as well. Some of the responses were - The online classes are being conducted really well. Children are enjoying it, and also learning in the process; A Great initiative. It's keeping the kids busy and helping not miss class either; I am happy school is taking care and also thinking how we can utilise the technology for education; Kudos to the teachers.