The impact of COVID-19 on teacher autonomy and decision making in curriculum design, lesson planning and assessment methods

 TEACHER'S AUTONOMY AND DECISION MAKING:

The impact ofCOVID-19 and the transition to distant learning had made teachers face many decision making situations. As the teachers decision have an lasting impact on students learning experience, they have to think twice even before making a simple decision. Their teaching decisions were motivated by short term goals like maintaining students spirit, virtual interaction and their ability to concentrate.

IN CURRICULUM DESIGN:

BeforeCOVID-19 teachers used to plan the curriculum design ahead of the academic year. When the COVID-19 struck the entire world, it was a total chaos. As nobody knew when the world was going to be normal, it was frustrating for everyone to continue their life in the new normal. Teachers were confused on how to plan the curriculum as they had to teach students via online classes. It was even more tough when they had to come back after COVID-19. Since they had got settled and comfortable in online classes and had made an entirely different curriculum design, it was difficult for them to adapt to the old curriculum which was used before COVID-19 but they had no other go.

IN LESSON PLANNING:

Before COVID-19 teachers had their own sketch to finish lessons for each month for the entire year. They used to complete the whole portions in 8-9 months and used the remaining months to revise and repeat the portions which were taken previously to help student. During COVID-19 the schools opted online classes a few months later than it was supposed to start. The teachers were confused on what lessons to be completed each month and even had to make up for the months as the academic year started a bit later. Even though the CBSE board announced a 30 percent reduction it didn't help a bit, as the lessons were inter connected it was difficult for the teacher to make the students understand even without a single lesson. After COVID-19 there was no reduction in syllabus and it was hard for the students to learn the whole syllabus. For some lessons the teacher had to take the previous year's syllabus as it was the basic which was not thought due to reduction in syllabus.

IN ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Before COVID-19 teachers had their own way of assessing the students. The assessment used to carry 20 marks which played an important role in a student's total marks in mid-term and annual exams. During COVID-19 as the students didn't write any classwork, exams and neither they did assignments nor maintained it properly, it was difficult for the teachers to assess them. Practical to were not possible. After COVID-19 teachers felt bad as they knew students are going to feel pressurized as they had to do more assessment works for which they lost practice due to COVID-19. The teachers helped students to practice slowly but effectively.

Even though the COVID-19 hit the entire world, the teachers made sure they share their knowledge and educate the students. They were affected but they still opted to educate the students.

BY,

A. DISHA

X-A