“The Covid-19 outbreak has made it imperative for educational institutions to make a transition from the traditional classroom to innovative online learning solutions. With the world coming to a standstill, what still continues to enrich our lives quite positively is education. Therefore, at NL Dalmia School, we are striving to turn this crisis into an opportunity by leveraging existing and new technologies to create a virtual school that works for all. We are extremely overwhelmed with the support and enthusiasm of parents and students for this initiative. When the world is dealing with a global pandemic we need to explore ways that we can all move forward together towards a better future and a better world.”

— Seema Saini, CEO of NL Dalmia Educational Society and principal of the CISCE affiliated NL Dalmia High School, Mumbai — one of Maharashtra’s top-ranked co-ed day schools. 

Promoted in 1991 by Niranjanlal Dalmia — founder-chairman of the NL Dalmia Educational Society (estb.1982) which also runs the NL Dalmia Institute of Management Studies and Research — NL Dalmia High School (NLDHS), Mumbai is a pioneer in adopting globally benchmarked pedagogies and IT-enabled learning to improve student engagement and learning outcomes. Amid the ongoing nationwide lockdown, the school has been designing an innovative virtual learning solution through a carefully customised approach for the junior and senior classes. The NLDHS staff and management have been delivering an engaging virtual learning experience for students by leveraging digital technologies in the following ways:

Zoom app: The popular digital communication tool is being used to conduct virtual live classes that includes includes links to videos lessons and notes, worked examples, PowerPoint presentations and group discussions.

Google Classrooms: The user friendly Google Classrooms platform is being used extensively for interacting online and sharing assignments, question banks and notes for all subjects. MS PowerPoint presentations with videos and audio lessons are also being uploaded on Google Classroom. The school’s in-house online platform – ENTAB is also being used extensively for posting thought provoking worksheets.

School ERP system: For the primary classes, the school’s ERP system is being effectively leveraged to share innovative and interesting worksheets in various subjects designed meticulously by the HODs of the subjects and class co-ordinators to be solved at home by the pupils. The worksheets are designed to facilitate recapitulation of previously acquired knowledge as well establish a good conceptual foundation for the topics to be taught once the regular academic session commences.

Phone & Online counseling: The school has also started phone and online counseling for parents and students to address a wide range of concerns. Parents can get guidance on managing children’s behaviour at home during the lockdown period and to cope with stress and anxiety. Students can get counseled on difficulties that they may be facing under the current circumstances including boredom, anxiety and managing time fruitfully. Thus, NLDHS has been focusing not just on academic health but also mental and psychological well-being of students and parents during this uncertain phase.

“Both parents and students are enjoying the concept of online learning primarily because it keeps the children engaged and occupied in constructive pursuits. At a time, where the entire nation is quarantined, access to online learning helps children easily fit in their school assignments around their existing household responsibilities. What is liked the most by students is that they can complete the assignments in the comfort of their homes,” says Saini.