USTM e-Classroom: A Virtual University
The University has always been at the forefront of IT integration in education be it through e-library resources, student management systems, or E-learning. One such integration is “USTM e–Classroom”- a virtual classroom where online classes are conducted. USTM e-Classroom is a guided online class, wherein teachers & students can log in from their homes or anywhere to do their classes. USTM e-Classroom has changed the way traditional classroom teaching is done. It enables us to reach out to our students more efficiently and effectively through chat groups, video meetings, and also document sharing. Through this medium, students are greatly benefitted from various classes /webinars conducted by eminent Individuals and Faculties of various Institutions and universities from across the world on a real-time basis. In fact, it has become more relevant especially during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The integration of information technology in education will be further accelerated and that online education will eventually become an integral component of higher education. And we strongly believe traditional offline learning and e-learning will go hand in hand. We at USTM have already adopted online classes & online tests and have permanently devised a plan where 50% of students of a given classroom will be attending e-classroom sessions and the remaining 50% will be attending offline classes on the University campus on an alternative basis. Research suggests that online learning has been shown to increase retention of information, and take less time to complete their lessons. E-learning requires 40-60% less time to learn than in a traditional classroom environment because students can learn at their own pace, going back and re-reading, skipping, or accelerating through concepts as they choose.
As the COVID-19 has resulted in over 1.2 billion students globally out of the classrooms. As a result, education will change dramatically, with the only solution in sight is through e-learning, whereby teaching will be undertaken remotely and on digital platforms. And USTM is very happy to successfully take the lead in this regard.
