Ensuring the continuity of learning at AKA Dhaka

Students are taking part in online learning to continue education despite unrest across the country

Despite ongoing protests, the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka is supporting the students and their learning journey through online and in-person classes. With seamless support from parents and staff, the Academy is putting all-out efforts to emphasise students’ physical and mental well-being.

The Academy has opted for a hybrid learning system to ensure students get maximum classroom time while remaining safe. Teachers have been trained to utilise online learning platforms in the best way possible, with the latest Academy schedule allowing for a smooth transition between classes. With an effective and familiar learning method, teachers are finding innovative ways to keep students engaged.

“We are using the lessons learnt from the pandemic in 2020 to leverage online teaching-learning tools, such as Zoom, to ensure seamless learning online,” said the Lead Teacher of the English Department Raja Sen. “The online systems are better than before in terms of stability, user-friendly features and safety, thus frequently making the online experience as realistic and effective as the offline one.”

Diploma Programme students participating in online class

Despite being online, teachers use emojis and reactions to bring a more human touch to the classroom environment.

“Observing the online class, I witnessed teachers adeptly employing various Zoom tools, enhancing the learning experience,” said Primary Years Programme Coordinator Ms Tanjina Hossain. “Overall, the strategic utilisation of Zoom tools highlights their adaptability and creativity, ensuring an interactive and effective learning environment.”

The Academy has also implemented different online learning technologies to provide an immersive learning experience even during this transition. For example, virtual whiteboards, animated characters and screen sharing provide the students with an enhanced learning experience, making up for the lack of physical interaction with the educator.

“The combination of collaborative tools and virtual manipulatives transformed the online learning landscape into a dynamic, interactive domain,” said Shahnaz Karim, the Grade 4 homeroom teacher. “It is surpassing individual learning experiences, creating opportunities for students to continue their learning experiences."

Although there is uncertainty concerning the ongoing protests, the Academy is committed to ensuring the safety of its students. The security team is continuously monitoring the environment, adopting vigilance across the Academy and transportation route to mitigate risks.

“Safety is our top priority,” said Mr Mahmudul Haque, the security manager at the Academy. “We are using the alert system of the government to remain updated about the security situation in the capital. A call tree has been introduced to create a safety sphere even at the personal level. Our team has also adapted contingency plans that will help us to take prompt actions to ensure safety.”