Adaptation with E-Learning Supportive Software During Covid-19
No sooner had my university life started than COVID-19 emerged. As a result, not only Bangladesh but also the global educational system was at stake. At that time, fortunately, the e-learning system appeared as a solution. However, this online-based educational system was too expensive to sustain within our country’s educational context. The learning system was also challenging for both teachers and students due to a lack of technology-related knowledge. Neither teachers nor students at any level of our educational system were trained or skilled in using advanced educational technologies, and consequently, educational activities were hindered from the very beginning of the pandemic.
Advanced educational technologies include the Google Classroom application; video communication software such as Google Meet, Google Hangout, and Zoom; and extensive use of Microsoft applications, which were unfamiliar to almost all teachers and students across all stages of our educational system. Furthermore, the unavailability and limited accessibility of the Internet posed another significant obstacle, contributing to educational setbacks during that period.
Initially, understanding how to set up Google Classroom options to join online classes on time, how to use its features for class interactions and discussions, how to share PowerPoint presentation slides, how to upload files in various MS Office formats, how to upload audio and video files, how to submit assignments, how to download resources, and how to take over host responsibilities during audio-video meetings were all indispensable skills—not only for teachers but also for students. The Google Classroom application, in particular, proved essential for an online-based educational platform. For instance, teachers could upload lesson plans, course outlines, materials, and questions, allowing students to access them easily, while students could download these resources and submit their assignments before deadlines. Links for Google Meet or Zoom classes were shared on Google Classroom, where teachers and students joined virtual classes.
When I began my university journey, Google Classroom was completely new to me. I did not know how to use it, how its features functioned, how to join classes on time, download materials, submit assignments, or share presentation slides. I faced many technical challenges due to my lack of technological knowledge. Gradually, however, I overcame these difficulties and became proficient in using Google Classroom efficiently. Thus, Google Classroom plays a vital role in the e-learning system.
Secondly, Google Meet and Zoom are crucial for online education. Video meetings created through these platforms are essential for class organization. Similar to Google Classroom, both students and teachers initially found these tools unfamiliar. Creating links for classes, joining, conducting, and ending sessions—all these technical tasks had to be learned from scratch. Without Google Meet and Zoom, activating an e-learning system would have been unimaginable. Additionally, both platforms offer meeting recording options, which also posed technical challenges initially. For example, when I first used Zoom, understanding its features and setup options was overwhelming, but step by step, I became accustomed to using it. Therefore, video communication software is indispensable for online education.
Thirdly, the advanced use of Microsoft applications was also unknown to most teachers and students, which negatively affected our education at that time. Skills such as using MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint efficiently were essential but lacking. As a university student, I needed to become proficient in these tools. All my written assignments were prepared using MS Word or Google Docs, while multimedia presentations were created with MS PowerPoint. In my sixth-semester course on Public Relations, I worked on a group project with fellow students. I was responsible for creating budgets and budget-based charts, which required using MS Excel (or Google Sheets). Thus, Microsoft applications were another essential component for activating e-learning systems.
Lastly, without these educational tools, the activation of the e-learning system would have been unimaginable. In fact, the importance of Google Classroom, Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft applications in global online education is extensive. Across primary, secondary, higher secondary, and higher education stages, these tools have played a vital role in ensuring the continuity of the e-learning system.
