New teaching tools for boards

It's not only the teenagers who have been bitten by the online bug, their teachers too have joined them. With the Boards drawing near, many teachers in the city are keeping tabs on their students' preparation through emails, instant messaging service or social networking sites to help them give their best shot on D-day. Said Gautam Sarkar, computer science teacher at Modern School, Barakhamba Road, 'For most part of the day I am online for my students. I not only use emails but also instant messaging and internet telephony to guide them while they are studying at home. Also, many a times when students face problems during their homework, they can find me online for clarifications.' He adds that at least 25 of the 125 teachers in the school would be using the internet to help students with their preparation. 'Though the number is small, but it is growing. Online teaching is a culture abroad but the trend will pick up here too in the next couple of years,' said Sarkar, who attends at least five to six calls from students every day apart from online queries.

Also, there are some teachers who even if they go abroad or are travelling, manage to keep in touch with their students. 'I was in New Zealand recently. There also my students were in touch through emails and chat. It's not that they have serious doubts to clear, but being in touch with their teacher can sometimes be a great moral support,' said Seema Ahuja of G D Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj.