Bridging the gap

A year has passed since virtual learning became commonplace. While students say they miss the essence of campus life and are faced with technical glitches, EdTech companies are launching innovative products and are pushing for a blend of online and offline learning in higher education

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the city after a two-month remission, the hope that students had nurtured of returning to classrooms has been dashed. With online classes continuing to play the role of the substitute, students from across age groups have started to feel the loss. Patchy Internet connectivity, missed internship or extra-curricular opportunities, lack of “school or college life” and navigating through home to find a place conducive for study are some of the issues students pointed out while looking back at the past year when classes went virtual. For Harshul Singh, a second-year Political Science (Hons) student, studying in DU had always been an aspiration. However, before he could even complete his first year in the university, he was forced to return to Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, his native place, due to the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown.