One big school, one easy solution
How Shivaami helped streamline processes with Google for Education tools. Offering quality education to underprivileged children, Navodaya English High School and Junior College has spent the last 52 years ensuring its students, ranging from 4-17 years, have access to the best teachers, programs, and opportunities. Technically savvy, the school was still experiencing challenges that needed to be solved.
With almost 4000 students and over 100 educators and support staff, the sheer size of Navodaya English High School and Junior College offers challenges to principal, Dr Ushavati Shetty, every day.
Priding themselves on being a technically savvy school, educators were drowning under the weight of organising assessments, staying on top of attendance and the logistics of bringing the larger school community together.
The key challenge, in year two of the global pandemic, was keeping the school community connected and thriving, something they couldn’t do without better technology.
“We believe in giving quality education to students, but we don’t only focus on textbook knowledge,” says Dr Shetty. “We believe in the overall development of students, their holistic development.”
Dr Shetty admits that 2020 was especially tough because she was unable to bring her whole school community together using the platforms they had used for years.
Ease of data collection
Google Docs has enabled Dr Shetty to collect data from her 120-strong staff quickly and easily, without the time-consuming processes of previous platforms. “A simple thing, getting information from everyone, has become so much easier for me. All I have to do is create one format and post the editable file. Everyone can then add their own edits.”
Increased engagement with students and extended community
With students still studying remotely, this second year of the pandemic will be very different thanks to the features of Google Meet and Google Classroom. “We have a lot of festivals, a lot of days of celebration. Last year I couldn’t bring everyone together. With Google Meet, I can. It also allows me to connect our students to global educators and international opportunities.”
Time saving = Greater development
With Google for Education saving teachers and support staff valuable time, they can invest in student development, and focus on long-term learning outcomes, as opposed to short-term issues. “Teachers are focusing on skill development, communication skills, language and other activities, such as dance and debate. Many avenues have been opened up to our students thanks to Google Workspace for Education and the Teaching and Learning Upgrade.”
Flexibility of providing education and support
Being able to use the Teaching & Learning Upgrade, with no limitations, the school’s students, teachers, and support team can choose how and when they access the programs. From Slides, Docs, Meet, Calendar, Forms and more, planning how to educate, and implementing that learning-style, has provided the kind of flexible environment that both students and staff can thrive within. “Parent engagement, student engagement …it’s all improved,” says Dr Shetty. “Everyone is excited.”
