As the world grapples with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), social distancing is fast becoming the new norm, as governments close down education institutes, offices, and entire cities. During these testing times, special measures are needed to ensure life and learning are not impacted.
In this climate, it is the responsibility of schools, Governments, and educational institutes to adopt a more holistic approach and be prepared to offer an alternative to traditional schooling without impinging on the safety, wellbeing, health, hygiene, and security of the learners.
One such school group in Pakistan is the award-winning, pioneering and futuristic The Millennium Education Group (TME) which had set up a vision for digital inclusion and real-time education connectivity back in 2015, as envisioned by their visionary and dynamic CEO Faisal Mushtaq. The school group prioritized digital inclusivity and virtual teaching through a unique and pioneering Learning Management System, Millennium Academic Technology Real-Time Information Xchange (MATRIX).
Millennium Education believes in the optimal utilization of technology to follow the best global and industry practices. MATRIX is a cloud-hosted, integrated, flexible and secure dynamic platform that allows TME schools, colleges, and campuses to manage digital learning through web enablement anytime or anywhere in the world. It establishes the connectivity between campuses, teachers, learners, guardians, parents, and stakeholders in the most effective and responsible manner.
A day in the life of a digital student starts with a notification instead of an alarm. TME reaches out to learners early morning to begin the day with learning.
MATRIX Learning Management System provides access to students and parents leaving no room for any lag in the process and provision of teaching and learning. Different tools are integrated with MATRIX for an enhanced environment. A virtual school is available for uninterrupted learning.
Students have access to their own LMS portal which details the daily classwork, homework, assessment record, syllabus, worksheets, course media along with online virtual classroom functionality. The e-system contains grade-wise and subject-wise guidelines for parents, study material, resources and printable worksheets on the shared weblinks.
The syllabus breakdown along with the lesson planning and resources is uploaded by the subject and class teachers on a daily basis. MATRIX gives the facility to engage with the teachers and submit the assignments and get real-time online feedback.
At TME, they believe that the continuity of planning through leveraging online technology assets is a critical tool for preparedness. The result will not only be readiness for things unseen, but also a greater acceptance of online learning. TME plans to build a technology integrated stability plan for the short term that supports their vision of a more resilient, technology-leveraged learning in the future. Virus or virtual; we are ready says the progressive-minded CEO Faisal Mushtaq. He further explained we look forward to our visible-classrooms, but until then the virtual-classrooms remain open for our teaching and learning communities nationwide.
