Imperial College at the Forefront of Online learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has introduced unprecedented levels of uncertainty to the livelihoods of people, as well as regional and global economies. The closure of schools, colleges, and universities have interrupted the learning process of students around the world. University graduates are particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to interruptions in the learning process and assignments.

Outside of the pedagogical sphere, COVID-19 has resulted in many changes and disruptions. All these changes, however, have not been negative. People are spending more time with family, we are compelled to appreciate valuable things often taken for granted, including the bare necessities. Despite being in lockdown, life seems to go on. In the age of information, we still feel connected. Thanks to the internet, we still purchase goods online, pay bills online, and keep abreast of the news and learn through digital mediums, without a hassle.

As large-scale international efforts to utilize technology in support of remote learning, distance education, and online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic are being made, this “new normal” will undoubtedly open doors to new experiences and methods of learning.

Educational institutions like Imperial College understand the need to evolve quickly through the use of online learning. Within a week after Sri Lanka went on lockdown, Imperial College was able to shift to a digital learning approach, thereby ensuring that students face no delays in completing their education.

With this swift response, online lectures have given students the opportunity to plan their study time at their own pace. This provides flexibility and a new learning experience for students. For the first time ever, students can study and work at their own convenience.

The course material is accessible on-demand and videos can be revisited an unlimited number of times. This gives the opportunity for students to use the videos as a revision tool. The flexibility of Imperial College’s online content ensures that the wheels of learning continue to steer despite roadblocks caused by the pandemic.

Listen to what students have to say about Online learning during the COVID-19

Priyasha Jayaseelan – B.A (Hons) International Business and Finance, the University of the West of Scotland

Learning during a time of a national lockdown attracts most of your time and attention. ICBS's decision to introduce online learning to cope up with the current pandemic has made our time productive where our studies need not reach a standstill.

Through the online sessions, I'm able to learn at my own pace at a convenient time. The quality of these sessions is quite good. Our lecturers making the content very clear and interesting to grasp. Protection and education at the same time are better than compromising one of them. Till things get back to normal, let's utilize this valuable opportunity provided to us by ICBS.

Zaidh Rumzy - B.A (Hons) International Business and Finance – the University of the West of Scotland

Being able to formulate the right strategy and survive through times of crisis with the right resources in hand is what we've been taught in classrooms.

To see it being executed by ICBS is a great example for all of us. Despite the current pandemic and lockdown, we are still able to continue our studies without any delays through ICBS's adaptation to online platforms. Though I still miss the face-to-face classroom sessions, the online classes have been interactive with our lecturers tending to all of our subject related doubts and making the live sessions as interactive as possible with two-way communication.

Our days are extra productive as we not only learn the subject content but also learn to use technology better.

It's an adaptation for all of us, yet it's quite interesting to learn in a new way that we are experiencing for the very first time, thanks to ICBS.

Sapna Ravishika -- BA (Hons) International business and finance offered by the University of the West of Scotland

It has been almost a month since this pandemic hit Sri Lanka. But ICBS has once again proved that no obstacle can get in our way of becoming a successful professional. Despite the chaos, I must say that our college is doing a great job to keep us on track with the online lectures. This virtual learning is indeed a new experience for me and of course, it is very effective. It made us use our time wisely and not to postpone our studies but to polish our knowledge day by day. And once again our college is providing us with the necessary backing and support to face the competition that we face day in and day out. Also, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the prominent lecture panel and the dedicated management for organizing these facilities on behalf of us! Thank you ICBS!