Distance learning programme- EWIS empowers schools with technology

During the covid-19 period, EWIS took the Sri Lankan education sector of Sri Lanka, in a new panorama with distance learning. Accordingly, under the direction of Microsoft Corporation and Ministry of Education, EWIS introduced Office 365 including Microsoft Teams for, 

•  Government, Private and International schools,
• Universities and 
• Vocational training institutes. 

A prior training was also conducted to ensure successful implementation. The intention of the training programmes, was to enlighten the teachers on how to carry out distance learning effectively while catering to the learning needs of different students (Basic, Intermediate and Advance).

Phases covered under EWIS Distance Learning Programme

• Designing the architecture of virtual classrooms.
• Training the staff on data collection and data cleansing.
• Creating user accounts for all the students and teachers.
• Training the staff on how to utilize the system effectively. Training was conducted in Sinhala, English and Tamil.
• Distribution of user manuals for teachers, parents and students.
• Staff training on content development when carrying out online lessons.
• Implementation of two designated helpdesks for students and teachers.
• Continuous monitoring to ensure seamless performance of the system.

Government, Private and International Schools covered under EWIS’s Distance Learning Programme. 

1. Ladies College. 

Ladies College partnered with EWIS to introduce smart interactive boards to the classrooms of Ladies College and is the first school in Sri Lanka to be fully equipped with smart interactive boards in every classroom of the school. EWIS partnered with Ladies College once again to introduce a Distance Learning Programme to ensure the continuity of education for its students during the covid-19 period. 

The programme enabled distance learning for over 1700+ students from Nursery to grade 13. 98% of the students were benefited since majority of the students have access to technology. Training programmes were also introduced to facilitate successful implementation.

Training Brief: 

Training was conducted for 8 batches including 300+ participants for 23 hours. Each training session comprised of following programmes:

• Orientation programme.
• Advanced training programme.
• Intermediate training programme.
• Basic training programme.
   

2. Dharmaraja College. 

Dharmaraja College also partnered with EWIS’s Distance Learning Programme enabling distance 
learning for 4200 students from grade 1-13. This is the first National School of Sri Lanka, to 
introduce a Distance Learning Programme. The programme commenced operations on 18th May 
2020. 

Training Brief:
Training was conducted for 3 batches covering 257 participants. The training programme 
focused on following areas,

• Teachers’ training.
• User accounts and teams configuring.
• Admin Centre special teacher training. 

3. Asian International School.

Asian International School is the first International School of Sri Lanka, to be onboard with 
EWIS’s Distance Learning Programme. System was setup within 10 days, connecting 1500 
students from grade 1 to 13. Training programmes were also introduced by EWIS to facilitate
successful implementation.

Training Brief: 
Training was conducted for 2 batches, including 222 participants for 4 hours.

4. Other Schools

Colombo

Kandy

Jaffa

Kurunegala

Badulla

Matale

Others

Universities covered under EWIS Distance Learning Programme.

1. The Ocean University. 

The Ocean University has set up by the Government to conduct academic and professional education and vocational training activities in fisheries, marine and nautical engineering to fulfill and develop the needs of the fisheries and allied sector. It has 7 Regional Centers in Mattakkuliya, Tangalle, Kalutara, Galle, Batticaloa Trincomalee, Negambo and Jaffna.

EWIS introduced its Distance Learning Programme for The Ocean University connecting the students to their Regional Centers. The implementation was carried out within 10 days for 1000 students and 200 faculty members. 

Training Brief: 

The training programme focused on following areas: 

• Lecturer training. 
• Admin Center training.

2. National College of Education, Peradeniya. 

The Distance Learning Programme of EWIS was introduced at the National College of Education Peradeniya for first and second year students. The project was initiated on 30th March 2020 connecting 654 students.