M Omar Iftikhar
THE world has swiftly changed from the physical work routine to an online work routine. When the lockdown began across the world and especially in Pakistan, faculty members at educational institutions resorted to taking online classes. Professionals have been working from home as well. Because of the miracles of digital media, the world was already at our fingertips. During the lockdown, we navigated through the many online websites and Smartphone apps available to facilitate our daily tasks.
Our schedule has been changed drastically. It was until February of this year that we were fighting against time to complete our office chores. Staying late at the office was a norm. We were winding our way through the traffic and finding alternate routes to drive to our home and office. We were hanging out at restaurants and cafes at weekends. However, Covid-19 has altered our reality and the perception of reality altogether.
During these times when online meetings and virtual classrooms have become a norm, the family members of those students and professionals who are studying and working from home must develop certain rules. We do remember the embarrassment Professor Robert Kelly had to face while giving an interview to CNN in 2017. Professor Kelly, an American political analyst, was LIVE on air when two of his children barged into the room. His wife scurried herself to retrieve the kids so that he could continue with his interview.
Students and professionals of Pakistan pretty much face the same embarrassment when working from home. Students, especially those living in a joint family system, have to deal with their extended family members and cousins who willingly or unwillingly interrupt their online classes. The indirect interruptions are also a nuisance when people are conversing loudly in the background. Students and professionals, who are parents themselves, have to juggle between looking after their children and concentrating on the online discussions. They also have to keep infants and toddlers at bay from their desktops and laptops or else they love to push buttons.
Parents, spouses, siblings and family members must understand that studying from home or working from home does not mean that the person is enjoying a day at home. They need a time and place of peace and quiet to complete their work. Students have to put in an extra concentration than they give in classrooms because of many reasons. First, internet connections keep dropping. Second, most of the time the faculty keeps their camera off, therefore, students need to focus on the voice they are hearing. This makes it increasingly difficult for them to concentrate on the audio because of the noise in their homes. The same case is with professionals. Here, the meetings that take place are with the head of departments and superior personnel from the management. Working from home does not reduce one’s official designation. Therefore, professionals need to adhere to proper protocols and maintain a level of admiration with their faculty and managers respectively.
In these trying times, we must also appreciate the endeavours by the faculty to learn about conducting online classes. While many are attuned to using online applications, conducting classes online is a tedious task where you need to pay attention to each student. Faculty members also need to ensure that their students are understanding the lecture. Many of the faculty members of universities – especially those who are senior citizens – had to take a refresher course on how to install and use the appropriate online applications. Connectivity issues along with other teething troubles were a norm for many. However, they did remain honest to their profession by conducting online classes to complete their course and to fulfil their moral obligation.
All those students and professionals working from home must also observe proper discipline. Connecting online does not mean one can sit in front of their webcam after getting up from the bed. The mode of communication has changed, all else remains constant. One must be well-dressed and well-groomed before an online meeting because we must remain properly dressed even when working from home. It is not necessary to wear formal clothing akin to how we dress when going to our university or offices, but presentable attire will do.
— The writer is a freelance columnist based in Karachi.
