The Impact of Sudden Shift to Online Learning and Teaching in Journalism & Mass Communication During COVID 19: A Study with Special Reference to West Bengal State University

Abstract

Due to the scale, pace and expansion of unprecedented Corona situation, West Bengal witnesses how an entire generation of Learners and Educators of Journalism and Mass Communication in various Colleges and Universities of the State is trying to manage the sudden and unexpected shift to online education. How will the Teachers of Journalism & Mass Communication work to overcome these challenges?  How will the Students of the Colleges and Universities of this subject continue to learn in a digital space? The Paper has tried to analyze how Students and Faculties of Journalism & Mass Communication in the Colleges and Universities of West Bengal have tried to tackle the situation in such an unprecedented circumstance. Besides, it has tried to understand how far the technology has played a critical role in online education of Journalism and Mass Communication in the State. The Paper has followed the Observational, Analytical and Qualitative Research based on various Media Reports based on which the interpretation, analysis and inference has been drawn. In a State like West Bengal where regional, linguistic, caste, class, gender and socioeconomic situation is so varied, the higher education system is also marked by variation from Elite to State aided Colleges and Universities, raising issues about specific educational, psychological, social and financial needs of students. The Indian economy had made a great progress and this acts as an important reason for the growth of this sector in India (Johnson, 2021). Under this prevailing situation, any unilateral approach will not be able to address and solve the problems and crises of teaching and learning of Journalism & Mass Communication in Colleges, Universities and Other Higher Education Institutions during this unprecedented pandemic situation. The varied and delicate issues need to address with multiple dimensions.