E-learning challenges pushed or pulled?

GREESHMA THOMAS

Coronavirus attack has split a large portion of India's education and turned upside down the life of students, teachers and parents. As per reports, more than 150 crores students overall the world can't go to school or college, as the fight against this deadly virus brought the world to a halt.  However, this pandemic has made all the educational institutions over the planet to take up educating on the digital divide.

While the students are left with no option other than virtual learning now, many children of primary standard say that they lack a conducive environment or necessary gadgets in their homes to create an online platform. Many children have complained about having no access to the internet, laptop and mobiles, and have raised their issues with their schools too. If there is one mobile or laptop at home, they say, it might be used exclusively by the parents who are working from home as well.

At the same time, the parents have been much worried about not being able to deal with their children’s academics and their work together.  In addition, many people are stressed as they have lost their jobs and run their lives out of limited savings or by borrowing money.

The wealthier parents also face trouble in setting up an e-learning platform at home, and dealing with the timely stress and difficulties of their children. It is also difficult for them to manage their children’s activities between their own official works and household works. However, most of the wealthier parents feel comfortable with technology and hope that this is a temporary difficulty that will fade with the lifting of the lockdown and the reopening of schools, while teachers are at pains to make their classes interesting and creative for children after the opening of schools.

As millions of students around the world struggle to study at home, it remains to be seen how teachers and the educational institutions will deal with the new reality of learning at home.  Governments all over the world are making efforts to alleviate the impact of school closures and to make possible the continuity of education for all through remote learning.  

What is in store for us tomorrow? What we think about it is entirely in our own hands.  Change is inevitable even in the digital era. In the midst of the new situation created by the pandemic, it is the duty of parents to keep children engaged in activities at home wherever possible, in their usual routines in line with their learning. This will support their wellbeing, connection with others and their learning to match with the digital push. Regardless of whether we utilize the opportunities vis-à-vis the current pandemic time, it will pass by. Better that we navigate correctly in our journey for our bright future and for a better world tomorrow.

This article published in Metro Vaarth on 29.6.2020