“Just as there are two sides to a coin, there are two sides to a story!”

There will always be certain people who believe in it and others who disagree and might have a different opinion altogether. So one such topic which has been debatable among the parents during the pandemic is the issue of online classes. 

So, in the previous week, we conducted an online survey to understand the parents’ opinions on online classes. We got an overwhelming response from the survey, and one irrefutable thing we observed from the results was that the parents are divided right across the line when it comes to online classes.

As you can see in the image below, 58% of parents are satisfied with online education while 42% of parents don’t find this solution useful.

Govt. of Karnataka permissions  to take online classes for students with desired guidelines. Complete guidelines click here.

So, we thought of writing an article with an aim to end the confusion and try to explain what is online classes and what schools can do to make the online classes fun for the different age groups of kids.  

Kids are a bundle of energy. They are the ones who are constantly learning and observing and they are at home since mid of March. What are they learning during this time? Where is their energy spent? 

We have come so far in the evolution that the internet has become everything. We as parents use it every day. But we deprive them of the use of technology to help kids in learning? 

Why so? 

The use of technology is a very interesting way to teach students and there are several online portals which provide a plethora of online courses. 

Here is the link to a website, where different type of E-Learning explained.  For the benefit of the few, we have tried to explain 4 types of learning that could be used for the benefits of kids as below:

1. Online Classes – Live Streaming

This is the most common method of teaching as most of the schools have started implementing this during the lock down.

In this method, the teacher and students log in to the chosen online platform at the same time. It is interactive, real-time and the only closest way to get the classroom feel.  Although it is widely preferred now, it is not easy.

Teachers Problems During lock down to Take online classes

Teachers who are mostly accustomed to the traditional way of teaching now are making all the efforts to make sure kids are not left out on anything. Their planning is different, their preparations are different and the mode of instructions is also different. 

We at Zedua appreciate all those teachers who made this shift happen, just so that the kids do not miss out on learning. 

Interview of Principal of the Bangalore School White field 

Kids can relax and attend the classes from home which reduces the whole exercise of carrying heavy school bags. During the lockdown, online classes have proven as a boon to many kids and concerned parents across the country. Teachers are also getting paid and are working due to the system of online classes many schools have started. 

On the other hand, school is not just a place where academic learning takes place. Kids learn to socialize, communicate, make friends, and memories in school which as important as what is written in the books to learn. Such hands-on experience about life is not possible in this method of education. Furthermore, network connectivity is one of the major issues when it comes to online classes.

Also, the availability of smartphones and a strong network connection is not possible in rural areas making those kids lag behind their peers from the urban areas. This is one of the major disadvantages of online classes in India. 

Ms Usha Iyer, the principal of The Bangalore school, Whitefield says, “UNESCO has clearly specified that we have some education goals and one of the goals is digital literacy along with health literacy and we are looking at digital literacy down the line in another ten years then why are we saying no to online classes and not being very progressive?”

Watch the entire video to know her stance on online classes and the importance of digital education considering the current circumstances.

2. Pre-recorded classes

Unacademy, Hubspot, Udemy, etc, are some of the popular e-learning websites that offer pre-recorded classes to learn online. In this method, the teacher has a preplanned lesson plan and approach ready on a particular topic. He or she records the video and releases it online. This is not real-time, so the advantage is that the kids can learn at their leisure and pace. But the downfall is students who lack discipline, may not take the complete course and miss out on important lessons. 

 Lack of self-discipline can become a major hindrance to learning through pre-recorded classes. Also, this method is not suitable for younger children who need constant guidance to keep their focus intact. Pre-recorded classes don’t give a real-time feel like live streaming so any questions or doubts have to be recorded to ask later. 

3. Learning through documents

This is another intriguing approach to teaching. In this technique, the teacher works in the backend, plans for the concepts to be taught, and records a series of activities in a document. Parents use these documents and continue with the teaching process.

The advantage in this type of learning that parents understand the teaching-learning process and the curriculum properly. Also, for kids, it is easier to communicate with their parents of any doubts or questions they have.

But the flip side of this type of learning is the number of time parents has to invest in teaching the kids. They first have to understand the syllabus themselves to convey it properly to the kids. This method is not suitable for parents who are working as it requires a huge investment of time in teaching. 

4. Augmented Learning

Augmented learning is one of the emerging methods of learning that involves the use of artificial learning (AI) and augmented reality giving a dynamic learning experience to the kids with proper visual and audio aids.

Augmented learning method can help students understand the theory and application of a particular subject during the sessions itself because of the various augmented tools available that enable students to go through supplementary information regarding that particular concept. Moreover, the learner can adjust the speech and text speed on the screen, get on-demand pronunciations and sample sentences, and take notes in a better way than conventional classroom teaching. Augmented learning is generally beneficial for learning foreign languages. 

One of the major advantages of augmented learning is the visual and audio aids that can be customized according to the learner’s requirements. This type of learning is a boon for kids suffering from any learning disability such as Dyslexia.

On the other hand, this method is quite on an expensive side and raises questions about its equal availability across the country. Also, there is a problem of machines replacing man creating a lack of job opportunities for teachers. Thus, augmented learning is surely an approach of the future but is also promising at the same time. 

These are a few approaches to online learning as opposed to the conventional chalk and board to pen and paper approach. We understand that it is difficult to adjust to online learning since we are used to the conventional methods and schools being important for kids to grow holistically, but under current circumstances, online learning seems to be a feasible option. 

You can share your thoughts with us by commenting on this article. Also, if you haven’t taken our School Reopening Survey, click on the link. Let us know what are your expectations are as a parent about your kid’s safety and we’ll make sure your voice is heard. 

Happy Learning and Stay Safe!

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