As most schools and colleges were forced to shut down due to the pandemic, teachers and students had to resort to online classes to continue education. This was an entirely new concept for many. While teachers struggled to operate new kinds of technology, students now had to learn in an entirely new atmosphere and setting. And like every situation, online classes worked out for some and were a disaster for others.
To bring into light whether or not online education has been successful for students in the past couple of months, Journalist Faye D’Souza posed a question on Twitter addressing parents. Have a look at her tweet here:
Dear Parents,
Do you believe the online education Of the last six months as been successful?— Faye DSouza (@fayedsouza) September 15, 2020
Many parents took to the comment section to highlight the pros and cons of online education. Most comments by parents revealed how kids get bored easily due to their brief attention span, how they are not able to study along with their friends, how some teachers are unable to handle the demands of so many kids via a computer screen, and how a child’s holistic development is being compromised in the process.
1.
No @fayedsouza. It's not. But that's the only practical option available which can balance the studies and safety of students during this period.
— Pranav Mahajan (@pranavmahajan) September 15, 2020
2.
Not at all.
My kids attended all classes… But to be honest Mom's role has been increased massively.
Being middle class not easy to handle all home chores, my family, my freelancing work, my volunteer work and yes have to teach my children also— Simmi Ahuja (@SimmiAhuja_) September 15, 2020
3.
As a parent, the only thing that makes me sad is that kids are not able to meet their friends face to face. Otherwise, kids are enjoying online education. there is hardly any academic pressure, & teachers too are takng extra efforts to make online teaching & learning interesting
— Rajesh Advani (@advanirajesh) September 15, 2020
4.
I'd say you are lucky then, because the vast majority of kids I have been speaking to are bored out of their skulls sitting in front of a Google Meet screen from 8 to 1PM. Most of the learning happens outside of the classroom time.
— Shantanu (@shantanub) September 15, 2020
5.
I am a tutor and both my children are in college , so I can say that it's a success (partial ) for college students and the classes from 10th ..12th that I teach because the kids are mature below that it's a complete disappointment 🙄
— samiksha mishra wadhwa (@SamikshaWadhwa) September 15, 2020
6.
My kid is bored out of her mind.
I am pained at my high energy kid looking at screens for hours, unable to interact with her classmates and listening to a one way communication with the teacher.
Her play, sports, trips to sleepovers, shopping and learning are all curtailed.
— Ladak 🌏 (@NevaStopXplorin) September 15, 2020
7.
Mam I am a teacher to 40 students and my own son appearing for grade X , experiencing both sides 1st hand I can tel you with authority, its not more than 75% satisfactory
— nj13 (@aryan3013) September 15, 2020
8.
Not a kid, but observing two cousins in primary standards that I live with: the tech curve is often too high for them and their parents too (and I guess for the teachers too). My cousins regularly end up missing notes in Google Classroom etc, the
— Aamir Siddiqui (@aamirXDA) September 15, 2020
9.
teachers don't realize they didn't completely do/upload it correctly, and the parents keep figuring out which side has missed the mark in that instance.
— Aamir Siddiqui (@aamirXDA) September 15, 2020
10.
Kid turned 4! We tried Zoom class! Waste!
NOW? Watching "Baby bus", color, play with blocks, throw baskets, recently, we fixed rusted dial calipers, b4 that we fixed my blow torch (I acknowledge our privilege & that BLOW TORCHES ARE NOT suitable for 4 y.o.!
WFH mech engg style!!— Amit Ganguli (@amit_ganguli) September 15, 2020
11.
Yes in terms of only studies.. but on development front of a child is restricted.. hats off to all #teacher s patience. Dealing with 6yrs olds online is not a joke
— Beingnormalman (@beingnormalman) September 15, 2020
12.
I have teacher and student at my home. And I know the struggle both are facing everyday. But that's how it is. School Management / Parents are in tricky situation of co-existence. Do not disturb it. https://t.co/vHtA7jhI2d
— Par!x!t (@parixit111) September 15, 2020
13.
A big NO!!! I've hell of stories and nightmares the kid nd I going through it daily https://t.co/X6QQuaSunV
— Saraswathi Bhamidi (@Withnocondition) September 15, 2020
14.
It's only a stop gap. It's not great by any measures. Covering the syllabus is only one thing. Classroom discipline, social interaction, dealing with a bad teacher or class mate, rushing to make it on time all is lost. I speak as a father of 2 girls…
— Dinesh Rathi (@dineshsrathi) September 15, 2020
15.
No, not at all,children need to play, share tiffins, fight with each other & many more things for their growing up.
We the parents who once tried to keep smartphones away from them r now willingly giving it.#OnlineEducation is not the solution.
Exclusion is also another problem.— Citizen Suman sengupta সুমন #IfWeDoNotRise (@sumonseng) September 15, 2020
16.
Yes, in the case of my 7 yr old, because it’s also given me the opportunity to give her a great offline education by moving to our farm.
— Gauri Devidayal (@gauridetails) September 15, 2020
Some also highlighting that the problems of a large number of students go unheard on social media due to the lack of technological resources made available to them. There have been plenty of instances where kids, especially from rural areas, have had to go through uncomfortable lengths to attend these classes in the first place.
Is online education the only safe way to go forward or should there be other alternatives? What do you think of this issue? Tell us!