More than a year after the start of the pandemic, the world is slowly starting to return to normal. Vacation destinations are loosening up restrictions. There’s a new concert or event announced every other day. Some countries are no longer requiring their citizens to wear masks. Of course, it’s not just these parts of everyday life that were affected. One of the biggest question marks this time last year was the impact of restrictions on education.
Schools around the world have adjusted to the pandemic by turning to technology. In some countries, it’s become part of the classroom. Some parts of the U.S. and Spain have adapted a hybrid model. It’s where students split their time between online classes and in-person instruction. For other countries like South Korea, the response to the coronavirus pandemic was remote learning to curb the wave. While online classes may not be the solution for everyone, there are still some changes that are worth keeping.
Here’s how schools can still use tech effectively even after the pandemic:
Communication
Even if you completely wipe off COVID-19 from the face of the Earth, there will still be other illnesses. It’s especially prevalent in schools. Since young children like to touch various objects and play with several toys at home and in the day-care, it’s even more common for them. According to Stanford Children’s Health, kids, who attend day-care, get the common cold more than eight times per year.
This is where tech can help. While kids may take days or even weeks off from school due to sickness, they can still keep up to date with the class. Their teachers can upload activities, readings, and other assignments on the school site. Then, the student can log on and do everything at home. This way, neither the teacher nor the student has to rely on other students or parents to deliver the news. It prevents miscommunication and time delays.
Besides communication with the students, it can also improve information exchanges with parents. Some guardians may not be technologically adept. They may not know how to navigate through modern apps or complex school sites. This can be solved with quality video production. A good how-to video of what to click and what to type can clear any communication gap with people of all ages.
Quality
Before anything else, the quality of education is the focus of schools across the globe. The location or the language doesn’t matter as long as the students are learning what they’re supposed to. This goal can be achieved more effectively and efficiently using tech.
A study has found that the majority of the population is visual learners. This means that most students learn concepts and ideas better by seeing them in action. Today, educators can take advantage of this by using images and videos in class. Instead of relying on books, they can supplement the lessons using vivid visuals. This is especially helpful in topics where words aren’t the best way for learners to grasp concepts. For example, the students are from a country with a moderate climate. This means that the most extreme weather hazard they’ve ever experienced is the occasional heatwave or snowfall. In such instances, words on a textbook can’t effectively show what a hurricane or tornado is. But with videos of real-life incidents, they can see how powerful weather disturbances are. Teachers can show them what to do in such situations, so they’ll know how to handle them in the future.
Technology isn’t just useful for older kids. It can be used for younger children as well. A study by the Florida International University has found that educational apps can be used to support learning early language and math skills. However, this approach works best with young kids still in day-care.
Progressive
Schools are meant to prepare their students for their future. It would be both impractical and unrealistic if it doesn’t involve tech in one way or another. Nearly every job requires some use of devices and computers.
The good part about it is that schools can hone kids’ tech skills early on. Not every student has access to the latest tablet or computer. Schools can teach them how to maximize the internet by gathering information. They can learn how to differentiate real news from fake which is very important in today’s world.
Remote learning may not be the answer for everyone, but tech does have a place in education. It can make the teachers and the students’ lives easier. The challenge is that it should be used correctly and safely.
