How parents can manage work and kids’ online education.

 The Covid-19 epidemic has reshaped the education sector. Distance learning can be difficult for most students, as well as for parents they can adjust to the new normal.

The media is abuzz with articles talking about how schools and colleges have originally adapted to provide online education during the COVID-19 lockdown. There are endless debates on which online platform is more suitable for lectures, be it Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet Webinars are being organized for faculty members on ways to make their online classes more attractive. However, with attention to how educational institutions and faculty are managing their online classes, no other stakeholder in a student's education is given.

The digital divide between parents who can manage their children’s online education easily nd those who cannot, can be explored along three main dimensions.

One working parent vs two working parents.

Even when there are enough smartphones in the house to move around, if both parents are working, no adult may be available to monitor the child's online classes to ensure that They are paying attention to the teacher. Similarly, if only one parent is working, the other may be kept busy with household chores and not given enough time to monitor the child throughout the day.

The best way to deal with this problem is for parents to participate in the child's learning process. Each parent can dedicate a few hours daily when the other is busy, to ensure that they can pay attention to the child's needs while facing the pressures of work. In the case of siblings, setting a schedule and allocating time to each child can help. Alternatively, parents can interact with their employers So as to enable flexible work-in-home timing, which is goal based rather than activity based, so that they can match with their child's classes. Schools can also help parents by adjusting their needs so that classes do not conflict with their office hours, wherever possible.

One smartphone per household vs. one smartphone per family member 

Online lectures require a device that is connected to the Internet, ideally a laptop or tablet with a large screen that allows the student to easily see the teacher and their shared screen. However, most households only have access to a smartphone, which provides a low quality experience.

This problem is exacerbated when all members of an underprivileged household share only one smartphone. The parent may need the phone to make client calls or take instructions from their boss at the same time that the student's lecture is on. They need to make the tough choice of deciding whose need is more important each time.

One possible solution to this issue is for the family to purchase a very low-cost smartphone, usually priced at Rs. 2000. With lockdown and travel restrictions gradually lifted, two students from the same class could sit together to share a smartphone/device, while keeping in mind the social distinction criteria.

Small kids vs older kids

The condition also depends on the age of the child. Younger children require more advice and supervision than their older counterparts. They also have trouble staying observant for longer periods of time, when classes occur instead of live interactive sessions on screen. The situation can be particularly difficult when they are locked in a home with no physical foreplay.

Some states are also banning online classes, especially for young children, given the negative impact that long-term screenings can have on their health. While this may be true, it also makes it difficult for teachers and parents to bring education and learning into lockdown. To combat this, parents and teachers can collaborate by giving students workbooks and home-based activities that do not require access to a screen or smartphone.

Older students, though more observant, may have difficulty concentrating in a classroom if the length of time is long and the lecture is monologue and non-interactive. Parents can discuss with teachers, and help implement innovative learning methods based on their children's needs to get the most out of a classroom. Including sessions that involve student participation and activities, as well as application-based homework Where parents can help the child and interact. Parents may also request to record the lecture asynchronously for later viewing. This can work for children of all ages because it gives them the option to voluntarily join a class, making it more likely that they will pay attention.

The Covid-19 epidemic has reshaped the education sector. Distance learning can be difficult for most students, as well as for parents they can adjust to the new normal. The only way to cope with the changing times is to establish realistic expectations and maintain a balance between work and the educational needs of the child.

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