Parent's Perception of online Study
Online study is relatively a new concept for Nepal which is being widely used as an educational platform now with the outbreak of Covid 19 and lockdown. Many schools, colleges, universities have been practicing online study in the present and have shifted from traditional classroom teaching to a more digitalized platform, online teaching in order to continue providing education to their students. With more and more online classes being conducted, it seems like this lockdown has definitely welcomed the digital transformation in Nepal’s education system
While online classes might seem easier and flexible, it might have some cons on its own. However, if some necessary changes are brought in the way of conducting online classes, this could be a great medium for learning.
I interviewed two different parents Mrs.Luba Pradhananga and Mrs.Supriya Shakya. Mrs. Luba Pradhananga is a mother of two and Mrs. Supriya Shakya has a 3 year old daughter. Let’s have a look at what they have to say about online study and get a deeper understanding about parent’s perception of online study.
(Before we continue, let’s keep in mind that it’s just their perception and everyone has their own perceptions.)
What do you think about online classes that are being conducted? How effective do you think online classes are?
I believe that Coronavirus has affected many lives and economic condition, not all people can afford online classes due to low income. Talking about the effectiveness, I think it depends on children’s age group. I have a little 3 years old daughter and in my experience, she cannot concentrate on her classes as she is too little to take such classes. But I think that it’s okay for the age group above 8 years as they can understand more.
Online classes would require a lot of resources such as an uninterrupted Wi-Fi connectivity, phones or laptops which function at a good speed. Has this created any economic burden?
Yes, it definitely has created some burden for us as we’re not getting quality internet connection due to which we get interrupted in class. Due to this pandemic, we are not able to go to the office regularly and it has affected our income.
Having virtual classes for too long would increase screen time and too much screen time can cause problems for children. How do you feel your kid studying for hours from their device? Has it caused any health issues?
Yes, virtual classes for too long can cause problems for children mentally and physically both. It’s not easy to stay at a particular place for a long time. Talking about my kid, she runs here and there during her class. Long timings definitely affect students’ eyes who have to stay on the screen for a long time.
How effective do you think online classes have been in keeping your children engaged in learning?
Online class for my 3 year old kid I feel is just ‘okay’ as if this class goes throughout the year, my kid might not get good understanding of subject matters that she could have gotten from in-person learning. As per my kid, I think online class might not give academic education because parents might not have ideas like the teachers who can practically demonstrate the teachings as she is too little to learn just from online class.
What are your recommendations for better effective online classes?
Firstly, the online class would be better result only if there’s a good internet connection. Secondly, it must be affordable for all kinds of people and the class must be conducted according to children’s age group; not all can understand through limited period of time.
What do you think about online classes that are being conducted? How effective do you think online classes are?
I think online classes during this lockdown are a very good strategy which enhances student’s knowledge and doesn’t let them just sit and waste their time at homes. I think online classes are effective in expensive schools and colleges but sadly, this might not be the case everywhere; small schools and colleges who have students with a little poor financial background are for sure getting a lot of difficulties coping with this online classes system.
Online classes would require a lot of resources such as an uninterrupted Wi-Fi connectivity, phones or laptops which function at a good speed. Has this created any economic burden?
Yes, for sure this has created a lot of problems in many families. Due to lockdown all foods and electronics price has been inflated. To survive has been a difficult task for us. As such in addition to this buying a new laptop, new Wi-Fi connection, etc have become a big burden and a matter of stress to us.
Having virtual classes for too long would increase screen time and too much screen time can cause problems for children. How do you feel your kid studying for hours from their device? Has it caused any health issues?
Watching my child in computer, mobile screen for a long time obviously makes me worry about their eyes and health. It feels good that they are at least studying rather than making tiktoks or wasting time playing Pubg. But I only think online classes are good for a short run time period until lockdown and not for long run as our child's eyes and health may have some consequences through it.
How effective do you think online classes have been in keeping your children engaged in learning?
I think online classes have successfully made our children engaged in studying in fun manner. It’s fun until now and they have been busy in it but I am very sure it won’t be as it is in very future. They will start getting bored of these online lectures and just keep in mute. For a lockdown period, yes online classes have made our children engaged in good stuffs.
What are your recommendations for better effective online classes?
For the better effective online classes my recommendations are as follows:
- The classes must not be continuous like 6 or 7 hours continuous a day. There must me a time interval gaps.
- There must me two way communication between teachers and students. But the students must not interrupt teachers while they are teaching and teachers must give time to listen student’s queries too.
- Those who have difficulties to attend online classes due to any honest reasons must be provided with that recorded classes. The online class must me recorded and sent to those students.
- The fees for these online classes must me made optional for now. Those who can pay now the fees now can pay now. Also, parents should have option to pay later after the lockdown period.
