We are in the midst of a health situation that has impacted all aspects. The closure of schools worldwide has affected millions of children and young people in 185 countries, harming 89.4% of the planet’s student population, according to information provided by UNESCO on March 31, 2020.
We know that the coronavirus epidemic began in China, where the outbreak originated, but the speed has been so rapid that in the first weeks of March 2020, both schools and universities closed their doors, an unusual and historic event.
Jacob Kierkegaard of the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington, mentioned: “I have no data to offer, but I can’t think of any other example in modern times when advanced economies have closed schools nationwide for very extended periods.”
Thousands of schools have resorted to using technology to face this crisis and have implemented various digital options to continue teaching processes from home, thus unifying the functions of the school in one place: “the home.”
The family has been affected in many areas, the social impact on working mothers, the disadvantages in technological access in homes, to mention a few, an extensive topic to be addressed at another time.
The fact today is that most people continue their studies from home, so I will cite some of the advantages and disadvantages of this reality.
Advantages of Studying at Home
- Student responsibility is increased, as they do not depend on the school bell or the teacher’s call to attend their classes.
- Access to school materials and space improvement is usually better at home. At home, in addition to occupying a table, they can have a larger space than the one assigned in the classroom. Similarly, at home they can have access to poster boards, rulers, sheets for taking notes, which they often forget for class when they go to school. Using annexed spaces, even the floor itself, is also something that favors teaching.
- The advancement of individual goals, avoiding the pressure of competing with the rest of their class.
- School bullying is reduced, as they are not subject to their peers’ criticism about their way of dressing, speaking, and so on.
- The reduction of alliances or exclusion groups among students.
- Support among siblings in some aspects, for example, older siblings can help younger ones.
- The reduction of group disorder, with proper controls.
- Parents can become more involved in the school activities of students who require support. For example, a mother who didn’t realize her child had difficulty holding a pencil and consequently wrote slower, can help them find alternative solutions.
- Parents can see the teacher’s level of content mastery and group management, as well as supervise the information their children receive from teachers in certain areas and discuss it with their children, adapting it to their family values.
- Parents can observe:
- Learning style (student).
- Attention level (student).
- Level of commitment, among other aspects.
All this with the goal of improvement, as it can help your child, or in their case seek specialized help.
Disadvantages of Home Education
- The increase in absenteeism, in case the student stays home alone without adult supervision.
- The student’s choice of an unsuitable place to follow virtual classes, as they may take the class from places like their bedroom or even from bed.
- Student distraction derived from movement at home, noise, and so on, can affect their attention level.
- Limitations in the use of playful techniques for learning.
- Limitations in the development and correction of physical exercise in subjects that necessarily require it, such as dance, physical education, etc.
- Social isolation.
- Simultaneous supervision by parents, in case of several children working.
- Lack of direct supervision by the teacher to detect distracted students.
- The haste in selecting digital platforms (in case they did not previously have this resource) and consequently, the lack of mastery in access and navigation.
Although these are only some of the advantages and disadvantages that can be found when taking classes from home, it is worth mentioning that everything depends heavily on the economic, geographical, social, or cultural conditions of families.
For now, we know that after this, we will broaden our vision, depending on the role experienced, parent, teacher, or student.