Many schools are finding that teaching in lockdown is bringing about a paradigm shift. Teachers who were skeptical about tech are now – some them – getting expert at it. Children who thought that computers were fun are now getting thoroughly sick of them …
But there is another change, and that is among parents. Many of them are witnessing online learning being done well; and this is going to break down the resistance of parents to online teaching even in school contexts. Many commentators in educationa re predicting that in future all schools will want to integrate 100% internet-based learning, with online teaching, into their curricula.
There are two reasons one for this. One is that it will enable them to broaden their curriculum and also to take fewer financial risks on staff costs. Secondly, children used to internet-based learning in one or two subjects are the ones who have adapted best to lockdown … they know the ropes. Epedemiologists are no telling us that we can expect to have Coronavirus with us for some time, and can expect extended periods of lockdown in the future. We need to be able to adapt so that this highly stuctured, but very flexible way of learning will not take us all by surprise next time. Children need to be comfortable and happy with both virtual classroom and traditional classroom approaches.
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