Although it has been years since Covid essentially shut down schools, many public education institutions are still conducting lessons strictly online. Virtual learning is a great tool, but some schools have decided to open up their doors again and have school in-person. If your kid’s school is debating whether it should open back up or stay online, here are some items to consider.
Social Interaction
One of the few, but obvious, consequences of having online learning, is the social interaction that your child may miss out on. Having all their learning and schoolwork strictly online means they don’t have any in-person interactions with their classmates. They may have video and audio with their lessons, but it is still a different experience than having their teachers and fellow students right next to them.
It can only be a negative of online learning if your child doesn’t have any other interactions, but it is something that can be easily fixed. Many parents find extracurricular activities, such as sports and hobbies their kids are interested in, to help boost their social interactions. As long as kids are still able to interact with kids their age and have those opportunities to hang out with classmates and friends, the cons of online learning dramatically decrease.
Accessibility
One major positive of online learning is the fact that any kid anywhere can access the schoolwork at home. They don’t face any accessibility challenges, such as getting to a bus or not having enough resources for books and supplies, to attend classes and learn. Kids that are in remote places can attend online and be able to participate. Or if there are physical barriers that are keeping a child from attending in-person learning, being able to go online and access the schoolwork can make a huge impact on their learning and studying.
Cost
Another great aspect of online learning is the overall cost. It takes very little to incorporate online learning, especially since a lot of schools already put in the cost and effort of getting it set up in the first place, like supplying laptops or tablets or getting the kids set up at home. With students learning at home, it takes away the need for school buses, and heating or cooling of the school. It also impacts their food budget and how many staff they have on school property.
Depending on what your children’s school is debating, it’s good to know the facts and how it can impact your kids’ school and home life. Make sure you are having your voice heard either way!
Katie Kyzivat