It is coming as a good news that many schools in the country are starting online classes. But the million dollar question is, will this really able to reach 100% parents. Whom will these online classes reach? How will the poor labourers pay for smartphones, internet who generally don't need a smartphone for their profession.
In the current situation when poor have no money to eat, how they can afford online resource. When they have more than 3 children, how will they cater to all the children at a time. How will they install a particular mobile app which requires a smart phone when majority of them do not know what's a multimedia or an android enabled phone? Forget about what 'apple' is.
They generally use basic phones and they mostly know only how to dial and recieve a call. One may fact check this with the immediate plumber, bricklayer or housemaid who work for you regularly, or you know anyone around you.
Are we expecting that we are completely a digital ones. On the otherhand, having a smartphone does not mean that they know how to utilize it. There is something called 'technology handicapped', these are the people who are highly educated, but feel helpless with technology.
There is one more thing called 'Technology Illiteracy'. It is a level of very reduced or nonexistent knowledge on the handling and use of tools, such as basic computer programs, Internet use, and so on.
There is a very different concept of people and technology called, 'Luddite'. It is now a blanket term used to describe people who dislike new technology.
Those who are running the schools cannot blindly impose technology on people. We cannot forget that we are also serving the rural and the poor of our country. There is lakhs of migrant population which is still on roads, hoping way back home. They are still without food and water, hundreds of miles to go?
This is the time to embrace technology as well as draw plans to reach children whose parents are still out of technology usage. Ex: can we connect with these parents through SMS, and regular calls.
The parental involvement and support for online classes depends upon the class the child is studying in. More parent support is needed at preschool until around grade 5. After that, higher the classes, lesser the dependency on parents.
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This is the time to embrace technology as well as draw plans to reach children whose parents are still out of technology usage. Ex: can we connect with these parents through SMS, and regular calls.
The parental involvement and support for online classes depends upon the class the child is studying in. More parent support is needed at preschool until around grade 5. After that, higher the classes, lesser the dependency on parents.
For parents with no technology knowledge we can create simple browser links to access lesson plans without login or password. If there is password it should be simple abc or 123 (yes there is a concept of data security, but there is also a concept of confidential and non confidential data).
Technology is to make people's life simple. Let's simplify life through technology.
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Be healthy, Be safe, Be home. Help more.
Contributed by:
Maaz Mohammed AQ
Founder @ CLF India.1