Student - teacher interaction is a key

activity in the traditional teaching

method when the teachers play a
central role. With
blended learning environment,
learners play the central role,
interaction between teacher and
students become more flexible
in many different forms
 What will be the impact of flexible classroom learning
to parents and their children?

With the onset of a global pandemic, families have adjusted to a rapid move to online
education. For many families, the shift has been difficult. Issues of accessibility have
impacted lower-income families disproportionally as they may not have access to two
requirements for online learning: high-speed internet service and a computer. 

It was revealed that parents were disturbed by the unexpected shutdown of schools and
were concerned about their children's routine. Parents were afraid that an abrupt
transition from physical to online classes, which the vast majority of students in our
country are not used to, would be a huge change for their children. The discipline that kids
learn while getting ready for school, engaging in various activities, using different methods
to learn their subjects in classes is difficult to maintain when education has become
remote. The seriousness that the physical presence of a teacher can instill in their pupils is
seemingly not possible with online learning.
 Most of the parents are concerned about their children possibly falling
behind academically due to school disruptions and online learning. Some
were concerned about their children having too much screen time while
some are concerned about their children being able to maintain social
connections and their emotional well-being.

Beyond the educational impacts of online learning are its developmental impacts.
Children learn much more than reading and math when they attend school in
person; they also learn critical social and emotional skills they’ll carry into
adulthood. As with educational performance, the switch to online education can
affect children differently. Parents are right to wonder about the impacts on the
social and emotional development of their children.

Online education doesn’t offer the same social benefits that children receive when
interacting with peers or teachers. Many parents are seeing the negative impacts of
school disruptions and switch to remote learning. Other students may welcome the
lack of social pressure that comes with online learning.

The social aspect of the classroom can be a distraction for some students and
anxiety inducing for others. Many children have flourished during online learning
because they aren’t feeling the social pressure that comes with being on campus.

In particular, children who may be the victims of bullying at school have found
online learning to be a welcome respite. Other students may feel relief from not
having the pressure to look good or meet certain social expectations, and shy or
anxious students may find it easier to reach out for teacher assistance. A lack of
social activities such as clubs or sports teams can also allow students to focus more
intensely on their schoolwork and improve their study habits.

A big question parents may be asking is what the emotional impact of online
education is on their children. The uncertainty and disruption of the pandemic,
coupled with the subsequent shift to online learning, can take an emotional toll on
children.

So when schools and businesses began shutting down in the early days of the COVID-19
pandemic, parents hastily transformed rooms in their homes to classrooms and offices.
Parents have not only shifted the space in their homes but also taken on new roles
as remote learning leaders or virtual learning teachers. Families want their children to
succeed during remote learning. These drastic changes have stressed families already
frazzled about health and financial security; however, many families are focused on
the bright side. Positives include the following:

 Parents may feel more connected to their children’s day-to-day education.

 Parents may better understand what their children are learning.
 Parents may have a stronger understanding of their children’s academic
strengths and weaknesses.
Some parents have even left their jobs to devote time to supporting their children
during online learning or supplementing school-provided lessons. When parents
and children collaborate in learning activities, bonding between parents and
children increases as they are able to spend much more time together. Such
instances allow parents to become a source of comfort in easing pain and worry
and engage in conversations with their children to help them in alleviating their
anxiety. Online schooling system with parental support guidelines could help in
improving the bond between children and their parents