Kindergarten, Preschool, and Elementary School are one of the most fun and carefree times when in school. There are not many deadlines, activities are fun to do, classes are always for leisure learning, friendships are formed, and time management isn’t always a problem. The character build of a child often happens during kindergarten to elementary. These years are crucial to the growth and state of mind of a person. But due to the rapid growth and advancement of technology, daily activities like going to school has been moved to online and home-based learning. It can be beneficial especially during pandemics and limited interaction of out of home activities. Though it is beneficial, there can be some downsides to this adjustment and program.
The UST preschool offers physically present classes that ensures the holistic development of the child in the aspects of mental, physical, moral, spiritual, and psychological. A few more insights on the pros and cons of online schooling for primary education are listed below.
- Class Schedule Is Flexible
Classes can be moved to a more suitable time for the enrolled child and guardian depending on their schedule and the pace of the child in learning. Modules, learning materials, and activities are provided through online communication with the school or teacher. The use of modules and reduced use of school facilities lessens the UST tuition fee paid yearly or quarterly. Furthermore, parents or guardians can focus on teaching and helping their children work their way through the module. This also serves as a bonding time or a fun and beneficial way to spend the day.
- Safety And Security
Safety and security while learning at home is ensured for pupils and their worrying parents or guardians. Home-based learning reduces the risk of common security issues for pupils like bullying, playground accidents, and even exposure to unwanted diseases. Another reduced factor is the pressure of learning, without other students to compare their status with, they can freely learn at their own pace. This is helpful for students with an erratic schedule due to miscellaneous activities like engaging in sports or participation in entertainment business.
- Less Social Interaction
Lessened social interaction is beneficial for pupils during a pandemic where unwanted diseases are greatly avoided especially when out of home activities are restricted. But during pandemic less days, less social interaction also lessens the social development skills of a child. Staying at home every day during learning with no other pupil to interact and play with can cause a huge impact on the interaction skills of a child. Some characteristics and values are best learned during social interaction, but these can not be developed well during online learning programs.
- Technical Difficulties
Adapting to a new learning program or shifting from physical classes to online classes can be a big change. Some might experience technical difficulties due to internet connection problems or lack of mobile devices to access learning materials. The Sto. Tomas University in Bicol has helped their students transition into a new approach to learning. But this can be a downside for children enrolled in online learning that has little to no supervision during classes. They can easily skip class and reason out poor internet connection even though it is not a fact.
Final Word
Even the UST graduate school offers online courses for their students, physical classes has been moved to online meetings. The traditional and online way of learning both has its benefits and downsides, it all depends on the adjustment and adaptation of the student to fully utilize the learning program.
