Has the pandemic brought us together?
The distances have reduced, everyone – professionally and personally is just a zoom call/ gmeet call away. We are so well connected with people around the globe. We hear adults say – “ I connected with my school time friends, we have now made a whatsapp group”
The kids would say:
“ All my classmates have formed a group on skype”
“Ma, Annya baked cookies today”
“Athrav learned to play chess on an online platform”
“Dad, did you know Samaira has joined online tennis classes”
They know everything that is happening with their friends sitting far away from them.
Yes!! Everything is now a click away. Early 2019 born kids also know how to join online classes, when and how to turn their camera off and put their microphones on mute, and even click on airplane mode to tell their teachers that the internet went off.
The teachers who could not use technology earlier have started using their phones/ tablets to take classes. The lessons taught all integrate the use of technology. We all see that we are together and maintaining good relationships with a bigger set of people in these days of social distancing.
Kids are growing up to attend virtual school and all sorts of online classes. We as adults and teachers have been trying to give them all possible platforms to ensure that learning does not stop and we cater to their emotional togetherness. With all the efforts and goodwill and best intention that goes into the development of the child,
A few points to ponder:
- Are we there with them emotionally?
- Has this become a practice for the sake?
- Is true learning happening?
- Are all learners able to cope up?
- Are we still able to connect with them?
- Do we understand their mental health?
As educators, are we just not focussing on giving them the best resources and experience so that they can cope with the virtual world and learning continues? No doubt that the educators are burning the midnight oil for their learners, however, are we able to spend time looking at their emotional requirements? Are we focused on spreading this mental health awareness? These are kids who are not growing up with their peers – they are not learning the natural way, circumstances are making them learn.
There is no right or wrong to the practices that the educators are following, each one is trying to do the best, and kudos to educators who have adapted and been able to bring about this change for the sake of child development. However, in this attempt, let us not risk emotional togetherness over the idea of the best classroom experience. Let us continue to make communication with friends and family a first tool to their mental and emotional wellbeing.
Classroom experience automatically enhances when we are emotional with them.
Our motive – “Our learners, our priority !!”
Ruchira
