Lessons learned during online education experiences of kindergarten during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study explored the online education experiences of students, teachers and parents of kindergarten in Bangladesh during the emergency situation created by COVID-19. A qualitative research paradigm approach was followed. Students, teachers and parents of kindergartens from eight divisions of Bangladesh, one respondent of each category from each division, were selected through purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using mobile phones due to COVID-19. This study revealed that online education brought opportunities to engage students in academic activities and reduced education loss but created physical, psychological and video games addiction problems. Challenges that arose included device shortages, lack of training and technical skills, network connectivity problems, slow internet speed and the high-cost of internet data packages to implement the online education of kindergartens successfully. As the world comes out of the pandemic the learning acquired during this time informed possibilities for future online teaching in kindergarten including upskilling the early childhood workforce in this digital age.