SCHOOL CHILDREN IN E-CAMPUS - NEW INSIGHT

Abstract

Introduction: The current pandemic has affected the education of children in an unprecedented way. Children are not able to go to school and in a short span of time schools have tried to come up with online teaching methods which have not been validated. This study was undertaken to assess children's viewpoint on this new mode of teaching. Aims: The primary objective of the present study was to assess the clarity, logical flow and effectiveness of online teaching learning in middle school and high school students. The secondary objective was to assess the student satisfaction after 6 months of online teaching. We also wanted to identify the mental health of students after e-learning. Methodology: After obtaining consent from parents and school principal, a questionnaire on new learning method and the ease of understanding was shared with students in google form.Their responses were assessed in various dimensions. Results: Students felt lonely and tired at the end of e-learning sessions. They felt that they are missing on co-curricular and extracurricular activities. There was difficulty in falling asleep and missing of peer groups. Conclusions: E –learning is the need of the hour. Despite user ease and accessibility, e–learning cannot completely replace in-campus learning. Multiple aspects of student mental health are being compromised in a pure e-learning school. Blended learning is a useful modality and its implications remain to be analyzed.