School
administration and government bodies have started preparing mentally to draw
out a plan to open learning institutions. Some schools are functional but with
government-enforced guidelines and extreme preventive measures.
The
situation is similar all over the world, and everyone is wondering what will
post covid-19 school life look like. By keeping the trends and innovations in
education technology, the article aims to showcase the pointers that will best
define post-pandemic school life.
Let'sget
started.
Adjusting to the new normal
Adjusting
to the new model will play a significant role in determining post-covid school
life. The infrastructure of the school will observe an innovation to deploy
preventive measures.
For
example, innovation in architecture will see a boost in managing a large number
of students. Moreover, the interior layout will be different to employ social
distancing. A classroom that has a capacity of holding 30 students will have
only about half of that.
The
schools will aim to use natural air and ventilation, rather than depending on
mechanical air conditioning. More importantly, where the classes are being held
will be a crucial topic of discussion. Apart from modifying the interior
layout, teachers will try to conduct practical activities on open ground or
terraces.
Effective precautionary measures
Students
will have to learn to adhere to precautionary measures. Before entering school,
they will have to go through a hand sanitising process, disinfecting the shoes,
and regular temperature checks. For instance, GIIS
School Bangalore has
deployed sanitising stations, desk shields, and measures to avoid student
grouping.
Moreover,
deploying effective precautionary measures will mean extra vigilance from the
teacher. Young learners have close contact with peers, and older students may
find it troubling to adhere to the standards. By keeping all these essentials
in mind, the teacher's role in overseeing the learners will be different and
more intensive.
E-learning
Covid-19
has ungloved vulnerabilities in all spheres of life. But we have been able to
mitigate its effects with the use of technology, especially in learning.
Schools, students, teachers, and parents have understood the benefits of
e-learning. So, it is safe to say that it is here to stay, even in the post
covid world.
We
may observe schools utilising a blended approach to interweave virtual learning
with classroom education. Or using technology to conduct a parent-teacher
meeting. Post covid-19, innovation will lead to working out the tweaks by Ed-tech
companies and schools.
Temperature
checks
Support for students
After
being stuck in homes for months, students will join school once again. But they
will require extra support to this shift in paradigm. Learners spent their days
looking at the screen of their laptop, mobile phones, and televisions. They had
little or no time to play outside and face to face interaction with their
peers.
Moreover,
students of various ages will have completely different problems after moving
to school. For instance, young students are close to their families as the
parents continue to work from home. Transformation to regular classes may cause
separation anxiety. Or, staying away from home for a more extended period can
become a problem. To deal with all these issues, students will need support
from the teachers and parents.
A new role for teachers
2020
served up new challenges for the teachers, and it is safe to say that they
dealt with the problems heroically. After the move to classrooms, 'teachers'
work will be even more crucial than before. They will have new roles lined up
to ensure the development of the students.
With
new preventive measures in place, teachers will have the new role of ensuring
the learners' social and mental well-being. The part of the teachers will
revolve around identifying gaps and developing teaching strategies to tackle
new problems. It can include training, peer-to-peer learning, and collaboration
with other teachers, and much more.
The enhanced role of parents
The
parents' role will matter even more to streamline the return to school
post-covid-19, and they will assume their newfound responsibilities. For
instance, incorporating a ''leading with an example approach'' will help
learners adapt to the new normal.
Young
minds have a curious take on multiple things. More importantly, they imitate
their elders, so it will help to demonstrate the dos and don'ts to inculcate
the precautionary measures correctly.
During
the re-coronavirus period, the focus was on developing teachers, modifying
curriculum, and other factors. But recently, professionals in the educational
field have started thinking about the involvement of parents in an
unprecedented manner. The lockdown forced the learners to stay at home and
bolster the participation of the parents. Even after the pandemic, parents will
have a new role to collaborate with the teachers to ensure the learners'
holistic development.
Conclusion - Collective Effort
In the above article, we discussed multiple factors that gave us a glimpse into post-covid-19 school life. But the teachers, students, and parents will have to work together to streamline schools' opening. All the parties will have an equal responsibility and hope for a better future for young minds.