The impact of remote learning on children and schoolchildren has become a source of concern for parents and the subject of interest of specialists. What are they negative effects of science in mode remote and what aspects of development do they concern? Nevertheless, can distance education prove to be a valuable experience for the future? What do we currently know about the impact of distance learning on children and how can we help our children find themselves in this situation? How to deal with the accompanying difficulties and avoid the most negative consequences?
As a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, residential school education was impossible for a long time. Negative effects of distance learning - forced by circumstances and introduced urgently - most students feel today. Although children and adolescents have returned to school, the epidemiological threat means that some of them have to be home-educated again - at least for a while. There are many indications that this form of teaching will stay with us for a longer time. That is why it is so important to be aware of the impact of remote learning on children and preventing or minimizing the negative effects associated with it. It is worth being aware that these effects apply to both physical, mental and social development.
The impact of remote learning on the psychosocial development of children and adolescents
The pandemic disrupted the school routine, the lives of children and adolescents, interfering with the roles played - a student, colleague and friend. Covid-19 has worsened the prospects of young people, causing anxiety about today and the future. The restrictions introduced along with the successive waves of the pandemic forced a change in the current functioning in everyday life, social life and the educational process. There is no doubt that all the restrictions have contributed to reducing the risk of spreading the virus, but at the same time have had a significant impact on the health of young people in many dimensions. The change in the organization of learning from stationary to remote learning, limitations in the operation of cultural and sports venues, resulted in the following:
- children had difficult contact with persons providing specialist assistance (psychologist, educator);
- they were limited interaction in relationships social (meetings with peers, direct contact with teachers);
- lengthened time spent in front of the computer.
The impact of distance learning also manifests itself through:
- limiting cultural activity children and adolescents (no excursions, school events, concerts, extracurricular activities);
- the need to stay at home, sometimes in a difficult family situation;
- no possibility to use free meals at school.
Other negative effects of distance learning
However, these are not all the negative effects of distance learning. In young people, in the wider social context, it could be caused by a pandemic imbalance in the sense of security, fear for one's own and relatives' health, as well as a growing sense of isolation.
Remote learning has become a negative experience for young people. Restriction of movement and the need to maintain social distance affect the physical health and well-being, and this is reflected in the mental functioning of children and adolescents in further steps. Loneliness, a sense of isolation, fear of losing peers, contacts, being left alone with the hardships of learning and work organization - these are just some of the sensations that may arise in young people.
Influence of distance learning on the physical development of children and adolescents
In the opinion of doctors and physiotherapists, school education carried out remotely - mainly via the Internet - may negatively affect the physical development of children and adolescents, although this impact has not yet been fully investigated.
Too much screen time
The negative effects are largely related to the extension of the time spent at the computer, tablet and / or smartphone, while limiting physical activity. Learning carried out remotely is associated with prolonged exposure to the image of a computer screen in a forced body position. It should be taken into account that while at school, students use computers and / or smartphones also after class, for entertainment - for many it is a favorite way of spending free time.
Force position during remote learning
For distance learning concentration on the content of the lesson often results in a forced position at the computer. The student sits differently at the school desk and at home in front of the screen differently. It is therefore necessary to provide the child with a suitably fitted desk and chair that will allow for posture correction during the e-lesson. When choosing furniture for a child, you should pay attention to the appropriate height of the desk top, the angle of the seat, lighting, the distance between the eyes and the screen and the angle of its inclination. Detailed recommendations can be found here.
