E-learning ineffective and inadequate: Study

BENGALURU: A study conducted by Azim Premji University described the norm of online education in the pandemic as ineffective and inadequate towards a child’s development. The study titled ‘Myths of Online Education’ was conducted across five states, covering 1,522 schools and 80,000 students in total. The study found that an overwhelming majority of the teachers and parents want children to return to schools with necessary safety protocols.

The research team that conducted the study noted the ineffectiveness of remote learning in providing meaningful learning opportunities and the exclusion of majority of children due to poor access. More than 80 per cent of the teachers surveyed, expressed lack of emotional connect with children during online classes. More than 90 per cent of the teachers were found to believe that no meaningful assessment of children’s learning was possible during online classes. The study also found professional frustration in teachers because of this new norm.

Almost 70 per cent of the parents in the survey were found to be of the opinion that online classes are not at all effective for their children. More than 60 per cent children are unable to access online education opportunities, reasons including lack of smartphones or network. Teachers also reported in the survey that around 90 per cent of the children with disabilities are unable to participate in online classes.

Anurag Behar, Vice chancellor, Azim Premji University, commented, “Online education is ineffective because of the basic nature of education, and not merely because of lack of access to the net and online resources, especially for school-age children.”