Survey Results: Parent feedback on online classes for 5 to 14 year olds

It has been over 5 months that the schools are closed in many places due to COVID-19 and the classes are online. We collected feedback from parents of children between 5 to 14 year olds on the effectiveness of online classes in kids’ learning. The objective of the survey was to understand the online teaching -learning method and is there a way in which we (as a community) can help in creating a better, more enjoyable experience for both the teachers and the students.

The survey questionnaire had four multiple choice and one descriptive question.

61 responses from 6 countries (Bahrain 1, England 1, India 7, Malaysia 32, Singapore 1, and USA 19) were received. The results are published as pie charts for the multiple choice along with opinion related to a question if it was received as an answer for question no 5. The opinions are published as received without any editing except for spelling corrections.

Q1. Do the kids enjoy online classes more than school?

Subjective feedback received for Q5 that can be relates to this question :

1. Lack of discipline among students
2. e-learning with elementary school means the parent sitting with the child the entire time. Not possible to work.

 

Q2. Is the screen time in online classes a concern for you?

Subjective feedback received for Q5 that can be relates to this question :

1. Long screen time and sometimes kids use headset, which in the long run might affect their ears too.
2. Eye strain has become high and chances of having optical glasses will be more.
3. Not very effective. Big Health risk.

 

Q3. To what extent do you think online classes are effective?

Subjective feedback received for Q5 that can be relates to this question :

1. Sometimes the teaching is very fast. Not adequate time is given to copy the notes.
2. Kids tend to become less attentive and they don’t understand so clearly what they are supposed to do and parents needs to be right next to the child for the entire session.
3. The online sessions can’t create the learning atmosphere (as in school). It’s difficult for the teacher to give individual attention. Interactive group sessions also not possible to a satisfactory level. The eye contact can’t b established. Online sessions is a good provisional option but not a substitute to school.
4. Concept clarity in students is not successfully achieved. Doubts solving session is not conducted. Teacher cannot cater to students with varying range of attention spans, level of grasping and learning.
5. Hard to focus on current format.
6. For younger kids they get distracted online training. Their ability to focus continuously on a screen is very limited.
7. It has been effective. But, I have noticed that a few times kids have started to chat which sometimes distracts the children from the subject. This has reduced but kids still chat. Otherwise, it is a great method for kids to study.
8. My child is learning more with a distraction free environment, but the lack of interaction on a daily basis has been hard mentally and socially. More daily interaction, even with classmates would be helpful.

Q4. What new method would you /your kid like in order to improve the learning experience?

a. Project with friends / peers

b. Do it yourself kits related to the study subject

c. Audio lessons

d. Computer aided tests / exams / quizzes

e. None of these, existing system is great

f.  Other: Please specify

Oher ideas to improve the teaching – learning experience, parents have suggested following ideas: Less screen time. Rest split into group projects and quizzes, printed material to accompany the videos (especially for kids with special needs), one-on-one tutoring, more teaching aids like more elaborated slides for explaining a new topic…. more solved examples in Math topics

Q5. Any observations / likes / dislikes with the current system that you would like to share?

1. Kids like to go to school n learn cos school has proper environment n they learn many things with practical experience
2. We are in public charter school (Summit) so they pivoted pretty fast to help kids maintain their grades and interactions
3. It’s very important to introduce technology to the learning system and expose our kids to the latest developments happening around the world. But, at the same time it is equally important to introduce sports and socially engaging activities to them where they can exchange, compete and assist each other and learn various aspects of life too. Organizations that are thinking to develop systems in this space must consider both the avenues and then build a sustainable educational system.
4. As per kids safety online classes are good.
5. Projects with friends and social- emotional development is missing! Rest all good.
6. Online classes or offline classes we are still putting our kids in the rat race. Not giving them time to be themselves.
7. There is lot of disadvantage with current online system, yet we are not ready to send kids to school until we know we are in safe environment.
8. The current online learning system is not in fact a learning system. A teacher should be online daily giving actual instruction for assignments rather than one a week for 30min and giving a weeks worth of work where the children/parents need to look up and research how to get things done or follow a PowerPoint. Honestly, I feel that it has been more “self taught” than online learning. Not very efficient at all. Much more engagement and hands on needs to come from the teacher as well as projects/assignments with peers in groups.
9. I think we all need to invest in better technology – whether it be cameras, lighting or mics. Even electronic while boards if need be. Without those, we really are limited in how much learning actually happens. We also need to encourage sharing our videos because without those it will become very hard to make social connections.
10. Like : safety of staying and learning at home. Dislike: long screen hours for children, Unable to understand and identify the talents of the kids by the teacher ( those who are having the skill).
11. Current system is improving with time and India is becoming global, but costs are pretty high and not worth considering the return. Reason behind this is may be govt. withdrawing from education system and private sector is money oriented. So we should have a fair system for all class of society from rural to urban to metro!!
12. I felt that there could have been more teacher instruction for the younger child. Classroom meets were really geared toward socializing and sharing (which was also great), but the academic instruction came mainly from various websites. My older child had excellent instruction each day, but for a short period of time. He was basically done with all of his work in under 3 hours every day.
13. Kids will like virtual learning more if they’ve live interaction with the teacher and their peers while following the school schedule.With current setting there is no structure and time manner.
14. I would like more Social Studies and Science. I would also like more school.
15. While online classes is currently taken as there is no option, however in long term it should be kept for emergency only. If it is made as way of life then it will have undesirable effects especially on children in their initial age.
16. Children play Games on computers and addicted.
17. Too many same emails floating around and many lost emails in the process. Possibly due to teachers who are non-tech.

P.S. : Ideas for education without screens- https://youtu.be/bn6btx4IMdY