Is online class program effective?

Today, sister in law visits our house with her children. There are three of them, the kids play with my daughter.

Sister inlaw comes her for purpose, she doesn't know how to install the Zoom meeting app on her laptop. She's a teacher and they're having a conference learning meetings regarding online classes.

So I helped her to install and help her joined the meeting conference if I didn't help her she could've missed their meetings.

This online class program is a bit hassle for those who don't know much how to use technology, especially to the older teachers who can't understand the process. Vice versa with the students, it's very unfortunate for the less fortunate people who don't have any gadgets to use and a strong Internet connection.

This pandemic shows how powerful technology is, you can still access everything by using it. But some didn't even know how to use it, everything can be learned but for old people, it's a bit hassle because they have to learn and adopt again.

Pros of the online class program

• Transportation hassle-free- you can save gas if you have a car or any means mobile transportation if you are a commuter you can save transportation fees, for not reporting every day.

• Traffic jam-free- you are free from traffic if you are in the city that has traffic issues.

• More Time to relax, you can relax more because you don't have to be exposed long in traffic.

• Safer to avoid the virus, staying at home is highly recommended to be safer not to be infected by deadly coronavirus disease

Cons of the online class program

• Additional expenses- engaging online class you will have more expenses like you have to buy gadgets or laptops for Zoom online class if you haven't any of this. Strong Internet connection, both teachers and students must have a strong Internet connection to avoid connection interruption during the zoom class. This means those who have not yet brought Wifi must have their own, the data connection may be insufficient for providing a good connection.

• Those students who belong to the poorest of the poor cannot join the online class because they cant provide the two important tools needed, the internet connection and the gadgets.

• Quality education learnings- we cannot assure the quality of learnings due to lack of physical interactions teachers will not be prompt if the students are listening well. Learning activities might be done by parents, not by the students. Those who are eager to learn will only have the quality because not all students are eager to have excellent grades.

Two choices of classes (in our country)

1. Online Class- for those who can afford the tools can avail this education program

2. Manual Program - this is for those who can't afford the online class wherein students will still go to school or the guardian of the students to get the manual printed handbooks or any materials provided by the DepEd.

In manual classes, students will be exposed going to school which we cant assure its safety from the deadly virus. Especially the grade-schoolers we cant assure they will follow safety measures and social distancing.

Because of this many parents are in doubt to enroll their kids, some of them didn't even enroll at all. According to them, they will let this school year pass to ensure the kid's safety.

Due to this crisis, some schools demanded to increase their tuition to support their employee's salaries because of funds problems.

Now, will online class program effective?

If this crisis will stay long, education is for fortunate people only, less fortunate will not be interested in education anymore. When will be back to normal? I guess new normal will only favor those who have saved for the rainy days. This crisis teaches us to save and invest for the future. Because tomorrow, is never a promise.