Importance Of Internet In Education In This Pandemic Situation

Kenneth C. Danan

No access, no better education in this time of crisis.Access to the internet and digital technologies has become essential for most of us in our everyday lives. Technology enables us to work, shop, communicate and access important services. Increasingly, technology is a key enabler for the exercise and enjoyment of many human rights, in particular the right to fr eedom of expression and information.

During a public health emergency, access to the internet becomes even more of an essential tool for protecting our health as well as a range of human rights, including our social and economic rights while our everyday movements are restricted. A lack of access to the Internet significantly impacts people’s lives during this time. The Internet enables us to receive and share vital information about the pandemic and the measures being put in place to tackle it. It helps us to understand and scrutinize our governments’ actions. And with approximately 20% of the world’s population social distancing or living under quarantine conditions, technology helps us to work, shop and communicate. A number of daily activities have shifted online, ranging from the provision of health services to education programmers that enable home schooling.

The novel corona virus pandemic is requiring many people to work or study from home, which means that internet connectivity has become a paramount issue in the daily lives of millions of people around the world. The corona virus pandemic is forcing all countries—rich and poor, developed and developing—to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. As workplaces close and governments encourage people to stay at home, access to the internet can make a life-or-death difference, simultaneously providing opportunities and challenges.

The shift to online learning further exposes gaps in internet connectivity.

“Nearly 90% of the world’s children are out of school. Even in developed countries, educators are struggling to shift to online education. The pandemic has underscored the need for widespread connectivity to schools and homes.

A better understanding of the constraints that exist, greater investment in connectivity, and better planning for distance learning can help address current needs and improve education in the future.

The COVID-19 has resulted in schools shut all across the world. Globally, over 1.2 billion children are out of the classroom.As a result, education has changed dramatically, with the distinctive rise of e-learning, whereby teaching is undertaken remotely and on digital platforms.

Research suggests that online learning has been shown to increase retention of information, and take less time, meaning the changes corona virus have caused might be here to stay. With this sudden shift away from the classroom in many parts of the globe, some are wondering whether the adoption of online learning will continue to persist post-pandemic, and how such a shift would impact the worldwide education market.

In response to significant demand, many online learning platforms are offering free access to their services. What does this mean for the future of learning?While some believe that the unplanned and rapid move to online learning – with no training, insufficient bandwidth, and little preparation – will result in a poor user experience that is unconducive to sustain growth, others believe that a new hybrid model of education will emerge, with significant benefits. “I believe that the integration of information technology in education will be further accelerated and that online education will eventually become an integral component of school education.

The author is Teacher

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I at Calangain ES Lubao West District