The coronavirus has changed the way we live. Schools, malls, and churches are closed. Students are forced to attend online classes. Distance learning is slowly becoming the 'new normal.'
However, for some parents, this should not be the case.
For Sarah Parcak, an archeologist and professor at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, distance learning is not working.
In her Twitter account, Parcak wrote, "The thought of homeschooling makes me want to barf. Our goal is to have our son come out of this happy and not be long-term emotionally scarred (lord knows life will do that anyway)"
It went on as a Twitter thread where Parcak also explained that she and her husband work full time and split household duties at the same time.
This tweet from Parcak gained attention online as parents were able to relate to what she shared.
One Twitter user, named Alex Nicholson, shared her Kindergartener's home curriculum. It was seen there that most of the activities require a printer, which they do not have. That is the reason why she chose to quit homeschooling for her child.
Parcak and Nicholson are not alone in thinking that distance learning is making things difficult for parents. Those who do not have a stable Internet connection at home share the same sentiments. Some parents even had to drive their kids to an area where there is a stable Internet connection.
We just wrote a hard email. I told our son’s (lovely, kind, caring) teacher that, no, we will not be participating in her “virtual classroom”, and that he was done with the 1st grade. We cannot cope with this insanity. Survival and protecting his well being come first. — Sarah Parcak (@indyfromspace) April 8, 2020
What Do Education Experts Think?
According to experts, Parcak has a point. The dean of the University of South Carolina College of Education, Jon Pedersen, said that the top priority and concern of parents nowadays is the anxiety and stress that kids are probably having.
Pederson also pointed out that inevitably, there will be a lag in the learning of the kids. Although it should also be noted that all kids are experiencing a 'lag' and whatever is missed by students must be addressed by schools in the next year.
Another education expert, Kelly Wickham Hurst, said that the pressure on parents and kids has become overwhelming that it has to change fast. Hurst also believes that the child's social and emotional needs must be the priority at the moment.
Despite the disparities that are pointed out during this pandemic, Pederson is hopeful that this will cause authorities to do something to ensure that all students have equal access to the same learning opportunities.
This is my Kindergarteners home school curriculum. And nearly everything requires a printer, which we don’t have. We quit. pic.twitter.com/8ezLMZs1MY — Alex Nicholson (@AlexinBos) April 8, 2020
What will happen if parents opt out of distance learning for kids?
According to the US Department of education, students might have to repeat a grade. A spokesperson of the department of education said in an interview that they understand that this is a challenging time. Still, the decision about promoting students is ultimate with the state and local authorities. What department is trying to do right now is to extend all kinds of resources and flexibility so that learning will not be stopped.
In some districts, the attempt to close the gap by providing hard copies of materials. Some schools also intend to extend the school year or at least start the school year in summer, if possible.
