When an unexpected epidemic continues to spread across the globe and hundreds of millions of children around the world are separated from their schools (UNESCO, 2020), an important question is how we can turn the crisis facing the education industry-the future of society-into an opportunity. On October 12, James Heckman, a Nobel Laureate in economics and professor at the University of Chicago, held an online conversation on “Global education in the Context of the Epidemic” with Dr. Chen Yidan, the founder of Tencent and founder of the Yidan Prize.
At 17 minutes and 08 seconds, Dr. Chen mentioned the role of technology in online education, and at 27 minutes and 18 seconds, Heckman said something similar. They all stressed that the development of science and technology has brought new forms and new ideas to education. In particular, due to the impact of covid-19, online education has created new opportunities and, to a certain extent, exacerbated educational inequalities between developed and less developed regions. In this context, the critical role played by the family in education deserves special attention.
As early as April this year, with the spread of covid-19, online education has become the main way of global education, which is both a new breakthrough and a new challenge. In this regard, Chen Yidan Shared his three observations and thoughts in the dialogue. First of all, the epidemic has made society fully understand the great changes brought by science and technology to education for the first time. Online education has become a new model to replace traditional education in the epidemic, which is undoubtedly a huge breakthrough.
“In the past, online education could not enter the K12 classroom. It could only play a supplementary role in school education by using the peripheral sections such as after-class tutoring, and skill training as auxiliary means. But during the epidemic, online education entered K12’s classroom for the first time, becoming a major force in education. And it’s the first time it’s been replaced more fully.”Chen says for example.
Also, “From classroom communication to homework assignments, teachers, students and parents have the first and first-hand experience of using them,” Chen said.“It‘s not easy to break out of the mainstream of education.”
Secondly, Chen stressed that the epidemic has also further widened the educational gap between less developed and more developed regions. In areas with good conditions, online education has only changed the form of education, but many areas are suffering from restrictions such as hardware conditions, and still face the problem of “yes” or “no” under the epidemic situation.
Obviously, regional economic development is not balanced, will inevitably affect the difference in the development level of online education, for economically more developed urban primary and secondary schools in both teachers or funds have a greater advantage, the development of the campus network faster. In urban areas, 65 % and 36 % of primary and secondary schools have campus networks. For primary and secondary schools in relatively poor counties and townships, the construction of campus network lags behind, with only 12% and 0.4% of secondary and primary schools having campus network in counties and below (Lu, Lun,& Liu, 2019).
On the other hand, the number of teachers engaged in online education in less developed areas is low and their level is low. There is a shortage of computer teachers in primary and secondary schools, but the shortage is particularly acute in poor areas. It is understood that a school with thousands of students has only one computer teacher teaching. In some poor villages, four primary schools have only one substitute computer teacher, and students from several schools share a computer room with only a dozen computers(Lu, Lun,& Liu, 2019).
The most important thing is that education departments and leaders should change the traditional way of thinking and realize that online education is a “learning revolution”. Therefore, they should continuously strengthen teacher training and require teachers to strengthen the level of online education literacy and the training of online education professional knowledge. Teachers should be able to make good use of the advantages of online teaching, skillfully manage the classroom teaching, recommend valuable websites for students, and explore flexible and interesting online teaching methods. Another point is to raise funds for these poor areas. In the network construction, we should follow the practical principle to avoid the waste of funds caused by greed. Chen also mentioned that some public welfare organizations have a long-term concern for vulnerable groups, so they can “check and fill gaps” in mitigating the impact of the epidemic in a more timely manner and play an important role as helpers.
Third, a significant difference between online and classroom education is that parents are more involved. Heckman also points out that online education plays a more important role in bringing more learning processes into the home. Families are the core place for children to learn knowledge and skills, so online learning in times of epidemic creates opportunities, not obstacles. However, if parents are not instructed and not involved in their children’s education, the inequality under online education may be further aggravated.
During the popularity of online courses in China, the news once reported a Chinese mother breaking down in tears while accompanying their children in online classes. Even though it’s not easy, she’s willing to do it, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to motivate her child, and most parents in China would choose to do the same as that mother.
According to Heckman, in the United States, while some educators recognize that school and family are closely linked, schools have traditionally been seen by many as the primary tool for educating children, and professional education groups and even institutions such as Senior Normal Schools encourage the separation of school and family. “They see school as one part of society and the family as another, and they don’t understand the powerful power of family participation,” Heckman said.
Heckman’s statement also struck a strong chord with Chen Yidan. “For example, if we Chinese say that a person is ill-bred, that is the greatest insult to him. What is a good family? Whether rich or poor, a good family is one that values education.”
Education is forever along with the development of the times in the progress of a topic. Now that the main educational model facing the world is online education, we should recognize its advantages and disadvantages. To explore these advantages and get more people to adapt to it, and then to improve these disadvantages, such as strengthening the popularity of online education in poverty-stricken areas. What’s important is that family education should be valued along with online education. Do not forget that parents are the first teachers for children. Isn’t it a good thing to receive knowledge and to strengthen the bonds with our families?
Lu, Z., Lun, Y., Liu, W. (2019). Current situation and Consideration of the development of network education in elementary and secondary schools in underdeveloped areas. CNKI: WanFang.
https://en.unesco.org/news/half-worlds-student-population-not-attending-school-unesco-launches-global-coalition-accelerate
Thoughtful healthcare information helps align this topic with real-world needs and outcomes.