Sumit Saurabh
Global Pandemic has written a new framework. Business models, lifestyles, and even the educational system have all undergone radical changes. Work from home, online banking, online shopping, and a slew of other notions were already in use; nevertheless, work cations, online learning, and a slew of other strange terminology grew in popularity thanks to the internet. COVID-19. These ideas became ingrained in our life, and believe me when I say that all of these changes were beyond the human mind’s comprehension. For each of us, the past two years have been extremely difficult; each day has felt like a new learning experience. The best part is that we’ve made it through, evolved in many ways, and, most importantly, learned to deal with all of the obstacles and confrontations. Despsite the fact that we were stranded at home for months, our daily supplies continued to flow. Offices were relocated to our living rooms, classrooms to bedrooms, and things slowed but did not stop. One thing that moves my heart as I sit and reflect on the previous two years is that I have truly experienced, up close and personal, despite the fact that Life Goes On! Every sector, including education, is now better prepared to deal with any unexpected circumstance. It makes me delighted to see how schools have managed to maintain uninterrupted classes during these trying times. I felt relieved to know that the years were not being squandered on students. Schools and universities went virtual, with education, online classes, tests, vivas, and presentations all taking place, and our youngsters emerging as digital savvy. Today, even a four-year-old is familiar with Google Meet, Zoom Classes, Teams, and Skype. Every day, a new app is released to make our lives easier. All technical intricacies, system handling, and excellent learning have been added benefits of an online learning system that arose mostly after lockdown. The Internet has been a complete lifesaver in terms of containing the virus. It saved many lives because socialising, meeting people, and gatherings were all outlawed, but due to online learning, we had access to everything. However, it raised some difficult concerns about whether to continue with the current educational system or return to our traditional method of education, which necessitates taking a detour. Is it safe to send our kids back to school or to college? Is internet learning beneficial to children’s overall development? I’ll be honest, empty school buildings, playgrounds, labs, libraries, and cafeterias do frighten me. During my school days, I recall making wonderful moments with my friends. I think back to those carefree days of my youth, and then I think about today’s generation. Wi-Fi connectivity issues, excessive screen time, insufficient physical activity, a frightening vacuum, and a lack of spirited banter with pals are just a few of their mental health worries. These consequences of online learning are absolutely terrifying. In my view, there is a perpetual conflict between the classic offline learning method and the new typical online learning system. Both have pros and downsides; all we have to do now is weigh them carefully using comparative analysis. Socializing is essential, as are extracurricular activities, which have all but evaporated as a result of online schooling. However, a global pandemic catastrophe could still occur, and our children have not yet been immunized. The debate is over which of the two is the better option will continue for a little longer. Do you agree?