Adapting to the New Norm: The Role of Technology in Remote Education
A paradigm shift in education has occurred right before our eyes. Enter the world of remote education, where the traditional chalk and blackboard learning is substituted with screens and digital interactivity. But what does this shift mean for our kids? And how can we, as parents, ensure our children are getting the most out of this new format?
According to a 2022 survey by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) [1], nearly 93% of U.S households with school-age children reported some form of distance learning during the pandemic. The role of technology has skyrocketed from being an aid to becoming the main facilitator of education. And while this transition has been challenging for many, technology has also introduced innovative solutions that can help our children thrive in this digital age.
However, the transition to digital learning isn’t as simple as turning on a computer and letting the education commence. A study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology [2] emphasized the importance of personalized learning in a digital environment. The researchers found that “personalized, adaptive instruction, where learning material is adjusted to a student’s learning needs, was associated with higher achievement in a remote learning environment.” Enter apps like Pastory.
Pastory is a parenting app specifically designed to curate your child’s YouTube feeds with various educational programs. Recognizing that every child is unique, Pastory focuses on personalizing content to suit the interests and needs of individual children. This revolutionary approach helps to ensure that children remain engaged while learning in a remote environment.
Moreover, it’s not just about keeping the kids busy while parents work. The integration of technology into learning provides an opportunity for parents to actively participate in their child’s education. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) [3] recommends parents engage in “joint media engagement,” or simply put, using media together with their children. This is where Pastory truly shines.
Pastory offers collaborative activities for parents and children, allowing for real-time reinforcement of what the child has learned during the day. These shared activities can range from science experiments, arts and crafts, to cooking and outdoor adventures – all based on the educational content viewed by the child on YouTube earlier. This encourages lively discussions and creates a unique opportunity for parents to guide their children through their educational journey.
Naturally, too much of anything can be detrimental, and this holds true for screen time as well. It’s essential to balance online and offline activities, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) [4] and the AAP. Pastory helps parents strike this balance, offering a variety of activities designed to be screen-free.
In these times, we’re all learning to adapt to new norms. Through thoughtful use of technology and tools like Pastory, we can navigate the challenges of remote education, fostering a love of learning in our children that extends beyond the classroom – or in this case, the screen. Embrace the change, and let’s build a brighter, more informed future for our kids.
Links
- National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) – https://nces.ed.gov/
- Journal of Educational Psychology – https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/edu
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) – https://www.aap.org/
- World Health Organization (WHO) – https://www.who.int/