Compulsory online learning may permanently change education model: expert

Polish schools have almost a month of compulsory distance education. According to Łucja Kornaszewska-Antoniuk, an expert of the Orange Foundation, it is a challenge for both teachers and students, as well as their parents and educational institutions that must take care of the organization of online lessons.

“In the long run, this situation may change the model of teaching in Polish schools and the teachers' approach to using new technologies in education,” Kornaszewska-Antoniuk claims.

The Orange Foundation has just started recruiting schools for the next edition of free digital education programs.

“The switch of teachers, principals and schools to distance learning was and is a huge challenge, also for the students themselves and their parents. This situation is difficult, we all experience its consequences on a daily basis. Teachers who have been actively using technology during their classes and were able to inspire children are particularly good at this challenge. They are now winners,” Kornaszewska-Antoniuk adds.

Due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, schools and educational facilities in Poland remain closed from March 12, and from March 25, lessons must be held remotely. Research conducted by Brainly shows that already in mid-March nearly 70 percent of students in Poland participated in online lessons conducted by teachers. Educational institutions most often use platforms such as Skype, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, or an electronic journal, e.g. Librus, for online learning.

“As the Orange Foundation, we have also actively joined the movement of supporting teachers along with many other non-governmental organizations that operate in the field of education. Shortly after closing the schools, we decided to launch a series of webinars addressed to teachers to show them how they can teach remote lessons,” she summed up. 

(Newseria)