Today we speak with two experts from around the world.
Around 400 million children across the globe are unable to go to school right now due to
the COVID-19 pandemic. A growing number of countries have decided to keep schools shut
until the worst of the virus is over,... and are taking their classes online.
But this poses challenges not only for teachers and students, but parents as well.
To discuss how all those involved can handle these new responsibilities and abrupt changes,
we have joining us today Mr Glenn Gallagher, a teacher at Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle
School. We also have Dr. Suh Sooyeon, Professor of
Psychology at Sungshin Women's University in Seoul.
Glenn Gallagher: It seems online or virtual classrooms are taking off in the U.S. for
university students. But how are school teachers coping with the transition especially for
younger students? Dr. Suh: In
South Korea, most families have their children's academic year scheduled down to the hour,
with after school activities and private tutoring filling up most of their day while the parents
are at work. With the drastic change to the school year, children have been home for more
than two months how has this impacted the modern family culture?
Glenn Gallagher: What are some things parents should prepare for and keep in mind during
this transition to online learning? - online education curriculum tools? High-speed
internet? Separate study rooms? Dr. Suh: Also, having children at home and
managing their education can be more than a handful for parents. Is it normal to feel
overwhelmed, and how should parents handle
their stress? Dr. Suh: Children must also be stressed about
not being able to go to school and meet their friends on top of their worries about the
coronavirus. How should parents guide their children through
this period of uncertainty? Glenn Gallagher: How
will the coronavirus pandemic change the way children learn, not only academically but
also socially? That's all we have time
for today. Thank you very much for joining us, Glenn Gallagher in Florida and Dr. Suh
Sooyeon in Seoul.