It all began in 1980, when the glorious Digital Revolution set the first foot forward. The new aired concept of Digital Schooling or Digital Learning had to evolve rapidly to save the time of need leading the drastic shift from traditional classroom learning to blended digital learning. Innovation and technologies are invented to provide absolute solutions to various problems increasing in the world. It is a basic means for every existing and upcoming field of development.

In the break of dawn where everyone globally locked themselves in for another time in history because of Covid 19 pandemic leading intense suffering and disruption in normal life the pandemic became the existing problem, a novel pandemic and the novel idea of digital schooling solved the problem caused to children and adolescents to some extent.

“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working and motivating them the teacher is the most important.”- Bill Gates.

Impact on children
This novel pandemic has spared no one on earth. In this context every educational institution had to immediately close to safeguard children, and staff from the deadly pandemic. Teacher-student relationships are sacred and admired for all ages. In order to find other alternatives for traditional classrooms, digital classes were started. It expanded so speedily than it was predicted to occur by the researchers. Digital schooling worked well facilitating advanced learning methods beyond geographies. Going digital was the apt option to this tough situation. It promotes quality education with multiple interactive features encouraging students to remain focused in studies. The best benefit was the speedy access and delivery of learning content. Digitalization has enabled virtual classes allowing teachers to connect easily with students in real-time. The impact of digitalization on children can be viewed under two levels. If we consider the positive impact then digital classes have done great wonders in facilitating quality education to all children. For a generation who grew in the environment of smart digital technologies are experts in operating smart devices like toys. They are free from digital illiteracy. They are quick to learn software operations when compared to earlier generations.

Enhanced learning features have increased their motivation level getting rid of boredom. In case of negative impact, virtual classrooms are conducted online but outside campus including many distractions causing deviation of attention in students and decreased listening ability in class. Learning materials in the form of audio, video, image or text were possible to store for lifetime-use.  Facing teachers in real and on screen was a different experience and encouraged shy students to overcome fear and respond freely during classesTeachers came up with interesting classes including activities which kept entertaining students, created sustaining effects and helped them recall better. Social life was totally out of the list; children literally missed their best friends and favorite teachers. Moreover, the cherished school campus and grand scale celebrations was a paused situation.

“Digital Literacies is not just for students & educators. We all live and work in digital networks – Dr Kelly Page 

Impact on Parents:
Initially, the idea of virtual classrooms increased the level of stress and interrupted the smooth running of family life. Earlier parents used to reach children to school and hand over to teacher’s care every day. But the lockdown situation has relapsed and parents had to do multiple tasks like office work plus monitor children’s classes simultaneously to manage household chores. It was a matter of proper timing and planning. Hence, didn’t suit many of the families. In the advent of the pandemic situation, profession, education and outdoor activities were accommodated under one roof of one’s home. Digital classes and office work both required computer systems. Parents and children had to work concurrently. For instance, in a house where both parents earn and contain more than one kid resulted in a total chaotic situation. Gradually, workload increased. An ideal solution arose from frustration in parents. It became a tough situation to tackle. Also, Digital illiteracy had to be tackled.

Physical impact:
This led parents to function faster as increased workload and time management demanded. It required more stamina to sustain the entire day and focus on daily schedules.

Emotional impact:
With the increased burden in life, irritations and frustrations got piled up; dealing with children’s tantrums, stubbornness and reactions all disturbed the mental peace of parents.

Social impact:
Meeting friends and dear ones face to face was impossible. Communication was restricted to screens at home. Limited commutation and entertainment activities led to only boredom and discouragement.

Economic impact:
Due to lockdown many lost their jobs and finding a new job in such a situation was doubtful. Hence, financial status became unstable. Some individuals literally had to switch to undesirable roles because of unfavorable situations and lack of jobs.

Conclusion: It’s time now to seek a new ray of hope. All are eagerly waiting to wind up this boredom phase. This time your constant struggle is definitely going to end forever as schools and colleges are preparing to bring back those happy moments of school. Start over again, the same joyful way of learning with more advanced means of education taking into consideration all inventive measures ensuring complete safety of children and staff. We have had enough during this pandemic. Now, let’s enter into a new phase of learning and shoo away the grim past, believe in the near future of new possibilities and welcome only smiles on our cute little faces.