The Effects of Online Homeschooling on Children, Parents, and Teachers of Grades 1–9 During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sep 12, 2020Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research

How Online Homeschooling During COVID-19 Affected Children, Parents, and Teachers of Grades 1 to 9

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Abstract

Seventy-six percent of respondents found the homeschooling style acceptable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Teachers expressed concerns that students' interest, focus, and academic performance may decline due to the homeschooling approach.
Sixty-nine percent of parents reported their children spent more than 3 hours daily on screens.
Eighty-two percent of students engaged in less than 2 hours of outdoor activity each day.
Ninety-five percent of parents were worried about the impact of homeschooling on their children's eyesight.
Seventeen point six percent of students were suspected to have emotional or behavioral problems based on parent-rated assessments.
Higher anxiety levels were observed in both parents and teachers compared to usual.

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BACKGROUND Beginning in the 2020 spring semester, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all school-age children in China were homeschooled via live/recorded broadcasts, online group communication, and software-based homework submission. This study assessed the effects of and proper preparation for this educational approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS The homeschooling behaviors and feelings of school-age children were assessed with 2010 online surveys obtained separately from students, parents, and teachers of grades 1-9 in 15 Chinese provinces. Answers were compared among low- (grades 1-3), middle- (grades 4-6), and high- (grades 7-9) grade groups. The chi-square test was used to identify significant differences between groups. RESULTS We found that 76% of the respondents thought the homeschooling style was acceptable. However, teachers were concerned that students' interest, focus, and academic performance would decline. Sixty-nine percent of the parents reported their children had more than 3 hours of daily screen time, and 82% of students had less than 2 hours of daily outdoor activity. Ninety-five percent of the parents were concerned about their children's eyesight. Additionally, 17.6% of the students were suspected to have emotional or behavioral problems according to the parent-rated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) results. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) results of parents and teachers showed higher levels of anxiety than usual. CONCLUSIONS Students should continue the going-to-school rhythm at home to cope with changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Integrated grade-specific approaches are needed. Because long screen time and insufficient outdoor activities can severely affect children's eyesight, appropriate eye-protection measures should be implemented.

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The Effects of Online Homeschooling on Children, Parents, and Teachers of Grades 1–9 During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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