Kids’ Education on Digital Platforms: The Future of Learning
Online classes for kids have become popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. These digital platforms allow kids to learn from home.
How to Choose the Right Digital Learning Tool
Advantages of online classes:
- Safe learning – You can study from home safely from viruses, diseases, etc.
No time loss, no traffic problems. - Recorded classes – You can study missed classes later.
- Variety of courses – You can take not only school syllabus, but also hobby classes (drawing, music, coding, etc.).
- Global teachers – You can learn from the best tutors from all over the world.
Major online platforms:
- Google Classroom, Zoom, Microsoft Teams – for school classes.
- Unacademy, Khan Academy – for interactive learning.
- Outschool, Udemy, Cuemath – for extracurricular activities (drawing, coding, music).
- YouTube Kids – for educational videos.
There are many types of digital content that help children learn. This makes learning fun, interactive, and easy. Here are some types of digital content:
- Educational Videos:
YouTube Kids, Khan Academy, Xylem – Videos that explain math, science, and language lessons in a fun way. - Interactive Learning Apps: Duolingo – For language learning (English, Arabic, French, etc.). Photomath, Cuemath – For solving math problems. ABCmouse, Reading Eggs – Learning, reading and writing for young children.
- Audio/Podcasts: Spotify (Kids’ Podcasts), Storynory – For listening to stories, songs, history, etc. Audible (Kids’ Section) – Audiobooks.
- Gamification & Coding: Scratch, Code.org – For kids to learn coding. Prodigy Math – For learning math through games.
- E-Books & PDFs: Amazon Kindle Kids’ Books, Epic! – Interactive e-books. NCERT/SCERT e-textbooks – To support school syllabus.
- Virtual Labs & AR/VR: Google Arts & Culture, Labster – To do science experiments virtually. QuiverVision – Drawings can be brought to life with AR.
- Online Quizzes & Worksheets: Kahoot!, Quizizz – To learn through fun quizzes. WorksheetWorks.com – Printable worksheets.
- Creative Tools: Canva for Kids, Tux Paint – To draw and design. GarageBand, BandLab – To create music.
Digital Smart Classes are a revolutionary change in education, however there are some disadvantages along with their advantages.
Advantages:
- The subjects are made more interesting by using attractive and interactive videos, animations, 3D models, etc. This increases the interest of children in learning.
- Extensive knowledge is obtained through the internet, digital libraries, and online resources.
- Real-time data, case studies, and global trends can be introduced.
- Through personalized learning activities, classes can be designed according to the learning pace of each child.
- Learning becomes fundamental through quizzes, gamification, etc.
- The child’s skills such as digital literacy, critical thinking, and use of technology are developed.
Disadvantages:
- Learning is interrupted if the system crashes or the internet fails.
- Excessive screen time can cause digital eye strain and sedentary lifestyle.
- Attention span may be reduced.
- Delay in social-emotional development
- Reduced teacher-student and student-student interactions can affect social skills.
- High funding is required to set up and maintain smart classrooms.
- Problems such as online distraction (social media, games), cyberbullying, and data security may arise.
Important safety tips:
✔ Filter content with parental controls.
✔ Limit screen time.
✔ Watch/listen to digital content with your children occasionally.