Two children, first and third graders, attend online classes via a tablet and notebook PC at their home in Gwangju, southwestern South Korea, on April 20, 2020. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — Most South Koreans believe that the expansion of online courses following the coronavirus outbreak has widened the gap of academic achievement among students as well as undermined the development of social skills.
The Presidential Council for National Education conducted a survey of 24,656 people including students, parents, and teachers, most of whom believed that online courses limit the standard of education, rather than demonstrate potential.
Among the respondents, 92.2 percent of teachers, 89.6 percent of parents, and 78.4 percent of the general public believed that online courses, if continued, will only widen the gap of academic achievement among students.
Another 87.6 percent of teachers, 85.7 percent of parents, and 76.4 percent of the general public believed that online courses undermine student’s development of social skills.
When asked if online courses are more effective in offering curricular education, only 27.5 percent of teachers, 8.2 percent of parents, and 27.2 percent of the general public agreed.
When asked if the continued expansion of online courses will alter the responsibilities of teachers, 77.7 percent of teachers, 88.2 percent of parents, and 87.1 percent of the public agreed.
While 65.6 percent of teachers and 67 percent of the general public believed that online courses will take a larger role in the post-pandemic era, parents were less convinced of the idea (48.2 percent).
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
