The Future of Education: A teaching perspective

Striving through social unrest and coronavirus, the past academic year has been both challenging and rewarding. Tough times teach us the best lessons and 2020 has taught us the importance of resilience, adaptability and flexibility in the face of adversity.

For the first time, online education is rolled out across the city on a mass scale. Having experienced remote learning, we’ve seen the value in face-to-face interactions and delved into the possibilities of virtual connections. We took this opportunity to challenge ourselves to imagine how schools would look like 20 years from now. Introducing ‘The Future of Education’ series, where we asked teachers, technology professionals, students and parents to share their thoughts, concerns and experiences of adapting to this new era of learning.

In our first instalment, we chat with a school counsellor to gain insights into navigating increased screen time for students during online learning.

Kevin Fields, Counsellor from Hong Kong International School (HKIS)

From attending real-time Zoom lectures to connecting with friends via online platforms, the increase in screen time is a growing concern for many parents. Kevin Fields believes striking a balance and setting appropriate limits is crucial to get the best out of this technology. 

“Under such unusual circumstances, what is considered normal needs to be adjusted and parents can help by making things more flexible,” Fields says.

As grown-ups, we may feel stressed by changes, the same goes for children. They used to get home from school and enjoy leisure time, but social distancing turns their comfortable space into a studious environment.

Read more: Best international schools in Hong Kong

Without being able to talk to their friends and have quality playtime, some may show signs of stress trying to adjust to the situation.

“Let your child be the teacher from time to time and engage in what engages them,” Fields says.

We are lucky to live in the time where we can maintain relationships and connect with others electronically. While social platforms facilitate kids in developing interpersonal relationships, it can also be overwhelming sometimes. 

“Students and parents should take a break from the news sometimes. It’s great to be informed, being overly informed leaves little mental energy for other endeavours and can have a deleterious effect on overall mental health,” he says.