VIRTUAL CLASSES: A REALITY WITH IMPLICATIONS ON HEALTH OF ADOLESCENTS

Coronavirus and its aftermath are contemporarily being studied by the scholars in the year 2020. In India, from the month of March, nation went into lockdown for the safety of its citizens. This was announced for the students firstly in the month of March. This pandemic is what, was totally unheard by the population. Hence, country’s educational institutes were seemed to be unprepared at the earlier phase of lockdown. Later, medical science reports add into the ambiguity of this coronavirus and as a result, unprecedented norms were dictated by the Government of India for its people’s behaviour in a certain way, like use of face masks, hand- hygiene, and social distancing for keeping the exposure of virus at bay. For students, this time was seen as traumatised phase of their career as they were about to pass-on to the next level, of their academics because around this time final examinations and several other entrances were lined up to happen. Life became a standstill as such times were never observed in the past by the citizens. As it is rightly proved that, man is only creature on this planet that is adaptive. Technology came into rescue to mankind in this coronavirus induced lockdown. In order to bring the economy back on track, numerous measures had been announced by the Government of India for the economic activities to organise. Organising online classes brought a relief to the educational institutions in this time of crisis. Holding virtual classes and continuing teaching-learning was not less than a challenge before the Heads of Institutions. The Indian economy is not well-equipped and supportive to the latest system of education but parents and children were equally apprehensive. After five-six months on WFH (work-from-home), health related issues are propped up, and addressed tactfully. The focus is on health of adolescents in newly established normal in education i.e. holding classes and similar academic programmes virtually, specifically, in higher education are being considered for study in this paper. The lack of technological skills in teachers as well as parents was handled responsibly by the students. A role reversal is noticed here, that handling of gadgets is being taught by the students to their respective teachers and elders as and when they need. Confining into the homes by the teachers and complete dependence on technology and social media for running their daily chores become new normal. Now it comes into light that students have been facing several physical and mental like depression, health issues during this time after they are stationed at their respective houses and their mobility is prohibited as country is still witnessing lockdown. In this paper, feedback and related details of virtual reality of holding online classes and its implications on the health of adolescents in the age group of sixteen to twenty one years, is assessed. Recommendations are filed up for timely and appropriate action, along with the perspective of several stakeholders in the process.

 

Keywords: Virtual reality, Online Classes, Adolescents, Health Issues.


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