Nestled in the Moray countryside is this stunning contemporary delight that features its own yoga room and pond.

Whiteinch, which is located between Forres and Kinloss, is a six-bedroom property that sits on around 1.15 acres of beautiful garden grounds.

The interior of this home celebrates the incredible outdoor surroundings which flood in through an array of tall windows.

Each of the rooms is minimal and modern in style while providing flexible accommodation over its four floors.

It comprises of two reception rooms, dining kitchen, laundry room, six double bedrooms, three bathrooms, w/c, garage, utility room, workshop and its very own yoga studio.

If yoga is not your bag, then this room can also be converted for a range of different purposes - such as a play/games room, home theatre or even a space for those working from home.

As you exit the property through patio doors in the living room on the first floor, you are welcomed by a balcony that gives you amazing views that overlook both Findhorn Bay and the amazing garden below.

The garden itself contains a pond complete with water features and its own decked area, where you can sit and enjoy the tranquillity of the outdoors.

If the 1.15 acres of land is not enough for you, the property also presents an opportunity for expansion if you opt to purchase further land.

The home has been on the market for little over six months and is available for 630,000.

For more information on the property, visit here.

More:
Inside this incredible contemporary home that has its own pond and yoga studio - Daily Record

Multiple Location Business

The report also inspects the financial standing of the leading companies, which includes gross profit, revenue generation, sales volume, sales revenue, manufacturing cost, individual growth rate, and other financial ratios.

The report also focuses on the global industry trends, development patterns of industries, governing factors, growth rate, and competitive analysis of the market, growth opportunities, challenges, investment strategies, and forecasts till 2026. The Yoga & Wellness Software Market was estimated at USD XX Million/Billion in 2016 and is estimated to reach USD XX Million/Billion by 2026, expanding at a rate of XX% over the forecast period. To calculate the market size, the report provides a thorough analysis of the market by accumulating, studying, and synthesizing primary and secondary data from multiple sources.

To get Incredible Discounts on this Premium Report, Click Here @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/ask-for-discount/?rid=193213&utm_source=COD&utm_medium=888

The market is predicted to witness significant growth over the forecast period, owing to the growing consumer awareness about the benefits of Yoga & Wellness Software. The increase in disposable income across the key geographies has also impacted the market positively. Moreover, factors like urbanization, high population growth, and a growing middle-class population with higher disposable income are also forecasted to drive market growth.

According to the research report, one of the key challenges that might hinder the market growth is the presence of counter fit products. The market is witnessing the entry of a surging number of alternative products that use inferior ingredients.

Key factors influencing market growth:

Reasons for purchasing this Report from Market Research Intellect

Customized Research Report Using Corporate Email Id @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/need-customization/?rid=193213&utm_source=COD&utm_medium=888

Customization of the Report:

Market Research Intellect also provides customization options to tailor the reports as per client requirements. This report can be personalized to cater to your research needs. Feel free to get in touch with our sales team, who will ensure that you get a report as per your needs.

Thank you for reading this article. You can also get chapter-wise sections or region-wise report coverage for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

To summarize, the Yoga & Wellness Software market report studies the contemporary market to forecast the growth prospects, challenges, opportunities, risks, threats, and the trends observed in the market that can either propel or curtail the growth rate of the industry. The market factors impacting the global sector also include provincial trade policies, international trade disputes, entry barriers, and other regulatory restrictions.

About Us:

Market Research Intellect provides syndicated and customized research reports to clients from various industries and organizations with the aim of delivering functional expertise. We provide reports for all industries including Energy, Technology, Manufacturing and Construction, Chemicals and Materials, Food and Beverage and more. These reports deliver an in-depth study of the market with industry analysis, market value for regions and countries and trends that are pertinent to the industry.

Contact Us:

Mr. Steven Fernandes

Market Research Intellect

New Jersey ( USA )

Tel: +1-650-781-4080

See the article here:
Yoga & Wellness Software Market 2019 Break Down by Top Companies, Countries, Applications, Challenges, Opportunities and Forecast 2026 - Cole of...

The 5-Minute Yoga Routine I Do Every Morning

I fell in love with yoga in college. Every Saturday morning of my freshman year, a few friends and I would ride the bus to the free class offered at a Lululemon downtown. It was a half-hour commute for a class that started at 8:30 a.m., but we went religiously, regardless of how much or how little we'd slept, only skipping when we were home for break.

For an anxious college freshman who could never turn her brain off, yoga was a godsend. Focusing on the physicality of the practice helped me tune out my own thoughts. Supporting myself on the mat and leaning into each stretch provided a different, deeper form of focus than lifting weights or going on a run. It was just as beneficial for my mind as it was for my body.

I loved how calm, centered, and ready to take on the day I felt after those classes, and that inspired me to incorporate the practice into my daily life. While I don't always have time for a class, I make sure to start my mornings with a short yoga routine. It helps me wake up my body and get in the right headspace for the work ahead, as well as discover any sore spots that might need extra attention.

While working from home, it's been easy for me to fall into the trap of opening my computer as soon as I wake up and responding to emails while I'm still in bed. Sticking to my yoga routine helps me remember to take a few minutes for myself: to breathe, to focus, and to set an intention for my day. I've tried starting my mornings with meditation, but always struggle to turn my focus inward, and away from the day ahead of me. Yoga helps me ground that meditative focus in movement, and to stay mindful throughout the practice.

It also wakes up my mind and body enough that returning to bed isn't an option. I usually get out of bed thinking it'll take a cup of coffee to wake me up, but after this routine, I feel refreshed and energized. I start my routine (below) in child's pose, set an intention, then flow through the practice twice, once on each side. (Start the second sequence at the first Warrior 1.)

Read the original:
This 5-Minute Morning Yoga Routine Helps Me Feel Refreshed and Ready to Tackle the Day - POPSUGAR

By MAYA KATZ

The coronavirus pandemic has confined many to their homes. But its no secret how small New York City homes can get, so finding ways to stretch their legs with some physical fitness isnt easy especially with gyms closed and it being difficult to breathe hard with a mask on their faces.

But who says anyone needs to physically step into a gym to stay active or even dance studios and yoga centers? Instead, many are getting some physical activity through those outlets with a little help from online videoconferencing technology like Zoom.

Teaching a physical activity over Zoom seems like a strange concept, but it is achievable. It does take a little more work, especially for instructors who must ensure they can be properly watched and heard by their virtual participants.

Not everything can find its way on the internet, said Robert Adelman, the director of Riverdale Neighborhood Houses health and harmony program. Certain classes have had to be placed on hold, like West African dance, since its not practical for many people to do in their homes.

The rest, Adelman says? Well, theyre as good as those who lead them.

We have had the same teachers teaching classes, he said, which is important since people form bonds with their teachers.

There have been challenges to leading fitness online however. The biggest obstacle, according to Yoga Haven owner Betsy Kase? Spacing. It can take a lot of trial and error to find the right place to position a computers camera so that participants can see their instructors.

There are many forced to stop fitness classes because they just dont have enough room in their home to work out.

Over Zoom, instructors like Kase also have to manually mute all participants, which can diminish from the interpersonal aspect of a class.

Of course, online fitness classes also mean youre at the mercy of your internet connection. Having a technological issue can be detrimental to a home workout experience.

Kase and her other yoga instructors have conducted both live and pre-recorded yoga classes. Generally, the weekend classes have much higher attendance than the weekday ones.

As teachers, we respond emotionally to our students, Kase said. The online classes are not as fulfilling as teaching in person, especially the pre-recorded ones, because it is much harder to have that emotional connection with students.

Susie Caramanica, who typically leads yoga at Wave Hill, has had her own issues with online classes especially when it comes to separating work and home.

As a mom, it can be hard to be in a yoga class for an hour while at home since it feels like an indulgence, Caramanica said.

On top of that, it also can be difficult to gauge how a student is progressing online, since it can be harder to correct their yoga form.

Online classes at The Club of Riverdale are free for members, thanks to many instructors donating their time. Eugene Lloyd, TCRs fitness director, says those logging into the classes still seem engaged. Sometimes Lloyd even sees children join their parents in their workouts.

Unlike others, Lloyd feels there could be benefits to continuing virtual classes on a much more permanent basis.

There are people in the fitness world who join a gym but have a hard time taking that first step to go into the gym, Lloyd said. The Zoom format may be a great way to bridge that gap so that they still have a connection with the fitness facilities and the instructor.

Having children stay active is another issue for many parents. Michele Compa Dance & Exercise Center hosts Zoom classes for kids of all ages. While some younger participants eventually dropped out, at least two-thirds of the students have continued, owner Michele Compa said.

But there is a big issue online because of the broadcast sound delay in music over the videoconferencing software, which can be confusing when trying to figure out if the kids are staying true to the rhythms theyre moving to.

Because these are kids, and cant necessarily be all work with no play, Compa also has incorporated social time at the start and finish of each class to make sure the ever-so-necessary chatter is not lost.

With younger kids you have to keep them occupied and get creative during online classes, Compa said. A lot of the kids seem to look forward to it since it is something different to do while at home. I like to talk with everyone before and after class so that they have a chance to hang out a little with one another.

CORRECTION:Susie Caramanica said that it was hard to be in a yoga class for an hour as a mom, because it feels like an indulgence. A story in the June 4 edition misquoted her.

See original here:
Staying in shape takes a whole new form over Zoom - The Riverdale Press

GlobalMarketers.biz presents an updated and Latest Study on Pilates & Yoga Studios Market 2020-2026. The report comprises market predictions related to market size, revenue, production, CAGR, Consumption, gross margin, price, and other substantial factors. While focusing on the key driving and restraining forces for this market, the report also offers a complete study of the future trends and developments of the market.

It also examines the role of the leading market players involved in the industry including their corporate overview, financial summary, and SWOT analysis.

Get Sample Copy of this Report @ https://www.globalmarketers.biz/report/automotive-and-transportation/global-pilates-&-yoga-studios-market-report-2019,-competitive-landscape,-trends-and-opportunities/137901#request_sample

Key market Players of Pilates & Yoga Studios:

Embody Practice Center Yoga Class Near You Center for Spiritual Awareness Pure International Shiva Yoga Studio Rainbow Kids Yoga Baby Moon Invoke Evansville Yoga Center Self-Realization Fellowship Center of I Am Ananda Yoga Meditation & Therapy Center Yoga Inc Wild Lotus Yoga

Global Pilates & Yoga Studios Market is the title of an upcoming market research report at Globalmarketers. The market has been studied in depth to present vital data and information, including revenue share of each segment, region, and country, revenue growth driving factors, and restraints. In addition, potential revenue opportunities in untapped regions and economies, and threats are included. Key players and their details are presented in the company profile section of the report. The section comprises revenue and financial information and details, recent developments, strategies, acquisitions and mergers, and geographic reach and footprint. The global Pilates & Yoga Studios market is segmented by product type, distribution channel, and regions and countries.

Global Pilates & Yoga Studios Market Segmentation:

By Product Type:

Online Pilates Offline Pilates Yoga Studio

By End-User

Small Scale Medium Scale Massive

Any query? Enquire Here For Discount :https://www.globalmarketers.biz/discount_inquiry/discount/137901

The Questions Answered by Pilates & Yoga Studios Market Report:

What are the Key Manufacturers, raw material suppliers, equipment suppliers, end users, traders and distributors in the Pilates & Yoga Studios Market?

What are Growth factors influencing Pilates & Yoga Studios Market Growth?

What are production processes, major issues, and solutions to mitigate the development risk?

What is the Contribution from Regional Manufacturers?

What are the Market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global Pilates & Yoga Studios Industry?

What are the Key Market segments, market potential, influential trends, and the challenges that the market is facing?

Make an Inquiry About This Report @ https://www.globalmarketers.biz/report/automotive-and-transportation/global-pilates-&-yoga-studios-market-report-2019,-competitive-landscape,-trends-and-opportunities/137901#inquiry_before_buying

Global Pilates & Yoga Studios MarketRegional Analysis:

The Europe market is expected to account for majority revenue share over the forecast period owing to increasing demand for premium products in countries such as the Scotland, Italy, and Germany. The Asia Pacific market is expected to register a steady growth rate in the foreseeable future. China accounts for major production and exports of Pilates & Yoga Studios. Domestic consumption is also highest in the country. Chinas improving and rapidly growing economy in recent years and rising standard of living is projected to further support market growth.

Ask for detailed Table of Contents of this Report @https://www.globalmarketers.biz/report/automotive-and-transportation/global-pilates-&-yoga-studios-market-report-2019,-competitive-landscape,-trends-and-opportunities/137901#table_of_contents

Read this article:
Pilates & Yoga Studios Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product Types, And Applications Forecast To 2026 - 3rd Watch News

The call, Blum says, had to be split in two and then extended because there were many who phoned in.

virtual gala june 13

Meet the 2020 Women of Excellence Awards nominees

SPONSORED

Canada's economic recovery to take longer than the U.S. following COVID-19: RSM Canada

Free to register

New website launched for businesses & organizations open during pandemic

Dr. Hinshaw specifically named yoga studios as an example of a lower-risk facility. Weve informed our clients well no longer be providing community props or mats, so youll have to bring your own.

Blum says another factor the province has to consider is heavy breathing, because it means six feet (two metres) of distancing isnt enough.

Weve been closed since March 17, like many other businesses, and havent had very much success as far as other programming, says Blum. Our revenue is down 75 per cent.

She also found out in recent days that YogaNation will qualify for a $40,000 loan under the federal Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA), which the prime minister announced in April. Qualifications were expanded late last month.

More details on the provinces second stage of relaunch are expected this coming week.

RELATED: Active COVID-19 cases up in Alberta for first time since end of April

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

By

HAND SANITIZER RECALL

Hand sanitizers recalled due to industrial-grade ethanol content

OTTAWA - Health Canada says some hand sanitizers are being recalled because they contain industrial-grade ethanol.The agency says industrial-grade ethanol contains chemicals that may not be approved for use in hand sanitizers.It warns that frequent use of these products can result in dry skin, causing irritation or cra...

By

mmmmm

Cilantro and Chive's May burger of the month raises over $700

In a time where we no longer take life's simple pleasures for granted, the "Double Double" burger did not disappoint, and neither did curbside pick up and delivery orders for May's Burger of the Month!Our very own Assistant Restaurant Manager Danika Foesier helped provide the creative juices for this monster ...

By

do you know someone deserving?

Province wants nominations for Seniors Service Awards

The province is now accepting nominations for its annual Seniors Service Awards.Minister of Seniors and Housing Josephine Pon says now more than ever -- because of COVID-19 -- it's important to recognize how individuals and businesses and non-profits have helped seniors."I encourage Albertans to think about the pe...

Here is the original post:
Yoga studio hoping wait to open doesn't stretch to stage three of relaunch - rdnewsnow.com

A woman practising the Viparita Karani pose. Photo: Victor Koldunov/Alamy Stock Photo

Dr Deepashree MR, Wellness Advisor at Atmantan Wellness Centre, shares a yoga asana that helped her mother heal from allergic bronchitis, for the fifth day of our series, #21DaysOfYoga. Ahead of International Yoga Day on 21 June, as many of us continue to stay indoors to help curb the pandemic, this series shares wisdom from the experts to help build a better yoga practice for all. Atmantan Wellness Centre is a 42-acre hillside resort near Mumbai, with practitioners from ayurveda doctors to pranic healers, yoga teachers and massage therapists to help foster healing. Read Dr Deepashrees story below.

My journey with yoga started in school but I actually got to know its healing benefits when my mother, then 37, was diagnosed with allergic bronchitis and slipped disc. A regular yoga practice under professional guidance cured her completely. Id like to share how yoga and pranayama helped my mother recover from allergic bronchitis and stop using an inhaler and medications.

People with allergic bronchitis often cough a lot and have trouble breathing. The condition is triggered by allergens such as air pollution, chemical fumes, pollen, mold, dust, pet dander and food additives. Theres an inflammation or swelling of the bronchial tubes that carry air into your lungs; your airways also produce excess mucus, making it harder to breathe. The therapeutic approach of yoga asanas and breathing techniques played an important role, with its focus on becoming aware of ones body and breathing patterns.

Here are 5 asanas and 3 breathing techniques that help open up the respiratory tract, and improve lung capacity. Please check the contraindications before you practise.

Note: People with back and spine problems, heart disease and blood pressure are recommended to practise these asanas under professional guidance.

The steps:

Benefits: Viparita Karani improves blood circulation and reduces irritation in the bronchial tree

The steps:

Benefits: Halasana stimulates the thyroid glands and clears a stuffy nose

The steps:

Benefits:The whole spine is stretched and this pose expands the lungs

The steps:

Benefits:It massages the posterior lobes of the lungs and stimulates the abdominal organs

The steps:

Benefits:Helps in correcting your posture,improves your balanceand regulates your respiratory functions.

Benefits: Uses all the lobes of the lungs and helps to ease the breathing cycle

A practice to purify and balance the energies at the physical, mental and emotional levels.

Benefits: Nadi shodhana ensures that the whole body is nourished by an extra supply of oxygen. Carbon dioxide is efficiently expelled and the blood is purified. It clears pranic blockages and balances the ida and pingala nadis, causing the sushumna nadi to flow, which leads to deep states of meditation and spiritual awakening.

The steps:

Benefits: Ujjayi balances the cardio-respiratory system, helping carry oxygen to your muscles and organs and removing waste. It helps diminish pain from headaches, relief from sinus pressure, decrease in phlegm, and the strengthening of the nervous and digestive systems.

See original here:
21 Days of Yoga: yoga techniques that will help you with bronchitis - Cond Nast Traveller India

The Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education on Thursday directed Arkansas school districts to prepare an education program for the coming school year that relies on face-to-face and online instruction with the flexibility to blend them and to pivot from one to the other.

In an online webinar to introduce school and district leaders to the state's newly released Arkansas Ready for Learning guide, top-level education agency staff members called for the school systems to begin right away to identify digital lessons and diagnostic tests to use in the 2020-21 school year.

The agency leaders, who offered a range of resources to help the districts, also called for providing computer devices and internet access to students and faculty members, identifying waivers of state laws and rules they will need on a fast track to carry out a blended instruction program, formulating communication plans and modifying their own district policies.

"As many of you have heard the governor state, it is his expectation and desire that we in Arkansas start back to school in August as normal as possible," Arkansas Education Secretary Johnny Key said. "However, we know that in this covid-19 situation that some of those things that we once considered normal will definitely need adjustments," he also said in offering the Arkansas Ready for Learning guide.

The state's plans for the 2020-21 school year come in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic that caused Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson to close campuses to 470,000 public school students in March for what turned out to be the rest of the 2019-20 school year. Students and teachers did schoolwork from home, using paper packets and online lessons, although that was sometimes hindered by a lack of computer devices and/or internet connections in some homes.

The guidebook, which is now on the division's website, suggests tasks to be done in six broad areas of operation before classes start in August and then after school starts.

The areas include academics, human capital, student support communication, stakeholder communication, fiscal governance, and facilities and transportation.

Ivy Pfeffer, the state's deputy education commissioner, said Wednesday that a flexible, blended program to teach grade-level material is needed "for our students who we know can learn at any time, anywhere, if given the right supports."

ON-SITE LEARNING

Mike Hernandez, the state's superintendent for intensive support and services, acknowledged that there are many unanswered questions about the reopening of schools, but that updated information will be forthcoming.

He also said that not all of the state Department of Health guidelines for physical distancing to contain the spread of covid-19 will be feasible in all school and school bus situations, but that other precautions such as the wearing of face masks can be used.

One of the first tasks for districts to do this summer, Hernandez said, is form local Ready for Learning committees whose members have specialized skills to address each of the areas of district operations and can coordinate the return to on-site student instruction and monitor as situations change throughout the school year.

Another immediate task is to select someone to be a point of contact to answer questions about covid-19 and serve as a liaison between a school district and state education and health agencies.

Stacy Smith, assistant commissioner for learning services, described the expectations for an instructional program that combined traditional face-to-face instruction and the use of technology and learning management systems in which lessons can be created and/or uploaded by teachers, completed by students, and then graded and recorded by the teachers.

"When we think about what blended learning looks like in our state and in the future, every district is going to be a little different," Smith said. "The expectation is that all districts have started moving toward some type of blended learning approach. That includes face-to-face and also digital-based instruction.

"The expectation is that all districts will have some type of a learning management system in place for their students.

"All districts will also have digital content aligned to grade-level standards," Smith also said, adding that the digital content may be homemade -- created by teachers in the district -- or it may be produced by vendors or built in to the online learning management systems.

"Your district must be able, at any time, to get lessons into the hands of students," she said.

Districts also must continue their efforts to get computer devices and internet connectivity to students, Smith also said.

The state will use some of the $128 million it is receiving from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to offer digital content for grades kindergarten through 12, Smith said. The state will provide that for all school systems in the state, but school districts don't have to use it or they can use it to supplement or accelerate their own digital materials.

"If you don't have anything and you need a place to start, I highly recommend you start here," she said about the online material that will be purchased from an education company.

In the final quarter of this just-ended school year, teachers were encouraged to focus on reviewing previously taught lessons in English/language arts and math with their students rather than introducing new concepts.

Smith said that can't be the practice going forward. New skills and content must be taught in all the core academic subjects and career technical education.

The state will provide districts with the option to expand diagnostic testing of student skills beyond the existing diagnostic testing now done three times a year in kindergarten through second grade. The state will provide testing to track student progress throughout a school year for kindergarten through eighth grade, Smith said. In Arkansas, iStation, iReady, NWEA and Renaissance are the testing programs used to provide almost immediate results.

WAIVER PROVISIONS

Courtney Salas-Ford, an attorney for the Elementary and Secondary Education Division, said school districts will need flexibility in regard to state law and rules in an effort to provide a blended instructional program.

Using legal waivers obtained by districts that are already using blended learning as a guide, the state agency has identified waivers that will be needed to accomplish the vision of the blended-learning model -- while also doing what is best for students and protecting staff, Salas-Ford said.

She cited as an example of a possible waiver the requirement for a traditional six-hour instructional school day.

"We know under a blended model with virtual options, that's just not going to work," she said.

State law already allows traditional districts and charter schools to obtain waivers of some state education laws and rules. But the process includes multiple steps, including approval from the local school board as well as getting input from other stakeholders. Provisions of the Ready for Learning plan -- which will be reviewed by the Arkansas Board of Education at its June 13 meeting -- envisions suspending many of the Act 1240 steps. That would be authorized by a governor's executive order.

"Instead we will have a streamlined process whereby a district that is interested can complete and sign an assurance and application document. Those applications will be due by June 26," Salas-Ford said, adding that those districts that apply will be in essence seeking waivers that have been identified by the state agency as necessary to implement blended learning.

The applications will be submitted to the state Education Board and approved "on the condition that the districts agree to include certain requirements in their district support plans," which are due Sept. 1. The support plans must be posted on each district's website.

"The waivers are just what are needed to implement the blended learning model," Salas-Ford said. "They will be narrowly tailored to that and in some cases have additional limitations on them."

For many of the districts, the waivers would create the need for modifications to a district's school board-approved policies. The Arkansas School Board Association has drafted a resolution that will enable school boards to modify or suspend their policies that are in conflict or not consistent with the approved waivers, she said.

Photo by Democrat-Gazette file photo Ivy Pfeffer, deputy commissioner of the Arkansas Department of Education, is shown in this file photo.

Stacy Smith, assistant commissioner for learning services, is shown in this photo. (Democrat-Gazette photo)

A Section on 06/05/2020

Excerpt from:
State tells schools to prepare blend of in-person, online education - Arkansas Online

After schools closed during the coronavirus pandemic, teachers scrambled to put their lessons online, suddenly trying to teach lessons they had always done in person over Zoom, Schoology, or Google Classroom.

And throughout all this, parents and educators alike were left to wonder: What will the aftermath look like?

Certainly what school leaders are going to be worried about is, are students coming back in the fallif we can indeed come back in the fallnot nearly as prepared for this grade as we thought they would be or as we generally expect them to be? St. Louis Universitys dean of educationGary Ritterexplains.

According to Ritter and several other experts on early childhood education and development, the answer is, It depends. It depends on the child; it depends on their homelife; it depends on how the teacher adapted to online teaching.

One thing all the experts mentioned was how online education highlighted inequities in the schooling system. Most of a childs success was dependent on what sort of access they had: Did they have technology at home? How about high-speed internet? Were their parents there to help them with the material and staying on top of schoolwork?

These inequities can make an already challenging situation even more difficult for students.

In terms of whats going to be needed for the fall, I think its going to be very important that we do address the clear digital divide that we have in our community, Dr. Dannielle Davis, an associate professor of education at Saint Louis University, says.

This divide tends to follow socioeconomic lines. Lower-income families will often have less access to reliable technology, and parents with less time to help out. Ritter warns that these fault lines may also follow district lines since school districts with fewer resources will be able to help kids less.

There are more things you have to do if youre serving low-income kids, he says. So now, its certainly the case that its harder for school leaders serving high concentrations of low-income kids to figure out how to navigate the instructional needs, in addition to all the other needs theyre navigating.

However, Ritter says online learning was likely difficult regardless of resources, just by the nature of the beast.

Its hard for most teachers to engage kids most of the time anyway.Its going to be way harder for them to engage students on a new medium with all kinds of distractions, Ritter says, So even in the best-case scenario, Im skeptical that it would have been as good as whatever is occurring in the classroom.

Davis, however, says parents shouldnt be too worried. She was homeschooled on and off throughout her life, homeschools her son and teaches online classes for kids ages nine through 17, so she was familiar with online schooling even before the pandemic.

In her experience, kids with an online education can do just as well as those who attend classes in person.

She does acknowledge that its critical to involve the parents and teach online correctly, though.

I think that if we provide parents with the resources, the supportif we train teachers to creatively involve families within this process of learningI think that learning can occur and can occur at a high level. I really do, she says.

This can be done by allowing students to work more independently, conducting their own research on subjects, or relating lessonsto the world around them.

In some cases, online learning was a good thing for students and parents. Parents got to spend more time with their kids. Kids with anxiety or who were bullied in school may have felt more comfortable at home. Students who learned better independently could often complete lessons at their own pace. But for the majority, online learning presenteda challenge.

I think its always worth thinking of those odd cases, but for the most part, kids probably miss interacting, Ritter says. Isolation on top of concern about the virus could take its toll. All the mental health challenges and wellness challenges, on the internet its going to obviously be much harder for most parents and most kids.

Steve Zwolak, executive director of University City Childrens Center, says he has seen this toll firsthand as kids begin returning to the center in what theyre calling a reunion instead of a reopening.

The concern is that social distancing might turn into emotional distancing, he says. He tells the story of three kids who came back and showed dramatic signs of feeling abandoned by their teachers, either by distancing themselves or leaping into teachers' arms in tears.

For younger kids especially, its difficult to get the same sort of interaction through a computer screen. Zwolaksuggests parents sit with their kids through lessons whenever possible to help mitigate what's lost.

With summer comes an opportunity for parents to help their kids catch up or stay on track for when school returns in the fall, whether its online or in person. Davis suggests going back through the work kids did during the school year and giving them some extra help in subjects they struggled with. She also recommends encouraging regular reading and discussion. Ritter says its important to make sure kids are doing something productive semi-regularly.

Outside of school work, Davis says parents should observe their kids and see how they learn and how their skills, both social and academic, are developing.

In the end, Ritter says he believes the kids will be okay.My hunch is, kids are resilient. My hunch is, lots of kids in a more micro level have situations like this all the time, Ritter says. I suspect, for each individual kid, a few weeks of getting subpar instruction happens. I had a bad fifth-grade math teacher. I didnt learn much math in fifth grade. And I recovered, I figured it out.

Read more from the original source:
After children shifted to online education, parents wonder: What have they lost? - St. Louis Magazine

COVID-19 has turned the world upside down. All sectors, including the education sector, have been drastically affected all sectors including education. The world is searching for new strategies to cope with this pandemic and its aftermath. Higher educational institutions are now looking at online teaching-learning as a window of hope. Many institutions and teachers have taken efforts to incorporate online education and are trying to use tech tools to such as Learning Management Systems (LMS) and web conferencing platforms such as Udemy, Educadium, CourseCraft, and Skillshare, and are trying out different means of reaching out to their students who are quarantined in their own homes and towns and villages. The apex bodies such as the UGC and AICTE have also appealed to teachers and have advised students to make effective use of web learning. But sceptics and cynics have created myths about web learning, which we need to debunk so that we can transition effectively so that knowledge and skill sharing is not disrupted but is continued in different ways through diverse platforms and tools.

Online teaching is meant for the young and techno-savvy

I have heard people say: Ive another two years to retire and Im not inclined to learn anything new, especially online teaching, at this stage of my life. Or Oh, these online teaching practices are for those in their 30s, surely not for those in their 50s. A few others have commented: Virtual teaching is for those who are techno-savvy, not for people like me who are averse to technology.

The fact is that everyone young and old, and those who are conversant with and averse to technology has to embrace technology and live with it. In other words, technology in tertiary education has come to stay and all teachers have to make a clear and conscious shift despite their age and attitude. Successful people in any walk of life are those who love and welcome change.

Online teaching is only a stopgap arrangement

There is no denying the fact that we are living through difficult times because of the coronavirus pandemic. Against this backdrop, quite a few argue that online teaching is only a stopgap arrangementat the most for a semester or two. Some feel that when normalcy returns, it will be back to chalk and talk. So, why bother to learn new teaching methodologies? The fact is that online teaching has already become an integral part of our educational system and irrevocable changes have been made in our teaching-learning process. COVID-19 has drastically altered our teaching methodologies and there is no going back. The winners are those who embrace technology and look at online education not as a long-term game changer.

Online teaching is not egalitarian

Some argue that online teaching subtly favours those who have access to high technologies and turns down the disadvantaged sections of society. There may be some truth here but the larger fact is that online education is meant for all. In most cases, all that the students need is a smartphone and most have smartphones with Internet connectivity. Most students can access Zoom or Google Hangout or Cisco WebEx Meeting using their smartphones. Therefore, the claim that online teaching will exacerbate the social and economic divide among students is not justified. It is true that in rural and semi-urban areas, high speed Internet may not be available around the clock. But online teaching, especially the asynchronous mode, will certainly help all students because of its flexibility.

Technology will eventually replace the teacher

Till the dawn of the third millennium, higher educational institutions in India were preponderantly teacher-oriented. The last two decades have brought some welcome change in that there have been conscious attempts to make the curricula student-centred. But this pandemic has brought in yet another paradigm shift the conscious and deliberate move towards technology. Earlier, teachers were synonymous with chalk and duster but are now seen with laptops and head-phones and that would sum up the change in pedagogy.

There is an innate fear in teachers, especially the old timers that technology will eventually replace them. Teachers need to be reassured that they cannot be replaced but also need to be told that their role has changed significantly. Earlier, they were seen as the repositories of knowledge. But now they are seen as syllabus designers, content developers, knowledge sharers all through the medium of technology. Therefore, they need to develop a different set of skills, especially knowledge of Learning Management Systems (LMS).

Students prefer face-to-face interaction, not online teaching

This is a subtle form of resistance. Teachers who are not very comfortable with technology and are hesitant to switch over to online teaching use a weak argument that their students prefer face-to-face interaction and not online teaching. This stems from a wishful thinking that teachers are indispensable and, without them, the teaching-learning system would collapse. The youth are not only conversant with technology but are also willing to embrace change in any form. They constantly look forward to new ideas and love to experiment and innovate and, therefore, will not have major issues in switching over to online education. Most students, if properly oriented, will switch over to online learning seamlessly and the onus is on the educational system, especially teachers, tofacilitate this transition smoothly. To these students, it is not a question of either/or but both technology and teachers.

Online teaching-learning is not as effective as face-to-face mode

There are quite a few advantages in face-to-face classroom transactions. The biggest is that teachers can think on their feet, strategise according to the content and the mood of their students and constantly monitor students intake. Unfortunately, these are absent in online teaching-learning. The content, mode and manner of delivery are already programmed for each module and teachers have little freedom once a module is prepared and delivered. Besides, the attention span of students in the online mode, especially in the asynchronous mode, is unpredictable. Therefore, it is argued that face-to-face interaction is better than online instruction.

There are merits and demerits in both ways. But good teachers are always good, whatever the mode. A good teacher will always adjust the content and delivery according to the mode and will ensure that there isnt a big gap between input and intake. Therefore, the question of which is a better mode doesnt arise.

Degrees and diplomas obtained through online education are not valid

In India, education is synonymous with offline education, which is equated with schools and colleges in their physical structures. The nation is still reluctant to accept degrees and diplomas earned through the online mode, which and subconsciously they are deemed inferior. Online education is assumed to be meant for those who dont make it to regular colleges or universities for want of sound financial and/or academic credentials. Even in the job market, online degrees and diplomas are not treated on par with regular degrees and diplomas.

Two clarifications are required. The kind of online e-learning that we are discussing is, in fact, a blend of online and offline. Face-to-face interaction is supplemented with online teaching and this is due to the fact that regular classes cannot be conducted because of the lockdown, forcing teachers and institutions to switch over to the online mode. Therefore, it is strictly speaking not an online programme as such. Second, technically, there is no distinction between the degrees and diplomas earned through online or offline education. Both are virtually the same.

Extraordinary times and situations call for bold and radical solutions. In this new ecosystem created by this pandemic, teachers have to constantly reinvent themselves to address the exigencies born of this crisis and offer students whatever is relevant and helps them adapt to a crisis thereby making them resourceful and resilient.

The writer is the Dean, School of English & Foreign Languages, Gandhigram Rural Institute. Email josephdorairaj@gmail.com

See the original post here:
Seven myths about online education - The Hindu