To anyone present in today’s society, it is clear to see that we are living in a digital age where smart technologies are having a dramatic impact on our lifestyles. Social media has altered everything - from the way that we maintain our friendships, to the way that we advertise. The age at which our children are given their own tablets and digital tools is becoming increasingly younger, and these items are undoubtedly revolutionizing the way that we live. It was only a matter of time before someone established a way to introduce this technology into our academic or professional environments, and it is officials from the city of Moscow who have stepped up to the challenge.
When you think of advanced, high-tech cities, it’s unlikely that the Russian capital is a location that immediately springs to mind. The neon-lit streets of Tokyo, and the quirky office spaces of Silicon Valley, perhaps, but not Moscow. However Muscovites very much value the ability to stay well-connected and digitally immersed as much as people anywhere else in the world and it is because of this that their government have funded a 300 million dollar initiative to make the city smarter through introducing online schooling.
Moscow’s Online Classroom
With so much technology at our fingertips, the traditional teaching methods of chalk and blackboard now seem outdated and dull. Why maintain this approach to education just because that’s the way it has always been done? Historically it made sense because there were limitations in terms of what was possible, but now that we have made significant technological advancements, we should apply those to our teaching methods, surely? Through modifying the education model, Moscow schools are able to deliver material in a manner that is more immersive, exciting, and interactive. They are able to create programs with stunning visuals that captivate the attention of the students, and they can do so on a platform that provides a more personalized approach to education.
The Moscow Online School program was first trialled in 2016 in an attempt to test the waters and establish the model’s feasibility. What seemed uncertain at first has provided positive results beyond what anyone could have predicted. The trial project saw the initiative rolled out to 6 schools. In less than one year, the students involved in the study saw a remarkable 15% improvement in their grades, with 80% of teachers and parents reporting that they were happy with the results.
This is why Moscow city officials are confident that the future of Russian education lies within this modern method and as such, are rolling out online education to all 773 schools across the city. Presently, 116 schools have all of the equipment necessary and are ready to go. The roll out process for onboarding the remaining schools is scheduled for completion by the end of 2018.
What are the Advantages?
The Moscow online school comes with a hefty investment and is such a unique concept that it may almost seem a little risque. A shift away from longstanding, traditional teaching methods can of course make some people nervous but there are numerous benefits to the new online model which Moscow government officials predict will make everyone’s lives easier.
- Classes don’t come with baggage - With the introduction of Moscow’s online school, long gone are the days where kids have to lug their heavy backpacks packed full of notebooks and study resources to and from school every day. Online textbooks and resources are exactly that - online! This not only saves kids and parents hassle, but it mitigates the risk of children ever forgetting or losing their materials.
- A more personalized teaching experience - Arguably one of the greatest benefits associated with the shift to online classes is the personalization aspect. The new platform acts as an interface between parents, kids and teachers. As an example, when a teacher marks a student’s homework, the grades are recorded online and communicated directly with students and parents, ensuring that all parties involved are aware of the child’s academic progress. Parents and pupils can respond to teacher comments, therefore obtaining valuable feedback and making communication easier, particularly for those students that are slightly more shy and whom may be afraid to open up otherwise.
- Parents remain informed - An additional aspect of the online learning system is that it acts as an online “diary” so as to keep parents and pupils informed of the educational syllabus. We all know that kids often grumble and stick their fingers in their ears dismissively when asked what they did during their day at school so the new system will aid parents in developing a better understanding as to what is going on with their child’s education, along with being able to see (and plan for) upcoming school events, trips and excursions.
- A pleasant learning environment - Following implementation of the online classroom system, every class will be equipped with Wi-Fi and 81 inch interactive panels, thereby captivating children’s attention far better than a notepad and pen ever could.
- Educational content is available anywhere and everywhere - Provided the user has their login details at hand, they are able to access lessons and supporting content wherever they are so kids will never again fall behind when they are off sick! If a student wants to revisit material taught in class for any reason (revision or struggling to understand the lesson), they are able to do so at the click of a button.
- Reduced paperwork - All things administrative will be recorded via the online system as opposed to via hard copies. Registers, report cards, test scores and homework assignments are all centralized in one location for easy access. Parents are able to review historic records relating to their child - test scores, homework grades, attendance, etc - a useful analytical tool that allows them to determine how their child is progressing with time.
The Moscow online schooling system is a digital classroom environment designed for digital era children and young adults. The program is expected to revolutionize the way that children study and who knows, it could pave the way for similar models internationally in the near future.