The education sector has seen a silver lining amid the challenges caused by the suspension and resumption of on-campus instruction.
However, the evolving new normal of online learning has brought about new concerns not just to the education sector, but many other sectors as well.
"With the support of school leaders, teachers, parents and nonprofit organizations, students are already advancing on a coconstructed path carved out by the new normal," said Nancy Law Luk Wai-ying, deputy director of the Centre for Information Technology in Education at the University of Hong Kong's faculty of education.
"Society should seize the opportunity to work together on building a better new normal."
The advice came after HKU released all five phases of findings based on research conducted in June and July last year by the faculty of education's eCitizen Education 360 Project. The research looked at experiences of online learning since the first school suspension last February.
Last month, panel members from the community shared positive results they had seen from online learning in a public symposium.
E-learning has helped students with special education needs learn more effectively through the repeated review of learning materials. Schools also paid more attention to the professional development of teachers and were able to make use of new education technology platforms.
Online learning has also enhanced communication between schools and homes, and parents have gained a better understanding of their children's needs and progress.
However, the evolving new normal has also brought about new concerns.
Charles Chan Kin-hung, the executive director of The Boys' & Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong, and Wan Lap-man from the social work sector expressed concern about students' well-being.
While there have been benefits, the new normal has also led to increased chances of internet addiction, cyber pitfalls and conflict with parents, partly due to challenges faced while transitioning from face-to-face instructions to online learning as well as drawn-out confinement at home.
As a result, schools, teachers and parents have made tremendous efforts to rise to the demands of learning new digital skills and adapting to e-learning platforms and new modes of teaching.
The panel suggested that parents make use of the summer vacation to consolidate the experience of learning at home and work with schools to prepare for the new school year.
It added that for parents and home-school cooperation committees, maintaining a good parent-child relationship based on care and understanding is a cornerstone of effective parenting.
Schools can take advantage of the summer vacation to hold activities for parents and children and reach out to parents who seldom contact schools.
This would strengthen parent-child and home-school relationships and nurture district-based, mutually supportive networks.
Home-school organizations can also help by organizing seminars and sharing sessions for parents and recommending software and digital games that parents and children can enjoy together.
Information literacy is equally important for parents.
Home-school organizations can introduce parents, particularly those with SEN children, to digital platforms, which will provide parents with the knowledge needed to help their children adapt.
Educational technology development that meets the actual needs of schools also needs to be promoted.
According to Eric Chan Sze-yuen of Hong Kong Cyberport, there are many challenges in matching educational technology start-ups and schools.
He expressed hope for platforms for EdTech start-ups to interact with schools to tailor products for individual learning needs - particularly the needs of students with SEN.
"Hong Kong has a unique environment: every student has access to a tablet," Victor Cheng Pat-leung, executive director of Hong Kong Education City, said.
"I encourage the industry and academia to take part in developing a reasonable, mutually beneficial business model."
cara.chen@singtaonewscorp.com
HKU recently released findings based on e-learning research conducted in June and July last year.
