Abstract

LINNE, Joaquín. Secondary Schooling and Digital Technologies in Times of Pandemic. Espac. blanco, Ser. indagaciones [online]. 2022, vol.32, n.1, pp.128-141. ISSN 1515-9485.  http://dx.doi.org/10.37177/unicen/eb32-319.

This article explores a series of socio-educational practices and dynamics in secondary schools during the COVID-19 pandemic from its inception in early 2020 to its current drifts (mid-2021). For this, a survey (n: 623) and interviews with 40 students and teachers from the City of Buenos Aires were carried out. Fieldwork and the state of the art agree that, with the pandemic, the digital-educational gap has widened, in particular, due to the greater difficulties of connectivity and monitoring of distance classes among those who belong to popular sectors. Among the most relevant data, effects on the psychophysical health of a significant part of the educational community are observed: insomnia, malaise, anxiety, burn out and depression among students, teachers, parents and mothers. Beyond difficulties and uncertainty, students miss attending school as a space for meeting and sociability. They also demand an update of content and a greater inclusion of computer knowledge that is useful to them. Among the conclusions, in addition to the criticism of the school institution due to the scarcity or overload of tasks and classes by video call, the student population vindicates the teaching work and wishes to return to school presence as a place of socialization and learning.

Keywords : high school; pandemic; digital technologies; students; teachers.