Covid-19 has wreaked havoc across the world, causing a mass shutdown of schools, universities, public gatherings and more to help curb the spread of the virus.
And whilst this is a vital step in the action plan to curb the spread of the virus, there are going to be a number of knock-on effects – social isolation can lead people to feel lonely and disconnected from their communities, and of course there are ramifications for children and parents, who need to fill hours constructively whilst the schools are closed.
So how can we use technology to close the social distance gap?
Well, to start with, most of us use Apps on a daily basis that allow us to communicate with others – from WhatsApp and Skype to Facebook Messenger and FaceTime, we have the tools at our disposal to communicate with our colleagues, friends and families in real time, and we should be making a point of doing just that.
Whilst a video call will never replace the value of a face-to-face interaction, it is significantly better than no communication at all, and the added value of seeing someone else’s face as they talk to you via a mobile device goes a long way to closing the geographical distance.
From a business perspective, there are internal communications tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business and Zoom that can help keep teams connected. For more information on these, speak to our client Design Communications – they have some excellent systems to keep your business up and running.
It is important to note that not everyone is equally technologically-minded, and some people may need help finding, downloading, opening and using mobile video-calling functions on their mobiles. Where possible, help out to explain where to find and how to use these functions.
There is also some really useful information on how to find, download and use communications Apps at this link
Keeping kids’ brains active
Social isolation doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t go outside if the weather is suitable – in fact, it’s an ideal time to take your children out to open spaces such as parks, estates, forests etc. to enjoy some exercise and fresh air.
Take the right precautions, such as hand-washing and sanitising and avoiding physical contact with others, but if the weather is conducive, there is no better way to stimulate the kids than getting active outdoors.
But if the weather isn’t great, or it’s time to come indoors, then there are a number of educational Apps that can help fill the hours constructively, and ensure that your kids don’t get left behind in terms of their education. These Apps are a combination of completely free, or with some in-App purchases but should all offer you some excellent options to educate from home.
DragonBox and Quick Maths are great for maths puzzles and games for learners across a wide age spectrum.
For spelling and languages, Crossword Puzzles and Spelling Stage are ideal, and if foreign languages sound like fun then Duolingo is an excellent, free and simple way to get them started!
For science, My Molecularium offers kids an interactive and entertaining way to learn and understand chemistry concepts, molecular structure, chemical formulas and more.
For more general educational fun, YouTube Kids and Flow Free offer a range of games, puzzles, fun videos, experiments and more that can be done at home with minimal fuss.
The team at Realnet is sending all its clients and extended friends and family well wishes, and is on hand to offer any guidance or advice around staying in contact using digital technologies during this difficult period.
For more information or help please contact the team on 01223 550800 or info@realnet.co.uk.