Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1531100
8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 JANUARY 2025 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt Majority of children shared devices for remote learning during pandemic MORE than half of Maltese children were forced to share a learning space or technological device during school closures, according to a study recently published in the Malta Review of Educational Research. The findings highlight how the COVID-19 pandemic ex- acerbated existing educational inequalities. According to surveys con- ducted in 2020 and 2021, 69% of children initially shared a de- vice for online learning, drop- ping slightly to 54.8% a year later as some parents invested in new equipment. Meanwhile, only 7.5% of children had a personal learning space with a desk in their room, with many forced to share with siblings or parents working from home. The study, which targeted parents of children under the age of 11, revealed how so- cio-economic factors shaped learning experiences during the lockdowns. Parents' educa- tion levels, financial resources, and ability to assist their chil- dren were key determinants of children's academic progress. Pandemic pressures The first survey, conducted in September 2020, focused on the 15-week lockdown earli- er that year, while the second, in September 2021, examined the two-week closure in March 2021. Findings showed that limited space and shared devic- es disrupted learning for many children. Some parents turned kitchens and living rooms in- to makeshift classrooms, while others struggled to create any dedicated learning area at all. One parent-teacher described transforming an office into a classroom, juggling their teach- ing duties with their child's online lessons. However, 37% of respondents said their chil- dren lacked a specific space for remote learning, and over one- third reported regular distur- bances during lessons. Digital divide Access to technology was another significant challenge. While most children had ac- cess to a device, it was often shared with family members. The percentage of children with personal laptops increased from 20.6% in 2020 to 28.9% in 2021, but families from lower socio-economic backgrounds continued to face barriers. Poor internet connectivity and limited digital literacy among parents further widened the gap. Parents also expressed frus- tration with the sudden shift to remote teaching, saying they were unprepared to take on the role of educators. Many felt overwhelmed by the demands, particularly those with multi- ple children or limited knowl- edge to assist with schoolwork. Calls for action The authors of the study ad- vocate for targeted interven- tions to address digital, social, and economic inequities. They recommend improving access to technological equipment, reliable internet, adequate learning spaces, and better support for parents. Without such measures, the inequalities exposed during the pandem- ic risk becoming entrenched, jeopardising efforts to provide fair and quality education for all Maltese children. The study was conducted by researchers and academics: Josephine Deguara, Josephine Milton, Charmaine Bonello, Rosienne Camilleri, and Tania Muscat. MALTESE Sign Language (LSM) emerged as a formalised language around 1980, when the first Deaf club in Malta was es- tablished. Prior to this, its history was largely undocumented, but it was believed to have been in- fluenced by British Sign Lan- guage due to Malta's colonial past. Today, LSM serves not only as a means of everyday commu- nication but also as a medium for education and professional conversation. "Sign languages are not just a means of communication; they are integral to the identity and culture of their users," Luca El- lul, a linguistics student at the University of Malta, told Mal- taToday. LSM incorporates unique signs that reflect Maltese cul- ture and geography. For exam- ple, the sign for "Sliema" is the same as for 'snob/posh,' while "Msida" blends the letter 'M' with the sign for 'sinking.' The sign for "Gozo" references the island's three hills, "Mosta" re- fers to the Church Dome, and "Qormi" combines 'Q' with the sign for 'bread.' Unlike British Sign Language, which uses a two-handed al- phabet system, Maltese Sign Language employs a one-hand- ed alphabet system. This one-handed system is very old and developed from the 1600s-era Spanish Sign Lan- guage alphabet. Ellul emphasised that Maltese Sign Language has developed distinct features that reflect local culture, making it more than just a tool for conversa- tion. "The sign for 'house' in LSM is formed with a specif- ic handshape that symbolises Malta's flat-roofed buildings." The Maltese Sign Language Council was established fol- lowing the recognition of LSM to advise on matters related to sign language, support re- search, and promote its de- velopment. The Council also plays a role in setting standards for interpreter competency and fostering cooperation among stakeholders in the sign lan- guage sector. Ellul pointed out that LSM includes agreement verbs that mark relationships between pronouns and actions, which are crucial for understanding context. "When signing 'ask,' the handshape changes de- pending on whether the action involves the first, second, or third person." Fortunately, resources sur- rounding Maltese Sign Lan- guage are on the rise. In the past few years, online MSL dic- tionaries have been in devel- opment, including the Maltese Sign Language Project by the University of Malta's Institute of Linguistics and Language Technology, and another of- fered by the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Dis- ability. Educational programmes at institutions like the University of Malta offer courses in LSM, aiming to improve communi- cation skills among students and increase awareness about Deaf culture. In 1973, the Maltese Deaf People Association was found- ed and represents around 1,500 people who are deaf or hard of hearing in Malta and Gozo. Additionally, the Asso- ciation is a member of both the European Union of the Deaf and the World Federa- tion of the Deaf. Worldwide, around 300 different sign lan- guages are used. A study has found that 69% of children shared devices during the first lockdown, with only 7.5% having a dedicated learning space, exposing the pandemic's impact on educational equality in Malta The lesser known third official language of Malta