Abstract:

The Corona plague has forced education systems around the world to adapt to the limitations of home isolation and to make use of web-based distance learning systems such as zoom. The ultra-Orthodox sector in Israel, which has traditionally avoided or rarely used the online medium, has also had to adapt to the new challenges posed by the epidemic, and offer an alternative to distance learning for its children, in a way that suits social norms and the conservative communication and technology space. Indeed, A variety of alternative learning channels were offered for elementary, middle, and high school children among the ultra-Orthodox community: Asynchronous telephone recordings; Conference rooms synchronous group telephones; Distribution of audio files and their consumption through MP3 devices distributed to children; Dedicated radio channels for broadcasting lessons and more. At the same time, the intra-sectoral ultra-Orthodox press reported that among ultra-Orthodox communities with more modern characteristics. This study is designed to examine the characteristics of distance learning in the Corona period, the different alternatives found to online learning, the attitude of people in the ultra-Orthodox sector to different media, and the sociological implications of these components.

The study was constructed as an analysis of multiple perspectives on the issue under discussion and includes the prism of (a) the directors of the institutions [of boys and girls], (b) teachers [rabbis], and (c) the parents of the children who are key figures regarding online learning. In the first phase of the study, a questionnaire will examine the attitudes and perceptions of parents from the ultra-Orthodox sector regarding distance learning in the Corona period. The questionnaire will examine how distance learning takes place in schools while emphasizing the attitude toward the Internet. Besides, a questionnaire will be built for in-depth interviews with principals and teachers in ultra-Orthodox schools, who are in fact the generators of distance learning. During the interviews, we will try to outline the alternatives found to the internet platforms. In the second phase, the questionnaire will be delivered through a sample telephone survey (N = 505) that will be conducted through a survey institute that specializes in addressing the ultra-Orthodox sector, in light of the community-geographical segmentation. The use of the telephone survey over an online survey is intended to enable access to all conservative levels of parents in the ultra-Orthodox sector.

The topic of online learning, which has been intensively researched in the past - has never been researched concerning conservative communities that restrict themselves to access certain channels. Online learning is considered one that stems from a technological-utopian concept, and as one that is an arrowhead for technological innovation (Levin, 2018). The present study offers several new perspectives in this context: a comprehensive inter-communal comparison comparing conservative and modern communities; Focusing on the perception of technology in light of its central function in the relationship between the enclave culture and the general society; And an in-depth analysis of signs of potential changes that will occur in the wake of recent tectonic events.

Keywords:

Distant Learning, Covid 19, Digital Media, Enclave Communities.