Features of the mental state of middle school children in different forms of education under martial law

Abstract

Introduction. In the conditions of martial law, the study of issues related to the application of blended learning methods and tools in the educational process of general secondary education institutions becomes more relevant. Since 2019, educators have already gained suficient experience in implementing blended and distance learning for-mats into the educational process. However, the prolonged war introduces its adjustments to the current educational process and defines the specifics of the functioning of general secondary education institutions under new conditions. Significant attention is required not only to improve the educational environment in which the child learns but also to find ways to enhance the physical condition of all participants in the educational process, particularly the mental health of children of various school ages, who, unfortunately, increasingly show different signs of stress. The aim of the study is to determine the mental state of middle school children under blended and distance learning forms during the period of martial law. Materials and Methods. The research was conducted at Dnipro Gymnasium No. 37 of the Dnipro City Council and the Communal Institution “Gymnasium No. 28” of the Kamianske City Council. The scientific study involved 36 students aged 11-12 years. Among them, 17 general secondary education students were taught using blended learning, and 19 were taught using distance learning. The research was conducted under wartime conditions.

The following methods were used in the study: theoretical analysis and synthesis of data from scientific and methodological literature, psychodiagnostic methods, and methods of mathematical statistics. Results. The study determined the presence of stress in middle school-aged children under blended and distance learning conditions during martial law. The definition of stress was conducted using the “Methodology by V. Yu. Shcherbatykh”. The analysis of signs of intellectual, behavioral, emotional, and physiological stress in children who studied through blended and distance learning formats showed that students in the blended learning group exhibited more pronounced signs of stress compared to children in the distance learning group. Conclusion. To compensate for the educational losses of secondary school students caused by the peculiarities of the educational process during quarantine restrictions and periods of martial law, educators are considering the feasibility of implementing blended learning approaches and tools in educational institutions. Organizing the educational process during a period of martial law has its own peculiarities and should take into account the mental state of children, which influences their academic success. The research results allowed us to identify the peculiarities of the mental state of children who engaged in blended and distance learning formats. It was determined that children who studied through blended learning exhibited more signs of intellectual, behavioral, emotional, and physiological stress compared to children who engaged in distance learning formats