A Call to Rethink Online Learning
Students across the nation are at an unbalanced risk to lose valuable years of their education.
As millions of students made the switch to online school in 2020, it was unclear how much of a role the situation of each student would play on their performance. The circumstances of their home life, determined by income, family education, etc., were overlooked to account for the spreading pandemic. It is only now that we have become conscious of the irreparable damage this might produce in students’ learning. Because of the threatening nature of this issue, it is crucial to mitigate the negative effects that the switch to online learning brings about.
The main problems with the switch to online learning include students being left behind in their schoolwork, the dependence on resources, and the ineffectiveness of online learning. These impede the proper development of students, and can have devastating consequences in the future.
Falling Behind
Students across the country are at differing risks to being left behind other classmates. An article by Paloma Esquivel explores this issue, assessing the impact online learning has on affluent students compared to less fortunate ones:
“low-income-serving districts . . . were at a deep digital deficit when compared to districts serving more affluent areas.”
This divide could easily lead to students having different levels of understanding of the subjects they are taught based on their economic status. For a system that prides itself on equality, the current American education system is undermining students’ ability to succeed based on their income.
Some governments are attempting to address the ‘digital deficit’ through programs designed to reduce the so-called digital divide between classes. These can include distribution of devices and access to free Wi-Fi. School systems have begun to adapt this model, though some are facing hiccups in the distribution of digital devices. This approach is effective in that it ensures that every student in need of a computer can have access to one. The development of these initiatives can help narrow the divide between students, and allow for a level playing field when it comes to learning opportunities.
Losing Connection
Like access to digital devices, the disparities in access to internet also demonstrate a pattern of an unbalanced distribution of resources across states.
This means that students in certain states are at an even greater risk of performing worse than their counterparts in other states. This phenomenon is also described by the Learning Loss Risk Index. The same states that have high percentages of households without internet are also at a higher risk of learning loss. Emphasis should be placed on ensuring that students in these states are not left behind in the long run. It would be sensible to introduce programs which provide access to technology for households which need it, as this would greatly reduce the risk.
Rising Concerns
In addition to the issues of falling behind and learning loss, the switch to online raises the question of how students’ mental health is affected. In a paper by Ezgin Akpinar, it was found that online learning introduced concerns for the mental health of students, stemming from the lack of peers and isolation from lecturers and friends. Online learning also produced more stress in these students. Coupled with the finding that attitude and outlook can affect propensity to learn online, and it is easy to see how a cycle of stress and lack of learning can form. The protection of physical health from Covid-19 comes at the price of mental health for many students. If these mental health concerns continue to develop, we could be facing a generation unique in its levels of stress and mental health issues.
If allowed to run rampant, the digital divide in the US may cause permanent damage to its students’ academic studies. This will create a cycle, isolating the less fortunate, who do not as easily have access to the resources required to partake in online schooling. The new educational system, a direct cause of the Covid pandemic, puts students at risk of reduced opportunities in the future, and of falling behind in the present.
Addressing Issues
The implementation of online learning, although necessary, has brought with it detrimental effects to students in crucial years of their studies. Differences in equity and concerns about mental health point to the idea that online learning is harming students in certain circumstances. Because of this, it is important to set up programs to minimize negative effects. Preferably, all students would be in physical school once again, but this is not yet possible. Because online school will remain in practice for the time being, other alternatives must be pursued.
One such alternative would be to set up funds and programs dedicated to providing students with adequate equipment to access online classes. The lack of resources is a major contributing factor for underperformance in students, and can lead to long-term issues. Federal and State funds could be allocated towards this purpose, with enough support from the people directly affected by the change. While this would not address the inequity that is innately present in a community, it would help create equality of opportunity for all students, if done correctly.
Another aspect of online learning is its impact on mental health. The potential cycle of stress and lack of learning which arises from online learning methods can spell disaster for their studies, as well as create mental health problems which will not be easily addressed. The only clear solution to this problem is the complete reopening of schools, as this would expose students to their peers and more effective manners of teaching.
While these solutions require vast amounts of support and work from people nationwide, they are crucial in maintaining excellence among students. They would give students the best chance at succeeding in their schoolwork, while keeping good mental health and sustaining important relationships.
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought with it an unexpected range of consequences, including the transition from traditional teaching methods to online learning. This brings with it its own problems, which must be addressed in order to ensure students remain as successful as before. The new educational system puts students at risk of underperforming, but, under the right guidance, it is possible to push through and attain greatness. It is up to us to define how the future will be.