The covid-19 pandemic has changed education forever. Students must attend online classes and thus, get out of their comfort zone. By quitting the in-person education design, students are no longer able to be as active in the community as they’d want to. Their inability to contribute to society combined with their lack of in-person communication makes the online classroom an inconvenient necessity. Teachers are now learning how to mentor online, while parents are still accommodating with the new kids-at-home environment.
The online structure is not as simple as we once thought. There is still a lot of learning needed to take place for the distance learning scheme to function. Let’s check the impact of covid-19 on the U.S. education system, and let’s see what effective improvements could be made.
The Impact of Covid-19 On Students
- By running comparison tests, researchers discovered that students in grades 3-8 had similar results in 2020 compared to 2019 in English. Students who were part of this group maintained an effective self-study disciplined and were able to acquire information with less formal teaching involvement.
- However, fewer students performed well in Math in 2020 compared to 2019. Distance learning has affected students’ abilities to get higher scores in the Math section of most standardized tests. That means that students need more formal training in Math compared to English, and it also shows that self-study is harder for STEM-related subjects.
- The research presented above shows the short-term effects of covid-19 on American education. We’re not sure of the long-term effects yet, we’ll have to study as we go. As a general idea, student achievement will most likely be rated lower than before the pandemic. That means some changes have to be made for students’ academic needs. If you’re a student in need of more information, start searching for quality essays on illness to get a better understanding of covid-related policies in education. Any free essay example that you read will add to the pile of information you could further use. Don’t worry, I know this is hard for you; you’re one of the many students who are struggling. Read the illness essays to set your mind straight and stay informed.
The Impact of Covid-19 on Teachers
- A teacher’s job is to provide accurate and reliable information and convey it in a simple, concise manner. Distance learning prevented many teachers from achieving their goals. There was no room left for authenticity, creativity, and open discussion in the classroom during the pandemic. All that was left was technology; and technology is not personal, unfortunately.
- Teachers had to restructure their lesson plans and track results differently than ever before. Their new systems worked for the most part; but sometimes, they didn’t. Before the pandemic, distance learning was not that popular, so teachers had to struggle to find ways in which they can effectively teach and mentor.
- Some student-teacher relationships became stronger since communication between parties eased up; Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype became the new trend, apps that made a difference in the classroom. Some teachers had little to no access to such communication methods, making them targets for unemployment.
Should Distance Learning Continue to Develop?
Distance learning must continue to develop. If we don’t help make more changes, both students and teachers will be let down. Online education must become more accessible and integrate more sophisticated concepts. The good news is that, once we make these changes, distance learning might be more effective than in-person learning. Not only will it save money, but it will also help students and teachers save precious time.
How Can Teachers Support the Classroom Once Schools Reopen?
- Make sure your voice is heard in public. In case you’ve got policies ready to implement, speak out. There is a need for teachers like you in the community. Don’t let the majority make decisions for you, take the lead.
- Turn the classroom into a safe place. Make sure you’re taking all the necessary precautions. Keep students safe and ensure them that you’re always there for them, even when you might be scared. Help them organize their schedules and integrate physical activities into their daily routine.
- Understand your students’ psychological needs. They might want to open up to you (but maybe they’re too shy to do it). Make sure your door is always open and you’re ready to chat whenever. Support your kids, be there for them. You’re their school parent.
- Slowly get back to normal. The in-person environment is different, and you know it. Make the necessary adjustments and take things slowly. You got this!
- Monitor the new classroom situation. Things will be different from now on, even in the classroom. Keep everything under control, let kids get to know each other again, and help them communicate. Social integration can be difficult at first.
Wrapping Up
Be there for students, communicate openly, and become a real mentor. Don’t be afraid, things will slowly get back to normal. Keep your head high and keep going! Good luck!
