The education crisis is in full swing, and there are many promising trends to tackle the issue. These trends range from online and blended learning to focusing explicitly on the most vulnerable demographics. However, many educators are concerned about how these approaches will affect the quality of education and learning.
Online learning
One of education’s biggest challenges is student’s lack of time and resources. With the recent pandemic, the time for education has significantly decreased. In Bangladesh, for example, the time spent in school decreased by 80%. In Kenya, remote learning was used by 22% of students, while in Burkina Faso, 50% of children were engaged in online learning. In Ghana, the pandemic affected two-thirds of students, and twenty and thirty percent spent no time at school. While online learning was an innovative solution, educators had to learn how to adapt to the new reality.
Online learning has undergone some evolutions in recent years. It began when personal computers were cheaper and more people used computers for work. During this time, organizations began uploading learning materials to web-based platforms to access them anywhere in the world. At the same time, CD-ROM developers recognized that their educational content needed to be adapted for this new environment.
Blended learning
Educator workloads are already crushing, but the pandemic has intensified the need for collaborative approaches that help address this education crisis. A great example is the Minority Scholars Program in Montgomery County, Maryland, which has increased access to rigorous classes and club activities for students of color. Starting in one high school 15 years ago, it has since expanded to 25 tall and 22 middle schools, involving more than 2,000 students. Another example is a partnership between union members and parents in a Chicago suburb. The union offers workshops and training to empower caregivers to advocate for children.
The pandemic has thrown the education system into chaos. While many countries are still recovering from the effects of the disease, others say the current system is no longer relevant. For example, the author Yuval Noah Harari writes in Sapiens that schools have become too focused on rote learning and traditional academic skills, which aren’t as crucial for future success as critical thinking and adaptability. As a result, the move to online learning may be the catalyst for a new approach to education. Some worry that a sudden transition will be too disruptive, but others think e-learning will become the norm.
Memorization of content alone
The Covid-19 pandemic has left a legacy that is far from over. Educational sciences will continue to analyze this global shift for years to come. These testimonies of real-life people who experienced the early change online will be vital in the educational debate.
Explicitly allocate resources to vulnerable groups.
The recent pandemic has overwhelmed our education system, leaving children of all backgrounds and economic levels suffering from the disease. While this impact is widespread, the effect is particularly severe among historically disadvantaged students. During the pandemic, children of color and those from low-income families had limited access to food and shelter, which had tangible consequences on child development.
In addition to the economic and educational crisis, housing insecurity plagues many families. This has a significant impact on children’s ability to return to school. Furthermore, job losses resulting from the pandemic have resulted in many evicted families. In addition, U.S. Census Bureau data estimates that 11.9 million adults living in rental housing are behind on rent. These numbers are significantly higher among Black, Hispanic, and Asian renters.
Preparing for emergencies
Developing an EOP is one way to ensure schools are prepared for a range of emergencies, including an outbreak of a pandemic illness. While COVID-19 is not likely to reach pandemic status, it is essential to ensure schools are ready to handle an epidemic. To help them prepare, the U.S. Department of Education has developed guidance for schools that can help them develop an EOP and a crisis response team. In addition, the direction provides specific actions for schools in the event of an outbreak of COVD-19.
To prepare for such an event, schools must have an emergency management plan that addresses the needs of students and staff. These plans must cover continuity of learning activities, a succession of authority, and payroll. They should also establish staff guidelines, including those who must remain on campus during school closures.