5 Ways Covid-19 Changed Education
1. Distance Learning
There is so many ways COVID-19 changed the world. But when the World Health Organization announced that the deadly disease is already a pandemic, the COVID-19 has resulted in schools closings across the world. According to World Economic Forum over 1.2 billion children are out of the classroom since March 2020.
As a result, education changed dramatically. In the Philippines, as the entire island of Luzon was put into quarantine and schools were forced to either finish the academic year early or continue classes via digital platforms. Summer programs are also either cancelled or offered through online classes.
The world instantaneously accepted that distance learning is the new normal.
2. Going Online, Digital and Virtual
The education shift to e-learning is so distinct that educators are claiming that COVID-19 has changed education forever. With the uncertainty when will the pandemic end; preschools, kindergarten and child care centers around the world are indefinitely closed due to social distancing measures.
Going online, digital and virtual seems to be the key to ensure that learning continues despite the world's condition. Education experts came up with various approaches for distance learning, while all came with its own risks and opportunities, they all still agreed on one thing - this is the digital transformation in education and the rise of educational technology.
And as per Jim Knight (former UK Schools Minister), "Blended learning approaches will be tried, tested, and increasingly used", there's no way to education but to embrace change especially during these times.
3. Educators Rise
It may not be the talk of the town but teachers and schools are definitely one of the institutions that we should appreciate and support during this pandemic. They are playing such important roles in fighting all odds just to make sure that 'learning is still open' despite schools being closed.
The efforts teachers are currently doing is irrefutably remarkable. It's incredible how they were able to learn so quick and apply them in an instant -- from moving their physical classrooms to virtual classrooms, turning their lesson plans and materials into digital learning resources to setting up their online learning management systems all at the same time and don't forget to mention managing their classes in those web conferencing apps. Their commitment is unbelievable!
2020 is not only the digital rise but it is also the time when Educators stood up not only for their students but for the whole world.
4. Parent-Involvement
It's not only the schools, teachers and students that are affected by this change in education. Parents and other sole carers are also definitely overwhelmed. It's on the news and social media how parents are having difficulties supporting their child's education while trying to overcome work-life challenges. One main issue that they are encountering is working from home and at the same time trying to attend children's needs.
But with the unexpected support and care of the whole world to each other right now, more and more ways how to deal with your children and their learning are being put out there. But if you look closer there is one underlying theme among all these tips and tricks -- it is to let them be children and don't pressure both yourself and your child into recreating 'school' at home.
Remember that children still learn best through play especially during the early childhood years. The common advice nowadays is treasure this precious time of being together at home.
5. Virtual Learning
Having said that there are a lot of educational practices and learning deliveries different schools are testing now, we can say that virtual learning appears to be the closes one to the actual classroom experience.
Online Virtual Learning holds the promise to continue delivering the holistic learning experience schools and educators aim to provide our children especially in the 21st century. With the mix of progressive curriculum, various virtual learning environments like learning management systems and web conferencing platforms, learning will definitely still prosper. And do not forget the fact that millions of educators are working tirelessly at this very moment to make sure that learning goes on.
Educators, learners and families must learn to adapt to a rapid and unexpected towards virtual distance learning. This is the reality today and the world is still full of uncertainties. The only way that we can move forward especially regarding our children's education is to accept that virtual learning is here to stay.
