Exemplary online education: for whom online learning can work better

It is still too early for a complete understanding of how Covid-19 has affected online education; but the effects on students, teachers, parents, and curricula need to be captured and reported in standardized research formats to prepare for thorough analyses later. Perhaps sufficient detail can be compiled to focus on individual years of education, but surely the overall differences between early, primary, secondary, and tertiary education will be covered. Many universities worldwide have led this change and stopped their traditional teaching and closed campuses, and some also began to implement online class models for teaching. Other levels of education may have been less prepared for these radical changes. How is Covid affecting interactive learning environments?

Is it possible that the pandemic has motivated a dynamic change in the world where online education can truly begin to involve our best teachers in the education of all our children, where our knowledge patrimony will be shared equitably for all in ways that open our knowledge inheritance to everyone?

Students:

All students and especially adolescents need more sleep. Perhaps students learn better learning on an online schedule aligned to their circadian rhythms rather than the schedule that in many districts was created to enable bus companies to operate most efficiently.

Students who learn online can pursue their passions and interests only indirectly related to the curriculum they face.

For many students, school is a huge distraction to learning, especially in high school where the focus in often more on socializing and fitting in than on curricula. While socialization is important in its own right, especially in the early years, pursuing independent study is also important. Online interactive environments provide students with varied opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas.

A tremendous benefit of learning online is that, when done right, students can learn at their own pace. Online interactive environments can offer more choice.

Interactive online learning environments can overcome health issues that might get in the way of a traditional class setting. Of course, limitations might need individualized attention from experienced teachers, so this is not for everyone. However, limitations need to be addressed as part of the overview of strengths.

Many virtual schools require children to work through online courses independently, supplemented by occasional virtual interactions with teachers. That self-directed approach has attracted self-motivated students and those with parents available to act as learning coaches. But it has not worked well for those who need more live, face-to-face teacher guidance.

Curriculum:

Much of the curriculum has been adapted to an online format, the long-term consequence of which is yet to be recognized. How well have curriculum changes made use of research on best practices for interactive learning environments?

Teachers:

For most teachers, adapting their well-honed curricula to online environments has presented challenges which they were not trained to overcome. How did the best cope?

Many teachers have left their districts to teach online. They have acquired skills that will enlarge their classroom experiences. Can we capture these changes? The apparent quality of the e-learning system used and teachers’ self-efficacy may be critical factors in making teachers willing to continue their online practices after the pandemic. Have the best succeeded?

Parents:

Child health and safety are among the top reasons that parents are turning to homeschool and online school options for K-12 students. What lessons have been learned to enlarge home school?

Although most public and private K-12 schools have reopened for the 2021–2022 school year, many parents are reluctant about sending their children back for in-person sessions. How has this affected the parents’ decisions about students being homeschooled or transferred to online schools?

These educational options for students don’t come without challenges. Parents have to rearrange their schedules, consider job changes, or pay for their child’s education. Students also have adjustments to make, ranging from limited social interaction to comprehending digital platforms. So, why would a parent be willing to take on the added pressure?

Beyond having access to top-notch educators, parents also have the option to enroll their children in better online schools. As budgets and limited resources often restrict public schools, online schools may have more funds and tools to provide higher quality education. As virtual learning also doesn’t require in-person visits, parents can choose from schools widely distributed as opposed to in their immediate neighborhood.

Whether a parent decides to teach their children themselves or go to an online school, the learning experiences can be more personalized. Class sizes may be more irrelevant. As some school districts are starting to remove certain subjects from the curriculum, parents have more influence on what their children learn. Online universities may be developing new degree and certificate programs, and more companies are shifting to online interactive environments.

The global health and economic crisis has resulted in many changes throughout the world. Can international comparisons offer wider strategies for exemplary online education?

Limitations:

It is clear that online education is not for everyone. Whether virtual schools can maintain high enrollments after the pandemic remains to be seen. Even self-driven students who enjoy online school said they missed their friends, not to mention in-person activities like gymnastics.