Essay Example on COVID 19’s Grip on Education in America

📌Category: Coronavirus, Education, Health, Pandemic, United States, World
📌Words: 985
📌Pages: 4
📌Published: 21 March 2022

In early 2020, the world as a whole was hit with a massive wave of panic: COVID-19. As many know, COVID-19 changed how everyday life is lived, and it continues to do so.  COVID-19 has changed wardrobes, alcohol consumption levels, mental health, and most importantly, has severely impacted education. Today’s modern education has been known to be incredibly different from past ways of learning with the new introduction of technology. Although, COVID-19 took modern educational changes and pushed them further. After schools were shut down, the technology each student had (or was provided with) was their only source of learning. Students went from sitting in a traditional classroom setting, staring at their computer screens/whiteboards, listening to their educator speak, to using the laptops/tablets as their only source of education. When the pandemic struck, technology was vital, as for many it was a way for students to not only learn but communicate with one another as well. The lingering effects of COVID-19’s hold on education go to show that modern learning has changed greatly, and its educational changes have proved to be beneficial over time.  

The potential benefits of COVID-19 regarding education were questionable in the beginning, as many students, parents, and educators had a fear of the unknown. A two-week spring break extension quickly turned into an immediate shut down of schools, and massive panic. Stores began to shut down, grocery stores were overrun, and the public was hysteric about how life would go on. Fortunately, administrators met and quickly decided the best way to continue education during a global pandemic: technology. The Zoom app became incredibly popular and used by many American schools. It allows students and educators to communicate via video chat. In the first few months, attendance was said to be mandatory, and many students did their best to stay engaged. Thankfully, the No Child Left Behind act was heavily enforced, and failing students in early 2020 was not an option for educators. Many schools decided to freeze prior grades students had before the shutdown. Students had the option to keep their grades or do the work and increase their grades. A lot of leeway and choices were given to those enrolled in school, a major change brought about by COVID-19. COVID-19 benefits many students in the beginning, as strange as it may sound. In April of 2020, Cathi Li released an article titled, “The COVID-19 Pandemic Has Changed Education Forever. This Is How.”, covering the changes in education roughly two years ago. She found evidence supporting the claims that the pandemic was indeed helping American students educationally, rather than delaying them. Li’s evidence stated, “Research suggests that online learning has been shown to increase retention of information, and take less time.” proving substantial evidence for the benefits of COVID-19 on education. Research also suggested that students retain roughly 25%-60% more information when they’re learning online, rather than in the traditional classroom setting (Li, 2020)

The increase in using technology to further students’ education led to what was known as the biggest online movement, according to Li. The engagement was not only encouraged by educators but by America as a whole. Many TV programs, as well as online ads, started to gear towards encouraging students to learn online as well. It seemed like most of America was on board and aiding in preventing educational struggles. Although, as time went on people began to disregard stress in education and introduce things deemed more important, such as vaccine dates, media, and political bases regarding COVID-19. Although lack of focus wasn’t the only block educationally; students were becoming less engaged, teachers were tired, and parents typically didn’t have the time or knowledge to help their children continue to learn. Zhao Yong, a professor at the University of Kansas, noticed said issues and wrote a piece regarding the focus on permanent education changes in September of 2021. Yong made it a point to pin the focus on how each change can either positively or negatively affect students. He made many strong points throughout his article: many that might’ve made readers question COVID-19’s deepest changes on education. Yong asked, “How can we be sure that the skills and knowledge we’re teaching today will prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow”. He did so in order to bring focus on the most influenced individuals in education: the students. 

Yong’s piece undoubtedly opened educators’ minds, as well as administrators to focus more on the students themselves, much like everyone was in the beginning of the pandemic. In so, many educators have gone above and beyond to attempt to improve the focus on education. Educators often provide students with outside online resources, videos, and free tutoring. Those concerned with education have been forced to be much more resourceful since being hit by the pandemic. Previously students would attend class, take notes, and have quizzes/exams over their knowledge. Students now are usually required to attend class both in person, as well as via Zoom or other video calls, learn from their educator, then end the session and educate themselves a bit further. If students work on their individual learning and stay engaged, they can further their education and break education borders (Yong, 2021). Education has been important for some time, but since the pandemic began, it has been more emphasized. Students can now learn at their own pace, have multiple means of education as well as communication with educators, and better retain information, by virtue of COVID-19’s emergence. 

The changes made in education-based around COVID-19 have been extremely beneficial and provided a more efficient way of learning for students. American officials, educators, parents, and students seem to have a strong handle on how to adapt educationally. After facing two years of a difficult pandemic, great strides were made. Students are more technologically advanced now and have aided in educating those around them who may struggle (Li, 2020).  While the pandemic has been incredibly difficult, individuals seem to have come out on top of it. Comparing and contrasting Li’s piece against Yong’s just shows the changes over a short time. Students must continue to be diligent, and America must continue to promote education and educational aids. If this continues, COVID-19’s positive effects on education will as well. 

Works Cited

Li, Cathy. “The COVID-19 Pandemic Has Changed Education Forever. This Is How.” World Economic Forum, 29 Apr. 2020

Yong, Zhao. “Could the Pandemic Change Education for the Better?” ASCD, 1 Sept. 2021.

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