COVID-19 and educational institutions – Know How Education Sector Has Been Affected
Exactly the same time a year back, the first case of COVID-19 was traced in China, and the rest is known to the world. The spread of coronavirus and its impact has shaken the world at its core. The pandemic has significantly disrupted the education sector, which is the prominent determinant of any country’s economy. Sometime in the middle of March month, nations all over the world have announced a lockdown.
Right from accessing the internet using broadband, the need for computers for online education, enabling a study-friendly environment to help students focus on learning, and managing the resources and needs - the coronavirus crisis has posed scarcity and unfairness in the education system. The global lockdown in response to control the spread of COVID-19 has interrupted schooling like never before. The schools, colleges, and educational services have remained closed for more than eight months now. Millions of students across the globe have missed nearly a year of school. Such length of distance from the study may lead to skill loss and will discourage students.
Of course, the learning and education communities have made significant efforts to continue the learning process using various distance learning tools and learning management platforms. The crisis has opened new doors of innovation in the education sector. Today, the majority of the schools and educational institutes have moved from conventional classrooms to remote online learning. But the families who can afford computers, internet access, and remote learning resources can leverage from the continuous learning but the parents who are not having funds face a lot of disadvantages at present.
Given such a situation, it is crucial to have a look at the impact and opportunities enabled by the recent COVID-19 pandemic for the educational institutes. Let’s look at what has been affected and changed in the education sector during the healthcare crisis.
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF CORONAVIRUS ON EDUCATION SECTOR
Sloppy and Sluggish movement of students from foreign to home location
International students are one of the pivotal assets to bring economic flow into countries like Australia, UK, New Zealand, Canada, and the US. Universities from such countries heavily rely on foreign students. But after the recent coronavirus pandemic situation, the majority of the students have migrated to their home locations and even parents are avoiding sending their children abroad for higher education. This will have great implications on the financial condition of the universities who are underperforming in terms of economic growth.
The risk of passive learners
There is no denying that schools are incorporating various educational software for teachers, students, and staff to streamline the learning process. However, the sudden shift from traditional methods of learning to online or remote learning using remote learning resources and virtual meeting platforms have posed a great risk of passive learning. The trend will cause a loss of interest in learning using conventional and monitored environments. It may detach students from social learning environments.
Lack of skilled professionals
While most of the schools and universities are shifting towards learning management software, but not all teachers or faculties are technology-savvy. It will become a daunting task for the teachers or educators to make themselves familiar with various distance learning tools and use virtual meeting platforms to educate students. In such a scenario, it is possible that the desired learning outcomes are not achieved and turns out to be only an engaging activity for the teachers.
Retaining and recruiting students
One of the major pain points for the universities and schools these days is recruiting and retaining students. Since the admission process involves various criteria, a specific admission process, and resources, it is becoming a headache for the educational institutes to handle the process remotely.
Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the education industry with these challenges, but it has also opened new doors of innovation and opportunities. Let’s have a look at some of the opportunities enabled by the coronavirus crisis for the education sector.
POSITIVE EFFECTS OF CORONAVIRUS ON EDUCATION SECTOR
Evolution of mixed learning concept
Since colleges, universities, and schools are shifting towards the digital landscape, the students will benefit from mixed learning, where students will not only learn online but also interact face-to-face with faculties as and when needed. Of course, it will require teachers and school staff to become a little more techno-savvy and learn about various distance learning tools and technologies but in the end, it will bring transformation in the area of curriculum development.
A wide range of learning management software
Till now, learning management software is recognized hardly by educational institutes. But after the recent coronavirus pandemic and lockdown, the companies who were developing learning management systems and educational software for teachers will see a great demand in the future.
Innovative learning methods
There is no denying that conventional learning methods in some countries were impractical and less meaningful. But, today, the universities and schools are exploring innovative learning methods to educate students using various remote learning resources. With the help of audio narration, visuals, and video materials, it will become easy for the students to master even some of the complex concepts.
Increasing collaboration and transparency
Till now teaching and learning activities were isolated in the developing nations. But the scenario has changed in recent days after the coronavirus outbreak. With the help of various distance learning tools and virtual meeting platforms, the teachers and students can interact and learn. The teachers from different institutes can collaborate. Moreover, with the help of various features like online assessment, tests, and reports, the education process will be transparent between teachers and parents.
The outlook is uncertain, but the education sector will reform in the upcoming days. At present, we shall hope that this crisis ends sooner in a year or two. However, we shall consider the present situation as an opportunity to restructure our learning methods and solution that can help us cope with any such crisis in the future. What’s your take on this? Do you feel learning management software can help your educational institute in this crisis? Get in touch with our experts to help you buckle up yourself against this pandemic situation with uninterrupted learning.