Effects from Pandemic Learning

In late spring of 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to close. As a result, the education methods changed drastically from the traditional styles to virtual learning. Parents then quickly had to step up to become teachers at home to try to prevent any learning loss as students became remote learners. With the rapid changes, many parents recognized the value and respect of professional educators everywhere.

While the health crisis continued through the 2020-2021 school year, schools proceeded to modify the methods of lesson delivery to their students. Identifiably a year people know as “the year of COVID” to be where more division occurred in academia. Examples of such separation are that many schools offered choices of attending in-person classes or virtual schooling. Others decided students would be in classes with one virtual day in the middle of the week. There has been no proven data of learning loss yet, but some teachers and tutors have already noticed future challenges.

The transition back to school starting the 2021-2022 school year is sure to bring extra challenges. This will be the first time they have been entirely in-person since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic for some students. So how do we prepare students to head back into the classroom? Let’s outline and discuss the possible challenges ahead and what we can do to help today’s scholars.

Contributions to losses in education during the year of COVID-19

Lack of direct interaction with the teacher

During the time of hybrid and distance learning teacher were recording lessons to teach or doing a Zoom meeting a couple times a week with the entire class. This was a good effort to teach, but students were not as free to ask questions or get the directed assistance as they would in the past.

Skills lost from the curriculum

Teachers have lesson plans planned based on the educational standards of state and national curriculum guidelines. While students were getting the education in non-traditional styles, many of the skill exposures were limited and not delivered with in-depth practice or understanding.

Lack of daily routines

When the nation entered the lock-down due to the outbreak of COVID-19 cases we all lost our normal routines. Students benefit from a routine should as time to wake-up to be at school and times for study in the evening. Distance learning emphasized the loss of a normal schedule. For example, students did not see their teachers every day or at the same time as they would being in schools.

Lost time attending class (even online)

In the 2020-2021 school year students continued to face abrupt changes. Some of the changes were from students being quarantined due to exposure the virus. Students were affected because while their class met in the classroom there were no ways for them to join the lesson from teachers.

Separation from classmates (no group work)

The skills of group work and collaboration are important to learn in school. Such skills set the student up for success in their college years and careers. However, during the remote education students were cut off from peers, and also lost social interactions.

Students in a pass/fail setting

Early in the initial school closures schools were not prepared at all for the fast change to remote learning. Resulting in schools and some states mandating the pass/fail structure to assignments and cancelling testing. This change created a major gap in education as students learned quickly that they no longer needed to do the work to move on in school or graduate.

Temptations to cheat

We all know the internet is full of information at the touch of a mouse click. Many students that were still being taught remotely did not like to ask for help. Instead, students found it easier to look up answers online rather than read and learn the skills. Although, students completed their work for school, the change back into the classroom will be more of a challenge since they would have missed the year of skills needed.

So how do we make up for the losses in the field of education and help our students? We will be looking deeper into the steps to get back on track in education later. But for now, let us discuss the challenges ahead for the 2021-2022 school year.

Challenges ahead for Education in 2021-2022

The thought of “learning loss” has traditionally been an issue that schools deal with, particularly after the summer months. Here in 2021, however, learning loss has taken on an entirely new meaning to the growing concerns. The ubiquity of virtual classrooms and hybrid-style remote/in-person intensified the known issues about the students’ learning retention is impaired.

The field of education has many formidable challenges ahead as students return to school. Since the spring of 2019, everyone has been very busy trying with the rigors of juggling and adapting schooling for students. In addition, everyone is now exhausted from the changes that occurred in the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The concern is that we cannot put the entire burden of caring for students onto our schools and teachers. Instead, we need to work together as a community to teach children as a caring society.

Although some people think the constant changes would not afflict those trying to learn, one style does not work for all. There is widespread perception and sense of urgency that we need to do more and better for students. Many parents already hear or notice the learning loss that occurred when students were distance learning. Much of the loss of education was caused by the students not getting the direct attention they would in the classroom.

The field of education needs to embrace the urgency to get students back on track. Today, there is a need for all who went into education professions to work together with parents and students alike. Such professionals include those who work in schools and tutoring programs. Students will then regain the momentum in their learning and build success plans with individualism.

What to expect for education in 2021-2022 school year

Returning to school this year, educators and students will be facing large tasks ahead in the 2021-22 school year. Teachers will be well prepared to assess student skills at the beginning of the school year. In addition, students need to be confident to ask questions or let the educators know when they are confused about the lessons. With the COVID-19 virus still impacting everyday life everyone will need to be prepared for (temporary) remote learning, especially if a student is quarantined from exposures. Therefore, many of today’s students and parents will be looking for the support to gain the lessons lost to get back on course.

Some resources that have been available in the past will become more prevalent in everyday learning. Among the resources possible are professional tutoring programs. Tutoring has always proven to be an excellent resource for individuals facing educational challenges. Because of the forecasted levels of learning loss, students will use tutoring programs more than ever with the academic assistance needed.

How to Get back on track in school after the pandemic

There are ways to get back on track in your education to make up for the lost time in the classroom. However, teachers will be very busy in the classrooms to do their part. So, students will need to work on things themselves to help get back on the education path.

Helpful tips for students:

It is ok to ask questions and for help when you need it.
Be confident in your abilities as a student.
Students should form a routine as they had prior the pandemic.
Spend some time practicing your past skills to review and study.
Participate in the classrooms and be involved.
Reach out to a tutoring program to get an evaluation of current education levels.

In conclusion this school year will have some challenges to overcome. Today, our part as a community to educate our students and brings back the old saying, “it takes a village to raise a child.” The quote holds a much closer-to-home feeling as we move forward. Everyone will need to do their part as the nation continues to recover from the pandemic. In addition, Educators everywhere are prepared to do as much as possible to improve the schooling received by their students. Therefore, tutoring programs like ours at “Sentry Tutors” are powerful ways to surmount the potential learning losses and achieve great futures.

Take a look at our guide to proper study skills to learn more.