After COVID-19, online school lost much of its utility and became an unproductive educational tool, causing more problems than it solved. Due to its flaws, issues such as unreliable devices, limited Internet access and at-home distractions were prevalent during the early days of COVID-19. Students and instructors alike were adjusting to the world of online learning and trying to navigate through countless platforms was already difficult for many. The addition of all the other small inconveniences led to an unpleasant teaching and learning experience. Years later, with its widespread use diminishing and the debate over whether online school is useful still stands.
“Every time I would do an assignment for one of my classes my Internet would go on or off, so it made it difficult for me to do my schoolwork while at home,” junior Ian Garcia said.
The lack of stimulation for students’ motivation and social life is the primary obstacle limiting effectiveness of online schooling. Within a traditional classroom, face-to-face interactions with teachers and other students make it easier to seek academic or personal help. Online schooling adds difficulty to the task of socializing, seeking help or connecting with others due to the physical distance.
“My mom lost her job during COVID-19, which led to me having to leave school for a year,” senior Juan Echeverria said. “Adding to that fact the only way I saw my friends was through zoom meetings, we obviously grew apart and my social life became basically nonexistent.”
Mental health issues also pose a problem, as many students lack a support group to rely on because of the isolation of online learning. As per the National Institutes of Health, 58% of students reported increased stress levels during online schooling. High stress levels are a significant predictor of depression. While social media could be a useful communication tool for students, it does not replace face-to-face interaction.
‘’It benefited some students drastically,’’ law teacher Julio Garcia said. ‘’Some students were more introverted and benefited from the education while those who were extroverts did not benefit or lacked proper motivation to work.’’
Online school creates a digital divide between students who have easy access to devices and other educational tools and those who do not. Also dividing students was being in a quiet and tidy environment is crucial to succeed in class, as it facilitates studying; however, while at home, some students found their studies were interrupted by family responsibilities or the environment.
Despite its brief necessity, online school ultimately served as a reminder of the limits of technology in education. While it served as a temporary solution during a global crisis, it was revealed to be more flawed than practical. Qualities, such as collaboration and community, that aid learning cannot be delivered through online schooling.
