The COVID-19 pandemic has affected roughly 1.5 billion students across the world through school closures. Many parents have been dissatisfied with K-12 public schools that have provided at least some remote learning.
The most common concern? Parents worry that their children are falling behind.
But not all parents feel this way. According to a recent NPR poll, almost one-third of parents “said they were likely to stick with remote learning indefinitely.”
A closer look at parents’ attitudes and concerns about their children’s academic and personal development reveals why so many parents may want to stick with remote learning.
Facing the Monster in the Closet
Even though 48% of respondents to NPR pollings affirmed that they were concerned about their children falling behind, this attitude dramatically shifted when parents were asked to explain their concerns in detail.
Pollers found that, when they asked parents specific questions that measure whether their children are actually falling behind, most parents reported that their children were succeeding, if not flourishing despite the pandemic. This didn’t just include academics but also socialization and mental health.
Encouraging News About Remote Learning
It’s completely normal to feel concerned about your child’s wellbeing, especially as they’ve faced a world-wide crisis like none that we faced growing up. Here’s some encouraging news about remote learning.
Research on remote learning indicates potential benefits to students like boosting retention of learned materials and time efficiency. Remote learning has also opened new pathways for student-teacher communications:
It has changed the way of teaching. It enables me to reach out to my students more efficiently and effectively through chat groups, video meetings, voting and also document sharing, especially during this pandemic. My students also find it is easier to communicate on Lark. I will stick to Lark even after coronavirus. I believe traditional offline learning and e-learning can go hand by hand.
Dr. Amjad, Professor at The University of Jordan
How Schools are Responding to Remote Learning Benefits
Now that traditional schools have gotten their feet wet with online schooling, many are saying that the water’s fine.
According to a fresh survey of about 300 school districts, 20% said that they had begun offering online education in the past year and planned to continue providing these options once the pandemic is over.
It’s notable that school districts plan to offer more online options. Some students and teachers really value the flexibility.
Robin Lake, Director of the Center on Reinventing Public Education
Parents are Asking for Innovation
Perhaps one reason schools plan to continue providing online education is because parents are asking for it.
In another survey, only 32% of parents simply wanted their schools to return to a “pre-pandemic normal.” Two-thirds of parents asked for innovation and progress, most of whom desired online schooling to continue after the pandemic. These parents aren’t asking to remove online learning and return to fully in-person classes. They see the benefits and are asking that schools commit to improving their online education options.
What About Socialization?
One concern that remains slightly more prevalent among parents is online learning’s effect on their children’s social lives.
Even though only 22% of polling respondents affirmed this concern, it’s helpful to have a plan to help your child’s social development flourish.
If you’re looking into online schools for your child, it’s helpful to research reviews about their clubs, social events, and general opportunities for connection with faculty and peers. Not all online education is created equally. Some provide lots of opportunities for socialization, while others mostly leave students to work independently. By doing this research, you’re taking an active role in helping your child find new opportunities to connect with people and grow.
Sora’s Social Approach to Online Education
At Sora, we provide an innovative and social virtual high school experience to our students. We’ve made communication between students and faculty a breeze with Discord, a live chat platform.
I do feel like Sora is social and interactive. The Discord server is kind of like a common room for the school. By being active within there and other private chats, I feel very connected with my peers.
Simon, Student at Sora
Our student-centered, interactive learning approach makes students feel connected and valued.
I feel like I made some of my closest friends here, and I don’t know any other school that hears our voices more than this one.
Bernardo, Student at Sora
If you’d like to learn more about what enrolling at Sora could look like for your child, click here to start a conversation with our admissions team.
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