The Impact of COVID-19 on Education
COVID-19 has changed every aspect of a normal life as we know it. The economic impact has been huge causing millions to file for unemployment. Amidst the outbreak of the disease, education has suffered a serious blow. Policymakers are faced with the dilemma of opening and closing schools, and universities. Homeschooling and taking online classes seem to be the solution so far but there is a lot of trial and error involved. Most curriculums are not adaptable to the online system as yet.
The Effects of Corona-virus on Colleges and Universities
Closure of classes, dips in enrollment at the start of a new semester, and cancellation of the new semesters may be temporary, but COVID-19 is making a lasting impression on colleges and universities. While challenges exist, some experts say that technology will make higher education more accessible. Living at your home, attending your favorite college with limited classes seems an attractive option to students and parents.
How Will It Change college Applications and Admissions?
Hundreds and thousands of new students excited to enroll might have to take a gap year. If the school is far from home that would make it even more difficult. It is likely for the college admission process to become more complex in the next year because of online tests and online schooling.
It’s also expected that the new domestic applications will take a dip. Parents will no longer be financially capable of affording the tuition fee. Employment will force many to use their savings to manage their expenses. History shows during the recession, the number of students go up. They wait for the recession to be over to apply for jobs.
Students might not choose schools like Harvard and Yale. They will prefer state institutions as most families cannot take such a big financial liability. Parents have started wondering if the school in question is worth it from a financial perspective.
Benefits of Online Tutoring
It’s commendable how schools, colleges, and universities have shifted to education. Its effects on teaching and learning is a different debate. There are such too that already had online programs. Students will have more freedom in choosing schools. Instead of sticking to the residential colleges, they can enroll in online programs of schools like Western Governors University with a proven record of online tutoring.
While moving the curriculum online would require an up-front investment, over time, it will save both colleges and students. If more students enroll for a single course, colleges can save more. Students can also save money by accessing educational material online.
Research shows that students can retain 25 to 60% more information with learning online as opposed to 8 to 10% in the classroom. It allows them to learn at their own pace, re-read the material, and skip whatever topics they want to accelerate learning.
Summing Up
The situation may be gloomy but don’t lose hope. The education sector has been able to withstand the turbulent economic crisis in the past, and it can withstand this one too now that we have technology on our side. The faster the US education system adapts to online resources the sooner we can overcome the negative impact on COVID-19 on children’s education.