Distance learning in the USA during the pandemic

The decision to extend the distance learning format was made due to the risk of COVID-19 infection that still prevails. However, public opinion still doesn't regard distance learning as a full-fledged alternative to face-to-face classes.

This format is justified only in emergency situations when there is no other way to minimize the threat to the health of students. As for now, online learning creates more problems than it solves - for example, it increases inequality among students. The distance format has also created additional problems for working parents who cannot leave their children by themselves at home or help them with their studies. Online learning also has such complications as the malfunctioning of the platforms when broadcasting lessons.

In particular, the Zoom platform has made tremendous efforts to adapt to school curricula. More than 100,000 US schools use Zoom as their primary platform for video communications and conducting lessons. But, in reality, it is still difficult to use Zoom for mass learning. In August, the application had some unidentified technical issues for several hours. That day a huge number of schools and colleges had their classes disrupted. As a result of that, the New York City Department of Education banned the use of Zoom for online lessons.

After this incident, Zoom immediately released an update that slightly improved the quality of the application, but teachers and students still complain about the performance of the platform.