Pandemic wreaks havoc for US distance learning

Researchers at Georgetown University in the USA believe that the current academic year is not only difficult, but unique, and therefore it is necessary to get the most out of it and introduce students to the new learning format.

According to The New York Times, the autumn semester in the US has no precedent. Due to the threat of coronavirus infection, many students have become more susceptible to stress, and many schools not only continued distance learning, but have even closed down during the pandemic.

It is worth noting that several schools continued to work as usual, but after encountering cases of infection, they too announced their closure. All of this has caused chaos in the educational system and led to the reduced performance of American students.

The researchers believe that the closure of educational campuses has delivered a double blow to schoolchildren, because schools are not only a place of study, but also for socialisation. The separation of children from friends and the outside world leads to psychological problems.

There is no unified education system in the United States. Each state regulates this area independently, including deciding what measures are acceptable under lockdown. It also creates problems for the education system - the lack of unanimity and differences of opinion lead to administrative conflicts.

Schools that have switched to distance learning use the latest digital technology to deliver classes. This has created so-called networks of 16 mentor-teachers, online libraries, and recorded lessons over the Internet.

Philanthropic organisations also helped to overcome the adverse educational situation. They raised funds to provide the necessary software for the poorest schools in the districts.

One particular problem is the lack of access to broadband for millions of rural schoolchildren, which is necessary for effective online learning. To solve this, the authorities have launched school buses equipped with Wi-Fi hotspots.