Education During COVID-19

Since the beginning of the pandemic the first thing for the community to shut down was the education systems such as schools and universities because of how fast it could spread thought these environments. Because of this many had to finish the schooling online which is bearable at a college level but you drop into high school and below things get dicy. I saw this first hand as when I went home because of COVID I started tutoring a families 4 kids in grades ranging from 1st to 8th. Through this experience I saw how difficult it is for kids at these ages to stay motivated and engaged in online school. This was not just in this family either but throughout everyone, kids cannot learn online. Because if this I feel that in person classes are a necessity for the youth of America to stay on tract and keep up with the curriculum.  This could effect their abilities to apply to colleges in a middle school and high school level and for elementary school just learning how to socialize and learn basic skills. For college students and those in professional programs this could play a huge role in their ability to get a job as now there are less jobs because of the current economic market and now they may have finished their training online which did not allow them that hands on clinical work or interactions with patients in the medical field. This online education also limits those who may not have an internet device or only one to share between many people. This allows for kids who have received in person teaching from tutors or teachers to be at or ahead of the curve letting the people who can't afford that's kids fall further and further behind.

The picture above shows a classroom of elementary students back in school during COVID as everyone is shown in masks and the students are a little farther a part than normal.

At a university level there is a little more flexibility because of the fact that we are adults but similar issues are still faced regarding limitations of technology. My personal experience with online learning is okay, I would much rather learn in person as I learn better with physical professor; however, for a temporary thing during COVID I am okay with it. If schools wanted to implement online school for the next five years I would be extremely angry and would look to transfer to somewhere with in person classes. This is because I don't feel like I am learning as much as I could be with an in person class. 

During these difficult times many talk about how there should be a hardship clause for those who get COVID or have a close family member who get it during the semester. In my opinion, I don't feel like this is as big of a concern but that each persons case should be examined before they would be excused. This is because if all you have is COVID and your not hospitalized and are expected to make a full recovery you should not be excused from any and all school work. This clause should be used for those who have been hospitalized for because of COVID or maybe have to take immediate care for a family member who has been hospitalized. These case I feel the university should offer some leeway as it is a terrible situation to begin with so why not her that person out. Overall, I think a clause like this could exist but should be examined at a case by case basis to determine who really needs it in order to be implemented fairly.