Distance learning in response to the coronavirus shows us what’s possible for the future of education in a world where we can already get just about everything delivered and streamed right into our homes. Will educators be proactive and embrace this new reality? Can we become beacons of worker unity and solidarity in an increasingly isolated world as we continue to achieve excellent learning outcomes for our students? These are important questions to consider and address in the coming months and years.
To be clear, we would be right to assert that there’s no substitute for in-person learning in a traditional school setting. However, news reports that often depict schools as dens of disease, drugs, violence, and even death, might lead more and more parents to make the trade-off to online education.
In light of this reality, education leaders at the federal, state, and local levels should consider these three basic policy proposals for the future implementation of a fully or partially online education system:
1. Keep teacher:student ratios comparable to current traditional school levels
All teachers are responsible for teaching their students according to each student’s individual needs and learning style. This takes significant time and effort, regardless of whether the teaching is conducted online or in a traditional setting. Therefore, online teachers should have about the same number of students as a traditional classroom teacher.
2. No reduction in teacher compensation
Online teachers are constantly planning lessons, differentiating instruction, and assessing each student's academic progress, just like a traditional classroom teacher. They must also be in continual contact with individual students and their parents for remediation or enrichment. Online teachers are doing the same job as traditional teachers, so they should obviously receive the same pay and benefits.
3. Continue addressing education inequities
A fully or partially online model would amplify some of the inequities that many students already face in a traditional school setting. As always, we must continue advocating for all our students, so they can receive the high quality education they deserve, regardless of their background. One way to do this would be to provide electronic devices, Internet access, and free or reduced meals for students in need who are learning from home.
The trend towards more online teaching and learning will likely continue, even beyond the coronavirus pandemic. As time goes on, parents may become less willing to expose their children to an environment they increasingly identify with bullying, substance abuse, virus outbreaks, and mass shootings. In response, educators should welcome the future and focus on continuing to be the key to student success, whether we practice our profession in person or online.
2. No reduction in teacher compensation
Online teachers are constantly planning lessons, differentiating instruction, and assessing each student's academic progress, just like a traditional classroom teacher. They must also be in continual contact with individual students and their parents for remediation or enrichment. Online teachers are doing the same job as traditional teachers, so they should obviously receive the same pay and benefits.
3. Continue addressing education inequities
A fully or partially online model would amplify some of the inequities that many students already face in a traditional school setting. As always, we must continue advocating for all our students, so they can receive the high quality education they deserve, regardless of their background. One way to do this would be to provide electronic devices, Internet access, and free or reduced meals for students in need who are learning from home.
The trend towards more online teaching and learning will likely continue, even beyond the coronavirus pandemic. As time goes on, parents may become less willing to expose their children to an environment they increasingly identify with bullying, substance abuse, virus outbreaks, and mass shootings. In response, educators should welcome the future and focus on continuing to be the key to student success, whether we practice our profession in person or online.
Regarding point #2, I would argue that teachers deserve more compensation as they are required to dedicate more time, effort and communication with students and parents, than in a traditional classroom, when trying to keep students engaged and on task.
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