When online learning through the "alternative learning plan" began in March, few students including myself ever thought we would still be learning virtually for at least the next nine months. On the onset of virtual learning, I wrote one of my most popular posts: "How to Keep Your Mind Sharp During Social Distancing". I talked about some of my strategies to manage my mental health and stay organized. Little did I know, the next months would hold cycles of stress, uncertainty, and immense productivity. As I have navigated through online learning and its challenges, I have seen the effect of online learning on many of my peers. The effects of online learning are multifold. Increased time spent on screens has been linked to anxiety, depression, and attention difficulties. Depressive episodes have been linked to the lack of small social interactions we often overlook including talking with your friends in the hallways or small conversations with teachers during class. Even social anxiety has been increased as a result of the pressure of webcams, and the alternative, turning your webcam off, leads to uncomfortable silences and reduced ability to interact during class. The lack of structure of virtual learning has disrupted sleep schedules and difficulty maintaining a mindful diet. All of the effects combined with the inability to perceive nonverbal communication have been compounded have compromised the efficacy of education.
The unfortunate reality is that virtual learning has not affected all students equally and has illuminated many existing disparities. Along racial lines, Latinx, AI/AN, and Black students are more likely to be disadvantaged with the new challenges of remote learning. For those individuals whose first language is not English, adequate language support may be difficult to find, adding another challenge to completing assignments. Living in crowded or distracting conditions and insufficient access to a computer may contribute to difficultly succeeded in the conditions of online learning. All of these factors as well as disability and poverty rates are experienced at higher rates by minority communities, and job instability and layoffs have likely furthered these disparities. On the district level, many public schools like the Miami-Dade school district, which is one of the nation's largest districts, have struggled to effectively distributing laptops and provide high-speed internet to their students without it. The larger concern has been on the long-term impacts with potential for this year of online learning to student the educational growth of students. A Columbia University studied even showed that after Hurricane Katrina led to New Orleans schools to be temporarily closed, a third of the city's students were held back a grade level. Therefore, understanding how to resolve some of the discrepancies we are seeing are incredibly important.
In terms of the relationship between gender and online learning, the answer is not conclusive. Some studies suggest that online learning environments are more democratic and equal through the free exchange of information, "nurturing aspects" of online communities through discussion forums and chat rooms, and the level of anonymity in online learning settings that may be comforting for women. On the other hand, online learning brings challenges for female adult learners who may have multiple functions as a income provider and/or mother. However, male adult learners may also face several responsibilities. Some of the barriers in the classroom may even extend to the virtual setting where men tend to be more independent and assertive which may contribute to some women remaining unheard. However, boys face their own set of difficulties. Some researchers believe that the already-present achievement gap between boys and girls will only widen. Online learning requires greater conscientiousness and academic motivation, which has been associated with gender. Boys also are diagnosed with learning and developmental disabilities at a greater rate that may also contribute to further strain on performing in a different environment. Ultimately, the effects of online learning are multifaceted and affect different racial and gender groups in various ways. Some of the challenges of online learning, however, are being targeted by innovative systems and technology. But, that will be the topic of the next post (sorry for the cliffhanger)! Stay tuned!
Thanks for reading,
Janvi
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ReplyDeleteAs usual, Janvi you have an excellent approach to this very current subject and very well written article. I do wonder as to how you zero on to these lively topics; indeed, appreciated
ReplyDeleteOnline learning and work from home have had many effects on our lives. Online learning has many constraints as rightly brought out by you. Besides the effects on mental health, it also affects the physicality of being bound to a chair for long hours with long and short term effects on our spine, legs, wrists, carpel tunnel/canal, eyes. being watchful for increasing weight is another challenge. It does tend to convert us to being an introvert (perhaps due to prolonged loneliness) and test our patience levels. As a gender specific factor, in general females are said to have been wired for higher levels of patience than the males. As such, in my view females are expected to display greater resilience and thus cope better during these difficult times for online learning and/or working. It might be interesting to compare the academic results (e.g. pass percentage, honors rates, grades and so on) of previous years to the present for gender specific outcomes in various exams and other home learning related achievements. I would not e surprised if it is found to be loaded in favor of females.
In the case of racial "dive", students belonging to poorer sections and other disadvantaged groups, if having sufficient facilities, may actually display greater resilience; perhaps, as they continue to be wannabees even though already used to many constraints in their lives but aspiring to achieve their rightful place under the sun. Females from such groups may however be required and instructed by the elders to provide a bigger helping hand in household chores; thus, resulting in a handicap of sorts by way of impinging on their time schedules. Such a disadvantage is likely to create additional mental and physical challenges especially for the females of these groups. Having said that, it would be prudent to accept that different races (as also different people of any group as well) behave differently in the face of adversity, and can hardly be generalized.
Yes! Normally for blog topics, I keep a running list of topics I am intrigued by and find via social media, friends, family, etc. When it is time to write, I will use that original source of inspiration and do more research to write a full article. There are so many different factors to consider when looking at how online learning has affected different gender identities and races - some of which I brought up and more that you have. Often, the problem is that every group has unique struggles that are influenced by so many different biological, societal, psychological, economic, etc. factors that is difficult to detangle it all. Even within the same group, a certain situation like online learning can provide benefits while also inviting new challenges.
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