Remote Learning

We have all heard the complaints that learning by computer screen is disastrous for many students. That may well be, but I need some credible reports from rock solid research. Remote learning may be the worst thing that ever happened in childhood learning, or it may be the best thing. Who knows? Really knows?

If remote learning is good, let us do whatever possible to perfect it. That is a big ‘if’ but face it, we either have a major improvement on our hands, or not. Which is it?

For-profit universities, colleges and career-prep educators have touted remote learning for years. They have made tons of money from this effort. The real question is: have students actually become educated from this process? Has society benefitted from this teaching process?  If so, it should be adopted by traditional educational institutions to benefit from improved results, lower costs and greater access for more students. The latter is the primary benefit of remote learning. Access to education for people working full time jobs, or stuck at home for whatever reason. The pandemic is but one of those reasons. Remote resident location is another, poverty is another, illness and disability yet other reasons. And poor transportation, too!

On the other hand, if remote computer learning is flawed and a fraud perpetrated by these institutions, they should be called out and shut down. After all, they soak up valuable financial aid dollars from traditional institutions that could make that education possible for more deserving students.

Which is it? Remote learning terrific, or a failure?

Other questions persist, too; is remote learning great for some age groups and awful for others? Which ones? How do we manage this dichotomy if it exists? What are the credentials of effective learning and teaching? Who audits and certifies this standard? Who tells us who can do this and who cannot?

So many questions. Stop with the hand wringing and teeth gnashing, especially from parents. They do not know the answers to our questions. Let us find those who do know and seek credible answers to engineer the best learning experiences possible for all students of any age group.

We need definitive information backed by solid full-on research from people who know.

Let the search begin. Meanwhile stop the unhelpful noise from those who do not know.

February 17, 2021