Coronavirus School Closures Reveal a Stark Digital Divide
An education expert weighs in on the current crisis
You might think online learning and content delivery will be a quick pivot as schools send students home in an effort to slow the novel coronavirus. In reality, the pandemic shines a light on the unequal access to the technologies necessary to be successful either as an online learner or as an instructor suddenly responsible for delivering content remotely.
Instructors have only days or weeks to create and maintain opportunities for remote learning and engagement at a time when they are likely experiencing their own personal and financial stress.
Over the past week, many colleges and universities and elementary, middle, and high schools have suspended in-person classes, saying they will turn to online learning over the coming days and months. Instructors have only days or weeks to create and maintain opportunities for remote learning and engagement at a time when they are likely experiencing their own personal and financial stress. And that is often not enough time to address the unequal resources they and their students have for making online learning effective.
