Since the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic raged, it has impacted our lives in many ways. One such way is through learning. Students and/or parents have had to choose between virtual and in-person learning. A dilemma has surfaced with those who have taken on virtual learning. Reports indicate some students have been failing with virtual learning, meaning some wish in-person learning would let students stand a better chance. However, the impact of this pandemic has turned the world upside down. Do you really want to push for more in-person learning considering the pandemic? This blog post is not a debate over virtual learning and in-person learning, but more a look at the two in today's culture.
No one thought COVID-19/Coronavirus would take over 2020 the way it has. It has even potentially impacted 2021 as well. With hundreds of thousands of cases and deaths involving COVID-19/Coronavirus, it has lead a number of locations to state their own restrictions to limit the spread as well as potentially defeat this pandemic. Some people believe this pandemic is only a hoax and that all of the news of people dying and events cancelled are only government propaganda. This pandemic has meanwhile affected our lives to have to live in a new normal. Part of this "new normal" involves education as well.
It is recommended to stay home if COVID-19/Coronavirus is at severe levels in your location. For some, however, getting out into the world is vastly important- even for reasons other than getting essentials or meeting with healthcare providers. Some experiences are made better doing things in person rather than doing so virtually. That is why (for example) more people would rather go to sporting events in person rather than see them on TV. It is a better experience to simply say you were there when an amazing sporting event happened. Some would rather dine at restaurants and bars rather than get curbside pickup or contactless delivery. Considering these factors, where does learning come into this discussion?
Well, for one, education is always important. I have had some experience taking online-only courses back in college. So I am very aware that virtual learning is much different from in-person learning. An understandable element of virtual learning is that someone will be away from meeting friends and instructors in person. One still has to be able to learn whatever it is one is trying to be educated about. The luxury of playing around with social media, TikTok, and other material will only deter the ability to get a quality education online. While in-person learning is better overall, virtual learning should not be overlooked or disregarded. In some cases, such as engineering classes or certain sciences, in-person learning is better. It also is important that technology is able to last and be sustainable through the course of dealing with virtual learning. There has to be sufficient telecommunications as well as capable technology to properly conduct virtual learning. That even means having a good amount of money to sustain all of this for virtual learning.
Some school districts here in Texas have reported a high percentage of student failing virtual learning. I believe I heard Fort Bend ISD or Brazosport ISD reported as many as 25% of students failed virtual learning classes. This was my motivation to blog about virtual learning vs. in-person learning. I sometimes even seen classes aired on Houston media with the Houston Independent School District providing virtual learning instruction mostly among elementary/primary school students.
^ Challenges of virtual learning this fall
Now that we have looked at this whole issue in general, it is time for me to delve deeper into this matter.
I want to look at the two styles of learning. This is about both styles of learning for students, parents, and instructors. Consider the following...
Virtual learning for parents is just as taxing. What a parent wants to do is make sure his/her sibling(s) stay focused and help out in learning things. A parent can sometimes face greater fatigue than students. A parent has to be both a teacher and a tutor in trying to keep their siblings active. Parents also have to be able to take care of themselves in addition to making sure their siblings make the most of their virtual learning.
Even instructors themselves can feel the pain! Instructors ranging from teachers to professors have to be able to deliver their lectures in a timely manner for students to try and learn the given concepts. Even such instructors have to keep themselves active and able through the entirety of a lesson.
As much as students can have their concerns about in-person learning, so too can instructors. This pandemic affects EVERYONE- including instructors and staff. So it isn't as if instructors are immune to this pandemic. They too have lives of their own, even possibly including their own children going to school. Some staff even form unions wanting to be protected for themselves and their students. So as much as in-person learning can be better than virtual learning, it comes with the risks of potentially contracting COVID-19/Coronavirus. It is a more dangerous proposition than being within the comfort of any virtual learning.
Now that I've discussed learning from a virtual and in-person perspective, allow me to offer some final thoughts.
It is your decision and your decision alone to learn either virtually or in person. Throughout this blog post, I mentioned both sides without really saying one should seriously choose one learning method over another. Some people feel the need to leave the house even in the wake of COVID-19/Coronavirus. Some others feel safer being at home and do virtual learning. Whichever method works for you is based on your own thoughts and your comfort level. As an analogy, one wouldn't wear certain clothing if not comfortable wearing certain outfits. Don't pressure yourself to learn in person if you are not comfortable leaving home through this pandemic. If you prefer in-person learning but have to settle for virtual learning based on mandates by government officials, then one will have to adjust to virtual learning instead.
No matter if you prefer virtual learning or in-person learning, there is one constant- learning. Going to school/college is a great responsibility. Even in trying to learn from the comfort of your own home virtually, you still carry great responsibility in trying to learn and better equip yourself for the future. The thing is that education is affected through this pandemic, offering a parallel between trying to learn and keeping yourself healthy and safe. You do not want to compromise either element if your end game is to get a quality education in spite of tough times. So choose between virtual learning and in-person learning based on your level of comfort and safety. No matter what your decision is, never stop learning. You can still be your absolute best no matter what life throws at you. Learn. Adapt. Succeed.
That's it for this blog post! If you want to discuss, let's do so!
Do you prefer virtual learning or in-person learning?
Everyone... PLEASE be safe in these times. If you feel sick or may feel worried you've contracted COVID-19/Coronavirus, PLEASE get tested. Be sure to take care of yourself. Practice all protocols to keep yourself and others safe. We WILL get through this, one way or another. Until then, keep good faith and remain hopeful. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.
read more...
Before I Begin...
It is not my job to convince you to take either side of this issue. I am simply here to discuss this matter as best as I can. Stay home if you do not feel comfortable going outside with this pandemic. No one is forcing you to go out anyways and potentially risk testing positive for COVID-19/Coronavirus.Virtual Learning vs. In-Person Learning
No one thought COVID-19/Coronavirus would take over 2020 the way it has. It has even potentially impacted 2021 as well. With hundreds of thousands of cases and deaths involving COVID-19/Coronavirus, it has lead a number of locations to state their own restrictions to limit the spread as well as potentially defeat this pandemic. Some people believe this pandemic is only a hoax and that all of the news of people dying and events cancelled are only government propaganda. This pandemic has meanwhile affected our lives to have to live in a new normal. Part of this "new normal" involves education as well.
It is recommended to stay home if COVID-19/Coronavirus is at severe levels in your location. For some, however, getting out into the world is vastly important- even for reasons other than getting essentials or meeting with healthcare providers. Some experiences are made better doing things in person rather than doing so virtually. That is why (for example) more people would rather go to sporting events in person rather than see them on TV. It is a better experience to simply say you were there when an amazing sporting event happened. Some would rather dine at restaurants and bars rather than get curbside pickup or contactless delivery. Considering these factors, where does learning come into this discussion?
Well, for one, education is always important. I have had some experience taking online-only courses back in college. So I am very aware that virtual learning is much different from in-person learning. An understandable element of virtual learning is that someone will be away from meeting friends and instructors in person. One still has to be able to learn whatever it is one is trying to be educated about. The luxury of playing around with social media, TikTok, and other material will only deter the ability to get a quality education online. While in-person learning is better overall, virtual learning should not be overlooked or disregarded. In some cases, such as engineering classes or certain sciences, in-person learning is better. It also is important that technology is able to last and be sustainable through the course of dealing with virtual learning. There has to be sufficient telecommunications as well as capable technology to properly conduct virtual learning. That even means having a good amount of money to sustain all of this for virtual learning.
Some school districts here in Texas have reported a high percentage of student failing virtual learning. I believe I heard Fort Bend ISD or Brazosport ISD reported as many as 25% of students failed virtual learning classes. This was my motivation to blog about virtual learning vs. in-person learning. I sometimes even seen classes aired on Houston media with the Houston Independent School District providing virtual learning instruction mostly among elementary/primary school students.
Video Perspective.
Here is a look at virtual learning with some video perspective:^ Challenges of virtual learning this fall
Now that we have looked at this whole issue in general, it is time for me to delve deeper into this matter.
Virtual Learning vs. In-Person Learning: Which Works Best?
I want to look at the two styles of learning. This is about both styles of learning for students, parents, and instructors. Consider the following...
Virtual Learning.
Virtual learning is much safer, as you can pretty much learn from anywhere without fearing catching COVID-19/Coronavirus. Contact with others is prevented as long as you are in safe settings. Some students who participate in virtual learning will not be able to have in-person contact with friends and classmates. Virtual learning implies one must rely on oneself to try to learn in school/college. So therefore, do not get indulged in social media, your favorite websites, or anything like TikTok as a student.Virtual learning for parents is just as taxing. What a parent wants to do is make sure his/her sibling(s) stay focused and help out in learning things. A parent can sometimes face greater fatigue than students. A parent has to be both a teacher and a tutor in trying to keep their siblings active. Parents also have to be able to take care of themselves in addition to making sure their siblings make the most of their virtual learning.
Even instructors themselves can feel the pain! Instructors ranging from teachers to professors have to be able to deliver their lectures in a timely manner for students to try and learn the given concepts. Even such instructors have to keep themselves active and able through the entirety of a lesson.
In-Person Learning.
More people would rather take advantage of in-person learning during this COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic. Being within contact of classmates, instructors, and even tutors would benefit students greatly. You also are within range of people that are readily available. However, there has to be various protocols in place so that everyone remains safe and not contract COVID-19/Coronavirus or some other pandemic. It also means both students and staff alike won't be able to operate at full capacity. And if in the case that someone tests positive for COVID-19/Coronavirus, the facility will be shut down and sanitized hugely.As much as students can have their concerns about in-person learning, so too can instructors. This pandemic affects EVERYONE- including instructors and staff. So it isn't as if instructors are immune to this pandemic. They too have lives of their own, even possibly including their own children going to school. Some staff even form unions wanting to be protected for themselves and their students. So as much as in-person learning can be better than virtual learning, it comes with the risks of potentially contracting COVID-19/Coronavirus. It is a more dangerous proposition than being within the comfort of any virtual learning.
Now that I've discussed learning from a virtual and in-person perspective, allow me to offer some final thoughts.
Virtual Learning vs. In-Person Learning: Final Thoughts
It is your decision and your decision alone to learn either virtually or in person. Throughout this blog post, I mentioned both sides without really saying one should seriously choose one learning method over another. Some people feel the need to leave the house even in the wake of COVID-19/Coronavirus. Some others feel safer being at home and do virtual learning. Whichever method works for you is based on your own thoughts and your comfort level. As an analogy, one wouldn't wear certain clothing if not comfortable wearing certain outfits. Don't pressure yourself to learn in person if you are not comfortable leaving home through this pandemic. If you prefer in-person learning but have to settle for virtual learning based on mandates by government officials, then one will have to adjust to virtual learning instead.
No matter if you prefer virtual learning or in-person learning, there is one constant- learning. Going to school/college is a great responsibility. Even in trying to learn from the comfort of your own home virtually, you still carry great responsibility in trying to learn and better equip yourself for the future. The thing is that education is affected through this pandemic, offering a parallel between trying to learn and keeping yourself healthy and safe. You do not want to compromise either element if your end game is to get a quality education in spite of tough times. So choose between virtual learning and in-person learning based on your level of comfort and safety. No matter what your decision is, never stop learning. You can still be your absolute best no matter what life throws at you. Learn. Adapt. Succeed.
That's it for this blog post! If you want to discuss, let's do so!
Do you prefer virtual learning or in-person learning?
Everyone... PLEASE be safe in these times. If you feel sick or may feel worried you've contracted COVID-19/Coronavirus, PLEASE get tested. Be sure to take care of yourself. Practice all protocols to keep yourself and others safe. We WILL get through this, one way or another. Until then, keep good faith and remain hopeful. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.
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