Transform.Ed Briefing #48

Inside the Briefing: The aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, a digitally globalized world, and changing mindsets - understanding the essence of remote learning!

Dec 07, 2023

The Covid-19 pandemic affected about 1.6 billion students at its peak when schools were forced to shut down entirely or partially. Rolling out remote learning modalities was an immediate response for education systems. However, factors like disparities in digital access, unconducive home environments, challenges in maintaining children’s engagement, and low digital literacy among students, teachers, and/or parents led to uneven participation and suboptimal outcomes.

In our poll last week, 67% of the respondents identified reduced social interaction to be the primary factor impacting student engagement in remote learning, while the remaining cited distractions at home as the major concern.

Ensuring the effectiveness of remote learning requires we understand the science behind it. While technology is necessary, it is not sufficient to address the learning gaps that the pandemic has left us with. As educators, we have a pivotal role to play in closing these gaps by providing the necessary human connection and tailoring our teaching practices and methods to the changing environment. This poses certain fundamental questions, such as — How can we foster a sense of community and connection among students in non-physical settings? What alternative assessment methods are most appropriate and effective? In what ways can we collaborate to share best practices and overcome common challenges in remote teaching?

Share your thoughts and experiences with your global peers in the comments below or join the conversation on the Global Citizenship Foundation’s Educational Leadership Community, exclusively dedicated to educators worldwide. If you haven’t signed up yet, please get in touch with us here.

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In service of education and visionary education leaders,

— Aaryan Salman
Director-General
Global Citizenship Foundation