Virtual Schooling

Virtual schooling, or online schooling, is where students attend school entirely online through the use of technology. After Covid-19 hit, 93% of families with students reported they where participants of virtual learning. Virtual learning was used as a way for students to "distance learn," meaning students could stay at home, away from other people, and still learn. However, there has been a lot of controversy over whether or not virtual schooling has been beneficial to students. 

To attend virtual school, students must have access to some form of technology. Unfortunately, this is not a luxury that every student has. This creates an inequality among students allowing the students with access to technology to learn more. This then forces students in poorer communities to get less out of their education, and fall behind their peers academically. 

Cartoon of Zoom Meeting

Studies have shown that virtual school has had negative affects on students mental health. About 71% of students reported virtual school being more stressful than traditional schooling. Students have to worry about wether or not they are signing into the correct zoom link, when to hop onto classes, and how they are going to complete assignments without someone guiding them. If they were attending traditional classes, none of these tasks would be an issue and they could better focus on their school work. 

This also goes along with the social affects virtual school has had on students. Students of all ages need some type of social interaction. Without this, students can feel lonely and depressed, leading to mental health concerns. Virtual schooling can make students feel isolated from society leading to a decreased interest in learning and school. The traditional school setting allows students to meet friends, collaborate, and engage in the community. 

Overall, virtual learning has been detrimental to students learning and mental health. I truly believe that by doing online learning, we are compromising our students futures.