Online Learning and Its Implications

By Victoria Choi

Troy High School

After months of quarantine, many schools are deciding to reopen in the fall and are allowing students to choose between a complete online education or a half-online and half-traditional classroom education. A full online education would mean being able to work from the safety of one’s house, but would not be able to offer a true sense of social interactions between friends as well as teachers. Meanwhile, a blended education would offer a break from seeing others on a screen with a much higher risk of becoming infected from COVID-19. 

Weighing the benefits and inadequacies of each, a completely online learning experience is the better option of the two. Above all, safety is the top priority when taking into consideration the state of the pandemic. Online learning is the best way to lower the risk of becoming infected by avoiding contact with other students and surfaces that may be contaminated. Junior Chanah Park from Cypress High School agrees, stating that choosing to attend school completely online is the most logical option when reflecting on the state of the world. She points out that a fully online curriculum would allow for a consistent learning platform in a comfortable, safe environment. 

Furthermore, an online education would still allow students to gain a complete education while fostering self-discipline and allowing for more flexibility. Students are able to take initiative of their own learning at the same time as having access to teachers and resources. In addition, the time spent commuting to school would allow students to allocate time towards studying or taking part in hobbies that they enjoy. For instance, through her school’s online learning live stream option, sophomore Kaira Lee from Troy High School explains that she would still be able to communicate with teachers, ask questions, and feel as if she has access to an authentic classroom experience in addition to spending more time on hobbies that she did not have time for before. 

Ultimately, the drawbacks of online learning are also crucial to understand. By studying the ways in which online learning is lacking, the world is able to develop more efficient and effective technological platforms in which schools and businesses are able to carry on despite the pandemic.

Society’s more comfortable attitude towards an online learning experience has many implications towards its changing view of technology. With students and employees becoming more comfortable with working from a distance, it would be no surprise to see this new way of life persisting even after the virus is no longer a problem. Therefore, it is important for students to take advantage of this opportunity to become familiar with working from a distance.