There is no point in sugar-coating it; the last two years have been hard. Outdated technology, little to no training, overcrowded Zoom rooms, seemingly endless last-minute transitions, and exhausted parents juggling it all have left a generation of students disengaged with their educational experience. The frustration felt by the most recent transition to the virtual space is real and valid. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. At Park Street, we believe the virtual space can be, and is, an excellent option for students.
Whether learning in person, virtually or a hybrid of the two, creating an engaging and relevant learning experience that prepares students for their future is the goal. This goal is achieved in a virtual space when the learning community is small, the tech is relevant, the teachers have proper equipment & training, and the content has meaning beyond the virtual classroom walls.
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According to McKinsey & Company, higher education is increasingly using hybrid instruction to meet the needs of their growing student populations. When done well, hybrid learning teaches students to use technology to their advantage. It provides them with flexible options to find academic success, and prepares them for their tech-focused futures. Good hybrid instruction must be introduced to students earlier.
Presenting students with the flexibility in how they learn and creating learning communities beyond physical limits has benefits far beyond the confines of the pandemic. While created out of necessity, when done well, virtual learning is effective, and as McKinsey points out, the question is no longer will online learning outlive COVID-19, but how will virtual learning revolutionize an outdated education system?