Education During the Coronavirus : What we should consider

Schools and internet service providers are reaching out to offer internet access to students who do not have it. But, there are still many who are stuck in the digital divide.

Schools around the world are closed and closing at this unprecedented time, as the coronavirus pandemic wreaks havoc on people's lives, jobs, and education. Many schools around the world are shutting down and making the switch to online learning. Even in this age of technology, this new form of teaching and learning is bound to have an impact on teachers and students worldwide. While many adapt and make the best of their current situation, there are some students who are unable to join this new online hub of Zoom, Google Classroom, and Google Hangouts.

According to engadget.com, Verizon is partnering with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to provide around 100,000 students with internet access so that they will be able to access online lectures, assignments, and schooling in general. When one considers how huge this number is, it leads us to evaluate the relative inequalities that are present in the education system.

These 100,000 students who had no at home internet access prior to the coronavirus were probably needed to work on home assignments where internet access would be very helpful, if not essential, while they were still at school. Therefore, it is important to consider how these students of different levels of privilege are being expected to complete the same quality of work with a great disparity between their resources.

This situation, as unfortunate as it may be, should lead us to recognize and attempt to close the gap between the access that students have to resources. We are making strides to offer equal access now, but will we continue to do so when the circumstances seem much less dire?

Sources

https://www.engadget.com/2020-03-25-verizon-free-internet-lausd-students.html