An Extraordinary Time for Learning

A Look into the Post-COVID State of Classrooms

Introduction

When the world turned upside down during the pandemic of 2020, educational technology began to turn right-side up. As schools were forced to abruptly move instruction to an online platform, it became evident that technology was making its permanent presence among classrooms. While the pandemic created an overwhelming stress for teachers, the aftermath of this new type of learning created a positive impact on factoring technology into everyday learning in order to develop 21st century students who inhibit future-ready skill sets. Even though we are still feeling the sting from the pandemic three years later, education will never be the same.

The Digital Divide

Several important elements of educational technology were highlighted during the pandemic, however it quickly became very evident that the digital divide poses a huge barrier when implementing technology effectively within the pedagogy of a classroom. In a survey conducted by Promethean that consisted of nearly 1,200 US schools, results showed that “the digital divide is the top challenge school districts are facing” (Caste, 2020), followed by the summer learning impact gap, lack of technology training for teachers, and lack of district resources. There will always be division among access to technology and diversity in what districts have access to. This is why it is imperative that educators learn to use the technology they do have to instill important skill sets that help lay foundational skills for their students.

Creating Future-Ready Classrooms

When first introduced to education, technology was viewed as an added accessory that could be used to boost engagement, however it wasn’t a necessary tool. After the impact of the pandemic and the forceful push “to digitize fast, it is hard to imagine a future where online learning is not a core component of education and teaching” (CBInsights, 2020). Learning has forever changed and so have our students and teachers. As educators, it is imperative that we recognize we are teaching tomorrow’s leaders. We are educating tomorrow’s workforce. We are empowering tomorrow. Our students are growing up in a 21st century world that requires 21st century learning. Whether they go on to receive several college degrees or join the workforce straight out of high school, the chances that they will encounter technology on a daily basis is incredibly high and almost inevitable.

“Children who start school from now on will grow up to be workers and leaders in a digital-first world that will demand new skills and new ways of thinking” (Spencer, 2020). Because of the pandemic, the school day of today’s students will be vastly different from the school day of prior generations. In order to be successful, students will need support socially, emotionally, academically, and technologically (Spencer, 2020). They will need to begin developing future-ready skill sets at the elementary level that entail leadership, collaboration among peers, verbal and written communication, work ethic, and problem-solving to name a few (Bednar, n.d). The use of technology is essential in developing these types of skills.

Beyond the Four Walls

With individualized learners comes the need to individualize learning. While this is not a new concept to education, understanding all technology has to offer helps to create and supplement learning opportunities that present students with the type of learning situations that encompass academic knowledge, as well as skill sets that can be transferred into the real world. “In a post-COVID world, the classroom is no longer contained within four walls…Edtech will be the key to expanding beyond them” (Caste, 2020). When a wise investment is made in technology, a wise investment is made in students. The digital learning that took place during the pandemic, must carry over into the classrooms of today. In order to develop future-ready students, they need opportunities to work with technology daily and develop skills that they don’t even know they need yet. By utilizing tools like virtual reality, augmented reality, gamification, biometric technology, and online learning systems classrooms can become digitally enhanced spaces that provide rich learning experiences for students (CBInsights, 2020).

Teachers: The Expert Learners

It must also be noted that, while technology must become a key factor in learning, it mustn't take the place of the brick and mortar school that consists of physical peers and teachers. Teachers still play an indispensable role in implementing the proper technology for their students. “It is critical to empower teachers, investing in the necessary skills development and capacity building to exploit the full potential of remote and blended learning” (Baron, et al., 2021). In the futuristic classrooms of today, teachers are needed to walk alongside students to encourage lifelong learning and foster an environment that encourages positive peer collaboration and critical thinking scenarios. Rather than being the vessel of information for students, teachers should become "an expert in learning" alongside their students (Spencer, 2020). With the proper training and support, teachers have the ability to empower their students “to learn from themselves in flexible, often collaborative ways, both inside and outside classrooms at their own pace” (Spencer, 2020). It’s important during this pivotal time in education that school districts not only focus on obtaining the latest and greatest tech tools, but rather “focus in on what is pedagogically effective, and provide socio-emotional support for teachers” (Baron, et al., 2021).

Conclusion

With the events of the pandemic mostly behind us, it is encouraging to know that through the marathon of a journey, education has been shifted and molded into a new paradigm of learning. The magnifying glass that was put over the technology gap in education opened the eyes of many and brought a mostly positive impact on the revolution of edtech within the classroom. While the learning process was painful and petty at times, it was most definitely a refining period that made this era in education an “extraordinary time for learning” (Baron, et al., 2021).

References

Barron, M., Cobo, C., Munoz-Najar, A., & Sanchez, I. (2021, February 18). The changing role of teachers and technologies amidst the Covid 19 pandemic: key findings from a cross-country study [Review of The changing role of teachers and technologies amidst the Covid 19 pandemic: key findings from a cross-country study]. World Bank Blogs. https://blogs.worldbank.org/education/changing-role-teachers-and-technologies-amidst-covid-19-pandemic-key-findings-cross#

Bednar, K. (n.d.). How to Develop Future-Ready Students [Review of How to Develop Future-Ready Students]. Defined-Educator’s Blog. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://blog.definedlearning.com/blog/develop-future-ready-students

Caste, M. (2020). The State of Educational Technology in a Post-Pandemic World [Review of The State of Educational Technology in a Post-Pandemic World]. EdTech Magazine. https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2020/11/state-educational-technology-post-pandemic-world

CBInsights. (2020, September 2). Education in the Post-Covid World: 6 Ways Tech Could Transform How We Teach and Learn [Review of Education in the Post-Covid World: 6 Ways Tech Could Transform How We Teach and Learn]. CBInsights. https://www.cbinsights.com/research/back-to-school-tech-transforming-education-learning-post-covid-19/

Spencer, G. (2020). Schools after COVID-19: From a teaching culture to a learning culture [Review of Schools after COVID-19: From a teaching culture to a learning culture]. In Microsoft. Microsoft Asia. https://news.microsoft.com/apac/features/technology-in-schools-from-a-teaching-culture-to-a-learning-culture/