By Lee Jin Hee

Jin Hee is a summer intern at Skillseed and a rising senior at Yale-NUS College. Majoring in philosophy, she likes to ponder about the purpose of existence, feminism, and climate change.

Cover image : Pixibay 

There is no question that we are living in a historic turning point. No individual or country can avoid the COVID-19 pandemic and the sudden shift it has forced upon our lives - or what people are calling the “new normal.” Of the many changes brought about by COVID-19, education is undoubtedly one of the most heavily impacted areas globally. Not only have students not been able to physically attend school, but academic calendars have been significantly modified, testings have been cancelled or indefinitely postponed, graduation ceremonies have been cancelled, and so on.

A Renaissance of Distance Learning

Despite challenges, not all aspects of these changes are negative. As much as education and related groups have taken a serious hit, we are witnessing a Renaissance of distance learning. Elementary schools to universities alike have turned to virtual platforms, particularly ones that allow for video conferencing such as Zoom or Google Meets/Classroom, to conduct classes at a distance. While demanding students to stare at a screen for 8 hours can be quite draining (the author can resonate deeply with this sentiment), there is increasing research evidence that shows some of the advantages of online learning. For instance, online or digital platforms provide more flexibility in terms of scheduling. Asynchronous learning, in which students can pursue the content at their own pace, works best in such distance learning formats. Teachers can post their lessons online and check in with students periodically, while students can engage with the content as it best suits their schedules. In effect, this provides greater breathing space for the teacher and autonomy for the student.

In settings where videoconferencing is not conducive, there have been numerous creative attempts to keep students educated throughout this pandemic. For instance, in Rwanda, a few schools have utilized Whatsapp as a channel for teachers to upload weekly homework assignments. Students then send pictures of their completed work for grading. Argentina has adopted a hybrid of methods, including radio and television broadcasting of classes for students who have limited access to technology. Similarly, Bermuda has tried to overcome connectivity issues by delivering physical copies of learning packets for students who do not have access to devices or the internet. As such, although the pandemic has certainly stymied education for millions of students, it has also pushed educators and students to find creative solutions. For more examples of how various countries are addressing education, click here. 

Distance Learning is Here to Stay

While we certainly hope that this COVID season will end soon, it will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark in the education field. Now that educators and students have had almost a year to thoroughly explore the inner workings of distance learning, elements of distance learning will remain a part of mainstream education (if it was not already headed towards that direction). In fact, at the time of writing, MOE is reviewing a hybrid of digital online learning and classroom learning for the upcoming academic year. Our previous Education Minister, Mr Ong Ye Kung, stated that students engaging in self-directed learning outside the classroom is a "strength of digital learning.” Here, I see a movement away from the idea that education requires a live dialogue between a teacher and a student. Instead, there may be more emphasis placed on the student’s autonomy and independence in the learning process. Rather than waiting for instructions from teachers, students may be more encouraged to explore educational resources online for themselves. While the online education market was already rapidly expanding pre-COVID, with the explosion of demands due to social distancing measures, it is projected to reach approximately 320 billion USD by 2025. It is safe to assume that the technology developed during this season will work its way not only into online classes but also traditional ones. 

For those who feel somewhat reserved about distance learning, keep in mind that our younger generation are digital natives. They were born into a world where the internet was already sewn into their social and academic life. Arguably, COVID has only sped up the inevitable. 

Moving Forward

While distance learning is quite promising, it is still far from being the perfect solution. One obvious disadvantage is that certain subjects, particularly ones that require hands-on training such as medical anatomy, do not translate well to online platforms (there are a number of online anatomy softwares but these are reportedly costly). Another major issue is that distance learning can further exacerbate educational inequality. Considering local cases, Straits Times reported on how a number of students faced challenges in home-based learning during Circuit Breaker, because they did not have easy access to electronic devices. While the government implemented measures to loan out tablets and laptops, it does not completely eliminate all barriers. Students may not have their own rooms to study in or they may have to share the device with their siblings. To add, some residential areas do not have stable internet connection or parents may not be fully equipped to provide the technical support that their children may need.  Consequently, under-resourced students are placed at a great disadvantage in an era of distance learning through no fault of their own. From a global standpoint, the pandemic has brought about an “unprecedented education emergency.” There are growing concerns that millions of children will never be able to return to school either because they have no access to online learning or they have to drop out to support their families financially. 

These are real challenges, and there are no easy solutions. Although we do not have solutions to these problems, we want to do our part in inching towards a problem-free world. In the spirit of changemaking, we want people to be able to hone their leadership and interpersonal skills, as well as deepen their interests in various social causes, even during this pandemic and beyond. 

Thus, Team Skillseed spent the last several months adapting our Training and Experiential Learning Programmes in virtual formats to offer you the same immersive and enriching Skillseed experience but from the very comforts of your chosen location. As we continue to expand our presence in the virtual realm, we are excited to see how this ‘new normal’ will bring about new opportunities that we have never imagined before. Join us in this new chapter of our journey! Click here for more details on our virtual training programmes and here for our virtual Walkshops. 

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