The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted schools, colleges, and universities around the world. When campuses closed, teachers had to move quickly to remote teaching, and learners had to adjust to new ways of studying. This explainer looks at the main lessons from that period: the shift to online learning, the need for digital literacy, the promise and limits of technology, and the value of flexibility. Many of these changes are likely to last.
On this page 6 sections
The shift to online learning
The biggest change was the move to online learning. As schools closed, teachers turned to video platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet to keep teaching from a distance.
Online learning existed long before the pandemic. The pandemic sped up its use and showed that it can work as an alternative to classroom teaching. In the United States, for example, many public schools offered online or hybrid classes during the 2020 to 2021 school year.
Online learning also raised real concerns:
- Learning quality. A study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that remote learning during the pandemic was less effective than in-person teaching.
- Unequal effects. The same study found that learners from disadvantaged backgrounds were hit hardest.
- Social development. Teachers and parents worried about how learning away from classmates affects a child’s social growth.
Why digital literacy matters
Digital literacy is the ability to use digital technology well. During the pandemic it became a basic skill for both teachers and learners, and there is a stronger case for teaching it as part of the curriculum.
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) describes digital literacy as more than knowing which button to press. It also includes:
- critical thinking
- problem-solving
- communication
Teachers need to be able to teach these skills, and learners need to be able to use them in many different situations.
What technology can and cannot do
The pandemic showed that technology can improve education in several ways:
- Personalized learning, where lessons fit each learner’s pace and needs
- Collaboration, where learners work together even when apart
- Engagement, through interactive tools and materials
- Wider access, by bringing resources to learners who might not have had them before
The main limit is the digital divide, the gap between people who have devices and internet access and those who do not. A report by the National Education Association estimated that about 12 million students in the United States lacked the reliable internet and devices they needed for remote learning during the pandemic. Technology helps only the learners who can reach it.
The value of flexibility
Teachers had to adapt to fast-changing conditions, and learners had to get used to new ways of learning. This led to more attention on each learner’s needs, with teachers adjusting their approach for individual students.
Flexibility also mattered for schedules. Many learners were balancing school with work, childcare, or other duties. This led to more asynchronous learning, where learners open materials and finish tasks at their own pace instead of attending a live class at a fixed time.
What this means for the future of education
The pandemic changed how education is delivered. For teachers and school leaders, the main lessons are:
- Keep adapting and innovating so that learners get a quality education that prepares them for the future.
- Make learning more personalized, building on what worked during remote teaching.
- Teach digital literacy as part of the curriculum, including thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Use technology to improve learning, while working to close the digital divide.
- Build resilience and adaptability, in schools and in learners, so they are ready for a world that keeps changing.
Online learning was the most visible change, and it came with real concerns about quality and fairness. The pandemic also showed that, used well and made available to everyone, technology can make education stronger.
Frequently asked questions
How did COVID-19 change education?
School closures pushed teachers and learners into remote and online learning using platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet. It also raised the importance of digital literacy, flexibility, and closing the digital divide.
Was remote learning during the pandemic as effective as classroom learning?
A study by the OECD found that remote learning during the pandemic was less effective than in-person teaching. Learners from disadvantaged backgrounds were the most affected.
What is the digital divide?
The digital divide is the gap between people who have access to devices and internet connections and those who do not. It meant that some learners could not fully join remote classes.
What is asynchronous learning?
Asynchronous learning lets learners open course materials and finish assignments at their own pace instead of attending a live class at a set time. Its use grew during the pandemic because many learners were also juggling work, childcare, or other duties.
What does digital literacy include?
According to the International Society for Technology in Education, digital literacy goes beyond using technology. It also includes critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
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