This guide gives practical strategies to help teachers and students keep learning going during the COVID-19 pandemic, when schools were closed or running remotely. It explains how the pandemic affected education and describes six things educators, students, and parents can do: use digital learning, care for student well-being, support group work, give individual help, involve families, and stay informed and flexible.
On this page 4 sections
How COVID-19 affected education
To stop the virus from spreading, schools and universities around the world closed or moved to remote learning. This disrupted students’ learning and well-being. It hit hardest those from disadvantaged backgrounds who lacked technology and learning resources.
A report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said that, as of August 2021, school closures had affected over 1.6 billion students in more than 190 countries. Many students fell behind and struggled to get quality education.
Teachers faced their own challenges. They had to learn remote teaching, keep quality high, and look after their students’ well-being. Getting through the pandemic needs everyone working together: educators, students, parents, policymakers, and other education professionals.
Six strategies for teaching and learning during the pandemic
1. Embrace digital learning
Digital learning uses technology for teaching and learning, such as online classes, webinars, and e-learning resources. It is flexible and accessible, and it lets teachers personalize learning.
It also needs devices and an internet connection, which not every student has. Schools and policymakers should help students get access to digital resources and train teachers in digital teaching methods.
2. Put student well-being first
Many students felt more stress, anxiety, and depression during the pandemic. Teachers and other education professionals can help by:
- offering emotional and mental health support, including counseling
- building a supportive, inclusive learning environment that keeps students engaged and motivated
3. Encourage collaborative learning
Collaborative learning means students working together toward shared goals. It is harder to do remotely, but it builds teamwork and communication skills. Teachers can:
- include group work and peer-to-peer activities in lessons
- use tools such as video conferencing, virtual whiteboards, and collaboration platforms
4. Give individualized support
Some students struggle more with remote learning, especially those with learning disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds. Teachers can:
- offer one-on-one tutoring
- provide extra learning resources
- adapt teaching methods to each student’s needs
- work with parents and caregivers to give more help to students who need it
5. Involve parents and caregivers
Parents and caregivers play a key role in their children’s learning at home. Teachers can:
- send regular updates on each child’s progress
- share learning resources with families
- create chances for parent-teacher communication
- work with families on personalized learning plans
6. Stay informed and flexible
The pandemic kept changing, so teachers and students needed to follow the latest guidelines from health authorities and education experts. Teachers can stay updated through professional development workshops, networking with peers, and online resources. They also need to adjust their teaching as students’ needs change.
Quick summary
| Strategy | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Digital learning | Online classes, webinars, e-learning resources, teacher training |
| Student well-being | Counseling, mental health support, an inclusive classroom |
| Collaborative learning | Group work, peer learning, online collaboration tools |
| Individualized support | Tutoring, extra resources, adapted teaching |
| Family involvement | Progress updates, shared resources, personalized plans |
| Staying informed | Workshops, peer networks, following official guidelines |
Used together, these strategies help students keep getting a quality education even in difficult times.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this guide for?
It is for teachers, students, parents and caregivers, and other education professionals who want to keep learning going during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How many students were affected by school closures?
According to a UNESCO report cited in the guide, over 1.6 billion students in more than 190 countries had been affected by pandemic school closures as of August 2021.
What strategies does the guide recommend?
It recommends six: embrace digital learning, put student well-being first, encourage collaborative learning, give individualized support, involve parents and caregivers, and stay informed and flexible.
How can parents help their children during remote learning?
Parents can stay in touch with teachers, follow their child’s progress updates, use the learning resources teachers share, and work with teachers on a personalized learning plan.
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