A Shock to the System by Nadera

A Shock to the System by Nadera - May 2020 Scholarship Essay

Education has not innovated in any way in the course of history. Though there may be technological advances that allow teachers to use new methods, the styles of education are still the same. Students all congregate in a single building to listen to the teacher teach. Because we have been subject to these teaching styles for so long, it's hard for us to imagine how it could be any different. In turn, it makes it difficult for our educators to think of ways to innovate education systems. I think what has been missing is a shock to the system and COVID-19 has provided that for us.
As a university student, I think this whole crisis will lead people to possibly taking online school as a more viable option. I’ve discussed with several peers that for a few of my classes I feel like there has not been a difference between the experience of being in the class versus being in a virtual class. I'm still able to get the same instruction and hold discussions with my professors and peers. The only difference being that I am just not doing these things in person. Virtual classes might become more of a serious option for students who may not be able to financially afford going to class in person. I feel like in the past online education has been stigmatized but that stigma will be lessened as all university students are taking part in virtual education across the country and around the world. Of course there are benefits to having class in person, but I think there will be more value seen in doing classes online. This may lead to online classes becoming more prevalent in purely academic classes where students are listening to lectures and simply sitting in the same space as the professor. For classes that are more hands-on such as arts-based degrees, will not benefit from virtual learning. Though on a broader point online classes are not able to evoke the same atmosphere of productivity as going to physical school may. Also if more people begin to do online classes, it may become more expensive as students begin to see this viable option. Also for me personally this experience has highlighted how universities place students on the same level and give them an equal playing field. But the disparities between students become more and more clear as students struggle to adapt to virtual learning with stable internet or computers to use at home.
So overall the pandemic is allowing us to make the first leap towards innovating our educational system but integrating technology in a way that has never been truly necessary before. If online classes become more commonplace students could receive education for some of the most prestigious universities without the burden of leaving home and the huge financial commitment that comes with moving across the country or even across the world. Though this shock to the system may be painful for now, it is just laying the foundation of what's to come in the next 50 years.