The ongoing pandemic has had a drastic effect on the way we conduct our lives. This change is no more apparent than in the education sector. Since the beginning of 2020, in-person classes have been replaced with online learning in what seems like the new normal for the foreseeable future.

However, not every student is coping with this change the same way. While it is true that online classes have helped keep the momentum alive during the pandemic, it is far from an ideal solution.

Virtual learning is not as engaging as classroom learning. That has become more apparent as students are demotivated and uninterested.

Let’s look at some of the reasons why students are struggling with online learning.

Home Environment is not conducive to engaged learning

It is no mystery that students have a hard time concentrating on their online classes when they are surrounded by distractions. Homes aren’t typically associated with classwork, but instead, they are considered safe havens by students to return to when they are done with their school.

The pandemic completely changed this dynamic of school-home life when classes shifted to online apps. Now, instead of associating school with work and home with relaxation and playtime, students are caught between the two without any clear demarcation as to what is what.

This plays into the disinterest students are showing during online classes because they don’t think it is actually “school”. Of course, these things happen on a subconscious level, and it isn’t that students are deliberately choosing not to treat their online classes as real.

Moreover, other distractions that are more apparent include family members talking, TV playing in the living room, and other home-related stuff that happens any given day. Hence, when surrounded by distractions and failure to associate home with school learning, students find it difficult to concentrate on their online classes.

Change in Life Circumstances

In the wake of the global pandemic, countless people have lost their lives, and many have lasting psychological and physical effects from the virus. It is hard to find students who don’t know someone personally that either lost their lives or are struggling to recover from the pandemic. All of this, combined with the dread and uncertainty of the past year, has had a severe impact on students and their families.

It is no wonder then that students aren’t as engaged with their online classes as they were in their school. Children take notice of things that are happening around them. They hear when someone passes away or may even see it up close in the case of a close relative.

Moreover, the financial and economic hardships that the pandemic has brought are also a cause for anxiety and unrest amongst students. A record number of people were let go from their jobs during the pandemic, which only adds to the existing fear and worry that students might be suffering.

Moreover, students have also lost their personal connection to teachers and counsellors. Under normal circumstances, a student can seek help and guidance from their teachers and counsellors whereas now they can only speak to their immediate family.

Hence, the classroom environment is quite helpful to students who face difficulties as their teachers can assist them. Sadly, this is not something that can be replaced with a screen.

Stress and Trauma

It is a known fact in the field of psychology that stress and trauma can impede one’s cognitive processing. When you are stress-free, worry-free and happy, you tend to absorb information more effortlessly and are able to process it quickly and retain it for longer.

In short, your cognitive abilities are easily affected by what is happening around you. Things that bring on stress and traumatic experiences can promote depression and anxiety, which aren’t conducive to learning.

One of the reasons students are struggling with their online classes is simply the trauma and stress they have experienced this past year. Be it a close friend, a family member or a distant relative, almost everyone knows of someone who has either passed away from the pandemic or faced harsh financial troubles.

These emotions wreak havoc on a child’s ability to concentrate and their motivation to learn. Even if they try to cope with it, traumatic experiences can live in mind and can severely affect learning capabilities.

Some Students Need Structure and Support of in-person Teaching

Over decades, one thing that has become quite apparent is that not every student learns the same way. As with anything else in life, people have vastly different preferences, including teaching methods.

Some people are born with an innate ability to adapt and cope with change. They can assimilate to new environments and can mould themselves into whatever life throws at them.

However, not every person is capable of doing this, and in regards to teaching, many students prefer the support and structure afforded by in-person classrooms. They feel more engaged, more motivated and active when they are in a real class environment. They also feel eager and confident because they know they can ask teachers directly for help.

Distance learning has put the responsibility of learning on students, and this independence isn’t exactly ideal for a child. Children are impulsive and need schedules and study plans. When left to their own will, they might feel overwhelmed and, eventually, disinterested.

Difficulty in Using Virtual Classroom Apps

We have all used Zoom, MS Teams or one of the many online meeting apps since the start of the pandemic. One thing that is undeniable is that these programs aren’t the most child-friendly. Even for adults, especially those whore aren’t tech-savvy, it takes some time in figuring what button does what and what the different functions and options are.

It is not far-fetched then to suggest that perhaps such an interface is not best suited for young children who haven’t used a computer before for anything other than maybe games.

Moreover, the digital medium also poses challenges when it comes to distributing learning materials. Whether they are assignments, quizzes, tests or homework, documents need to be in certain formats for students to open them. Not every student has the required software to view and access such files, and eventually, they might feel disinterested altogether.

Of course, in a real classroom setting, hard copies can be distributed by hand, which students are accustomed to. However, sadly, distant learning doesn’t provide similar options.