How Teachers Can Help Students Adversely Affected by Lockdowns

Learning Loss Solutions

According to Hamilton et al., students experienced noticeable learning loss during the COVID-19 lockdowns due to interruptions in instruction, lack of access to technology, and parents' inability to provide adequate support. To help mitigate this learning loss, schools should focus on implementing innovative strategies that allow for improved student engagement and personalized instruction (Cheng). Additionally, schools should prioritize providing students with equitable access to technology and resources that support their learning needs. Schools must also collaborate with families and community partners to ensure all students receive the necessary supports for learning success.

The Issue of Learning Loss

As Sarah Sparks points out, the issue of learning loss is a crucial one to understand in the post-COVID world of education. Sparks notes, for instance, how “low-income students and those with disabilities have been hit the hardest” in the perfect storm of education challenges over the last few years (4). The COVID lockdowns essentially derailed any progress made towards helping underprivileged students and set educators back significantly. The effect over the lockdowns has not been pretty: “remote learning and repeated outbreaks and quarantines have led more students to miss school and fall behind in classes”—none of which bodes well for graduation rates (Sparks 4). Without students graduating, the prospects of obtaining a college-level education diminishes, and so too do career prospects. Learning loss has a whole host of knock-on effects that can seriously disrupt society as a whole.

Lack of access to educational resources may lead to a decrease in overall academic performance and an increased knowledge gap between those who had access to these resources and those who did not. Being away from school, students have limited opportunities to interact with their peers, leading to feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Families may experience financial strain as they struggle to make ends meet without parents attending their jobs due to lockdowns. Students may miss out on vital extracurricular activities, such as sports, clubs, and school trips which are important for their overall development. With limited learning opportunities, students may become less confident and feel that their academic performance is deteriorating, resulting in low self-esteem and potentially poor mental health.

What Approach for High Schools?

There are many steps high schools can take to address this important issue. For instance, Hamilton et al. note that schools have planned to address academic disparities as well as the social and emotional health issues that students will likely have upon their return to in-class sessions. These are both good first steps—but more will need to be done. That is why Cheng argues that schools should use the tools of distance learning to pull students up and overcome learning loss. For instance, Cheng recommends that schools issue online surveys to help teachers and learners ask the right questions and get the right answers.

Another idea of Cheng is for teachers to incorporate some kind of class chat into the learning environment, such as an online chat platform, to facilitate communication and interaction. Online chat platforms can be a great way for students to stay connected and collaborate on their studies during school closures. It can provide a platform for students to ask questions, clarify concepts and receive feedback from their peers and teachers in real-time. This can help mitigate some of the learning loss due to school closures and help keep students engaged and motivated to learn.

Ultimately, high schools should approach addressing the learning loss experienced due to the Covid-19 shutdown by providing targeted support and intervention for those students who have been most impacted. This could include providing extra tutoring and academic support, offering supplemental instruction or classes, and providing additional resources such as online learning materials and tools. For example, offering extra tutoring and academic support can help to identify gaps in a student's understanding of a subject, and providing supplemental instruction or classes can provide additional time and structure for students to work on their areas of weakness. Additionally, offering additional resources such as online learning materials and tools can give students the flexibility to access course materials outside of regular class time, helping them to stay engaged with their studies even when school is not in session. The point is that students need to get up to speed, and schools—which essentially closed the doors on students—need to step up as well.

Thus, schools should also strive to ensure equitable access to technology and internet access in order to enable students to participate in remote learning activities, which will augment and enhance in-class learning. Technology and internet access are fundamental components of modern education. Without these tools, students would be unable to take part in many of the remote learning activities available today. By providing equitable access to these resources, schools ensure that no student is disadvantaged when it comes to distance learning. Equitable access to technology and internet enables students to participate in innovative projects, use digital media to spur creativity and problem-solving skills, access vast educational resources on websites like Khan Academy, and collaborate with peers via video conferencing software. This ensures that all students have an equal opportunity to gain knowledge from any number of sources outside the classroom environment. Furthermore, by giving students a chance to explore different kinds of learning activities such as coding or creating digital artworks, this serves as an excellent method for augmenting and enhancing in-class learning. Not only can students apply what they learn remotely directly within their school experience, but they can also expand upon their subject matter by exploring related topics independently at home. By granting equitable access to technology and internet resources within schools, educators provide their students with a wealth of opportunities that can be used both within the classroom setting and beyond – unlocking new possibilities for learners everywhere.

Therefore, in order to ensure equitable access to technology and internet access, schools should prioritize providing the necessary resources to students and families who are unable to afford them. This can include providing computers and other devices, subsidizing internet access, and offering financial aid to families who need assistance in covering the costs. Access to technology and the internet will enable students to engage in remote learning activities and access educational resources that would not otherwise be available. Remote learning activities have the potential to broaden students' knowledge and understanding of a subject, since it allows them to utilize digital tools such as videos, simulations, and interactive activities that are not typically found in a traditional classroom setting. With these additional resources, students will be able to better understand and retain information, which will ultimately enhance their in-class learning experiences.

At the same time, schools should prioritize creating a safe and supportive environment for students to be able to share any concerns and discuss their academic progress. They should also consider partnering with community organizations to provide support services such as mental health counseling, food assistance, and job training. These two approaches go together, as Sparks, Hamilton et al., and Cheng suggest: education is about creating a holistic environment that brings teachers, learners, and the community together in a safe space where learning is promoted and interaction is encouraged. This is after all not only where learning progresses but also where dreams are cemented and made into reality. The benefits of creating a safe and supportive environment for students to share their concerns and discuss their academic progress are numerous. It helps build trust between teachers and students, which can lead to better communication and understanding of learning needs. It can also reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, as students feel more comfortable speaking up about their challenges and seeking help when needed. Additionally, partnering with community organizations can provide students with additional resources that can help them succeed, such as mental health counseling, job training, and food assistance. This can increase motivation, engagement, and academic success in the long run.