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Research tells us that the recipe for student achievement, at all grade levels, involves the key ingredients of regular attendance, a healthy teacher-student ratio and learning retention. Maintaining and improving all of that has been more of a challenge than ever before in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic interruptions and chronic underfunding.
One of the most critical areas to address is the chronic shortage of qualified teachers, which affects nearly all communities in the United States. A report from the Learning Policy Institute found that, “at a minimum, 406,964 positions were either unfilled or filled by teachers not fully certified for their assignments, representing about 1 in 8 of all teaching positions nationally.”
Fortunately, educators can leverage virtual learning technologies to help students get the most from the education and alleviate the burden on overtaxed teachers.
How virtual learning helps
Virtual learning tools can make the impossible achievable, in tandem with classroom instruction or completely in a digital space. The School Superintendent’s Association’s School Administrator Magazine remarked in an article describing the benefits and drawbacks of the post-COVID learning space: “Some families of elementary school students found they liked the flexibility of scheduling based on family needs. Some students who were shy during in-person classes, bullied, stereotyped or faced health issues found that the online environment suited them better than traditional schools.” The article also noted that the sudden switch to emergency online instruction is very different than courses designed specifically for virtual learning. “As schools and teachers scrambled to provide remote learning, many focused on getting the content out, resulting in classes that were even more teacher-driven and students complaining of being online for four or five hours at a time. Through thoughtful planning, online learning programs offer students comprehensive on-demand learning resources, freeing teachers to work with them to make necessary adjustments.”
Schools in remote or underfunded areas may have trouble bringing in the qualified educators they need, whether it’s to teach an entire course or lead a specialized program or lecture. With remote teaching, experts can click in from around the globe, supporting teaching staff by saving time and precious resources.
Baylor University computer science professor Greg Speegle is working on solving STEM teacher shortages. He told the education periodical EdTech that virtual teachers can help increase a school’s bench strength. “You might have someone who is willing to teach a class for you in addition to their normal job. They can teach computer science, biology or calculus for an hour a day, and they’re done.”
Virtual learning also offers students a universe of elective options they normally couldn’t access in person, which, in turn, helps schools retain and recruit learners who might widen their horizons elsewhere.
For those students who require different learning modalities and environments, such as special needs, English language learners and at-risk children, “Software platforms and robotic tools have given students the opportunity to explore content at the same pace and level of their general education peers. Special education students have access to digital tools to create new products, explore content at a deeper level, and can enrich their learning by providing feedback to teachers about their learning experiences,” wrote Dr. Felicia Bolden in TeachHub.com.
Find your learning solutions in one place
Accredited, award-winning Lincoln Learning Solutions offers a wide range of traditional courses, such as math, languages, history, geography and science. But there are also some more esoteric offerings many schools can’t provide in person, allowing them to significantly expand their course catalog: debate, music, art, fashion design, digital media and marketing, to name just a few. The classes are appropriate for all learning environments: classroom, remote, hybrid and homeschool.
All the materials are aligned under the California state standards to provide a well-rounded and rich curriculum that sets the stage for success in school and beyond.
For administrators and educators, Lincoln Learning takes a personalized, support-centric approach to course implementation and management. There’s always a team member available for technical help and advice about existing programming.
Teachers benefit with Lincoln Learning’s tailored training that can help ease the transition from classroom to virtual educating. There are also multiple ways to boost professional development, which leads to greater opportunity and effectiveness.
Looking to the future of education
One of the most exciting recent developments is the Lincoln Content Bank, which houses nearly 110,000 trusted, vetted learning assets to move learners forward, and also provides a revolutionary resource for those who need it the most.
“If a student is behind by a grade level, they are often presented with materials too advanced for them, which puts them at a disadvantage,” said Sandy Marchant, MS. Ed., Lincoln Learning’s assistant vice president of Business Development. “The Lincoln Content Bank helps bridge that gap by providing leveled, academically aligned content so students can engage with skills at their level without falling further behind. If we think about what commonly happens in the classroom, this is huge.”
To learn more about Lincoln Learning Solutions, visit the website.