How Covid-19 Is Impacting the Education Industry 

Courses ranging from pre-k to Ph.Ds are moving online to slow the spread of Covid-19. Education is one of the pillars communities rely on to educate youth and build investment in the community. In education, time matters. Stopping school isn't an option. To continue learning, students and teachers transitioned to online formats to replicate the in-person experience. The traditional model for teaching and learning has stayed pretty static over the last couple of decades. The rapid change caused by Covid-19 resulted in teachers thinking outside the box to reach their students.

Transferring traditional practice to the online version of teaching will keep learning consistent, but this approach fails to take advantage of online learning that isn't possible in a physical classroom. Covid-19 is normalizing online learning and debunking myths that online education is easier. The educational landscape is changing.

Will Tuitions Change?

Universities haven't changed tuitions for the upcoming semesters in cases where all classes will be online. On-campus students feel that tuitions should decrease if students can't attend classes. Online classes don't always equate to a lower tuition. According to the US News and World Report, online bachelor's degrees, on average, cost slightly more than on-campus degrees at public colleges and universities. However, at private universities, earning a degree is a great deal cheaper online than attending classes on-campus. 

There are often many hidden costs of earning a bachelor's degree. Books, meal plans, and commuting costs add up quickly. While books are a part of online learning, students often don't have to pay for the subscriptions to web conferencing and other services that make online learning function. Meal plans and commuting costs don't factor into the cost of an online education either.

Online Degrees Will Be More Highly Regarded 

Covid-19 has successfully proved to employers that remote work is just as productive as in-person work. This realization will help hiring managers understand that an online degree is no less difficult than a different degree. Professionals often pursue master's degrees online while keeping their current positions, but usually attended in-person classes to earn their bachelor's degree. This normalization will allow students to pursue online degrees to feel equal with their peers who can afford to attend school full time. Despite the perception of online degrees, online graduates have job placement rates competitive to in-person students.

Are Online Degrees Worth It?

There is a difference in price for online vs. in-person learning. Online public school students will pay a bit more for their degrees than their in-person counterparts but will pay significantly less than their private school counterparts. Online degrees are worth it for those who want to increase their career opportunities. Getting a college degree, no matter how it's obtained, greatly increases an individual's income opportunity. Even positions like paramedics and police officers are beginning to require at least an associate’s degree to be competitive among the competition. 

Online degrees were created to give more people access to educational institutions. Covid-19 did little to interpret those already pursuing online degrees. In fact, it might have given them a leg up on their peers who needed some time to familiarize themselves with a new role. While online vs. in-person is an important choice, it is also important to go to an institution that best fits your needs.  

Tech Companies Will Have More Influence Over Teaching

Online learning during Covid-19 would not have been possible without technology. Email, web conferencing, and collaboration software make online learning possible. Tech companies will continue to influence the way we learn. Teachers are using data to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their students. Analyzing this data allows teachers to focus efforts on the concept students need more help with. 

As more people begin to adopt online learning over in-person learning, technology companies will continue to create unique technology for the education industry. Education is always an area parents and communities are willing to invest in. Learning technologies, especially online learning, will improve online learning methods, creating an all-encompassing experience that will also supplement in-person learning.

Conclusion

Online learning existed before Covid-19, but students and teachers realized it is a more viable option than they originally anticipated. Students who need more time to process lessons are taking advantage of the change to learn at their own pace. Teachers can enjoy the same work from home perks as their office working counterparts. People will flock to the learning model that best fits them.

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