Learning Gap, Poverty, and Online Risks

There’s no doubt that remote learning has had a huge impact on children’s education. But how deep has this impact been and how much has it widened the poverty learning gap? Emergency homeschooling doesn’t just come with academic risks, there are also risks to students well-being and welfare. Below, we’ll look at the learning gap between privileged and poorer students and the associated risks of online teaching.

It’s hard to evaluate just how much of an impact remote learning has had on children’s education. Away from the classroom in unprecedented circumstances, it’s hard to gauge students’ progress. One thing we do know is that prolonged remote learning will have long term effect on students’ education.

During the pandemic, learning time has decreased, students are finding it harder to learn, and academic progress is slow. This is because many things can hinder homeschooling such as interruptions, lack of materials, and a poor internet connection. Emergency remote schooling is better than no schooling but it does have some serious limitations when it comes to education.

It’s not just education that’s being affected, remote learning is also affecting students’ health and well-being. Schools provide a safe, stable environment for students and it’s vital for their social development. The absence of this environment will undoubtedly have consequences on students’ personal development.

All children have been affected by Covid-19, but children from disadvantaged backgrounds have been disproportionately affected. There’s always been a poverty learning gap, only now this learning gap has widened.

It’s no secret that students’ health and well-being play a huge role in academic achievement. So students’ well-being is a vital factor to consider when it comes to remote teaching. The shift to remote learning will have been stressful for students. They’ll be feeling insecure due to a lack of support and a disruption in their routine. They’ll also be more at risk of feeling bored, unmotivated and isolated. This makes them more vulnerable to anxiety and depression. This is why teachers must take measures to support students’ well-being through online teaching.

At Clanbeat, we have a clear understanding of how students’ health and well-being directly affect education. We believe in taking a holistic approach to learning. That’s why we’ve developed a check-in feature for our app. The daily check-in allows you to keep track of students’ well-being. It encourages students to give feedback about how they’re feeling which is then sent directly to you. With this information, you can identify students who need support and offer it in the earliest stages.

As an educator, you’ll be aware of the existing poverty learning gap. Unfortunately, this learning gap has only widened since the pandemic began. Students from poorer backgrounds have to deal with a whole range of other issues besides their education.

It’s likely that students from disadvantaged backgrounds will have poorer diets and may even be malnourished in some cases. They’re statistically more at risk of being exposed to violence, crime and domestic abuse. With a rise in unemployment, they may be more likely to become homeless and victims of social exclusion. All of these things combined will generally lead to poorer health and well-being in underprivileged students.

With or without a pandemic and emergency homeschooling, students from disadvantaged backgrounds are also at a learning disadvantage. In some cases, education has to play a second role to basic survival. On top of this, remote learning may create even more challenges for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Children from less privileged backgrounds generally live in smaller homes. This means they may not have access to a quiet study space. They may also struggle to access vital learning materials such as a laptop. Even with a computer, disadvantaged students may not always have internet access.

Ultimately, education eradicates the poverty learning gap, so the widening of this learning gap is worrying. Poverty has a very detrimental effect on a child’s learning and development. As educators, we must try to close the learning gap and ensure that students from underprivileged backgrounds aren’t left behind.

At Clanbeat we believe in closing the poverty learning gap and empowering students from all backgrounds. We do this by providing an inclusive and supportive digital classroom. With our app, vulnerable students will feel connected and less isolated because they can communicate with each other easily. And they’ll know that you’re there for instant support when it’s needed.

Even though children are less likely to catch Covid-19, they’re more vulnerable to its indirect effects on society. Especially children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Children are particularly sensitive to environmental changes and these current experiences will mold their paths in later life.

As educators, we must do all we can to stop the widening poverty learning gap. By using tools like Clanbeat, you can ensure that no child is left behind when it comes to remote learning.