The long-term effects of remote learning on students

Remote learning as we know it today has been largely defined by the pandemic. Years after the global school shutdown and abrupt switch to remote learning, students have returned to classrooms and are readjusting to in-person classes.

But just how much did distance learning impact students? What effects are we already seeing as a result of remote learning and social distancing, and which of these are likely to persist for the foreseeable future?

Let’s look at some of the potential long-term implications of remote learning (both negative and positive), and how they’re shaping education as a whole.

Behaviour issues

Experts have reported that young children who were part of remote learning cohorts during Covid are now entering their teenage years, and are part of a ‘bubble’ of bad behaviour. This group of students have the fastest increase in exclusions and suspensions, which has in part been attributed to the disruption of the pandemic.

One survey found that more than 42% of teachers believe student behaviour had worsened post-pandemic. According to the outgoing chief inspector of schools in England, children need time to learn and practise meeting expectations around rules – something that was impossible for teachers to deliver via remote learning.

Reduced attention spans

One study suggests that the pandemic catalysed an increase in inattention among school-aged children. Remote learning meant that students had less direct supervision from teachers, and could more easily multitask. On top of that, screen fatigue, long periods of passive learning, and the availability of distractions, may have made it harder for some students to stay focused.

With students back in classrooms, they’ve returned to a more structured environment where they have to concentrate more consistently. The shift can be jarring, and habits that students developed during remote learning could mean that they can’t fix their attention like they once used to.

Students who aren’t engaged in learning are more likely to be disruptive, so this could also be a contributing factor to behavioural issues.

Learn how reduced screentime can improve student attention spans.

Feelings of anxiety

There’s no doubt that the pandemic had a profound lasting impact on students’ mental health. Students lived through a traumatic global event at a relatively young age, so it’s unsurprising that loneliness, stress, and anxiety all increased among primary students during the pandemic. In particular, anxiety has been an ongoing issue as students returned to their schools – with pupils saying that the risk of illness and changes to teaching structures spiked their condition.

For many students, remote learning meant that they spent all their time in a familiar, comfortable home environment: their comfort zone. The sudden switch back to school, with lots of other children, more noise, a more structured schedule, and new rules and activities, meant that anxiety worsened in young people.

This anxiety could be a long-term problem as prolonged exposure to stress can alter young people’s brain function, making it difficult for them to cope with future challenges. Indeed, anxiety is soaring among young people who were primary-age during the pandemic, with numbers doubling since the year before the pandemic.

Get tips for discussing mental health with students.

Chronic absenteeism

There has been a sharp increase in chronic absenteeism, which is closely tied to the surge in mental health issues. Some children simply can’t cope with attending school five days a week. For other families, the pandemic shifted their attitude to school, where they now see attendance as flexible and have a more permissible approach towards days off school.

However, chronic absenteeism can have a dramatic impact on academic performance. There are a variety of strategies teachers can use to address absenteeism, working closely with families, using technology to bridge the gap and offering mental health support to encourage students back into the classroom.

Read more about chronic absenteeism.

Greater digital literacy

One positive long-term effect of remote learning during the pandemic is a boost in students’ computer skills. One study found that students’ confidence in their digital literacy improved significantly as the result of online learning which was accelerated by the pandemic.

When learning from home, students had to learn how to navigate digital platforms and use tools designed for virtual classrooms. As a result, students’ digital literacy has improved, which means they are now better equipped to use technology that is needed for modern schools and workforces.

Greater digital literacy has also empowered students to be more independent problem-solvers. Rather than wait for a teacher to help them with a problem, students can more easily find and assess digital sources by themselves. This resilience is an advantage for students as they can take charge of their learning and can tap into more diverse ways to learn – for example, they can access an ebook, chatbot or personalised app for guidance when a teacher is not available. So, digital literacy can be a significant support when it comes to independent learning.

Listen to our podcast on why digital literacy is so important for students (and teachers!).

More (healthy) competition

During the shift to remote learning, lots of teachers struggled to get their students motivated and engaged through a screen, and adopted gamification as a solution. Students were introduced to gamified activities and leaderboards on a big scale. This gamification of learning helped to boost student engagement, but it also created more of a sense of competition among students.

Back in the more traditional classroom landscape, gamification still has a role to play in combating inattention, poor behaviour and apathy. Students may be more competitive with one another than previously, but that’s no bad thing. As a possible long-term effect of remote learning and gamification, competitiveness is positive. It has been proven to increase motivation, and can lead to stronger academic results.

Take a deep dive into gamification theory in education.

The not-so-remote road ahead

More time is needed to truly understand the consequences of remote learning during the pandemic, notably how the experience has influenced students for better and worse. In the meantime, it’s a good idea to be extra attentive to behavioural issues with students. Educators should be agile and proactive in celebrating the positive repercussions, and meeting the challenges of the negative impacts, as students move through their school years.