Positive Impact Trends Researched During Pandemic

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Positive Impact Trends Researched During Pandemic

Steering Committee

March 24, 2022

The negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our clients/students have been discussed in depth over the past two years. When researching the negative impacts, DMCC wondered if there were any positive impacts that have been studied. DMCC found that there were some benefits that have been noted:

  • Possibly the most significant impact of the past two years is the spotlight it has put on the importance of prioritizing the mental health of children

    • This heightened focus on children’s mental health has the potential to improve students’ well-being in profound ways.
    • Good mental health is a prerequisite for learning.
    • This knowledge can assist schools and teachers in understanding the importance of embedding social-emotional learning components into the classroom and curriculum.
    • The pandemic has led to improved access to mental health resources.
    • Especially useful has been the expansion of tele-mental health services.
    • This spotlight also made it clear that more investment in mental health programs and resources for children are needed.

  • Remote learning has allowed some populations of students to find new ways to be more engaged in learning

    • Some students thrived when the distractions and difficulties they faced in the classroom were removed.
    • Some students benefitted from the autonomy provided by remote learning and this turned out to be a key to motivation.
    • Because students had the opportunity to learn at their own pace, their learning outcomes improved – especially in older students.
    • A survey of more than 600 parents found that the second-most-valued benefit of distance learning was flexibility – not only in schedule but in method of learning.
    • When students are allowed to participate in individualized learning it allows them to conduct their learning at a time they are most likely to succeed and also helps them carve out free time for other activities and interests.
    • This knowledge should inform schools and teachers to create as many access points as they can for kids to engage with learning.

  • Another significant benefit is the better understanding parents now have of their children’s needs

    • During the pandemic, many parents had the opportunity to observe their kids in school and, as a result, help them learn.
    • Parents reported that the pandemic allowed them a better understanding of their child’s learning style and needs, as well as learning about the curriculum being taught and teachers’ expectations.
    • For some parents, this first-hand opportunity to observe their children’s behavior or learning needs, prompted them to consider assessment and Individualized Education Program (IEP) services.
    • Not only did parents gain insight into their children’s learning styles and how to better support them, but they also gained insight into the mental health needs of their children and how to better support them in managing their behaviors/symptoms.
    • Along with parents gaining a deeper understanding of their kids’ needs, the pandemic also prompted greater parent participation in school.
    • One district reported the use of an app that translates parent communication into 150 languages, thus allowing culturally and linguistically diverse families to benefit from streamlined opportunities to communicate with administrators and teachers.

  • Decreased Bullying

    • One study found that during stay-at-home orders, kids with neurodevelopmental disorders experienced less bullying than pre-pandemic.
    • Remote learning offers students with special needs an opportunity to learn in a safer environment.
    • Reducing bullying is not just beneficial for students’ long-term mental health, but less bullying while in school results in less stress. This can improve students’ mood and self-esteem, both of which impact their ability to learn.

  • More Opportunities for Students with Special Needs

    • For some students with special learning needs, including those with IEPs and 504 plans, the at-home learning environment proved to be one where they thrived.
    • For some students with disabilities that impact attention in a group setting, the reduced distractions of remote learning may improve learning outcomes.
    • For students with different learning needs, the use of videos and graphics may lead to improved academic outcomes as they are able to access and utilize these resources more than once.
    • For learners with anxiety, the option to not be in the classroom alleviates the social pressures of being surrounded by peers

References:

  1. APA: Remote Learning Insights
  2. A preliminary examination of key strategies, challenges, and benefits of remote learning expressed by parents during the COVID-19 pandemic
  3. Key Strategies, Challenges, and Benefits of Remote Learning
  4. NY Times: Challenges of Remote Learning

Resources:

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