Considering the Virtual Classroom During the Covid Pandemic: Implications for the Future

The COVID-19 pandemic and school closures highlighted the strengths and needs of the field of education regarding the virtual classroom. While universities and other educational institutions have been offering classes in an online format since the 80s or 90s, most K-12 institutions have not had as much exposure to the structure despite integrating new technologies into their schools for both teachers and students. Through the push to eLearning during the pandemic quarantine, many schools’ transitions showed successes and areas for improvement for the virtual classroom. This presentation will review past models or examples of digital iterations of the classroom, student and teacher experiences during coronavirus-era eLearning, and other theories or topics that could lead to a more solidified best practices for the future of the medium. Key takeaways found include generally positive reviews of a digital classroom format, concerns surrounding eLearning regarding accessibility and the digital divide, best practices for online learning going forward, and the ability for the virtual classroom to facilitate or improve the social climate normally seen within a classroom community