Virtual Learning: Navigating the Classroom in a Post-Pandemic World

The future of school is virtual, as 60% of Americans say that traditional education systems are failing today’s students. Studies show that in the United States, more than 6 million students annually are “chronically absent”, teenagers are now five times more likely to suffer from a mental illness than previous generations, and 86% of high school students believe that most students cheat at some point in their educational career. These grim statistics about the current state of our education system has led to what is known as The Great School Migration.

Studies show that 57% of students feel better about online schooling in a post-pandemic world, while only 19% prefer in-person instruction. Many families are choosing online schooling because it offers a more flexible schedule, a safer environment, more family involvement, and less bullying than a traditional classroom setting. These advantages of online learning, along with the emphasis on skills like analytical thinking, innovation, active learning, and creativity are clear indicators of the importance and trajectory of online learning in the future.

An online setting in combination with a student-led, project-based curriculum leads to a higher graduation rate, increased motivation and engagement, greater persistence in college, and improved teacher and student interactions. There are also studies conducted that have presented the idea of learning without grading systems, in an attempt to focus on learning and understanding rather than numbers and letter grades. In a continuously growing and developing world, Sora is making an impact on academics in ways that have never been done before, designing a style of learning that accommodates all types of students.