Covid's Impact on Traditional Education and The Rise of the Virtual Classroom

The COVID-19 pandemic left a lasting impact on us all, causing loss, disruption, and uncertainty. However, throughout these challenges, one major change stood out: how we educate our children and ourselves.

By mid-2020, nearly 1.4  billion students around the globe faced school closures—the largest interruption education has ever faced. Schools and universities shut their doors, and learning moved from familiar classrooms to makeshift setups at home. Teachers adapted, parents stepped in to help, and students adjusted to learning at dinner tables, bedrooms, or wherever else they could find space.

But what started as a short-term solution evolved into something more: a radical shift in the way we think about education. 

Could online education truly replace traditional classrooms? And if so, how will this shift reshape education for generations to come? And what does virtual learning mean for the social and academic development of students today?

The BIG shift

Before the pandemic, classrooms looked much like they had for many years. Desks were in neat rows, chalkboards were at the front, and textbooks were piled on every desk. Education was slow to embrace digital changes and often stuck to traditional methods instead of trying new ideas.

When COVID-19 closed schools around the world, the education industry faced a big challenge. It quickly adapted by moving to virtual classrooms. Students and teachers had to adjust fast, using Zoom calls, digital resources, and online assessments.

Parents and students suddenly had to deal with unreliable internet, unfamiliar software, and the challenge of staying focused without the usual classroom setup. Distance learning exposed big gaps in resources: while some schools quickly handed out laptops and set up Wi-Fi access, others struggled just to keep kids connected.

To bridge this digital divide, some U.S. school districts sent out Wi-Fi-enabled buses, parking them around neighbourhoods so students could get online. Across the Atlantic, the UK government provided over a million devices to students who needed them. 

Wi-Fi-enabled buses sent out in Indiana district during the pandemic. Image Credit: CNN

But even with these efforts, the gap remained. Not every student had access to a reliable internet connection or a quiet space to study, and the rise of remote learning has only made these divides more obvious.

The pandemic may have pushed schools into a digital age, but it also highlighted a massive challenge: making sure all students can keep up.

Other challenges brought by online learning

Source: Statista

In 2021, Statista conducted a study with 987 parents who had a child experienced in remote learning. Here are some key points from the study:

• Focus and motivation issues: Almost half of the parents (40%) reported having problems with focus and motivation. This shows that remote learning often fails to keep students engaged. Many students struggle to stay attentive and motivated without the structured environment of a classroom.

• Social interaction gaps: The lack of contact with classmates (38%) and teachers (35%) shows the social isolation that can come with online learning. This missing interaction affects students' academic engagement and emotional well-being. This is especially important for younger students, who learn and grow through social experiences.

• Parental and supervisory demands: A significant 31% of parents reported difficulties in supervising remote learning. This adds stress for working parents who juggle jobs and family duties. Parental support and supervision are key challenges of remote learning, which traditional schools help reduce.

• Mismatch in academic challenge: Some parents reported that the schoolwork is either too hard (5%) or not hard enough (11%). This shows that it's challenging to tailor lessons to each child’s needs in a remote learning environment.

The responses indicate that remote learning has the potential to be successful in certain domains; however, they also highlight significant challenges related to student engagement, opportunities for social interaction, the level of parental support, and access to essential resources. 

These insights can be crucial in improving virtual classrooms and effectively meeting the needs of students and their families. Addressing these issues can create a more supportive and enriching online learning environment.

How educators overcome some of these online learning challenges

1. Promote wellbeing with fun activities

Mental health is just as important as academics, which is why teachers are incorporating wellness support into their approach. For instance, over 15,000 schools in England have received funding to train "Senior Mental Health Leads" who are responsible for creating mentally healthy environments for students.

Teachers are also encouraging students to connect through physical activities, try new skills, and volunteer—all known to boost happiness and engagement, according to the NHS’s five steps to mental well-being. 

2. Making learning fun with gamification tools

Turning lessons into games can make the learning feel less like work. Tools like Kahoot, Quizlet, and GimKit help do just that, with quizzes, flashcards, and competitions to keep students engaged. 

The idea here is simple: adding a fun challenge or reward (like scoring points) boosts motivation. And it works—kids are often much more focused when there’s a bit of friendly competition involved. 

3. Getting feedback from students 

It’s hard to improve if you don’t know what’s not working, so teachers are using tools like Socrative, Google Forms, and Poll Everywhere to gather student feedback. 

This lets students share what they enjoy or find tricky, helping teachers tweak lessons to fit students’ needs. A quick survey can show, for example, that more students want interactive tasks, allowing teachers to adapt quickly.

4. Boosting focus with productivity tools

According to the study we discussed earlier, 40% of parents were concerned about their child’s focus during online learning. To address this, teachers and parents are using productivity tools like Forest and Evernote. These apps minimise distractions and help students set achievable study goals. 

For instance, Forest “grows” a virtual tree while students focus, creating a visual incentive, while Evernote helps them organise notes and ideas efficiently. Using these tools, even for part of a lesson, can make a big difference in productivity, helping students keep their attention where it matters most.

5. Using bite-sized lessons for better engagement 

Teachers are finding that shorter, more focused lessons (or "micro-lessons") help students absorb information more easily. Research from "The Micro Revolution" study shows that this approach, especially with Gen Z, helps students retain information better than lengthy lectures. 

By breaking content into small, focused chunks, teachers meet students where they’re at, helping them stay engaged and learn more effectively.

Which one is better: Virtual vs traditional classroom?

There is no straightforward answer to this question. Online learning offers benefits that traditional classroom setups do not, and vice versa. 

Flexibility and Convenience

Virtual classroom: One major benefit of online education is its flexibility. Students can access lessons and complete assignments at their own convenience, which is helpful for those involved in after-school activities. 

A study from the Research Institute of America found that online courses have higher retention rates, between 25% and 60%, compared to just 8% to 10% for traditional in-person classes. This is mainly because students can learn at their own pace.

Traditional classroom: On the flip side, the traditional classroom provides a structure with set times and a routine, which can help children stay on track. For some kids, this daily schedule better supports their learning, giving them consistency and focus.

Access to Resources

Virtual classroom: Online platforms provide a wide range of easily accessible resources. Tools like digital libraries, interactive modules, and multimedia help students get extra assistance anytime and from anywhere. 

Traditional classroom: In a traditional setting, learning materials usually include textbooks, teacher presentations, and in-person activities. While these resources can be valuable, they are often limited to school hours. To get the most out of them, students need to be present at school, which can be a problem if students miss class.

Interaction and Engagement

Virtual Classroom: A common concern about online learning is the lack of face-to-face interaction. However, virtual classrooms have come a long way, with features like discussion boards, live chats, and video calls that keep students connected. These tools help build a sense of community and allow for real-time feedback and collaboration. So, while it may not be exactly like in-person learning, students still get chances to interact with teachers and classmates online.

Traditional Classroom: In traditional classrooms, face-to-face interaction happens naturally, which is fantastic for developing social skills like teamwork and communication. Being able to ask questions and get instant feedback, along with the chance for spontaneous group discussions, makes traditional learning environments great for active engagement.

Personalised learning experience

Virtual Classroom: Online education often lets students learn at their own pace, which is a huge plus. They can pause, rewind, or revisit lessons as much as they need, giving them some control over their learning and the ability to focus more on challenging topics. Although these online programs follow a general structure, the self-paced aspect can feel like a personalised experience.

Traditional Classroom: In a traditional classroom, students can receive immediate feedback and tailored support from teachers, especially in smaller classes. This can make learning feel more personal, with real-time help on specific issues. However, the level of individual attention may vary depending on class sizes and how busy teachers are.

In short, online and traditional classrooms offer different strengths: virtual setups allow for flexible, self-paced learning, while in-person settings offer direct, real-time interaction. Each style has unique ways of keeping kids engaged and helping them succeed.

Is online learning the future, or is there a better way?

The educational sector is changing rapidly, and hybrid learning may be the future. A few months ago, the UK saw one of its first hybrid schools, Duke’s Education, which combines online and in-person classes.

It’s aimed at kids who don’t quite fit into regular schools—whether they’re dealing with anxiety, social issues, or just need more flexibility. Hybrid learning could be the middle ground for students wanting structure and freedom.

This approach bridges the best parts of traditional and virtual classrooms. For students and parents looking for flexibility and focus on mental well-being, it’s a game-changer. Kids get structured education without the pressures of full-time attendance, keeping them engaged even if traditional schooling isn’t their thing. It’s not just about convenience; it’s also boosting academic performance, as hybrid students tend to thrive both socially and academically.

With many students struggling to fit into conventional schools, hybrid learning feels like a step forward—giving them the “best of both worlds” to suit different needs and schedules. If this model continues to grow, hybrid learning could become the new standard in modern schooling, keeping education accessible, balanced, and future-ready.