The Role of Technology During Quarantine

With the entire country being asked to put themselves on lockdown, save for essential workers such as medical staff and grocery store clerks, we as a population have come to rely on technology now more than we arguably ever have. Most universities and even some K-12 schools are teaching material through some kind of online platform. Even some activities outside of the classroom, like yoga instruction or open mics, are being held online so that people can remain social while social distancing. But there are some drawbacks to using many of the popular online platforms.

Firstly, not everyone has access to the technology. Students with less financial freedom may be unable to afford high speed internet in their homes, or even a home. Not all students have personal computers and typically use a computer lab as needed when working on assignments. Secondly, some platforms pose a data risk. Not all students are aware that when using a university account with an app, the university or instructor may be able to handle what the student believed to be completely private chats. Lastly, online learning is not always accessible. Students with hearing impairments may struggle with the poor feedback of a voice coming through computer speakers. In short, remote learning technologies are useful, but far from perfect.

Source: https://www.edsurge.com/amp/news/2020-04-02-the-3-biggest-remote-teaching-concerns-we-need-to-solve-now

2 thoughts on “The Role of Technology During Quarantine

  1. The role of technology during quarantine is so vital. Having technology is such an advantage for your education or occupation. It’s the main way and really the only way I can think of right now on how people are getting information and news about the world today. It allows students to continue their school year and employees of companies to talk with one another or collaborate and do their job. Zoom has played a huge role in all of this allowing us to video call each other and share our screens very easily. Although, technology is what is really keeping people’s lives a little normal and going, not everyone has that access. There are plenty of families who don’t have technology for all their family members or none at all. This is a huge disadvantage for some people. Some can’t continue their job like normal while others in the company are and then you’re in jeopardy of getting fired. This whole quarantine is really annoying and I think everyone is just praying for everything to be back to normal as soon as it can be. https://www.edsurge.com/amp/news/2020-04-02-the-3-biggest-remote-teaching-concerns-we-need-to-solve-now

  2. I think technology does play a very large role in this quarantine. It is the main way that people get their information, entertain themselves and work. But you make a good point about not everyone having access to the internet. Some people don’t have internet access or the capability to get the internet and to have people just expect that they have it is kind of absurd. Some people live paycheck to paycheck and don’t have the extra money for it. So now since they are stuck at home, their employers are expecting them to be able to do their job. But it is not fair to expect that and if they are unable to do the job they should not be fired. Even students don’t have complete access to the internet and it is not fair to have universities expect them to be able to do their work.

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