Position Paper
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School
Rutgers University *
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Course
15
Subject
English
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
Pages
5
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Statement of Goals and Choices
My position paper follows the virtual education system now seen in school and how its
affects towards children could have a negative impact in multiple areas in their life. This topic is
relevant in today's society because of how common the virtual education system has become due
to the global pandemic back in 2020. My initial conception of my project was to prove that the
virtual education system could severely affect the growth of children both physically and
mentally. I started out by heavily researching the topic to get my own argument clear. With
researching I found multiple sources with deeply researched studies of the findings of these
negative outcomes and how they affect families all over the world. With a solid understanding of
my topic I began to craft my draft. The goal of my draft was to lay out the facts directly and to
get my point across. This process included less “fluff” and “description” and mainly kept with
the facts in which my sources included. While drafting this paper I still proceeded to check
sources and strengthen my research. This resulted in changing multiple sources several times to
make sure they fit my argument correctly. While looking at sources I also studied the positives of
virtual education and how they compared, and were they less severe or more severe. I decided to
bring in some positive examples within my paper itself. I thought that adding some positives in
my paper would lessen the sound of bias and showcase the knowledge of both sides of the
argument. Through the review process my main concern was to take the facts which the sources
provided and expand and add description. I thought that the paper having a robotic, scientific
tone wouldn't fit or persuade the audience. To minimize the issue I brought in real life scenarios
to allow the audience to connect and feel through the experiences. Due to the topic being very
relevant in today's life I had many resources in my argument. Many studies were conducted
within a year or two of 2020 and many had conclusions which fit my argument. I also was able
to hear real life examples of families which suffered during this time and what this impact did to
their life and how it could have been fixed. With saying this there were constraints within the
argument. There is no denying that each child is different and could be affected very differently
even under the same circumstances. I had to find many sources to develop the argument correctly
and acknowledge that my argument was the truth for most children but not all. Overall with the
revising and editing of the argument in which I made I feel the outcome was substantial.
Position Project
English 15, Section 001
Kieran Fox
10/4/2023
Virtual Education and its Effect on Children
The rapid advancement of technology has transformed our lives in many ways, including
the way we live, work, and learn. One of the most significant changes due to advanced
technology is found in the education system today. Education of all types has been the
widespread adoption of virtual education, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 global
pandemic. Virtual education is a type of distance learning common in many high schools,
colleges, and even elementary schools today. With this system the student is taking courses
without attending a physical classroom. Instead, online students and teachers interact over the
Internet
.
While virtual education has provided a lifeline for continuity of learning during times
of crisis, it is essential to also examine its negative effects it may have on children who are still
developing and learning social interactions. The pervasive use of virtual education in children's
lives has been associated with detrimental effects on their psychological well-being and mental
health, social development, and educational outcomes
.
While still developing, it is an important part of growth to have social relationships with
teachers and peers that make you feel supported in not only your education but also in life itself.
With that, it can be seen that virtual education has taken a harsh toll on students' mental health as
a whole. The isolation stemming from limited social interaction in a virtual environment can
ultimately lead to feelings of loneliness and emotional detachment. The absence of face-to-face
connections with peers and teachers can exacerbate stress, anxiety, and depression, as children
may struggle to form meaningful relationships and cope with the emotional challenges of their
academic journey. In Harvard's recent study on these effects toward children's health, they share
that “families reported a rise in temper tantrums, anxiety, and a poor ability to manage emotions,
especially among the young elementary-aged children during remote learning” (Anderson). The
pressure to adapt to this new learning format and excel academically within the great confines of
virtual education can further compound these mental health issues and increase their severity. An
article writes, many studies see an increase in anxiety because the kids are having a hard time
focusing and connecting with the material when it isn't right in front of them (Naseer). With this
saying, it is imperative that we acknowledge and address these concerns, prioritizing the mental
well-being of our children as we find our way in the evolving landscape of education.
Along with the child's mental health, virtual education can significantly impact children's
social development, and the consequences are not always positive. Along with the child's mental
health, the lack of social interactions and relationships also take a great toll on their
understanding of social norms and skills needed to socialize with peers. The limited physical
interaction inherent in virtual learning environments can hinder the development of crucial social
skills that are used to help throughout life. Children miss out on opportunities for spontaneous
conversations, non-verbal cues, and the nuances of human interaction. These interactions are
essential for building empathy, communication skills, and conflict resolution abilities, which are
fundamental aspects of healthy social development. An article displaying a mother’s experience
with the virtual education system stated, “Often, they were supposed to be small groups for
discussion, but no one was talking. They didn't think their teachers had any idea, but for the most
part, the kids just silently waited out their time rather than talk” (Blackmer). This can be seen as
a prime example of the harm that absence of physical presence and peer-to-peer engagement can
lead to. Thus, while virtual education offers convenience and flexibility, it also raises important
questions about its potential long-term effects on the social development of our children. Despite
its drawbacks, virtual education can also offer several positive effects for children. Many identify
the positive effects with soft skills that the children can gain from working through the issues.
These skills include independence, time management, and critical thinking. Northeastern
University clarifies that working through problems independently can set the child up for success
and provide them with motivation to succeed (Joubert). With this saying, while there are
positives within the system, we can see that the negatives outweigh the positives especially in the
terms of social development.
Virtual education can have a significant impact on children's academic performance. The
lack of in-person interaction with teachers and peers can make it difficult for some students to
stay engaged and motivated. The absence of immediate feedback and the physical presence of
educators can lead to a sense of detachment from the learning process. Moreover, technical
issues and distractions in the home environment can disrupt the learning experience and impede
academic progress. Multiple studies can show that grades and performance in students have
significantly dropped during and after the global pandemic, especially in institutions that count
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on virtual education. An article from UC Davis takes this stance saying that the studies are
showing that within the year 2020-2021 students are experiencing much more adversity
(Nikos-Rose). The impact of virtual education on academic performance varies from student to
student and depends on factors such as individual learning preferences, access to resources, and
the level of support received. While it offers certain advantages it is clear to see that at a young
age it is better to have more structure which in person learning provides.
In conclusion, while virtual education has played a vital role in ensuring continuity of
learning during challenging times, it is essential to acknowledge its potential negative effects on
children and their overall development. The limited social interaction, academic performance
and mental health concerns all contribute to the growing list of setbacks that can be associated
with virtual education, especially those who are still developing in their young age. As we
navigate the new technology that is being created within our world, it is crucial to find ways to
fix or lessen these negative effects and make a balance between the benefits and the setbacks of
virtual education, especially for our younger generations. Prioritizing the well-being and
emotional development of our children is of huge importance, ensuring that they receive not only
a quality education but also the social and emotional support they need to thrive and grow for the
next stages in life. In doing so, we can better prepare the next generation to face the challenges of
the future.
Works Cited
1.
Joubert, S. (2023, August 31).
The benefits of online learning: 7 advantages of online
degrees
. Graduate Blog.
https://graduate.northeastern.edu/resources/benefits-of-online-lear
ning/
2.
Naseer, M. Z. (n.d.).
From burnout to breakdowns: The negative impact of online
learning on Mental Health
. LinkedIn.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/negative-impact-online-learning-mental-health-muhamm
ad-zubair-naseer
3.
Nikos-Rose, K. M. (2022, December 1).
Online learning in COVID-19 detrimental to
teen mental health, school satisfaction, performance
. UC Davis.
https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/online-learning-covid-19-detrimental-adolescent-mental-h
ealth-school-satisfaction-performance#:~:text=Youth%20
participating%20in%20visual%20 learning,or%20in%20a%20hybrid%20model.
4.
The negative effects of remote learning on Children’s Wellbeing
. Harvard Graduate
School of
Education.(n.d.).
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/edcast/22/02/negative-effects-remote-
learning-childrens-wellbeing#:~:text=In%20their%20newest%20findings%2C%20they,a
ged%20children%20during%20remote%20learning
.
5.
Vanbuskirk, S. (n.d.).
The impact of distance learning on kids
. Verywell Family.
https://www.verywellfamily.com/the-impact-of-distance-learning-on-kids-5118430