3BA 1MA Sample Arg Essay

Should higher education remain virtual even in the post-pandemic world?
The pandemic has caused a worldwide crisis of an unparalleled nature. Apart from essential
services, the majority of the pillars of society had to undergo digitalization to adapt to the
current situation. It was no different when it comes to higher education. Even though physical
campuses had closed their doors months ago, many universities have been able to function
online due to the high level of global connectivity and advanced technology. Suppose that this
temporary arrangement would become a status quo. Would it be possible? The advocates of
this proposal claim that online learning is more all-inclusive, effective, and comfortable than
traditional learning. However, those advantages seem to be outweighed by the far-reaching
disadvantages of remote studying, namely, poor accessibility to resources, lack of motivation,
and a sense of isolation caused by lack of physical interactions. Thus, education, or rather the
university population, is not yet ready for a permanent transition to online learning.
To begin with, the proponents of remote studying argue that not being restricted to
geographical boundaries, online learning is all-inclusive; it enables students to attend classes
from any place of their choice. In this way, education also becomes accessible for those who
struggled with class participation due to personal, physical, or mental health reasons.
Although some of the raised points may be true, the claim that online learning is all-inclusive
seems to be an overgeneralization as there are groups disadvantaged by such a mode of
studying. For instance, poverty-stricken students, those from multi-child families, or living in
rural areas could have difficulties attending online classes due to limited accessibility to
essential resources such as technology or stable internet connection. As a result, they could
fall behind academically despite their efforts.
Many enthusiasts of the proposed change state that the diversification of materials used in
distance education enhances the learning experience, making it more effective and engaging
for students. According to them, it is easier for students to pay attention to a lesson when it is
presented in a more interactive way, for instance, as a video or a presentation that students
need to click on to view. Nonetheless, what the advocates of online learning overlook is that
this mode of learning can incite various distractions that can be challenging to manage, such
as family members constantly asking questions or notifications chiming away on the devices
that are necessary for online learning. As a result, both the focus and the motivation to do the
task at hand are diminished, worsening the learning process. After all, it is the attitude of a
student that counts.
Another argument made by the advocates of the permanent shift to the virtual format of
education into the virtual one states that not mandatory camera during classes and the safe
space of their own house could positively affect their mental health by invoking the feeling of
comfort and safety in students. Moreover, online learning may provide an escape from the
constant peer pressure and anxiety caused by the fear of being bullied by their peers. As they
are not visible, students would feel less judged by others, especially when it comes to their
appearance. While it is true that this isolation could have some advantages for students’
mental health, the studies show that they are overshadowed by the negative impact of this
physical separation of teachers and students, and between students themselves, on their
mental health. Remote studying can lead to the feeling of loneliness and separation rather than
safety since staring at the initials on the screen cannot rival face-to-face communication. If
prolonged, this isolation could lead to serious mental disorders such as depression.
Furthermore, technological issues connected with remote studying could be a source of
anxiety and stress for students who are often afraid that they will not be able to hand in their
homework due to such issues beyond their control.
Taking everything into consideration, all the benefits enumerated by the advocates of
permanent digitalization of education, who claim that online learning is more all-inclusive,
effective, and beneficial for students' mental health, appear to be overshadowed by its more
far-reaching disadvantages. As accessibility to the resources necessary for online learning
varies among the students, this mode of studying cannot be called all-inclusive despite
allowing students to join their classes from any place with an internet connection. Although
virtual classes are more interactive, the distractions connected with this mode of learning
hinder knowledge acquisition. Finally, while online learning lowers the stress connected with
peer pressure and the fear of being bullied, it could invoke the feeling of solitude that could
lead to depression as well as other types of anxiety connected with technological problems.
Thus, the resumption of traditional learning appears to be more beneficial in the long run.

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Should higher education remain virtual even in the post-pandemic world?

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