While e-learning may be convenient, it comes with way more cons than it does pros.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic and Chromebooks started being used instead of pencil and paper work, schools have become more and more comfortable having asynchronous learning days. Online education offers flexibility and allows students to access a wide variety of research, it also severely impacts students academically and socially.

One of the major concerns with e-learning school days is the lack of social engagement with other students. According to a study by the Brookings Institution, student engagement levels significantly dropped during e-learning compared to in-person. The absence of face-to-face interactions with students and teachers makes it easier for students to procrastinate and fall behind in class.

E-learning can lead to gaps in understanding the material being taught and makes it more difficult to process the information. A report from McKinsey & Company found that students, on average, experienced a learning loss because of e-l

earning, especially in math and ELA. The report also emphasized that low-income students and those without reliable internet were extremely impacted.

In asynchronous learning, students are left to teach themselves most of the time, while this can be a valuable skill to have, young students might struggle to understand complex topics without a teacher there to help. The lack of immediate feedback and guidance often leads to confusion with the topics. 

Another downside of e-learning is its impact on students’ mental health. The American Academy of Pediatrics reported that increased screen time and social isolation during e-learning caused higher levels of anxiety and depression in students. Without the regular social interactions that in-person classes provide, students might start to feel a disconnect from their classmates and lack emotional support.

The classroom environment also plays a crucial role in developing communication skills. When students are isolated they miss out on learning with others and that reduces their ability to build confidence and social skills. For younger kids the absence of having a solid social life can negatively impact their psychological development. 

Not all students have the same access to the proper technology that e-learning requires, a report from Pew Research Center found that about 15% of households with children lack a reliable internet connection. Some students could also lack a quiet study environment which makes it difficult to focus on schoolwork. These factors put these students at a disadvantage in addition to not getting a proper learning experience due to e-learning. 

Teachers also play a very important part in a student’s success and teachers can also be affected by the downside of e-learning. Many teachers have reported having a hard time keeping students engaged with their work due to it being online and they can’t do anything to keep them focused. A survey was conducted by Education Week and it was found that 60% of teachers felt that teaching online was less effective than in-person learning.

Parents also face difficulties with asynchronous learning. Elementary students often require supervision, which can be difficult for working parents. Many families found it difficult to balance work while also making sure their children stay on track with their assignments.

The decline in student engagement, learning loss, mental health downfalls, and challenges for teachers and parents all emphasize the bad things about online education. Students and teachers both would be better going into schools and getting the in-person education that is necessary.