5
Allie Messenger
This introduction could be stronger and the chapter has a lot of potential, but needs stronger sources and a stronger voice for the other.
Introduction
In the last chapter we talked about how the transition to virtual learning hurt all students, but in this chapter we will discuss how it impacted some groups to a greater degree than others. During COVID-19, many students in the United States had to shift to some form of virtual education in order to slow the spread of the virus. Although technology was implemented to ease this transition, students were impacted at different levels based on their economic backgrounds. COVID-19 has greatly increased the socioeconomic inequality in education in the US due to how the shift to virtual learning disproportionately impacts low-income students. Virtual learning has also impacted those who feel like they should not be paying the same rate to be taught online.
Connection to STS Theory
One of the social theories studied in the field of science, technology and society (STS) is the Modernization Theory. The Modernization Theory states that society becomes more temporary as it leaves old traditions and adopts more new technology and scientific practices (Restivo, 2005), meaning that society is in sync with the constantly evolving technology. Therefore, as society progresses to include more virtual resources to combat education inequality, the United States will be able to advance more as a whole. The added challenges seen with the shift to virtual education can be partly attributed to the Modernization Theory, since in the past, technology has not been used to its fullest potential in the United States education system. In order for these issues to be addressed, new innovations must be welcomed into society during this period of virtual learning, so that advancements in the education system can still occur during these unprecedented times of COVID-19.
The Additional Challenges COVID-19 Poses for Low Socioeconomic Students
Many additional challenges caused by COVID-19 affect those of lower economic status disproportionately more, making education during the pandemic harder by proximity. Research shows hourly workers are more likely to get laid off during COVID-19. On top of these challenges, “these closures could affect students who depend on their schools for meals and impact parents who rely on schools for child care programs” (Morgan, 2020). There are many students who rely on school meals to eat can no longer obtain these school provided meals since they are stuck at home. In “Feeding Low-Income Children During the Covid-19 Pandemic” it is stated that, “Meals and snacks from schools or child care centers fulfill up to two thirds of children’s daily nutritional needs and are generally healthier than those brought from home. The short-term health effects of missed meals include fatigue and reduced immune response, which increase the risk of contracting communicable diseases. Even brief period