Shenylce Bello
Liberty University
ENGL 101
Professor Joanna Pike
February 26, 2024
Educational Disruption: Examining the Academic Challenges Posed by the
COVID-19 Pandemic
1. Introduction
I. Hook your audience. (Relate it to the topic and your thesis argument.)
a. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruption to all
aspects of life, including the education system in the United States.
b. “In order to control the spread of the novel coronavirus, state governments
started the closure of schools and colleges across the country.” (Tarker,
2020)
c. The closure of schools resulted in a sudden shift to online learning, which
was a new and unfamiliar concept for many students, teachers, and
parents.
II. Identify the problem. (Give background/ context as appropriate for the
topic and your audience.
a) As stated by the UNESCO, the global closure of schools due
to the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted over 1.5
billion students across 195 countries. (UNESCO,2020)
b) Students in underprivileged communities faced challenges
related to access to technology, internet connectivity, and a
conducive learning environment.
c) The sudden closure of schools meant that students were
abruptly cut off from their social networks and extracurricular
activities, which are crucial for their overall development
which in turn affects their education.
d) Many teachers were not adequately trained in the use of
technology for teaching, and some schools did not have the
necessary infrastructure in place to support online learning.
This resulted in a wide variation in the quality of education
being provided to students, with some receiving a robust
education and others falling behind.
III. State your thesis/claim. (Makes a clear argument showing a cause-and-
effect relationship.)
The closing down of school due to the covid 19 pandemic has
negatively impacted the American education system by creating
digital divide and inequities, causing learning loss and academic
challenges.
2. Several Body Paragraphs. (Provide grounds, warrant(s), backing, and
qualifiers.)
I. Topic Sentence: Directly supports the thesis argument and clearly
identifies the topic of each individual body paragraph.
Children from disadvantaged backgrounds who lack the resources to meet
their educational requirements have been disproportionately impacted by
the closing of educational institutions.
II. Evidence/ grounds: Example(s), fact(s), etc. from correctly cited quotes,
paraphrases, and/or summaries that support your main point of the
topic sentence. (Relating it to the thesis and providing additional
information as needed.)
a) One of the main issues that these children are facing is the lack of
access to electricity, technology, and reliable internet connection.
b) “Given that more than 80% of the Ethiopian population lives in
the rural areas with limited or no access to electricity, it is least
likely that radio and television lessons would reach all primary
and secondary school children in the rural areas.” (Tiruneh, 2020)
c) “As the pandemic continues, the lack of reliable internet access in rural
communities will further enlarge the digital divide between the rural and
urban citizens.” (Dow-Fleisner, et al., 2020)
III. Analysis/ warrant: Your explanation of how the evidence supports the
topic sentence/ thesis statement: include examples of causes or effects.
(Include backing as necessary.)
The digital divide refers to the gap between those who have
access to digital technologies and those who do not. Many
households do not have the necessary devices, such as laptops and
tablets, to facilitate online learning. Furthermore, access to
electricity and reliable high-speed internet is limited due to cost
for many low-income families. This has resulted in a learning
loss, with students from underprivileged communities having
academic challenges and causing them to fall behind on their
education.
IV. Qualifier: demonstrates limits to the argument or shows that it is not
always true in all situations.
Although there were obstacles associated with the digital divide,
the epidemic also spurred initiatives to close the gap and increase
access to online education. More inclusive teaching methods
could result from efforts to give underprivileged children access
to electronics and the internet.
V. Summative Sentence: Restates the topic sentence in a new way and
transitions your ideas from one paragraph to the next. (Use
appropriate transitional words and sentences throughout your essay
to help you essay flow well for your reader.)
Children from low-income households who are unable to provide for their
children's educational needs have been disproportionately impacted by
school closures. Conversely, there are those who contend that the
epidemic has improved the education system.
3. One or More Body Paragraphs to Discuss Opposing Viewpoints
I. Topic Sentence: introduces opposing viewpoint(s).
There is a widespread belief that the epidemic-induced closure
of schools has had a positive impact on the education system.
II. Refutation/ rebuttal: Explanation of why you disagree. (Do
not use first or second person pronouns. Use qualifiers as
needed.)
a) First and foremost, it is crucial to recognize that implementing new
teaching methods and systems can lead to enhancements in the
education system. This is because it has compelled schools to adjust
and come up with new methods, potentially resulting in lasting
improvements to the system.
b) However, it is important to note that these new methods of teaching
don’t result in high quality learning. More accessible learning methods
does not equal high quality education.
c) One major concern is the lack of proper training and support for
teachers. It is not enough to simply provide teachers with new tools
and expect them to seamlessly incorporate them into their teaching.
Proper training and support are crucial for teachers to effectively use
these tools and techniques to enhance learning. Without this, these new
methods may not be utilized to their full potential, resulting in a lack
of improvement in the overall learning experience for students.
d) The over-reliance on technology in the classroom could also have
negative consequences. While technology can be a powerful tool, it
should not replace the role of the teacher in the learning process.
Teachers play a crucial role in guiding and facilitating learning, and
simply relying on technology to do this job could lead to a passive and
disengaged learning experience for students.
e) Again, not everyone has access and can afford these new methods
While they may be beneficial for students in more developed areas,
students in low-income or rural areas may not have the same level of
access or resources.
III. Qualifier: demonstrates limits to the argument or shows that it is
not always true in all situations so can help with your refutation.
a) “Many researchers have reported that online students earn
lower exam scores and course grades than their face- too face
peers enrolled in the same course.” (Ortagus, 2020)
b) The implementation of online schooling as a new method of
teaching may not be suitable for many students due to
challenges in comprehending course materials, technical
problems, disinterest in attending classes, restricted
availability of online resources, and other related issues.
(Mamun et al., 2021) This can high result in low quality
learning.
IV. Summative Sentence: Wraps up the paragraph and
refutation of the opposing viewpoint and includes a
transition into the conclusion paragraph.
School closures during the epidemic have forced schools
to adapt and implement new teaching methods, potentially
improving the education system. However, lack of proper
training and support for teachers may hinder the success
of these methods. Online schooling may not be suitable
for all students and can result in low quality learning.
V. Conclusion Paragraph
I. Summarizes Main Points of your Body Paragraphs.
II. Restates your thesis claim in a new way.
III. Leaves reader with final thought and/or call to action.
COVID-19 school closures have caused learning loss and inequities
in the American education system, particularly for low-income
students. While some see potential improvements, the shift to online
learning raises concerns about comprehension and technical
challenges. It is necessary to address both the negative and positive
effects to create a more adaptable and equal education system in the
US.
References
Dow-Fleisner, S. J., et al., (2022)). Internet access is a necessity: a latent class analysis of
COVID-19 related challenges and the role of technology use among rural community
residents.,BMC Public Health,,22(1), 1-11.
https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-022-13254-1
Mamun, A. F., Hosen, I., Misti, J. M., Kaggwa, M. M., & Mamun, M. A. (2021). Mental
disorders of Bangladeshi students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic
review.,Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 645-654.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2147/PRBM.S315961
Ortagus, J. (2020). What we know about the cost and quality of online education.,The Third
Way,,2.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/resrep41744.pdf
Tarkar, P. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on education system.,International Journal of
Advanced Science and Technology,,29(9), 3812-3814.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Preeti-Tarkar/publication/352647439_Impact_Of_Covid-
19_Pandemic_On_Education_System/links/60d1e909299bf19b8d99d279/Impact-Of-Covid-19-
Pandemic-On-Education-System.pdf
UNESCO (2020b). UNESCO Rallies International Organizations, Civil Society and Private
Sector Partners in a Broad Coalition to Ensure #LearningNeverStops. UNESCO.
