Online Learning Should Return to a Supporting Role

In his article, “Online Learning Should Return to a Supporting Role”, David Deming of the Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School writes about his worries about the future of education in the U.S. post-Coronavirus. In the article, He describes the limitations of online instruction by explaining how “important aspects of education are best done by teachers in more intimate settings”. He also expresses concerns “not about the future of teachers but of students […] that on-campus learning will become […] a luxury good that only students with means can afford”.

Will online instruction replace in-person instruction? Does in-person instruction have advantages over online instruction? And what should be done to ensure all students have access to the type of education best suited to their learning style?

In a well-developed essay, evaluate and respond to Deming’s assertions. Take a clear position of your own, providing evidence from the article as well as your own experiences, observations, readings, and/or literary and media examples. Your essay can be as long as you need it to be-satisfactory essays are typically from 2-5 pages in length.