Kathleen Lynch, a professor at UConn’d Nead School of Education, noted that research on the summer slide — and how it affects different groups of students — remains mixed. “I do think some caution is warranted in making projections about COVID learning losses extrapolating from summer learning loss studies,” she said.

“The biggest barrier to remote learning is having a good setup, that is, access to materials and technology…as well as resources such as uninterrupted space and time for learning,” said Sandra Chafouleas, professor of educational psychology and Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor at UConn.

With school closures announced across the country, Neag School faculty, alumni, and students share resources and expertise on teaching, learning, homeschooling, and parenting during the pandemic.

“We all are learning to adapt, but, this is not what we asked for, and we do not plan to continue when it is no longer required,” writes Tamika La Salle, an associate professor of school psychology at the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education and a research scientist at its Center for Behavioral Educational Research.

WNPR – audio 5:53 (Jennie Weiner is interviewed about the challenges of parenting and working online during the pandemic)

The University had originally planned to conduct remote learning for two weeks following spring break, but growing health concerns led to a fully online transition for the Spring 2020 semester. UConn faculty members, some of whom had never administered remote courses before, had to transition their coursework quickly to align with the new remote teaching style. Neag School alumna Karen Skudlarek ’88 (BUS), ’16 MA and her colleagues at CETL have been instrumental in the process.

“This is one more vivid example of how the playing field is not level,” said Richard Schwab, a professor in educational leadership at UConn’s Neag School of Education and the former dean of the school. “Zip code is determining your education, not only in schools but online and I don’t think this is going away.”

“It has the potential to be awesome, but not this way,” said Michael Young, a University of Connecticut professor who specializes in education technology.

As school closures are announced across the state and country, the Neag School looked to its resident experts to provide guidance and insights for students, parents, educators, and administrators.

Harvard Graduate School of Education (Neag School’s Don Leu, an upcoming featured speaker at Harvard, was interviewed about online learning)