How does online learning affect educational inequality?

     One of the leading factors to overcoming social and economic inequality is education.  In developing countries, many people do not have access to qualified schooling or up-to-date learning materials. Many children are forced to choose between education and joining the workforce from an early age. These issues were prominent before the pandemic, now that we have worldwide school closures and isolation it makes it very difficult for children in developing countries to access online learning resources. 

    Internet access is a huge part of online learning, rural areas have limited access to the internet and usually experience less than average signal strength making it nearly impossible for students to attend video conferences for class meetings. For places receiving quality internet access, the learning tools are far more advanced than in past years. With online resources, rural areas can now access the most up-to-date information and can study at universities across the world giving students a wider variety of majors and interest areas. 

    Online learning could also possibly worsen the issue of education inequality. Interactions between student and teacher are integral for student learning and success. The differences among students and teachers bring new perspectives, cultures, and social identities to these interactions. Students learn how to participate in group collaboration and learn group skills such as leadership. These benefits of a more personal learning experience could negatively impact educational inequality. 

    So what is the future of online learning? What changes can we expect so that students are receiving the best educational experience possible?