Discussion Title: Should institutionalized education go completely virtual?

1. All institutionalized education should go completely virtual.
1.1. Con: It requires electronic equipment, of which students may not have. This would make going virtual infeasible.
1.1.1. Pro: People may not be able to afford electronic equipment.
1.1.1.1. Pro: The technology that would enable effective education is not currently available to the people in [rural or economically depressed communities](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331063942_Problems_around_Accessing_Information_in_Rural_Communities) who arguably need it the most.
1.1.1.1.1. Pro: These communities are unable to provide the resources \(money, skills, etc.\) to build and maintain the equipment and infrastructure for the technology.
1.1.1.2. Con: People may be able to use what supplies they already have \(which shouldn't be hard, as most people have smartphones\) to access content.
1.1.1.2.1. Con: Other functions of these devices may get in the way of learning \(like phone calls\).
1.1.1.2.1.1. Con: Devices could get more advanced \(and likely already are\) to prevent notifications and app interference when being in a class.
1.1.2. Pro: Some may not want to be around technology
1.1.3. Con: As technology progresses, it may be easier, cheaper, and more portable to use electronic equipment than a classroom.
1.1.4. Con: Education is in many countries provided by the state. Hence, the state will likely take responsibility and provide children with the facilities to access technology that they need for their education.
1.1.4.1. Con: Having funding for giving all students their own electronic equipment has not gone well with execution before \([1](https://www.wired.com/2015/05/los-angeles-edtech/), [2](https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/16/17233946/olpcs-100-laptop-education-where-is-it-now)\), so this should be proceeded with caution when trying it out again.
1.1.4.2. Pro: Some schools may require students to use their own supplied devices, rather than ones bought by the student - for standardization purposes.
1.1.5. Pro: Technology itself is not developed enough to handle this level of need \(i.e. the entire institutionalized education system\). So it requires electronic equipment, but people can't buy what doesn't exist, so it won't work.
1.2. Pro: Online education introduces students to continuous technological capabilities, which can inspire them and help them learn valuable technological skills.
1.2.1. Con: It is unclear whether this would be the case. Today's students use technology without necessarily learning how it functions or how it was created.
1.2.1.1. Pro: Most students in Western countries use computers to do their school work, but the majority doesn't know how to program or perform hardware maintenance.
1.2.2. Pro: Online technology would open up avenues for 3D illustrations and novel teaching methods not possible with projectors and blackboards: mathematical graphs, architecture \(being 'in' a room\), engineering design, etc. could benefit from this.
1.3. Pro: Digital education addresses problems that regular schools cause.
1.3.1. Pro: Digital education is more eco-friendly than schools.
1.3.1.1. Pro: Schools take up land space that takes away from nature
1.3.1.2. Pro: Schools use pesticides to keep pests down for students
1.3.1.3. Pro: Resources are heavily used to construct schools
1.3.1.4. Pro: People commute to schools in cars, which pollutes the atmosphere
1.3.1.4.1. Pro: The cars that people drive in to school with tend to be gas-guzzling SUV's to carry multiple kids and school/sports equipment with
1.3.1.5. Pro: People exert less energy to go to school online, which might cause them to eat less.
1.3.1.5.1. Con: Easy access and availability of food at home might cause students to eat more than usual
1.3.1.5.1.1. Con: School provides prepared food for students, whereas a person needs to go out to a store to get food when at home instead.
1.3.1.5.1.1.1. Con: Students wait in line for most of their lunch at times, whereas grocery shopping/preparing could really be done overnight \(or lunches could be extended, unlike the time allocations at schools\).
1.3.1.5.1.1.2. Con: The food at a store would have more options than a school has.
1.3.1.5.1.1.2.1. Pro: Food at home is likely healthier than school lunches too for those who know how to make healthy choices, as it empowers them to do so.
1.3.2. Pro: Digital education is a safer environment than a school.
1.3.2.1. Pro: People do not need to leave their home and face dangers outside of it.
1.3.2.2. Pro: Schools are targets for hazards \(such as shootings\) that the online world does not encounter.
1.3.2.3. Pro: People can take breaks anytime online, which is beneficial to their well-being.
1.3.2.4. Pro: People can get away from confrontations more easily online \(like just shutting down a computer\) than in-person, or a hybrid version \(of online mixed with in-person\).
1.3.2.4.1. Con: This may be difficult to achieve if once signed up for a class, they have to continue it until it's finished to get credit for it.
1.3.2.4.2. Con: Actually, virtual conflict is as serious as actual. This is why internet trolling is such a challenge. Torturers can pop up in any virtual space and one of the downsides of pseudonymity online is that trolls are rarely held accountable, therefore almost no deterrent exists for people who choose this behavior.
1.3.2.5. Pro: -> See 1.3.1.5.1.1.2.1.
1.3.3. Pro: Digital education can be more ethical than schools.
1.3.3.1. Pro: Digital education addresses the issue of overcrowding in schools.
1.3.3.1.1. Pro: With online learning, students can learn outside the classroom from any location, addressing the overcrowding issue which can have a positive impact on their performance.
1.3.3.1.1.1. Pro: Overpopulation in schools [negatively impacts](http://education.seattlepi.com/overpopulation-schools-affecting-test-scores-2121.html) student test scores.
1.3.3.1.2. Pro: This is less stressful for everyone, from students that do not need to worry about sharing limited resources to parents that do not need to search for the best school to teachers/schools not worried about the educational infrastructure requiring a bigger budget.
1.3.3.1.2.1. Con: Parents still need to look for the best online school, and there will be even more options to wade through and compare.
1.3.3.2. Con: E-learning may not be inclusive for those who have disabilities: learning, visual, etc.
1.3.3.2.1. Pro: Those with disabilities need extra equipment to foster their learning online. This could be expensive and not always available for them.
1.3.3.2.1.1. Con: The only reason mortar schools don't already incur those costs is because they don't adequately address special needs.
1.3.4. Pro: There is more permanence in the ability to build the world around them with an online education vs at a school.
1.3.4.1. Pro: Getting to school requires people taking items for/from their surroundings to it, but online prevents this [hassle](https://www.wsj.com/articles/b-schools-get-a-feel-for-virtual-reality-1435776045) from taking place.
1.3.4.2. Pro: Without moving, if someone wants to apply what to their realistic, living environment to make an impact in their everyday life \(and for those around them\), they can. A school isn't set up like settlements \(cities, suburbs, etc.\) are.
1.3.4.2.1. Con: Schools can provide isolation from these settings to conduct experiments that an entire school can work on in reality, like a garden.
1.3.4.2.2. Pro: This can even encourage students to pursue political action if they notice that what they want can't happen where they live, creating even more permanence.
1.3.4.3. Pro: People can save their work for later and pick up where they left off with online platforms. This is more difficult in traditional classrooms where students have to clean up after themselves \(such as for other students to use their desk\).
1.3.5. Con: Digital education is not as healthy as going to school.
1.3.5.1. Pro: Being online can be distracting.
1.3.5.1.1. Pro: Electronics in general are distracting, as they cause people to lose their focus when they are on it.
1.3.5.1.1.1. Pro: Companies like Facebook and Google try their best to keep people on their websites, which can take away from the learning experience.
1.3.5.1.1.2. Pro: Technology might have [negative effects](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-power-prime/201212/how-technology-is-changing-the-way-children-think-and-focus) on children's capacity of attention.
1.3.5.1.2. Pro: Since online schools are highly customizable, perfectionists might get distracted by the endless options and the never-satisfied feeling each feature provides them.
1.3.5.1.3. Pro: Having twice as many environments presents twice as many noises.
1.3.5.1.4. Con: One can customize \(to some extent\) the layout of the online course they're in to suit their needs \(so they don't get distracted by anything they don't expect, which is rarely possible in a classroom\).
1.3.5.1.5. Con: The efforts of going to/from school \(such as getting ready and travel to the school\) take away from learning, which is avoidable in a digital environment.
1.3.5.1.5.1. Pro: All one would need to do is turn on the computer and go to the course website \(unless they downloaded all the material to the computer\), which already happens with most people when taking a class at school.
1.3.5.1.6. Con: Students will not be distracted by other students online, allowing them to focus and excel at their studies.
1.3.5.1.6.1. Con: In chat forums on the course \(and social media equivalent\) sites, students can get distracted by other students.
1.3.5.1.7. Pro: Students would find a more difficult time in asking others for help or working on group projects, due to the isolating aspects of being online.
1.3.5.1.7.1. Con: The "Looking for group" concept from online gaming could be easily integrated into a virtual classroom or school.
1.3.5.1.8. Con: If a student brings up future material that the class did not get to yet, teachers and students get confused and distracted. This would not happen online, as the students can go at their pace.
1.3.5.1.8.1. Con: If online course is set up to have the same pace as a normal class setting \(instead of self-paced\), then this unmatched speed could still be a distraction.
1.3.5.1.8.2. Pro: Online education allows people to learn faster, because they are not held back by the class. If someone wants to move ahead with their studies without breaks, they can do so without worries about messing up the learning process for others.
1.3.5.2. Pro: Schools provide a social background for students to develop social skills compared to the isolation that the online world brings.
1.3.5.2.1. Con: Online learning could be tailored to help students gain a social life digitally, just like how social media has for many people.
1.3.5.3. Pro: School can teach students about health with lessons that reinforce them.
1.3.5.3.1. Con: Same could take place online.
1.3.5.4. Con: Students get more time to relax during their breaks, because they do not have to spend a lot of their time walking to break areas.
1.3.5.4.1. Pro: Breaks are beneficial to prevent stress and anxiety. This can improve learning, by allowing students to focus on their studies better instead of their health.
1.3.5.4.1.1. Con: Students can also take less breaks online if they are really interested in what they are learning, don't need it, or found a way to take breaks while learning \(like eating while studying\).
1.3.5.4.2. Con: If students take too many breaks during their studies, they might lose concentration and understanding of what they are learning. Picking up where one left off is difficult.
1.3.5.5. Con: Online provides a safe zone for students.
1.3.5.5.1. Con: Visiting digital representations of monuments, while better than not seeing them at all, can't recreate the experience of being at a physical site.
1.3.5.5.1.1. Pro: For example, visiting the site of a former concentration camp can create a multitude of [emotions](http://www.spiegel.de/international/touring-a-concentration-camp-a-day-in-hell-a-338820.html) that documentaries or other virtual experiences cannot recreate.
1.3.5.5.1.2. Con: They can through 3D printing, where people can 3D print an object that would normally be in a museum, or a landmark. That allows them to be able to touch and interact with objects that is normally not possible in reality.
1.3.5.5.2. Con: Students should learn to confront problems within groups rather than alone.
1.3.5.6. Con: Schools are not healthy for students \(in some ways\) in the long-term, and online platforms give students a choice to avoid unhealthy/unsafe situations that schools create.
1.3.5.6.1. Pro: Getting sick impedes learning greatly for days/weeks. People spread illnesses quickly to others in school settings, but are likely not to be contagious if everyone's online.
1.3.5.6.1.1. Pro: People can learn in online while ill, as they can stay and learn in at home while they get better. This prevents students from choosing between their health and learning when people need to get better.
1.3.5.6.1.1.1. Pro: If a student knows that they're going to be sick and pass it onto others, they can choose to be online instead, so they can feel better knowing that they're not going to spread diseases to others in schools anymore.
1.3.5.6.1.2. Pro: Since falling ill is a distraction from studies, less people being sick means better capabilities to learn.
1.3.5.6.2. Pro: Sitting down in class for hours at a time is not healthy for students and online could allow for exercise.
1.3.5.6.2.1. Pro: Students could learn online while being on an exercise machine \(like a recumbent bicycle\).
1.3.5.6.2.2. Con: Online learning might provide an avenue for lethargy and they will most likely not even leave their bed for school, which is less exercise than going to one.
1.3.5.6.2.3. Pro: Students can take breaks to exercise if they need to \(which isn't likely in a classroom\).
1.3.5.6.3. Pro: Students do not get the healthiest food at school, due to the lack of options \(either school lunches, bringing one's own, having it dropped off, or get delivery from a restaurant\). People could make food fresh when they get hungry at home instead, which would be fresher and healthier than at school.
1.3.6. Pro: It's harder to 'fail' a course online.
1.3.6.1. Pro: Online education is set up to where people can focus on what they're more interested in, due to not having to be consumed by the courses that they're less interested in \(due to factors not related to learning, like costs, getting a bad grade, and logistics - like not being able to drop the course once enrolled\).
1.3.6.2. Pro: It's more similar to learning in the 'real world', where people don't get punished for failing \(as students don't have a failed online college course on their records online, nor pay for it either\).
1.3.6.2.1. Pro: Instead, someone can learn freely, without stress of a letter grade, about something they never learned before, before they're ready to take it seriously.
1.3.6.2.1.1. Pro: If people stress out less, then it'll 'cloud' their learning less, so they can focus and retain information better.
1.3.6.3. Pro: It's much cheaper for everyone.
1.3.6.3.1. Pro: It tends to be a lower cost for students, especially those who would normally fail a course.
1.3.6.4. Pro: There are self-paced courses, so people can learn however quickly or slowly they need to. No need for the top and bottom %'s of the class to try to fit in with the average anymore.
1.3.7. Pro: Virtual education benefits from the networking and information retrieval pluses that isn't easy to obtain with traditional schooling.
1.4. Con: Virtual education has less retention.
1.4.1. Pro: Passive participation from students would increase with less monitoring compared to a real-life classroom, thus causing more slacking.
1.4.1.1. Pro: Students will likely only be present when it's an obligation. Due to the lack of vigilance on everyone's part \(student, other students, teachers, administration, etc.\) when being near other people in-person, students are likely to slack off with or without noticing.
1.4.2. Pro: There'll be more ways to 'cheat the system' for a good grade than real classrooms, even with reinforcements to safeguard against them.
1.4.3. Pro: People can get distracted by their surroundings and interruptions, especially since they would no longer be in a classroom, which is a controlled space ensuring no distractions.
1.4.3.1. Con: A classroom is full of distractions.
1.4.3.1.1. Pro: Peers often talk to each other, even during lectures, leading to distractions.
1.4.3.1.2. Pro: Gossiping is very common in a school setting which carries into the classroom environment too.
1.4.3.1.3. Pro: Classrooms, by their nature, allow for many students to be sitting together in a closed space leading to friends interacting with each other. This does not apply to online education which then takes away the distraction created by having friends around.
1.4.3.1.4. Con: Teachers still manage to ensure discipline in a classroom which students would not have regard for on their own.
1.4.3.1.5. Con: Classrooms still ensure a schedule that would not be followed otherwise.
1.4.3.1.6. Con: It is extremely difficult to implement punctuality and attendance with online education.
1.5. Pro: Given our current, widespread technological infrastructure and capabilities for digital adoption, this may be the solution to global educational challenges of access, equity and quality.
1.5.1. Con: Currently, online schooling has little participation \(even with widespread technology adoption, due to hesitations such as habits, culture, expectations, costs, etc.\). So the lack of popularity likely means its targeted global educational challenges won't be resolved by this change.
1.5.2. Con: While digital has great penetration potential, it has not shown better student outcomes, so fully digital setups may not solve the global educational challenge of quality.
1.5.2.1. Pro: Knowledge gaps are an inevitable phenomenon which can be simply a product of differences in individual discipline; the existence of the internet cannot cure that problem.
1.5.2.1.1. Con: Even if we accept that the internet cannot completely cure this problem, it is still possible that it can dramatically reduce knowledge gaps. An imperfect solution is vastly preferable to no solution at all.
1.5.2.1.1.1. Con: An 'imperfect solution' is something subject to a cost/benefit analysis, and inappropriately labeled a 'human right'.
1.5.2.1.1.1.1. Con: By this logic, there should be no human rights, because no solution perfectly solves complex issues in the real world.
1.5.2.1.1.1.2. Con: "Human rights" aren't defined by how achievable they are, but by what ideal you're trying to achieve. this is where the subjectivity of what things are \(not\) "human rights" stems from.
1.5.2.1.2. Con: Access to information on the internet for all would increase the knowledge of society as a whole and may lead to technological advancements by people who otherwise would not have that knowledge.
1.5.2.1.3. Pro: Humans can become even more lazy by offering services free thus increasing the knowledge gap for its users.
1.5.3. Pro: Online courses are succeeding in providing education in places where the in-person infrastructure is failing and possibly not able to be spared, as seen in [India](https://qz.com/india/1746743/university-of-michigan-president-on-online-education-in-india/).
1.6. Pro: Transitioning to virtual education is not difficult.
1.6.1. Pro: Most classes have some online component now, so the switch may not be too hard these days.
1.6.1.1. Con: The chasm of asking the teacher for help is harder to overcome online.
1.6.2. Pro: In some ways, it's very similar to brick-and-mortar.
1.6.2.1. Con: Even that exception could be counteracted by Q&A sessions held at certain times in the day online.
1.6.2.2. Con: Virtual education may be one-sided \(especially for watching lectures, instead of being in one\) with a lecturer, so the live, two-sided interacting with them may not be there.
1.6.2.2.1. Con: This may actually be beneficial, as lecturers would be able to push out more content than if they're interrupted for questions, leading to more quality content.
1.6.2.2.2. Con: Even though the interacting's not live, there's more time allocated for questions, as it can happen 24/7 after a lecture is over.
1.6.2.2.3. Con: When live interaction features are built in though, they're often better than in-person interacting.
1.6.2.2.3.1. Pro: One example is live chats \(like [on YouTube](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2524549?hl=en)\).
1.6.2.2.3.1.1. Pro: Live chats allow for students to answer each other's while the teacher is presenting, allowing for less interruption and effort by the teacher.
1.6.2.2.3.1.2. Pro: Live chats are documented online, so people can refer back to them if needed.
1.6.2.2.3.1.2.1. Pro: Students can learn from what others say when their side-conversations are publicized.
1.6.2.2.3.1.2.1.1. Con: Learning from scattered message posts is very inefficient, and not very effective.
1.6.2.2.3.1.3. Con: Younger students [can't type quickly enough](https://qiat.org/docs/resourcebank/hwriting_kybding_rate_info.pdf). Many elementary schoolers aren't touch-typers.
1.6.2.2.3.1.4. Con: The time-dependent class forces students to think and type too quickly leading to incoherence, inaccuracy, etc.
1.6.2.2.3.1.5. Pro: Live chats provide institutional educators, like the [University of Michigan](https://qz.com/india/1746743/university-of-michigan-president-on-online-education-in-india/), a unique, enhanced learning method to differentiate, enhance, and engage students past what typical knowledge acquirement methods \(like search engines\) online currently provide.
1.6.2.2.3.1.6. Pro: Teachers can address pressing questions \(that only they could answer\) and more quickly when they are present in a chat than when everyone's silent or questions are answered at the end, which improves the quality of learning.
1.6.2.2.3.1.6.1. Pro: If a teacher asks at the end if there are questions, students might forget what they were asking, focus more on the question than what's being taught, may end up out-of-context with the new material \(where the teacher may need to go back and can be confusing\), etc. It's much better to have the questions answered immediately for better understanding and context.
1.6.2.2.3.1.6.1.1. Con: These benefits only happen if the teacher addresses questions as they arise, which is hard to do while lecturing.
1.6.2.2.3.1.6.1.2. Con: If students are typing questions, they'd have to type quickly or the teacher obviously can't respond quickly either.
1.6.2.2.3.1.6.1.2.1. Pro: -> See 1.6.2.2.3.1.3.
1.6.2.2.3.1.6.2. Con: Teachers lecturing new material won't have much opportunity to read comments during the lecture, and waiting until the lecture is finished defeats the purpose; at that point, students could have asked questions normally.
1.6.2.2.3.1.7. Pro: This is beneficial, as it helps teachers gauge whether people are engaging with the material or not to prevent students from getting lost and falling behind. This should lead to better grades, retainment, and progress than in-person.
1.6.2.2.3.1.8. Con: Students can create problems for each other when messaging each other if a live chat exists.
1.6.2.2.3.1.8.1. Pro: Students aren't paying attention to the lecture if they're busy messaging each other.
1.6.2.2.3.1.8.2. Pro: Students might misinform each other.
1.6.2.2.3.1.8.2.1. Pro: A student might type something that's different than what the teacher's saying \(like a different method\), which can lead to confusion.
1.6.2.2.3.1.8.2.2. Pro: Students might misunderstand something and explain it to others, which may cause others to think the same, incorrect way.
1.6.2.2.3.2. Pro: Video conferences like [Vidyo](https://www.vidyo.com/video-conferencing-solutions/industry/education) offer many beneficial features.
1.6.2.2.3.2.1. Con: Requires high speed internet, and often suffers technical difficulties. Even short lags can be detrimental to learning.
1.6.2.2.3.2.2. Pro: It allows students to ask questions and follow-ups more fluidly.
1.6.2.2.3.2.3. Con: They are inherently no better than in-person lectures, so they can only be worse.
1.6.2.2.3.2.4. Pro: Teachers may be able to teach more classes, due to less time required for travel when telecommuting.
1.6.2.2.3.3. Pro: Short Quizzes
1.6.2.2.3.3.1. Pro: It measures understanding so the teacher can address problems.
1.6.2.2.3.3.2. Pro: Improves understanding to better follow the rest of the lecture.
1.6.2.2.3.3.3. Pro: It is good to mix short quizzes in lectures, such as by pausing to answer student questions.
1.6.2.2.3.3.4. Pro: The teacher can deliver lectures online, stop to hand out quizzes, answers students' questions for a few minutes, get the quiz results, then resume and modify the lecture as needed.
1.6.2.2.3.3.5. Pro: Quizzes are better than clickers because they can offer more features such as randomizing questions, asking multiple questions at a time, etc.
1.6.2.3. Con: Schools act as daycare while parents are at work. MOOCs never will.
1.6.2.4. Pro: The teacher-student interaction won't change, only the method for doing so will. So the transition's easy, because it's possible to start afresh with a new method without losing the already established, essential interaction.
1.6.2.5. Pro: In both cases, students enroll for a period of time to learn and develop new skills.
1.6.2.6. Pro: In both cases, the school offers curated materials and courses for students and teachers to use.
1.6.2.7. Pro: In both cases, teachers may be available to help struggling students with concepts or coursework.
1.6.3. Pro: -> See discussion #31570: The University of California Online \(UCO\) should be created.
1.6.4. Pro: The only obstacle left is for MOOCs to find their [best path](https://news.elearninginside.com/coursera-for-business-announces-100-yoy-growth/) to reach out and be profitable, but since there's so much [push for and investment](https://news.elearninginside.com/coursera-for-business-announces-100-yoy-growth/) in it, it won't be long before it goes mainstream to everyone.
1.6.4.1. Pro: Online courses are becoming more [popular](https://campustechnology.com/articles/2019/11/21/moocs-on-the-rise-in-china.aspx?s=ct_nu_111219) and [legitimate](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-ever-world-university-rankings-based-on-mooc-performance-unveiled-300963685.html) in developing countries \(especially since it's their [target audience](https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/companies/india-to-be-key-in-courseras-plan-to-enrol-100-million-learners-by-2022-4692821.html)\) and developed countries alike. Since there's such reception for online learning, once the best path is found, it'll be quickly adapted for worldwide integration.
1.6.5. Con: More expensive and robust technology is required to teach and learn.
1.6.5.1. Pro: Live communication platforms for chat, conferencing, etc
1.6.5.2. Pro: It's hard to teach teachers how to use new equipment.
1.6.5.3. Pro: K12 Inc. went as far as [shipping lab equipment](https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/Track-Shipping-Status-Materials-Computer-Equipment) to science students so they could perform labs. Other's may prefer VR solutions, but that still requires technical work and skills.
1.6.5.4. Pro: The equipment for teachers to teach on \(i.e. live communication platforms for chat, conferencing, etc.\) is more expensive than classrooms \(i.e. whiteboards, desks, computers, etc.\).
1.6.5.5. Pro: Online/web-based teaching materials that incorporate live communication platforms for chat and conferencing are expensive to develop and maintain.
1.6.5.6. Pro: The new equipment may be bulky and get in the way of teaching.
1.6.5.6.1. Con: Software can replace both bulky equipment and physical items that normally exist in a classroom, so it'll actually be less bulky rather than more.
1.6.5.7. Con: So many teaching technologies are put out for free, as companies understand that education should cost as little as possible.
1.6.6. Con: Parents and teachers generally don't believe a MOOC works as well as face-to-face interactions.
1.6.6.1. Pro: Communication skills, socialization, citizenship, physical education, and friend/relationship networks created in real time, same room school is difficult to replicate, if possible.
1.6.7. Con: Transitioning to e-learning is difficult for those with special needs or disabilities.
1.6.7.1. Pro: Those with ADHD have a [difficult time](http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/199273/chapters/Strategies-to-Empower,-Not-Control,-Kids-Labeled-ADD~ADHD.aspx) learning in school, and electronics may make focusing an even greater challenge.
1.6.8. Con: Teachers would have a more difficult time teaching.
1.6.8.1. Pro: Teacher's unions will 'help' teachers at the expense of education. That would include using MOOCs if it could result in teacher layoffs.
1.6.9. Con: You need different professionals to create the online platform.
1.6.9.1. Pro: You can't just 'upload' textbooks to it; you need to create equivalent materials that work for your online medium.
1.7. Con: It doesn't allow for diverse social interaction.
1.7.1. Pro: Children are less likely to make friends if they are not meeting others in person.
1.7.2. Con: Children can socialize out of school. Most easily, children can socialize in the neighborhood.
1.7.3. Con: Socialization in school often has negative effects.
1.7.3.1. Pro: Bullying is relatively common in schools.
1.7.3.2. Pro: There's often peer pressure to do irresponsible things like drugs.
1.7.3.2.1. Pro: [Peer pressure](https://vocal.media/education/negative-effects-of-peer-pressure-in-high-school) in high school is both harmful and effective because it can lead to teen depression and high stress levels.
1.7.3.2.2. Pro: [Peer pressure](https://vocal.media/education/negative-effects-of-peer-pressure-in-high-school) also leads to things like negative behavior issues, and poor decision-making and outcomes.
1.7.3.2.3. Pro: [Most teens](https://vocal.media/education/negative-effects-of-peer-pressure-in-high-school) also have a hard time with self esteem and self image due to peer pressure.
1.7.3.2.4. Pro: [Peer pressure](https://vocal.media/education/negative-effects-of-peer-pressure-in-high-school) is something that causes conflict in an individual's life.
1.7.3.2.4.1. Pro: The [feeling](https://vocal.media/education/negative-effects-of-peer-pressure-in-high-school) of not fitting in, not being good enough, and not being a part of a group overwhelms and takes over the mindset of a regular teen.
1.7.3.2.4.2. Pro: [Statistics](https://vocal.media/education/negative-effects-of-peer-pressure-in-high-school) say between 20% – 30% of adolescents report symptoms of depression because of peer pressure.
1.7.3.2.5. Con: Despite the fact that peer pressure is most commonly seen as a very negative issue, it can be seen positively in some situations.
1.7.3.2.5.1. Pro: This can involve [pressuring one's peers](https://vocal.media/education/negative-effects-of-peer-pressure-in-high-school) to be honest, avoid drugs, avoid alcohol, respect others, work hard, exercise, be kind, be responsible, and more.
1.7.3.2.5.2. Pro: [Organizations](https://vocal.media/education/negative-effects-of-peer-pressure-in-high-school) such as the Red Cross, use peer educators to teach teenagers about safe sex because they have found that teens are more likely to listen to positive messages when they come from those in their age group.
1.7.3.2.5.3. Pro: [Friends and peers](https://vocal.media/education/negative-effects-of-peer-pressure-in-high-school) really do have a strong effect on the choices a person makes. Choosing to have good friends can have a very strong impact on oneself.
1.7.3.2.5.3.1. Pro: Positive [peer pressure](https://vocal.media/education/negative-effects-of-peer-pressure-in-high-school) can help one reflect on their actions and amend their ways to become a better individual.
1.7.3.2.5.3.1.1. Pro: [Observing](https://vocal.media/education/negative-effects-of-peer-pressure-in-high-school) others working hard to achieve their goals will definitely encourage themselves to step up their game and strive towards something positive.
1.7.3.3. Pro: In schools, students often form cliques, so there really is not much diversity.
1.7.4. Pro: The current coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis shows the many flaws of a completely virtual education system implemented in reality.
1.7.4.1. Pro: Students are [struggling](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/09/learning/what-students-are-saying-about-remote-learning.html) between their social life and the understanding of the subjects presented online during the COVID-19 quarantine. These issues could persist or get worse if virtual education continues indefinitely.
1.7.4.2. Con: The COVID-19 is an unprepared for, short-term transition to virtual education. Transitioning in a more controlled manner is going to avoid the issues that appeared with this event.
1.7.4.3. Pro: Teachers have to homeschool their own kids as well as their own, which is more effort on everyone's part than just regular schooling.
1.7.4.3.1. Pro: Teachers have an extra workload when homeschooling their kids, yet don't get extra pay for it \(even though [most people](https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/coronavirus-homeschool-parents-agree-teachers-paid-more-kids) believe they should\).
1.7.4.3.1.1. Con: Other teachers can teach a teacher's children, so this shouldn't be an issue.
1.7.4.3.1.2. Con: This just means that AI should have a greater role in education to lighten the burden on teachers.
1.7.4.3.1.3. Con: The coronavirus might be a benefit to teachers, as it might be a motivator for the world to finally pay teachers enough. Without going virtual, they might not get a pay boost that they likely need and deserve.
1.7.4.3.1.3.1. Pro: When teachers get paid more, the [debate](https://www.kialo.com/are-k-12-teachers-already-paid-enough-in-america-21844) on it will end too, so people can focus on other needs that require attention too.
1.8. Pro: It's an easier format for the student to work with.
1.8.1. Pro: It's more convenient
1.8.1.1. Pro: Students who may not be well enough to visit school in person would also be able to have access to education more easily.
1.8.2. Pro: Digital education is more flexible.
1.8.2.1. Pro: There are more choices in this format.
1.8.2.1.1. Pro: More variety of courses are offered.
1.8.2.1.2. Pro: More types of educational outcomes are available \(from one course to an entire degree\).
1.8.2.1.3. Pro: -> See discussion #7872: Virtual reality \(VR\) is the best format for online education.
1.8.2.1.4. Pro: People can interact with applets in 3D, rather than trying to understand 3D concepts from a 2D black- or whiteboard.
1.8.2.2. Pro: It allows for larger numbers of students to attend.
1.8.2.2.1. Pro: This is a solution to the overcrowding problem seen in schools and colleges today.
1.8.2.3. Pro: It saves the effort \(like time\) it would usually take a person to travel to and back from school.
1.8.3. Con: Students who are unused to online classes might find the format confusing.
1.9. Con: The family has to be deeply involved every step of the way.
1.9.1. Pro: Having a student learning from home creates a home dynamic that families must adjust to.
1.9.1.1. Pro: Families must ensure that their home is a supportive and distraction-free environment, which is an extra burden on them.
1.9.2. Con: More time with family could increase family bonds.
1.9.3. Pro: [Children learn better](https://www.mdrc.org/publication/impact-family-involvement-education-children-ages-3-8) when the family is involved.
1.10. Con: The credits are not accepted as much as brick-and-mortar.
1.10.1. Con: At first, the state governments that fund public universities could ensure that credits from online schools would be accepted, while encouraging private universities to follow suit.
1.11. Con: Job security would become an issue.
1.11.1. Pro: Working conditions, salaries, etc. are more volatile with [less regulation](http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_consumer_protection.pdf) for online companies. \(p. 6\)
1.11.1.1. Con: If the whole education system goes digital, that would include the public education system. Online public school programs can be required to follow the same regulations as traditional public school programs.
1.11.2. Con: It will provide more jobs for teaching subjects \(i.e. niche- or expert-level\) outside of [general education requirements](http://fldoe.org/academics/standards/course-desc-aware.stml).
1.11.2.1. Con: Since most learning comes from pre-made material, high-quality teachers would not be in demand for uniqueness.
1.11.2.1.1. Con: Even with pre-made material, it takes a teacher who understands it to teach it, and that may require those with unique abilities to come forth.
1.11.2.1.1.1. Con: Teachers do not need much proficiency beyond solving the problems they give. Anyone who passes the class may be eligible to teach it if subject proficiency is most important.
1.11.2.1.1.2. Con: There's no reason they should need proficiency beyond the material they're actually teaching.
1.11.2.1.2. Con: Teachers with unique talents may be chosen to write the material, so it does provide employment to them, although not as long as a teaching profession would.
1.11.2.1.2.1. Con: The employment would be so temporary that it's hardly worth mentioning, especially if MOOCs start sharing material rather than recreating it from scratch each time.
1.11.2.1.3. Pro: Pre-material can be programmed into a computer program, so after being entered in, it could be automated, thus not requiring teachers for that \(just writers\).
1.11.2.2. Con: Schools won't know if these 'unique' qualities improve student achievement, so they won't change hiring practices.
1.11.2.3. Con: Completely digital MOOCs have [underperformed](http://web.archive.org/web/20160304190607/https://www.universitybusiness.com/article/spocs-may-provide-what-moocs-can%E2%80%99t), so hybrid [SPOCs](http://web.archive.org/web/20160304190607/https://www.universitybusiness.com/article/spocs-may-provide-what-moocs-can%E2%80%99t) and [Coursera for Campus](https://www.financialexpress.com/education-2/coursera-to-help-universities-around-the-world-take-a-digital-leap/1728301/) programs help \(or would help\) out atypical teachers better and should be pursued by them instead.
1.11.2.4. Con: Colleges hire experts to teach fields just as niche as MOOCs.
1.11.2.4.1. Pro: Most MOOC subjects are based on college courses anyways.
1.11.2.4.2. Con: Colleges can only hire so many teachers at a time, whereas a MOOC can have any number of niche classes.
1.11.2.4.2.1. Con: MOOCs won't hire a teacher for each niche class, because it would be prohibitively expensive, especially if popular classes require multiple teachers to maintain.
1.11.2.4.3. Con: Colleges altogether offer niche courses like MOOCs, but for one person going to one college, the course selection that they're given in person is a lot less than all the colleges combined.
1.11.2.5. Con: It's actually rather [expensive](https://www.educationnews.org/online-schools/moocs-may-be-free-for-students-but-theyre-expensive-for-schools/) to create a new MOOC class, so they won't hire writers or educators for niche ones.
1.11.2.6. Pro: It will provide more employment to teachers living in remote areas.
1.11.2.7. Pro: Teachers with more specific skills than schools allow can get paid to teach them online.
1.11.3. Pro: Applying for online jobs is more difficult, as it's easier to be scammed \(like from the [work-at-home scam](https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2009/april/workathome_041709)\) than in person.
1.11.4. Pro: Those who work online receive less employment benefits than in-person.
1.11.4.1. Pro: Most online educator roles will likely be temp/contract gigs then, where many benefits and worker protections are not available.
1.11.4.1.1. Pro: -> See 1.11.2.1.3.
1.12. Con: A lack of privacy would become a larger issue.
1.12.1. Pro: Some people could get hacked.
1.13. Pro: Online courses have more permanence that lets them be a online resource after a course is over.
1.13.1. Con: This isn't necessarily true, as many traditional courses have an online website with archives of the entire course.
1.13.2. Con: It depends on the course, as some courses will shut down their website, enrollment capabilities, or features/functionality after a course is over.
1.13.3. Pro: [Open courseware](http://www.ocwconsortium.org/en/members/members) is a good example of this.
1.14. Con: Fully digital education might lead to physical inactivity of students.
1.14.1. Pro: Digital education does not require students to leave their houses.
1.14.2. Con: Physical activity's actually a large problem facing schools \(due to sitting in class for hours\). So this shouldn't be the main factor for not going digital.
1.14.3. Con: Since students have more flexibility \(in both space, creativity, and time\), they may be able to squeeze in exercise into where they normally can't \(like having a treadmill instead of a chair\).
1.14.4. Pro: Subjects responsible for physical exercise require space and dedicated equipment that can not be provided digitally or online.
1.14.5. Con: With better technology \(especially a well-developed mixed reality device\), a student could take their learning outside and maybe even learn while walking around.