According to UNESCO’s more updated data, as of May 30, 2020, the nation-wide school closures in 150 countries had already kept more than 1.19 billion students out of schools, accounting for 68% of the world’s total enrolled learners. Schools are still closed, and students are not returning to their classrooms yet. Alternatively, online education has become a solution to secure uninterrupted learning.
The benefit of online education is obvious in countries and regions where there is no access barrier to the Internet. It enables schools to deliver courses online where teachers can provide instructions and share learning resources. The stay-at-home learning and working modes have significantly increased the time shared between parents and their children. As a result, parents actively engaged in supporting children’s online learning experiences. Furthermore, distance education also increased communities’ involvement in creating a favorable learning environment possible.
The world will overcome the crisis and schools will reopen. Hence it is necessary for students and teachers to continue learning and teaching in a comfortable environment. In this regard, UNESCO IITE and its global partners with the support from the National Commission of China for UNESCO launched 5 guidances on distance learning. This guide series can serve for the people who have interest in the online education practice. In addition, the publications can provide a vision for the future of e-learning after the pandemic.