Haru Shim
SEO24
South Korea
Challenge
The current difficulty in the education sector is the cumulative and aggravated learning decline due to COVID-19. COVID-19 has brought about significant changes in the education sector. One of these changes is the deepening of educational polarization. Changes in learning methods, such as remote learning and restrictions on in-person classes due to COVID-19, have further exacerbated educational disparities, leading to a deepening polarization in learning levels. In fact, according to the OECD, the middle class collapsed after COVID-19, and the lower class increased, with a significant increase in students experiencing basic learning decline. The government is actively announcing measures to ensure basic academic skills at the national level. At the school level, various programs such as supplementary curriculum programs and tailored basic learning are being used to guide students with basic learning difficulties. However, there is doubt in the actual education field as to whether these methods are actually helping students with basic learning difficulties. Mandatory after-school guidance for students with basic learning difficulties is not possible. Therefore, only those students who voluntarily seek after-school guidance remain to receive instruction from teachers. Many students do not apply for these programs, even though they are considered necessary by teachers, citing reasons such as needing to attend private tutoring or parental disapproval. Additionally, the stigma associated with staying after school for extra study discourages students from applying. The characteristics of basic learning difficulties worsen cumulatively as students progress to higher grades, and have a significant impact on students' self-esteem. Therefore, finding ways to support these students with actual basic learning difficulties through Google usage would not only help protect students' learning abilities but also help prepare for similar situations in future pandemic scenarios.