Reimagining Education After a Year of Remote Learning

By Tamara Fyke

“What do we do now?” That question is on the minds of educators, administrators, parents, and students as schools plan for reopening while also recognizing that many learners will continue with online education. After a year of pandemic-driven remote learning, we have a rare opportunity to rethink and reshape the education system so it serves students and families better than the old “normal” did.

For years the system has often prioritized test scores, rankings, and bureaucracy over the needs of students and families. Returning to the pre-pandemic status quo would be a missed opportunity. The old model was not working for everyone: social pressures, inequitable access, and one-size-fits-all practices frequently interfered with meaningful learning. During remote learning, many students—especially those in urban environments—found relief from daily social anxieties and were able to focus more fully on learning from home.

Imagine a different future for education—one where educational technology (EdTech), social and emotional learning (SEL), and equity are not separate priorities but core, integrated values. What would that look like in practice? Below are practical ideas and guiding principles that can help schools, districts, and communities build a more responsive and inclusive system.

Center student voice and choice — Give students meaningful options about how they learn. Some learners thrive in-person, others excel online, and many fall somewhere in between. When students can select the environment that best matches their learning styles, mental health needs, and social comfort, engagement and outcomes improve. Flexibility may mean siblings in the same household learn in different formats; that should be accepted and supported. Put students at the center of planning, and make choice a central feature of instruction and scheduling.

Respect and support families — Schools must partner with families, recognizing that a child’s success depends on family stability and resources. Families should be welcomed into school communities rather than being made to feel excluded. Support can take many forms: providing internet hotspots and meals, offering GED or adult education classes, creating spaces such as laundry rooms or community hubs, and delivering in-home or after-hours tutoring and childcare. When schools wrap services around families, students gain the stability and support they need to thrive.

Teach 21st-century skills — Students need both digital literacy and strong SEL skills to succeed in today’s world. Digital literacy includes evaluating the credibility of online sources, organizing digital files, managing calendars and deadlines, and producing multimedia content. It also involves collaboration skills—working with peers via online tools, contributing to shared documents, and communicating clearly in virtual spaces. Equally important are SEL competencies: resilience, time management, teamwork, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. These skills prepare students for a workforce that increasingly values remote collaboration, adaptability, and self-directed learning.

Integrate EdTech, SEL, and equity — Thoughtful use of technology can enhance personalized learning if it is paired with intentional SEL practices and a commitment to equity. That means selecting tools that support differentiated instruction, provide accessible content for diverse learners, and include supports for educators to use technology effectively. It also requires policies that close the digital divide—ensuring access to devices, reliable internet, and training for families and teachers.

Design for real-world success — With many workplaces shifting to hybrid or remote models even after the pandemic, schools should prepare students for this reality. Practical experiences—project-based learning, collaborative online assignments, opportunities to create digital portfolios, and instruction in digital citizenship—help students demonstrate readiness for college, careers, and civic life. Schools should also foster agency: teaching students how to advocate for their needs, manage their schedules, and pursue goals independently.

These ideas are not a comprehensive blueprint but a starting point for reimagining education that centers human needs and modern realities. The pandemic exposed persistent inequities and showed us new possibilities for learning. Now is the moment to adopt changes that make education more flexible, equitable, and student-centered.

About the author

Tamara Fyke is an educator and social entrepreneur focused on supporting children, families, and urban communities. She created and authors Love In A Big World, which provides mental health, social and emotional learning, and wellness curriculum and content. During quarantine, Tamara developed MusiCity Kids, an online educational program for children ages 6–12 that covers health, movement, character development, STEAM topics, and more.