COVID has expedited the acceptance of remote learning and work. What could that mean?

COVID-19 has brought fundamental changes to life and business. Much like the Great Recession forever altered perceptions on frivolity, with many consumers ditching expensive gas-guzzler vehicles to more fuel-efficient alternatives or public transportation, COVID has forced us to reimagine how we interact on the basics of school and work.

While online education (both institutional and independent) was already experiencing steady growth, COVID restrictions on interaction created an environment where a rapid expansion was necessary. Online education supports self-motivated learners with high frustration tolerance, while those who rely on a traditional structure can often struggle. Those traditional graduates who experience such struggles have trouble accepting that some can thrive in such an environment and often use this criticism to diminish the value of online education.?

To me, this is where the debate of remote working seems to run into the same bias. Some traditional graduates I know have become traditional workers who struggle to see how workers can become self-motivated enough to get the job done at home. The conventional employer rationale being if you can't motivate yourself to learn when you're paying for it, how can I be confident you'll be encouraged to do your job when?I'm?paying for it? Social media posts of people "slacking off" at home tends to reinforce this narrative. Such rationale makes a lot of sense if you can't accept some people have the skillset to be a self-starter.?

It's important to point out that remote learning and work do have drawbacks. Those that grow into jobs remotely could become an "unknown quantity" that misses out on opportunities. Few people on any side of this issue question the importance of networking to your personal brand. The convenience of remote work and school comes with costs to companies, universities, and workers/students. While companies and universities face significant exposure to?increased cyber security threats?due to remote connections. Workers and students sacrifice developing?social relationships?and skills needed away from the cozy confines of home.

Despite existing biases and risks, there are indications that COVID restrictions have allowed remote learning and work to prove their concept. Thanks to COVID, it might be accurate to update the old saying, "necessity is the mother of invention?and innovation." Workers and employers are increasingly lauding the benefits of remote work, while universities accept challenges to traditional educational models exist and continue to expand online learning options. Eliminating institutional bias that slows growth and innovation is a good thing, but are we ready to deal with the costs of these changes? That remains unclear.

Image Credit:

Vasel, K., CNN Business (2020) This might just be the end of the office as we know it.