Learning Loss - What it is and how GuruLab can help

Learning loss occurs when there is unfinished or incomplete learning by students. In Malaysia, learning loss was caused by a halt in the country’s schooling system due to the pandemic and the resulting MCO restrictions. This has led to students falling behind the normal learning rate compared to a typical pre-pandemic school year.

Learning loss in Malaysia is a detrimental result of incomplete learning due to the MCO restrictions implemented, causing students to fall behind the normal learning rate.

In 2020, the first batch of SPM students hit by the COVID-19 pandemic was not able to complete their academic year in time to sit for the exam in the same year. As a result, they had to spend more time completing what would normally be a year-long syllabus.

School closures and lack of accessibility to remote learning have resulted in destructive educational losses for students. Studies have shown that the average intermediate learning loss incurred by Malaysians is 0.66 years or 8 months! Even in an optimistic scenario where remote learning proves to be highly effective, Malaysia’s learning loss is estimated to be 0.45 years (5.4 months). In the worst-case scenario, it can be an alarming 11.4 months. That’s almost one full year of learning loss!

This is what learning loss looks like in our country.

Left unaddressed, the problem of learning loss can trigger long-term ripple effects which can severely impact students’ post-secondary education opportunities and, subsequently, their future career prospects.

Learning gap continues to widen even as we move towards normalcy.

So what can we do to solve the problem of lost learning?

Even though the control of the pandemic is improving and schools are welcoming students back to the classrooms, more needs to be done to address the widened learning and opportunity gaps faced by students as a result of being repeatedly absent from school for the past 2 years.

1. With GuruLab’s proprietary methodology and curriculum, students can catch up in no time

What if learning can be both fun and effective at the same time? Here at GuruLab, we believe that effective learning goes beyond passively listening to a long lecture in class and completing exercises (Although these are important, GuruLab provides more than that!).

Our lessons and programmes are specially designed by Education Specialists to be more engaging, interactive and goal-oriented - to ensure our students can learn more effectively with GuruLab, compared to a normal, traditional classroom environment. We also provide our students with tools such as assignment tracking, class scheduling, progress tracking and feedback integration all within one dedicated GuruLab app. How cool is that!

Learning has to be fun, engaging and interactive for students to improve learning retention.

The importance of effective teaching and learning is more apparent than ever to tackle the issue of learning loss. Students, having been absent from schools for a long period of time, need that extra push and motivation to get back on their feet and on the right track. With GuruLab’s unique features, learning does not have to be dull and boring at all. In fact, an interesting and effective learning experience is what students need to regain their motivation, which was abruptly disrupted by the pandemic.

Step 2: Personalised approach in online tutoring

One of the more obvious repercussions caused by learning loss is the occurrence of a learning gaps between students. While some students might be able to maintain their learning consistency during the pandemic, others might find it difficult to adapt, and keep up with the remote learning system implemented by schools.

That is why we believe that periodic assessments are important to identify our students’ skills and knowledge gaps at any point in time. This is so that our tutors are able to conduct their lessons in a targeted manner that is adaptive to the class’ unique set of abilities and weaknesses, thus helping students pick up where they left off. Teaching assistant support is also available for students in each class, which allows students to request assistance and obtain personalised feedback.

Consistent feedback and guidance is required to close the learning gap.

Given the loss of students’ precious learning time due to the pandemic, the traditional teaching methods employed in schools just won’t cut it anymore. And that is where GuruLab steps in to fill the gap!

Step 3: GuruLab squad, assemble! Meet our lineup of highly trained and experienced tutors

Finally, introducing our most prized assets - GuruLab’s squad of tutors! Our squad consists of tutors who possess qualifications from top-tier universities, many years of teaching experience, and have received resounding positive ratings from students. In fact, some of them are former/current markers/examiners for PT3 and SPM exams! Trust us when we say that our tutors know exactly what students need in order to excel in their studies.

We hand-pick our tutors to create unique experiences for our students.

Not only that, our tutors stand out from your average teachers as they are equipped with the skills to effectively use online tools and resources to conduct their lessons. Committed to helping students recoup their learning losses, our tutors understand the importance of teaching beyond the “traditional classroom methodology”. Hence, unlike the conventional schooling system, there are no hit-and-miss incidents in GuruLab’s teaching approach. All our classes are led by the best, hand-picked tutors so parents can feel confident that their children are always in good hands.

Conclusion:

There is no doubt that learning loss caused by the pandemic represents a serious education crisis for the current generation of students and the development of their futures. Hence, GuruLab believes that recouping our students’ learning losses requires more than just a reopening of schools, but the provision of a revamped and reimagined learning experience for students. From offering personalised teaching techniques to deploying a team of its best tutors, GuruLab has the right tools and ingredients to overcome learning loss and help our students succeed!