The COVID-19 pandemic has caused nearly 15 million excess deaths across the globe. Although mortality rates are lowest among children and youth, the young face another emergency: the learning crisis. Around the world, the disruption of education has meant that millions of children have lost the academic learning they would have gained if they had been in the classroom, … [Read more...] about How to Avoid a Lost Generation: Three Strategies to Combat Pandemic Learning Loss
Elena Arias Ortiz
Elena Arias Ortiz is a Senior Education Specialist. She joined the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in 2011 as part of the Young Professional Program. Her first rotation was in the Competitiveness and Innovation Division. Since then, she has been part of the Education Division. Before joining the IDB, she previously worked as a consultant for the World Bank, UNDP, and the European Commission. Elena holds a Master Degree in Economic Analysis and a Ph.D. in Economics, both from the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB). Her research focuses mainly on the development of skills and the transition of student to higher education and the workplace and the use of digital tools to improve learning. Her publication record includes international peer-reviewed journals.
How Should Schools Respond to the COVID-19 Mental Health Crisis?
Although youth tend to have milder symptoms from the COVID-19 virus, the pandemic has brought unprecedented changes and challenges into their lives and particularly their mental health. Pandemic-related school closures have disrupted their learning and isolated them from peers. Many young people have been less physically active, had irregular sleep patterns and … [Read more...] about How Should Schools Respond to the COVID-19 Mental Health Crisis?
Learning Mathematics in the 21st century: Can we add with technology?
Entry by Elena Arias Ortiz, Julian Cristia and Santiago Cueto “On Friday I reached 5,578 points and I managed to get 8 more flags. How many points do you have?” Sebastian asks his little friend. “I only got to 5,300, but I managed to get past Juan and now I'm second!” Ana replies enthusiastically. We might think that this conversation took place on a weekend, between … [Read more...] about Learning Mathematics in the 21st century: Can we add with technology?
Learning for life: Socio-emotional skills to face the new normal
The social isolation caused by school closures due to COVID-19 could have devastating consequences for children and adolescents and puts their mental health and their socio-emotional and cognitive development at risk. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of having socio-emotional skills such as adaptability, empathy and stress management, which are key for facing the … [Read more...] about Learning for life: Socio-emotional skills to face the new normal
From distance to hybrid education: 4 key elements to make it happen
Entry by Elena Arias Ortiz, Andrea Bergamaschi, Marcelo Pérez Alfaro, Madiery Vásquez and Miguel Brechner. The prolonged closure of schools during COVID-19 has been a challenge for students, teachers, and parents. Today many countries are planning to reopen schools in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and social distancing measures make it very likely that … [Read more...] about From distance to hybrid education: 4 key elements to make it happen