Under the influence of Corona: Haredi students prefer online studies

June 20, 2021   

Many hypotheses have been written about the possible effects of the coronavirus and the increase in digital use on the Haredi public, but now official data from the Open University indicates a significant change. Data from registration for studies at the Open University during the coronavirus period shows that there has been a dramatic increase of tens of percent among Haredi students seeking to register for degree studies at the university. The number of Haredi students studying At the Open University, It has been on the rise for several years and is now the leading academic institution among students from the Haredi community. The increase in the number of Haredi students during the Corona period is also evident against the backdrop of the constant growth. According to data during the Corona period, there was an increase of over 30% in the number of Haredi students, from 1800 male and female students from the Haredi community in 2019 to approximately 2500 in 2021. The Open University's unique study method, which allows for online studies, is a significant advantage for Haredi students who wish to acquire an academic degree while maintaining their Haredi lifestyle. The online study option, which has become the only option for studies during the Corona period, combined with the significant increase in the use of the Internet and digital means among the Haredi community, has strengthened the Open University's position as the preferred solution for Haredi students applying for academic studies. To join homeschooling at the Open University>>> The impact of digital growth is also evident in the data on the preferences for instructional methods among Haredi students. While in 2019, 68% of Haredi students preferred to study in frontal classrooms that offer face-to-face instruction and only about 30% chose online instruction, in 2021 (summer semester data) the trend reversed. 68% chose online instruction. According to Dr. Moshik Lavie, VP of Innovation at the Open University: "The Corona period has once again emphasized the exclusive advantage of the Open University over other higher education institutions. The flexible form of study and the ability to personalize the study method and study path allow many applicants from the Haredi community to acquire an academic degree for the first time. Only in the last year, Hundreds of students from the ultra-Orthodox community joined the university "They discovered the ideal solution that combines an educational institution of the highest level, alongside adaptation and maintenance of a Haredi lifestyle and unique assistance for Haredi students that accompanies them until graduation. Now, the registration and student preferences data also indicate that the exclusive response presented by the OUP provides a quality solution for the Haredi student. The preference data of the Haredi population for the transition to online studies is based at this stage on the registration data for the upcoming summer semester - the first semester in which registration for frontal or online learning was possible according to the student's choice - as in the pre-Corona period. It will be interesting to follow the continuation of the trend in the following semesters, and in my opinion it is expected to even strengthen."" To join homeschooling at the Open University>>>