In recent weeks, amid the stresses caused by COVID-19 and the resulting closure of virtually all schools, some have found it easier to learn and teach—or at least, no more difficult. Three stories about some unexpected benefits of remote learning hold lessons for how to get schools to serve all students more effectively.

Remote learning can suck. But these students say it’s the best thing that ever happened to them. Among teachers and students, there’s a widespread understanding that online courses are a poor substitute for the quintessential education experience. They remove the social aspect of schooling, and make the collaboration and group-work