Parents are basically all home-schoolers now. With schools closed for nearly all students in the country, many families have reported that their children are more relaxed, happier, more engaged, and learning like never before. In fact, a new nationally representative survey found that most families have a more favorable view of home schooling as a result of their experiences with the COVID-19 lockdown.

What effects could mass home schooling have on society? Existing studies suggest home-schoolers generally fare better academically and socially than their peers in conventional schools. But new data suggest breaking away from the factory-model school system could also lead to more technological innovation. Here’s how.