The pandemic obligated educational institutions worldwide to undertake one of the largest experiments ever with online education. Governments and educators developed partnerships with technology vendors to improve efforts to re-engage students and connect with them remotely.
As stakeholders in various aspects of education, what you have learned will transform the future of learning and teaching. These fundamental changes in education systems will better serve all learners. Below are some of the top education trends to be excited about in 2021 and beyond.
E-Learning
When education institutions the world over were forced to shut down in 2020 due to the pandemic, remote learning became the only viable option. With this increase in demand for e-learning platforms, educational trends expanded towards companies providing EdTech solutions and any associated technologies.
E-learning has become especially important for students in 2021. It provides new opportunities for you to teach students outside the boundaries of the classroom. You can make the E-learning process more interactive and fun by utilizing videos, podcasts, and animations.
E-learning offers numerous benefits, from customizable learning environments and broad research capabilities to convenience and cost-efficiency. Based on current demand, the online learning trend is set to grow in the coming years.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Among the latest technological advancements that the education sector is increasingly adopting are Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). VR and AR education tech are dynamic concepts that involve student-friendly functions that accommodate and enable unique learning experiences.
Research has shown that students can absorb information better in 3D environments compared to explanations and pictures. VR and AR offer a more engaging and fun experience than conventional learning methods.
Through these technologies, you can provide learners with immersive experiences by developing 3D digital learning environments comprised of computer-generated content. Below are some benefits of VR in education:
- Improves student outcomes
- Effective information transfer
- Improves student engagement
- Eliminates distractions during learning
- Can eliminate language as a learning obstacle
- Ability to access environments outside the traditional study setting
IoT: Connected Classrooms
Today, IoT connectivity continues to replace paper, chalkboards, and pencils as learning opportunities and teaching approaches expand. IoT in education results in a more collaborative and better-connected learning environment.
With IoT devices, students can access everything from communication channels to learning materials. IoT also allows you to assess the student’s learning progress in real-time. When coupled with a solid curriculum, IoT has great potential to improve and enhance personalized learning experiences.
You can share information and knowledge, develop learning communities, communicate effectively and create a professional culture in learning institutions. At a glance, you can see that these aspects are part of the responsibilities of education stakeholders.
AI-Based Teaching Programs
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a staple in many sectors, and it’s gradually cropping up in education. You can enlist the help of AI teaching assistance and automated grading systems to complement conventional learning modules.
A notable example of Educative AI in action is the question bot developed by David Kellerman. The University of New South Wales implemented this AI bot. It was developed to answer student queries and queue videos of relevant past lectures.
David Kellerman’s bot features machine learning capabilities, which means it will improve as it’s exposed to more queries. This is one scenario that showcases the potential for AI and machine learning to bolster conventional learning methods. You can utilize AI to automate basic tasks, which frees up time to tackle the more complex aspects of the learning process.
Personalized Learning Modules
The needs of learners are diverse. Adjusting your teaching plans to accommodate each student’s needs is a major challenge. Technology-backed personalized learning can help you modify learning processes. These advancements can help ensure students receive their education in supportive and customized environments.
This trend in education seeks to transform learning by working with students’ strengths while tackling individual weaknesses. This will be particularly important for learners with special needs as they can learn through mediums that interest them. When combined with conventional textbook procedures, personalized learning has the following benefits:
- Fosters collaboration among students
- Ensures instant informative feedback
- Sets clear learning goals
- Enables learner-paced progress
- Encourages creativity
- Improves problem-solving skills
- Improves teacher-learner relations
Conclusion
Education stakeholders should expect technology trends will continue to transform the sector. New advancements, evolving student needs, resource availability, and government mandates will impact all areas of education. By adopting and leveraging the solutions mentioned above, instructors and institutions will develop better learning methods and programs that improve students’ ability and eagerness to learn.