The rapid growth of technology has done wonders for education. The students today have more access to information and knowledge than any of their predecessors throughout history. Quality education is available at the touch of their fingertips, and with such rapid growth, there are new trends that follow suit.
If you are keen on keeping up with the latest trends to give yourself a leg up, here are 3 of the biggest observable trends in education.
1. Virtual Classrooms / E-Learning
Technology has grown rapidly in the past 20 years and it has benefited the education industry greatly. The advent of the internet has completely changed how students are able to access information and experience their classes. In fact, statistics show that even in 2017, there were already over 6.5 million students that were enrolled in remote and online learning. This number has swelled up to over 100 million students worldwide by the end of 2021; a truly unprecedented growth.
The growth of technology has made global education and information sharing more accessible than ever, allowing students to receive a high-quality education through the Internet. However, this e-learning trend does not come without some drawbacks. Even with the unparalleled amount of information a student has access to over the Internet, and the accessibility to great educators, virtual classrooms still lack certain aspects a traditional classroom has to offer.
However, with VR technology currently being developed and further accelerated due to the advent of Web3 and the Metaverse, virtual reality classrooms may be an emerging trend this year. This would allow students to interact and learn through virtual reality. In fact, certain curricular systems have already adapted to teaching parts of their syllabus through VR as it can serve as a groundbreaking new way of learning and imparting information through vivid imagery and simulation of hands-on experiences.
Another benefit that has come from utilizing virtual classrooms is that educators are able to have greater flexibility than a traditional classroom in terms of teaching times and innovating new ways to teach the syllabus. For example, some platforms might offer opportunities for students to watch lectures live or a recording of them later, in case they are unable to make it to class.
Related: 5 Ways to Make the Most out of E-Learning
The online nature of these classes may also allow educators to further accommodate different styles of learning and to cater to their student’s learning needs. They are able to refer extra resources and learning materials for the students who are more advanced, and also guide the students who might not be able to grasp the content at their own speed.
Online learning systems can also make it easier for teachers to track how their students progress through their classes. Similar to a CRM tool, teaching management tools provided by e-learning portals allow educators to see how their students have engaged with the broadcast and recorded classes, therefore, they have a more efficient tracking system that allows them to review their teaching times and strategies accordingly.
2. Increased Importance of Soft Skills Education
When it comes to advancing a career, some of the most important skills that employers look for include critical thinking, customer service skills, problem-solving, and creativity.
Employers want to see rising professionals who are able to think outside the box, understand the finer details, make difficult decisions and have strong leadership qualities. In fact, according to a study done in 2018, 97% of employers in the UK claim that soft skills are the key to growth and success.
To prepare students to succeed in their future careers, education systems around the world have been working towards helping students nurture and grow in these areas. Countries such as Japan and Finland are front-running this current education trend by incorporating soft skills as part of the syllabus. Japanese students are trained to be independent from elementary school, where they are taught life skills such as cooking, cleaning and general business management skills through school events and festivals.
Students in Finland don’t begin formal education until they are seven years old, in fact, the current Finnish education system does not encourage standardized tests but is creating a syllabus that focuses on common-sense practices and holistic learning.
Related: 12 Benefits of Virtual Learning
3. Life-long Lessons
As technology advances, there are jobs that will become obsolete, and likewise, completely new jobs that will be created. In an effort to keep up with the growing advancements, professionals who want to remain competitive and relevant in their field will need to constantly re-skill themselves. They cannot assume that the education they earned in the first half of their professional career will be all they need for the rest of their working lives.
Instead, earning a degree must be followed by ongoing learning. This requires institutions to create a growth mindset in their students as well as their educators. Education facilities must allow opportunities for teaching self-learning skills so that students can continue to learn and engage in their chosen industries.
The schools that provide these opportunities are able to remain connected with their alumni throughout their careers. They can offer perpetual learning courses that will keep their former students engaged with the new developments in their industry, and ensure that they keep coming back to the school for the support and education they need.
It doesn’t stop there.
These are just a few of the emerging trends in education. With the adoption of new technology in the classroom and innovative ways for teachers to connect with their students, we predict that this is just the beginning. If you find that your child is having a hard time keeping up in school and adjusting to new technologies in the classroom, a tutor could provide the support they need to excel in this new generation of education.
