Change is coming to the education industry. This change will lead to the evolution of learning. The way teachers dispense knowledge has already evolved significantly since the first formal education systems were created. As expected, the next industrial revolution is coming soon and it’s going to affect every sector, especially the education industry. Ministries of education across the globe have been hosting programs to prepare their teachers for the rapid changes that are impacting education. If they don’t prepare themselves, they will be left behind when the technological train takes off. Here are five upcoming trends that will influence the future of education.
1. Educational Robotics
One of the trends that are gaining ground among STEM students is educational robotics. It is a branch of education that helps students learn with robots. It can be applied at any level of education and it is an effective teaching method. The students are taught to build and operate robots in classrooms. Interacting with the mechanical and electrical parts of robots is engaging and fun for students. It also makes it easier for them to develop hardware development skills. Research has shown that educational robotics is a more effective way of teaching students about robotics than abstract learning.
2. Life-long Learning Beyond the Classroom
Another trend that is becoming popular in the education system is life-long learning that extends beyond the formal classroom setting. This is because the entire world is changing at an incredibly rapid pace. What children learn in elementary and high school might not be useful 10 or 20 years later. Rather than focusing on the curriculum alone, educators are teaching students how to improve their skills or change career paths completely when necessary. Students are being taught to maintain a mindset of self-development. The good news is that there are many institutions outside the typical school setting that help people improve their skills. Students should be encouraged to take online job training courses for various certifications even after they have earned their degrees.
3. Technology in Teaching
The technological revolution has truly changed the education industry. However, there are still a lot of improvements to be made. During the first Covid-19 lockdown in major countries, millions of students were stopped from going to school. A digital curriculum was quickly created so that these students can get educated from home. There has been a lot of progress so far but the technology still has a lot of loopholes to cover. Online and distance learning still can’t fully substitute in-person communication. Web development teams across the globe need to come up with smarter tools that can make learning from home more efficient.
4. Teaching Software Skills
Another way technology is influencing education is through an emphasis on soft skills. This trend is becoming more popular in higher institutions but that’s not where it starts. Students aren’t just taught the basics of using computers. They are also taught programming skills. Becoming a software engineer is always easier when students learn software engineering from the elementary stages of education. Their coding skills are nurtured from the early stages. By the time the students have gotten to the tertiary level, they are ready for more advanced software engineering skills.
5. Boosting Engagement in Education
Due to the prevalence of digital technology, the attention span of young people has diminished. Schools have been looking for new ways to make the learning process more engaging. One approach to teaching that keeps students engaged is gamification. As the name implies, gamification is a type of education that uses gaming activities to teach students. Rather than focus on plain text for boring topics, schools use games to keep users engaged while providing them with the knowledge they need. Gamification doesn’t need to be complex. It can be as simple as hosting fun competitions and rewarding students with points.
Summary
The education sector is more or less one of the most important industries in the world. It is key to ensuring the survival of the next generation and the generation after that. All the web designers, web developers, doctors, nurses and every other professional you see around would not have existed without formal education. Education has a direct impact on development and it is a universal concept. The trends above will impact the future of education.
About the Author
Artur Meyster
Founder of Career Karma
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