New technologies, such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and machine learning are reinventing the traditional educational methods. They have transformed the role of educators and created major shifts in approaches to teaching. The focus is on hyper-personalized student experiences, where learners are perceived as individuals with unique skills, needs, and problems.
Let’s learn how technology is shaping the future of education.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AUGMENTS THE ROLE OF A TEACHER
Artificial intelligence and big data are transforming incumbent industries, and education is no exception. When implemented strategically, AI benefits teachers and students in multiple ways:
- It allows teachers to automate many repetitive processes, such as creating curricula. It saves educators time and enables them to focus on the creative aspects of their jobs.
- It provides access to global learning. AI eliminates any geographical or language barriers. For example, there are many tools based on natural language processing that can translate educational materials into various languages in real-time.
- AI voice assistants, such as Alexa or Cortana, are gaining popularity in education. For example, Arizona State University uses Alexa for simple campus needs. The U.S. Navy has its own AI tool that monitors each student’s progress and adapts to diverse learning styles.
THE LEARNING PROCESS BECOMES ADAPTIVE AND PERSONALIZED
Traditional learning models rely on standardized lectures and educational materials. Over the past few years, tech advancements have been challenging this paradigm.
Adaptive learning models focus on students as individuals with different learning needs. By understanding each student’s learning pace and preferences, teachers can improve the effectiveness of lectures, set up relevant group projects, and effectively handle each student’s needs. Most importantly, students have more autonomy in the classroom.
Above all, adaptive learning tools and methods are not a threat to traditional educational models. With the rise of tech in education, teachers tend to deliver more personalized learning experiences on a case-by-case basis. Adaptive learning tools are quickly replacing traditional textbooks in the classroom since they allow students to learn at the pace that is best suited to their preferences and level of knowledge.
VIDEO ENHANCES THE PROCESS OF LEARNING
Have you ever heard of the image superiority effect? That is a phenomenon that humans memorize images better than words. People can remember more than 2,000 pictures with 90% accuracy.
Given that, it is not surprising at all that video plays a fundamental role in education. Back in 2012, scientists did a comprehensive survey and found that there is strong evidence that video content inspires and engages learners. It elevates student motivation, enhances learning experiences, helps them achieve better marks, develops learners’ autonomy, and encourages the potential for deeper learning of the subject.
Let’s take a simple example. During the COVID-19 lockdown, many schools were forced to shut their doors and switch to online learning. Say a student needs to learn the rules of taekwondo. While reading essays and eBooks about taekwondo is still an option, most learners would prefer to watch taekwondo training videos, where they can get actionable tips.
Learners like video because it simplifies the learning process and makes it more interactive. Statistics back me on that, highlighting that Gen Z learners prefer video over traditional lectures.
CLOUD TECHNOLOGIES ENABLE REMOTE LEARNING
Modern learners are tech-savvy. Whether they are studying remotely or in a traditional classroom, learners are always connected. They are not limited to textbooks anymore. When looking for information, they will grab their smartphones, laptops, or tablets to get answers to their questions faster.
The rise of mobile technologies has encouraged the growth of the cloud sector in education. Experts predict that education-oriented cloud computing will hit $25 billion by 2021. There are many benefits of the cloud for both teachers and students.
One of them is remote learning. The Coronavirus pandemic has forced many schools to replace traditional classroom experiences with virtual ones. The cloud infrastructure enables schools to create virtual classrooms for their students. That way, they will attract students from different locations and reduce infrastructural expenses.
With cloud technologies, teachers can deliver online lectures to remote students. Cloud storage apps like Dropbox or Google Drive let students and teachers upload files in real-time. VoIP tools enable high-quality audio and video calls, regardless of their location. With mobile-friendly IM apps, such as Slack or Viber, teachers and students can communicate more effectively.
TECHNOLOGY IS TRANSFORMING TRADITIONAL EDUCATION
The latest tech solutions, such as AI or automation, are not going to replace teachers anytime soon. Instead, they will only augment their roles by streamlining many repetitive tasks and providing better insights into students’ performance. That way, educators can focus on what matters the most – students. They will be able to provide them with highly personalized learning experiences and create tailor-made studying programs that align with students’ knowledge levels and learning paces.
Any thoughts on the impact of technology on education? We are listening!
