Emerging Trends in Online Education
Online education was picking up the pace even before corona but the kind of push it received because of the pandemic is simply unbelievable. Before Covid-19, the world was looking at online education as an alternative for individuals who are unable to attend physical classes.
But now, one year into the pandemic, online education is how millions of children are learning across the globe. It is kind of surreal how quickly technology replaced classrooms and children and adults alike are attending classes in their pajamas from the comforts of their home.
What made this transition so smooth? Covid-19? Yes, it is the reason that forced us to quickly find and approve mature technologies in e-learning. But the main credit goes to several trends that were lurking in the corner a year before and have now taken the center stage.
Here are some emerging trends in online education that have made education possible during the pandemic and are sure to further improvise and revolutionize the current online education standards.
Online Education — Emerging Trends
1. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is fast revolutionizing online education. This is the trend that is effectively automating the education system and making it more and more interactive and engaging. AI has brought with it the innovation of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to the online learning space. Both of them add the much-needed audio-visual factor to the online learning segment.
Some of the elements brought about AI include animation, sign language, 3D design, and more. AI is what has brought lessons out of the textbooks and has made learning fun. Some of the popular tools that are helping educators improve their students’ scores are iSpringSuite, ProProfs, Nearpod, etc.
Industry experts are expecting that AI will soon help them deliver instructions based on the students’ learning capabilities. This will pave the way for individualized teaching and assessment in turn empowerment for the learner.
2. Gamification
It has been proven time and again that students learn better when they interact with the subject. This is where video game creators took the opportunity and ran with it. Today, children and adults alike are learning different concepts with the help of video games that can be played on computers or even mobile phones.
Educational games improve problem-solving skills, help retain information and also simplify complicated concepts by breaking them down into fun components/stages. Colleges and schools are already using gaming strategies such as leaderboards and badges to motivate their students to learn at their own pace while engaging with the peers and participating in social activities.
There are studies on the subject that indicate that students and educators engage longer with game-based learning as compared to non-game based/traditional learning. This is the reason, gaming apps such as Kahoot and Minecraft have found a place in school curriculums.
3. Mobile Learning
Mobile learning is one of the most convenient emerging trends that offers two benefits: learning on the go and microlearning. It has paved the way for ‘self-serve’, where the learners can take lessons in small bursts and take learning into their own hands. This trend is ideal for modern learners who may be distracted and looking for interesting methods to learn their favorite topics.
Microlearning is often made up of small lessons and short courses. It involves lesson plans that have been broken into small topics/concepts and are aimed at specific learning needs. Furthermore, mobile learning lets the learners, study from anywhere, anytime. In most cases, all they need is a mobile phone, a stable internet connection, and maybe a pair of head/earphones.
4. OER — Open Educational Resource
Books and supplies are a major expense for any student. According to a study, in the academic year 2018–19, college students spent an average of $1200 on books and supplies. Now, that’s a fortune that can be spent on taking a few crucial online courses. OER can effectively reduce the amount of money students spend on their resource books and notebooks. This is why more and more US educators are saying yes to digital learning material.
OER does not just reduce expenses but also improves the availability of the study material to students despite their location and social stature. This trend is expected to break learning boundaries and make textbooks obsolete very soon.
5. Instant Assessment Tools
Assessment is a huge process for the teachers and a feedback method for students. It is as imperative for learning as the lesson plan itself, hence, it has to efficiently support learning while understanding a student’s learning pace and capability.
Technology powered assessment tools are fast replacing traditional tests and exams that had a fixed calendar. Now, students can take tests when they feel ready and, in most cases, multiple times, till they are happy with their scores. This approach not only fuels the desire to learn but also lets learners and educators, take control of what should be learned and in what order.
Instant feedback systems also come in handy when you need to know your level of preparedness. And imagine the pile of papers that the teachers won’t have to check at the end of every semester. This trend is a win-win for everyone.
These were just 5 emerging trends of the education industry. There are plenty more that are pushing innovation and development in the online education industry. In all, technology in education is bringing forth motivated and self-directed learners who learn faster and understand better, and technologies are expected to get even better? Can you imagine how online education will change in the next 10 years?
