Nowadays, there are new opportunities and challenges in the education sector that are transforming the way we understand education.
These trends are very common in all conversations regarding teaching, as they are deeply impacting student learning. Tools such as blockchain, gamification, adaptive learning, virtual reality, artificial intelligence and collaborative technologies are a reality, which today, education institutions have to face and use creatively to stay relevant in increasingly less predictable environments.
The adoption of technology in education is a process that shows no signs of stopping, and as part of the culture of educational innovation, it is essential to use these new tools to prepare the new generations, as their use will be essential in the working environment they will face in the future.
Both students and teachers need to be concerned about keeping up to date with digital trends in education, as both have a responsibility to adapt to the new digital skills needed in this new environment.
Let’s take a look at some of the most relevant trends today:
Customized learning
By making use of digital tools, it is possible to better tailor training programmes for each student than ever before. At Graspway, we have already written several times about how certain technologies, such as AI, are able to provide each student with a personalised learning experience based on their needs and abilities.
Blended models
Blended courses, also known as blended learning, are starting to be more important. Blended models are mixed models that combine face-to-face education with distance learning.
The importance of mobile devices
We should keep in mind that mobile devices are becoming increasingly important in terms of training, as they offer new opportunities and ways of learning. The greatest advantage of using mobile devices is that students can access their courses from anywhere and at any time, solving possible mobility problems and reducing the time students waste each day travelling to school, giving them more time for their personal study, extracurricular activities or leisure.
MOOC
MOOC stands for Massive Open Online Course. These courses are intended for unlimited online participation and open access via the web.
MOOC is an interesting complement to develop certain skills and tools, but it is important to be aware of its limitations as they do not provide comprehensive training nor official qualifications.
Blockchain
Blockchain has several useful applications for education. For example, we can use a public blockchain to issue certificates. Each user has a unique digitally signed certificate, which is verified against the signature on the blockchain.
Thanks to this technology, it’s possible to have a personalised digital student record and to use identification methods that take advantage of a large number of educational applications in a simple way. Educational institutions usually issue certificates or diplomas on paper, or sometimes in an electronic format using a public key infrastructure. Thanks to the blockchain, certificates will be stored securely and permanently, which protects the user in case the issuing institution closes down.
Gamification
The popularity of video games has led to the development of gamification techniques, which have applications in all kinds of fields. In learning, training methodologies that take advantage of gamification are becoming more popular thanks to its playful component, which makes learning more fun, generating a positive experience for the user. The key to gamification is to reward the user depending on the objectives achieved.
Collaborative technologies
Collaborative technologies change the way teachers and students interact, encouraging them to learn from each other.
The changes brought by these technologies make us rethink the design and use of physical learning spaces, such as classrooms, auditoriums and libraries, in collaborative work ecosystems supported by other technologies such as virtual, augmented and mixed reality. Teachers and students can take advantage of this virtual space designed specifically for the classroom where interaction, collaboration and active learning take place, providing learning experiences in real application content.
All these technologies offer immense possibilities for teachers to take advantage of, and allow for new teaching approaches and insights with great benefits for students.
