The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for businesses, workplaces, and even the education sector. However, amidst adversity, the sudden need for social distancing became a catalyst for rapid technological adoption in education. What would have taken educational institutes and workplaces several years to achieve (in terms of integrating technology) was accomplished within a few weeks. This accelerated curve of technological adoption in the education sector has revolutionized the way learning is facilitated and accessed.
This technological adoption has also changed people’s willingness to adopt new technologies. Therefore, even though the pandemic is over, new technology is quickly augmenting the education sector, shaping the future of learning.
In 2023, here are six ways technology is benefiting the education sector:
1. Degrees Are Now Location Independent
During the pandemic, classrooms and workplaces shifted online. Thankfully the technology was there, and we were accustomed to it to enable quick change. However, even if the people were quick to adapt, it took several months for educational institutions to perfect the online classroom. They had to learn how to most effectively deliver lectures and what elements to incorporate to engage virtual students.
Now that the systems are refined, colleges and universities don’t just offer certifications for online programs. They are ready to offer degrees that are recognized internationally.
For instance, an online masters in education is highly beneficial for people involved in the education sector. What’s best is that employed academicians can pursue this degree from anywhere. So, teachers and facilitators across the globe are improving their knowledge and skill set while continuing their job and without having to move to another city or country for their degree.
2. Students Can Review Classes
One valuable benefit of online classes is that students can rewatch recorded lectures. It doesn’t only allow students to attend classes depending on their time zone but also allows them to refresh their concepts even after they are done with a course.
One drawback of the virtual classroom and recorded lectures is lower attendance in live classes. However, many research studies have found that students who attend classes live and rewatch the lectures later perform better in assessments. Many students also habitually rewatch lectures at twice the speed to quickly go through the material before an assessment. According to a study, they perform better than students who rewatch lectures at normal speed. So, rewatching lectures for exam preparation is a great way to refresh concepts learned in live classes.
3. Gamified Learning
Three in ten teen Gen-Zers (27%) and 21% of adult Gen-Zers claim that gaming is their favorite hobby. Since the education sector is evolving according to the student’s preferences, gamified learning is becoming more popular.
Since gamification in education is becoming popular, many researchers are interested in assessing how it impacts learning. Many researchers have published studies proving that gamified learning is a great way to engage students. According to statistics, 67.7% of students preferred a gamified course to a traditional one. This technique can benefit both kinds of students – those attending virtually and those attending in-person classes. It is also a more effective way to ingrain theoretical concepts than example-based explanations or case studies.
4. Encourages Collaboration
Since students today are becoming more adept with online learning, they are also ready to collaborate with other students over online platforms. This resource allows students to connect with their team members for group study sessions or even engage in debate on online threads.
Many teachers also use social media to encourage students to collaborate. For example, they could make private Facebook groups for sharing materials and answering student questions. Since social media reduces the formality of the classroom, students are free to engage in debate and ask questions they wouldn’t have asked in live classrooms.
5. Enriched Classroom Learning
Technology has unlocked resources for teachers and students that were previously unimaginable. Many teachers use online platforms to post assignments and encourage practice. Institutions also purchase access to platforms for students to solidify their foundational knowledge before they study the advanced concepts in class.
Many teachers incorporate media in their lectures to make them more engaging and authentic. For example, the concept of engaging employees in an HRM course would be better understood and retained in students’ minds if the teacher showed a video of the Google Workplace. Similarly, many teachers use gamified quizzes to challenge students and revise the concepts simultaneously. This strategy is much more engaging than a pen-and-paper approach for assessments.
These interactive and engaging elements help stimulate student interest and comprehension. It helps cater to different learning styles and enhances the overall learning experience.
6. Prepares Students for Real Life
Since technology is transforming the workplace, its integration into the education sector assures students are well-prepared to tackle technological changes when they enter the practical world. It also assures students are well-prepared to enter a world where technology is consistently changing and new ideas are appreciated.
Many entrepreneurial minds can leverage technology to offer solutions that change industries. Others seeking jobs can comfortably adapt to new technologies because technologies in the classroom polish their capabilities and allow them to think out of the box.
For example, when students are encouraged to get creative in ways they can do their assignments, they can exercise their skills and develop the keenness to learn new skills. For example, if a student uses a website to make their assignments, it can encourage others to learn and explore other new ways.
Final Words
Technology is changing the world quickly, especially after the pandemic. The education sector is incorporating technology to make learning more effective and accessible.
But it is up to the students and teachers to use this technology to benefit from it. Even though the technology is available, many old-school teachers do not understand the importance of integrating it into teaching. For example, since games are fun, many teachers might not believe they help students improve concept retention.
An online master’s in education offers teachers an excellent opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to effectively incorporate technology in the classroom while leveraging technology to enhance the learning experience.