The impact of technology on society can never be understated. Today, almost all aspects of our lives have a bit of tech in it. And with the advance in technology aimed at solving everyday problems, we’ll find ourselves depending more on new tech.
Let’s take smartphones, for instance. As of 2012, 1.6 billion people used smartphones as a primary point of contact with the internet. Experts estimates put the number of smartphone users at 4.3 billion by 2023. And these figures will keep increasing as technology advances.
Also, the educational system is not exempt from these changes. Advancements in technology have also led to the creation of EdTech solutions. And with the current impacts of the COVID pandemic, new trends are expected.
So, this write-up discusses the upcoming EdTech trends that you should keep an eye on in 2021. So without further ado, let’s cut right into it.
Online Learning
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Before 2020, online learning had been on a gradual rise. People used platforms like UDEMY and Coursera to get certified, the internet to find answers to questions like what is an argumentative essay, and academia was slowly adapting to the possibility of online education by introducing IT tools into the classroom.
Moreover, students used remote learning services like video conferencing and online labs to complete their curriculum.
These changes were gradual in the initial stages, but the COVID outbreak meant the academic community had to fast-track the use of e-learning solutions. Even as the world gradually returns to normal, the demand for e-learning tools continues to increase.
Besides, studies have shown that e-learning is more effective and viable for students than traditional learning methods. So moving forward, more investments will be made in the education sector, especially in e-learning. If you want to explore various online learning platforms, consider checking out a detailed Coursera review to find the best courses for your interests.
Artificial Intelligence
The potential of artificial intelligence is immense, and the EdTech sector is playing a significant role.
Institutions now use AI solutions to tailor their curriculum and provide a hands-on learning experience for students. Although students still need help proofreading their papers, be it a college admission essay or a research paper, AI services in the education sector can optimize this process.
For teachers, EdTech platforms can automate tedious tasks like grading for multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank testing. AI-powered tutors can also adapt to students’ level of understanding for routine learning exercises. Use cases like these exemplify the potential of AI in EdTech today.
Social Media
Everyone spends a ton of time on social media, so it’s no surprise that the EdTech sector is harnessing the power of social media to induce more effective learning and communication.
This trend is here to say. In fact, as young people spend more time on social media channels, educational institutions will come up with ways to use these platforms as enhanced learning tools.
To this, institutions have started building social media communities and are encouraging students to use institutional social media channels to interact, publish share materials, and improve their community.
Gamification
The use of games as a learning tool is nothing new. As early as the 19th century, Dmitri Mendeleev, a Russian scientist, became one of the first people to complete an educational task with games when creating the periodic table.
Gamification has been revolutionary in the educational sector because, unlike writing a boring explanatory essay, it gives the learner more knowledge, boosts retention, and specifies the real-world application of this information.
In truth, gamification in the EdTech sector caters mainly to toddlers and teenagers. These games keep their interest and help them focus on tasks over a long period. But recently, higher institutions started to incorporate these learning games to improve the engagement level of students too.
Learning Analytics
Analytics involves the collection of data about students to help understand and optimize their learning process. This particular sector is crucial in the EdTech sector because it massively impacts learners and educators alike.
With more data available for educators to track their student’s progress, it’s safe to say that there’ll be a huge increase in the use of learning analytics to streamline the learning process for students.
Besides, the collected data can identify academic and behavioral changes in students, which could lead to a stronger relationship between students and educators.
Accessible Education
Following the pandemic, more than 260 million scholars worldwide lost access to educational facilities and quality education. Most of these students and pupils come from developing countries or low-income neighborhoods.
However, advancements in EdTech are now geared toward bridging this gap. Educational tools are now more affordable than before. Besides, institutions directly subsidize learning materials for underprivileged students.
Nevertheless, academia is still a long way from solving this particular problem. But the hope is that the introduction of educational material like online courses and live streaming will make education more accessible to every student.
Conclusion
As tech advances, it continues to impact every part of our lives. Whether we like it or not, technological advancements change everything — subtly or in a more pronounced fashion.
EdTech, in particular, affects not just the quality of education of the students but also their quality of life. So, more technological solutions are needed to address the current need of students and teachers.
Ultimately, EdTech is enormous and fundamental to how we’ll evolve as a society. And looking at the current trends suggests a future where tech is fully entrenched in the entire learning process.
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