By Sanyogita Sharma
Technological advancements and the evolving era of skilled generations lead to gradual as well as a sudden shift in the trends and demands of the industry. No industry is untouched by the developments that technology is building. Education is one of them and the last couple of years have witnessed the educational framework taking a diagonal shift. While this has come as a challenge to many, it has also offered a myriad of opportunities to students as well as educational institutions.
“Only by adopting and embracing technology, learning, development and growth opportunities in the education area can be easily accessible and beneficial to all.”
The following new trends can be seen in the education sector in the new year:
Vocational Skill-based Education: With the conventional education offered in schools to earn a degree and be a fit for the industry, the coming year will be more focused towards vocational education. It provides learners with an opportunity to gain expertise in a particular field. Considering the demand of the industry and to make the generation employable, vocational education has been necessitated by organisations and the government.
Enhanced Immersive Learning with Extended Reality: Innovation in education aimed at improving interactive learning and advanced technologies like extended reality is a great way to move ahead. There are a number of technologies that will be available to students for immersive learning. It will empower them to put theory into practice.
Increased enrollment in STEAM-based Programmes: 21st century has been a witness to several developmental changes in the education sector. Inclination towards STEAM-based programmes is nothing new, but it still needs to gain the much-needed momentum to give rise to a new approach towards education. STEAM-based learning aims at encouraging students to gain skills that prepare them for the future and the fast-paced environment.
Improved Accessibility: With the advent of 5G in India and quick digitalization, accessibility to education is definitely set to improve. Text-to-speech technology, and visual content is making it easier for students to access content and gain knowledge that is being offered in schools. Technology is indeed a boon for many and can help students with disabilities to access knowledge with ease.
Soft Skills for a Compassionate Future: Critical thinking, problem-solving, people skills, team building skills and a lot many others have been classified as ‘soft skills’. A person who showcases an excellent presentation of these skills is considered a suitable fit for any organization. Special soft skills training sessions in schools and colleges will be given more emphasis to nurture students.
Vital Role of Educators in Educational Revolution
It is essential for educators to keep themselves abreast with edtech and the latest developments in the field of education. Their understanding of these trends can help them create more effective learning environments.
The above-mentioned trends present a range of challenges, as well as benefits with steady growth in technological capabilities. Experts opine that technology, on one hand, does not encourage students to engage in soft skills training, but on the other hand, imparts a multitude of opportunities to engage with their peer group and observe the world with a new outlook.
Rethinking is the Key!
No doubt, technology has made the schools tech-savvy with clear emphasis on professional development and communication skills. While many feel that all these benefits have made the education journey easier for many, nothing can replace face-to-face interactions.
The author of this article is director, Manav Rachna International Schools. Views expressed are personal.