The phenomenal developments in technology over the last few decades have revolutionized the education sector. There’s more investment in technologies that impact it positively with all stakeholders now embracing such projects. Some outstanding breakthroughs have made it easier to impart skills while also increasing access to high-quality education among all communities in the world. These innovations have also reduced the cost of education and allowed for the effective dissemination of knowledge which has, in turn, led to the rapid development of society.
There is no denying that technology has impacted every aspect of modern life. One of the biggest beneficiaries of these technological advances is the education sector. This is one of the oldest formal sectors in society, and as such, most people would have expected stakeholders to resist innovations and stick to traditional systems. While there was initial opposition to groundbreaking technologies in education, their impact within the short trial periods has convinced education stakeholders of their importance. For instance, a 2013 Harris Interactive Poll showed that 86% of teachers consider edutech essential in the classroom. These innovations have helped overcome the major challenges in the field of education; including overcoming barriers to access to quality education, efficiency in education programs, convenience in learning programs, high cost, among other things. From online homework assistance to educative games, there is no limit to the innovations that will shape education in the future.
This article highlights some of the major revolutionary innovation already impacting education and which will continue to do so in future. Read on.
Brief Overview of Innovative Technology in Education
The issue of technology in education continues generating a lot of debate in modern society. However, there is no denying that some innovations have had a great impact. A collaborative report published on the New York Times and done by the Pew Internet Project, the College Board and the National Writing Project shows teachers and students alike appreciate the role of new technologies in learning.
75% of teachers surveyed believed that internet technology has a great impact on student research. In the Harris Interactive poll, 96% of teachers said edutech increases student engagement while 92% of the respondents recommended adoption of even more innovations in the classroom. These are just a few of the studies supporting the adoption of innovations in the school.
Groundbreaking Innovations Shaping the Future of Education
- Virtual Learning
Online learning is already expanding but industry experts say utilization of this incredible innovation is still low. By 2017, digital learning was a $182 billion industry and by 2023, projections show it will hit $240 billion. There is no limit to the benefits learners and educators can accrue with e-learning systems. These systems make learning on the go possible which in turn increases the knowledge base in society.
Employed people can now further their skills without having to step into a classroom and this will have a powerful impact on society. Virtual learning is the disruptive technology the education industry needed to remain relevant in a fast-paced world. Most colleges and universities today have scaled down physical infrastructural development in favor of cutting-edge e-learning systems.
For individual students, access to resources online redefines how they study and complete assignments. For instance, if you have just searched “help writing my essay” online, you can download an essay writing app or find an experienced essay writer to help you out. Virtual learning has had a great impact and it is an innovation that will shape the education industry for a long time to come.
- Big Data and Analytics
Big data is now a common phrase in every industry. While most people use it to refer something that will happen in the future, big data is already a phenomenon happening everywhere you look. With advances in data collection technologies, it is now possible for educators to leverage large datasets to discover trends and patterns in the learning process and associations which relate to a single student, large groups or the entire education system.
When talking about big data, it is now about the volume of data that interests the user but the information derived from the increasing data sets. The information collected in the education landscape will now go beyond test scores and educators have to come up with innovative data collection techniques. From facial expressions, heart rates, learner’s online activity to mood changes, there is a lot of crucial information available and this will help in good decision making.
- Gamification in Education
A few decades back, no one would have thought that gaming would find itself into the education industry. Gaming caught a lot of flak from educators and parents as causes for poor learning habits. Today, game-based learning has slowly become an integral part of the learning process. While the uptake of games in learning has been slow, there is a lot of positive feedback from teachers. For instance, 97% of teachers in a survey credited Whooo’s Reading a gamified reading platform with increased motivation among their students.
As a student, there are many other technologies you can embrace to improve your learning experience. There are many other revolutionary innovations which will impact the future of education in a big way. Every stakeholder in the industry must learn about these innovations and become an early adopter