The future of education: trends in edtech and what they mean for students

Technology is making major changes in all sectors, and the education sector is no different. The 21st century is experiencing a digital evolution where everything from education to work is going online.

So much so that there is a whole subcategory industry created called Edtech, which focuses on solving problems in the education sector through technology. This industry is estimated to be worth $108.246 billion in 20204. There are several developments in the edtech sector that are changing the future of education.

In this article, let’s look at some of these major trends in edtech and their implications for students.

1.Understanding learning styles

Virtual reality technology creates immersive environments replicating real-world experiences, allowing students to experience places, things, and events to learn and understand these concepts in an engaging manner.

For example, VR can be used to experience tours of popular monuments and museums without even leaving the classroom. This offers teachers the opportunity to implement experiential learning that was previously impossible to achieve in traditional classrooms.

2. Gamification

Gamification involves incorporating elements of games into learning techniques to motivate and better engage students. This enables teachers to incorporate a fun and interactive learning environment. Some games are focused on social situations that help kids develop their social skills.

Making learning more fun and enjoyable increases students’ retention and their curiosity to learn new concepts. This technique has also been observed to improve problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and teamwork.

3. Hybrid Learning

Hybrid learning combines the personalised learning of traditional classroom education with the convenience of online learning for maximum efficiency. Hybrid classes became a popular option after the COVID pandemic; they enabled students to learn even on the go while still being able to take classes for doubt clearing.

4. Personalised Learning

Personalised learning focuses on tailoring the educational experience to meet individual student’s needs, skills, and interests. This involves collecting and analysing data about students to understand their strengths and weaknesses and create customised learning paths. Personalised learning recognizes that each student learns uniquely and at their own pace, which can boost confidence and academic performance.

Technology like adaptive learning platforms and data analytics tools plays a crucial role in facilitating personalised learning. These tools help in collecting and analysing student data to identify their learning styles.

5. Remotely Proctored Exams

The techniques used in monitoring exams conducted are called proctoring techniques; they utilise various algorithms developed by artificial intelligence. This technology makes sure no cheating or malpractice takes place during the exam.

This removes the location constraint and allows students to appear for exams from any location, making it more accessible and allowing learners to complete their education.

6. Adaptive Learning Technologies

Adaptive learning technologies offer an educational journey where content and difficulty are based on individual learner responses. These technologies identify student strengths and weaknesses, providing tailored support and challenges. The result is a more efficient learning process, catering to the unique needs of each student.

Edtech is changing the landscape of education, with major advancements offering several opportunities for improving the learning experience. As Edtech continues to evolve, it continues to bridge educational gaps, improve outcomes, and prepare students for the modern world.

It is crucial for educators and institutions to embrace these innovations to provide a high-quality, future-ready education.