The world of work and society continues to change as technology advances. It is the onset of the fourth Industrial Revolution, which has led to new trends in education. Educators must be aware of the changes and essential factors that impact the way students learn in classrooms. This growth can assist them in developing more efficient learning environments.
Thus, teachers must implement the latest educational changes; here are five top trends with which they must be familiar.
The latest technological developments in education and learning
The growth of technology in the last two decades has affected the educational sector. The internet and computers have revolutionized how students access information and even the classes themselves. In the fall of 2017, there were 6.5 million students taking part in a distance-learning program at a postsecondary school that grants degrees.
The advancement of technology means that various learning tools and media are available to assist students in receiving an excellent education on the internet.
This trend has various advantages and disadvantages for institutions and teachers who wish to keep giving their students the rigorous training they require to succeed.
- Technology can not be a motivator for students to develop essential skills.
They might not have inherent opportunities to interact with other students as they would in traditional classrooms. For instance, opportunities for participation in group projects may not happen as naturally as they used to.
- The internet platform could require teachers to alter the way they instruct.
They may be unable to transform how they conduct lessons to ensure students are engaged in the absence of their instructor face-to-face. Platforms could allow students to view lectures live or recorded versions later. Teachers can benefit from this.
- The nature of these courses can enhance the capability of teachers to provide adjustments for students with different learning styles.
Students with advanced levels may get extra learning tools and challenges that encourage students to dig deeper into the subject without interrupting the class.
- Learning management systems aid instructors track their student’s progress throughout the course.
They can observe how their students interact in their recorded and broadcast classes. As a result, they can have an efficient system for tracking that permits them to offer more effective coaching when required.
Training in soft skills is a significant trend in higher education.
Based on the Future of Jobs report, the most crucial skills needed at work are critical thinking, solving problems, management, and creative thinking. Employers seek emerging professionals who can make tough decisions and show leadership capabilities.
To prepare students for future careers, schools should provide the necessary training in nurturing and improving their leadership capabilities.
As we have already mentioned, the accelerating trend toward online learning poses difficulties for teachers. Teachers will have to figure out a way to balance the amount of screen time in their classes and the need to encourage students to collaborate face-to-face to foster the development of soft skills.
Institutions that find high-quality methods to develop these abilities will also discover that this trend provides them with many possibilities for growth. In particular, these institutions will be able to gain an edge in higher education. Students will be more employable, which can boost their alums’ success rate, creating a virtuous cycle when future students search for institutions with a high alum rate of success.
The trend of students: fewer attention spans.
As the use of technology has increased, the attention spans of students have been altered by students. A study by Microsoft assessed the attention spans of students in general between the year 2000 and the beginning of mobile technology in 2000 and 2015. The study observed that attention spans diminished by a staggering 4 seconds- between 12 and 8. The decrease has been attributable to how technology works and its constant stimulation of viewers.
The shifts in attention span can be an excellent method to distinguish between various generations. Generation Y, for instance, has been raised with technology readily available and has distinct traits that are different from Gen X and the Boomers who preceded them.
In particular, millennials have reported that when they find content highly captivating and exciting, they are more likely to be attentive longer than older generations. However, when the content is not engaging for them, they’re one of the first people to shut off the speaker.
To attract Millennials’ attention, the content presented should be visually appealing, and a storyline must be engaging and keep their interest.
The difference in attention span can be observed in the behavior of Millennials in comparison with other groups of age. In the case of youngsters, the majority of respondents say that they use their phones whenever they do not have anything other things to do.
This shift in how people pay attention also dramatically influences how instructors can adapt their courses to keep students interested in the content. Teachers need to figure out ways to create classes that grab their learners’ attention, many of whom are part of the Millennial generation. They also need to adjust the methods of delivery and speed. The course design must be mindful that having a powerful narrative and compelling visuals is vital.
Don’t ignore the fact that students with highly visual and captivating information have great potential for paying attention. Modern students are eager to be challenged, and they appreciate the interaction. If teachers can engage these students, they will be able to provide an opportunity to grow their classrooms positively.
Facilitating learning rather than teaching.
With the internet and various resources available, students have the tools needed to access a wealth of knowledge independently. In this information age, students are less interested in the top-down approach to teaching. Teachers now operate more as facilitators. Their role has gradually changed to assist students in understanding how to learn, enjoy learning, and comprehending the information they uncover.
This could pose some difficulties for teachers who have to develop soft abilities in leadership and solving problems. They need to learn to facilitate conversations and build an environment that promotes teamwork.
The most effective teachers are the ones who assist students in taking ownership of their education.
As teachers are more involved in their student’s learning process, they will be able to get immediate feedback about their teaching effectiveness. The ability of teachers to cultivate these abilities within their classrooms will be fast, and it will be visible as students move through the curriculum. Writing their conclusion essays, students will tell a lot of positive moments about the teaching style and process at the end; to find a reasonable conclusion examples essay, refer to the link.
Teachers who wish to concentrate more on the development of students rather than just knowledge dissemination will find this new approach extremely satisfying.
Life-long learning is a trend.
Each revolution in the industrial age has transformed the job and work environment in astonishing ways. The 4th Industrial Revolution may impact the employment of 50 percent of the jobs because of the rapid technological advancement that changes how individuals perform their work.
Professionals who wish to stay at the top of their game must continually re-train themselves. They should not assume that an education they received during the first two years of their professional life will be enough throughout their careers.
In contrast, obtaining a degree should be followed by continuous studying. Institutions must foster the mindset of self-development among their students, staff, and faculty. Classrooms must provide the opportunity to teach self-learning to enable students to study and develop in their field of study.
Schools that master these skills can stay in touch with their former students throughout their careers. They could offer ongoing education courses that keep their former students occupied with the latest developments in their field and also ensure they return to the school to receive the education and support they require.
