Internet of things, personalized learning, new learning equipment, assistive tools for disabled students – that is not the full list of trends in contemporary education offered by such elite websites as Forbes. Countries today try to follow the principles of digital learning as well as the Finnish educational system being called the best one in the world. We will have a look at six noticeable trends in education to make you understand where we are going.
3D Printing Equipment
Many students are involved in STEM and design classes. For them, having a quality printer is a must. 3D printers can help with designing and projecting greatly. Many countries continue to prototype feasible apps. In some countries like the United Kingdom and the United States, they actively use 3D printers in STEM and design classes. Also, colleges and universities there apply 3D printing to explain different topics in math, natural sciences, and construction & engineering. The great idea is to equip schools and colleges with 3D printing premises.
Extra Support for Disabled Pupils
Students who suffer from various mental disorders like dyslexia or social anxious feel more comfortable attending public schools today. Governments and administrations do their best to help such children grow up and learn without any obstacles. Outdated phonics-grounded techniques should be removed once and forever. Developers oriented towards educational practices offer virtual assistants and artificial intelligence (AI). Such programs as predictive spellers make it easier for pupils with dyslexia to cope with difficulties. Text-to-speech software makes it far simpler for both teachers and students find common language. Technologies also make teachers more aware of the effective dyslexic brain practices that they can implement during and after classes.
BYOD
Most probably, you have already noticed this abbreviation. It stands for “bringing your own device”. Instead of banning and forbidding the usage of digital devices in class, up-to-date teachers insist on having and using them during the sessions for better understanding and more effective interaction. In the US and the UK, as well as in some other developed countries, they already have almost every class connected to free Wi-Fi. The benefits of implementing a BYOD approach include:
- Innovative approach to teaching based on personal preferences
- Great variety of apps and solutions for tutors
- Higher activity and improved motivation
- Access to larger sets of data and information
Besides, turning to BYOD means significant cost-cutting and time-saving. Digital devices make modern students more independent and engaged.
Student-Driving Education
For ages, tutors used to be nothing more than instructors offering the basic information on the offered subject and the chief protagonists. Now, they are turning into some kind of coaches and facilitators. They serve more as mentors of their students as well as their friends and reliable assistants. They can provide valuable essay help or teach the art of writing through personal examples and success stories instead of simply teaching some grammar.
What you know is no longer the only question that matters. It is the matter of how exactly a student learns and how a tutor delivers that type of information. Students get prepared to analyze data and implement findings, so it is more about practice than theory alone. Free access to almost endless info makes students excellent problem solvers and innovators in different fields of study.
Revamped Study Spaces
Is it possible to foster reading traditional, printed books in a digital age? While most colleges used to have libraries with a limited amount of books to observe, the situation is changing now. Some educational institutions prefer to change their libraries into open spaces or hubs conductive to rest. There, students can release their imagination and implement various creative ideas. They can use both digital devices to surf the web and traditional books.
Education Gone Global
Most of the countries today erase the cultural barriers to welcome students from different parts of the world. For instance, in Japan and India, they have numerous English-speaking classes. They make it possible for the local students to speak at least two languages fluently, starting from a young age. As for foreign pupils, English is still easier for them to perceive while they study the local language.
Because of the dynamically developing worldwide economy, it is now critical to learn and understand different cultures and go global. Such programs as Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Education are effective ways to study global business and become part of it. There are almost no barriers: any student from any region can pick the country to study, and often money is everything they need. Of course, the top colleges and universities also look at such factors as GPA and overall student’s potential before the decision. Here are some of the advancements:
- Increased career opportunities and areas of expertise
- Bigger choice of qualified instructors and counselors
- Better realization of educational needs worldwide
Verdict
All three, formal, informal, and non-formal types of education are showing significant changes today. In fact, they all remind us of an informal type. Students obtain more assistance and support that they deserve. Teachers realize the effectiveness of tech innovations. Both sides understand how important communication and interaction is. With such improvements, the educational system around the world is getting better with each new day.
