We’re currently seeing how technology is becoming more and more prevalent in education through remote learning. You can take a class from any part of the world. A speaker doesn’t have to physically come to you. There’s a lot of possibilities and opportunities you didn’t have before. In the future, there will be even more drastic evolution in technology. Teachers and students will have a wider variety of tools to aid with learning.

Personalization

Education will be more personalized through technology. Updating what and how students learn is crucial for schools and colleges. In a Trends Shaping Education report, 1400 educators were surveyed and most say that education will be centered around personalized and self-paced learning in the future. Artificial intelligence, chatbots, video learning will be used more and more.

Each student has more power over what and how they learn. According to the Center for Digital Education, the number one educational technology priority is personalized learning. What exactly is personalized learning? Using software so students can go through material at their own pace. Students can then either remediate if needed or accelerate. This would move learning from fixed-paced to mastery-based meaning students move on when they’re ready.

From Best Education Degrees

Artificial Intelligence

AI has an impact on all industries, but although education is a field that isn’t normally linked to AI, it’s embracing applications of AI. Duolingo, an app for learning languages, has been downloaded by millions of people and it is AI-powered. This challenges traditional learning. Chatbots also provide interaction between student and computer and allow for feedback and self-paced learning. In terms of feedback, students will improve more by getting feedback immediately rather than having to wait. Student performance can also be tracked, and the curriculum can match the student’s needs. AI is engaging and can make learning more effective, while also assisting teachers.

Education is often looked at as more rigid and reluctant to change, but AI technology has great potential for educational uses. Traditional education systems come with limitations and AI eliminates boundaries making learning more accessible. AI helps transform into the personalized learning experience. Students’ learning can be adapted based on their abilities, preferences, and learning styles. AI can also give students extra support by using educational assistants that answer questions and provide information. This can be very helpful for teachers as well in terms of their administrative tasks, such as organizing material, grading, managing paperwork.

"The future will be about pairing the artificial intelligence of computers with the cognitive, social and emotional capabilities of humans, so that we educate first-class humans, not second-class robots” —OECD, Trends Shaping Education report

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality has grown a lot within gaming but will also be used more and more for educational purposes. It is a great engaging learning tool, similar to AI. Students can experience what they’re learning about. Accessibility is what will make widespread use possible. One example is a virtual science lab which makes it possible for students to perform lab experiments without the risk of any harm. This can also allow students and scientists to experiment with more ease than before. Students being able to interact in virtual 3D worlds enhances their learning experience. There are many educational applications of VR, including things from virtual dissection to exploring historical moments which is like travelling without leaving the classroom.

There are many different learning styles, including verbal, visual, auditory, and physical, and each student has some that are most useful for them. VR tools help bring the learning closer to students’ interests and adjust with learning styles. Teachers can struggle with gaining and maintaining the attention of students, as students have trouble concentrating and staying focused, and VR helps with this. VR gets students to interact with their studies and it’s more immersive and engaging. On average, students can remember about 20% of what they see and 30% of what they hear, but statistics show that with learning through experience, students remember 90% of the material, so VR is improving the process of learning.

Assistive Technology

New technology will put students with disabilities on more equal footing with their classmates. The National Center for Education Statistics states that about 13% of students enrolled in public schools receive special education services. Educational support needed can be provided through assistive technology devices, such as alternative input devices and speech-to-text technology. Alternative input devices are an important education trend and closes the gap of students’ ability to learn.

VR helps create a more inclusive classroom, helping those with disabilities regulate their devices and not be as left out in class. VR augmented aid can help students with visual impairments and there’s some VR technology that translates sign language into human speech.

Adapting to Change

It’s important for students to have the ability to navigate changes. Tech advancements will allow educators to teach more effectively and students to learn more effectively, but the concern comes in learning how to use them. New innovations come with the need to learn, and it will become more and more important to have the ability to continue learning new skills. Students will gain a life-long learning mentality.

Envisioning 2040

In 2040, these innovations within technology will be significant among many sectors of life and will impact those in the education field. Digital skills will be needed to succeed. Students and teachers will gain technological literacy and have more ways to learn.

Takeaways

• Learning will be personalized and self-paced with software
• Artificial intelligence and virtual reality will provide engaging experiences for students and improve effectiveness of teaching
• The gap between learning abilities of disabled students and non-disabled students will close as new technologies are developed
• Students and teachers will have to continue learning how to use new technologies

References

• [1] “AI in education – what the future holds.” Robotics and Automation News. 6 Jul. 2020.
• [2] “Future Education Technology: How Digital Trends are Shaping Teaching.” Maryville University, 2021.
• [3] Jones, Katie. “How Technology is Shaping the Future of Education.” Visual Capitalist, 17 Feb. 2020.
• [4] Kamenetz, Anya. “The Future of Learning? Well, It’s Personal.” NPR, 16 Nov. 2018.
• [5] “The Future of VR and AR in Education.” Getting Smart, 12 Sep. 2020.