Gone are the days when the schools were limited to supplementing the curriculum with a blackboard, chalk and a duster. Teachers are increasingly shifting their focus from years of teaching the same curriculum to implementing new technology to help deliver the learning material. Essentially, it’s not just about conveying the message of learning, it is doing so in a manner that resonates with the student. It allows them to learn via a medium they can relate to – technology.
In March 2020, education received worldwide attention when the COVID 19 pandemic forced schools to cut classroom attendance. According to data published by UNESCO, more than 1.7 billion students have been excluded from education due to the health crisis. As a result, educational institutions had to offer their courses online which involved the use of technology. “Zoom Classes” as they have affectionally became known have been the norm for many over this part six months. Technology such as Contribute Cloud allows remote and distance learners to join a session remotely. Distance learning has been a huge change that has been thrust upon many. So let’s take a look how we think things are going to change for 2021.
Let’s get started.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the classroom has been one of Ed-Tech’s main subjects for some time now. It should be a priority for academic institutions in 2021. The way colleges use AI may vary. For example, many institutions are using technology to automate administrative processes, such as the admissions process. According to the University World News article, AI will change the way universities admit local and international students by developing algorithms. Candidates most likely to be admitted will be screened using these algorithms, as will enrolled students who graduate and become active alumni. In addition, teachers will have more time with students because AI will take on time-consuming tasks such as ranking and test development.
There is a lot of hype surrounding AI in many aspects of life from self-driving cars indeed to Education. Certainly one to watch!
Personalized Learning
Delivering a targeted lesson that ticks all the boxes for being “inclusive” is of course nothing new. Being able to cater for different levels of student ability in a class is of course what teachers do. However, we see this going further to complete personalization of the learning material.
Look at what the platforms we use in everyday live such as Netflix and Amazon do. They promote personalization by tailoring their offers to your actions, past actions browser searches – it makes the whole processes much more personal to you.
I’m not suggesting that the teacher is now going to create 40 separate sets of curriculum that are individual for the students, with the help of technology and AI as we have already mentioned, this will definitely be coming into play. The course for student A will not necessarily be the same for Student B – the exam at the end may be but the path they take to get there may not.
“Zoom Classes”
Zoom is a video sharing platform that provides a one-click, one-connect conferencing solution. It can be used for teaching and learning in the classroom, for group discussions or even for one-on-one meetings during office hours. With the transition to distance learning for the rest of the semester, teachers and students are committed to maintaining the academic rigor and intellectual dynamism of the classroom. One of the best ways for teachers and students to re-enact lessons is live video with interactive participation. Teachers can schedule classes and sessions with Zoom. In breakout rooms, they can divide the Zoom conference into 50 separate audio, video and screen sharing sessions, perfect for group work.
“Front of Class Interactive LED”
One of the most important factors in changing the way schools teach is to find new and innovative ways to put the power and control of learning into the hands of students. The new standard display technology in the classroom is interactive touchscreens. Of course, the digital age has made whiteboards and markers obsolete, but in today’s classrooms, even conventional TVs or projectors are not suitable.
Interactive displays have the ability to deliver interactive content to an entire class and control the content directly on the screen surface. They are also brighter, sharper and more efficient alternatives to a standard interactive whiteboards. Thanks to software such as Just Cast IT, this form of interactive technology gives the instructor more freedom, flexibility and inclusive tools available at the touch of a finger.
Cluster Group Leaning and Huddle Spaces with Interactive LEDs
Today’s interactive displays such as TouchIT Rapide come with a host of annotation apps such as Just Annotate for Whiteboarding that enhance students ‘ learning experience. Students can share their work or assignments by taking a photo and placing it on the screen. Each student benefits from lessons they can engage and this is made easy and fun through interactive learning.
At home, students can also create their own graphics and share them with the class. Essentially, this will teach them important lessons and skills in life that they will continue to use in their careers. Due to the flexibility of the platform, students can build and share their own content back to the LED and the class – whether they are in the classroom or behind homeschooled. From small huddle rooms to large auditoriums, schools are searching for ways to enhance productivity through skills and information sharing, while at the same time striving to reduce operating costs.
Google Classroom
There are many things that are changing as COVID-19 affects people around the globe, and that includes education. Google Classroom has become the obvious choice for students staying at home and for teachers looking for a way to distribute homework remotely. It has been proven time and again that students are interested in technology. Google Classroom can help students participate in the learning process and stay active. For example, when some students answer questions in class, other students comment on those answers and deepen the thinking for both students. With resources such as Classroom and Chromebooks, Google has already held a very strong place in the education sector, but the coronavirus outbreak may only strengthen that lead.
Cross Platform Software solutions
The main benefit of a cross-platform software applications or programs is that, whether on a Windows PC or logging in from your laptop or smartphone, you can use the same program. For example, on Windows, Mac OS, iOS (iPhone / iPad), and Android, the Microsoft Office suite of applications is available, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Although there are variations between all of the devices based on how the platforms function, you will have a similar experience inside the application. While the use of a single platform solution usually has benefits, there are many reasons why schools use different platforms, and that is not likely to change.
At TouchIT, with our cloud solutions, we look to embrace this cross-platform way of life. In the Long run, it makes the lives of the IT guys much easier – they just dont worry about compatibility.
Conclusion
We live in a world that is changing at pace. Some changes are by design. Some changes are by choice. Some changes are by demand and some are just thrust upon us like the COVID Pandemic.
Education should adapt to new trends in order to remain relevant but most importantly to continue to address the needs of the students in an ever-changing environment.
