Education technology has come a long way. There are numerous ways to teach your students using technology, making their learning experience more interactive. Education technology not only applies to K-12 but also colleges and other professional programs. Trends change each year, so it is essential to keep up with what’s new. Here are some trends in EdTech that you should know.
eLearning
While colleges have had online classes for many years now, most K-12 schools have not. Learning online has become one of the biggest trends for education, and it is very prevalent. Almost every school offers some online program, and in many cases, you only have to decide what to study.
For example, if you are interested in learning about real estate and everything it entails, you could look for the top online real estate school. Many programs offer completely remote or hybrid schedules, so you only have to decide what works best for your life and schedule.
You might find that classes use videos, audio, and slideshow presentations to present the material more engagingly. Podcasts are another tool utilized in eLearning environments. Unlike traditional learning setups, online learning uses educational technologies to make classes interactive, no matter the location. Many courses use virtual meeting spaces so the students can feel more connected. Lectures like these make online learning even more convenient because you do not have to go to campus.
Video Learning
Videos can help students tremendously when learning online. Video-assisted learning is beneficial because students can watch videos about whatever topic the class discusses that week. The videos are not real-time, so students can watch them when their schedule allows. Videos can further discuss a lesson and help convey information better than just reading. Animated, or explainer videos, are also popular in learning environments.
AR/VR
Augmented and virtual reality can help the learning experience greatly. Students can be more involved in a class and interact with other students or the learning material. Labs can be even more effective with augmented reality, for example. Virtual reality can help when taking courses online, and students need to practice when they have learned in a low-risk environment. It is only the beginning when discussing augmented and virtual reality, though. As the technology becomes more advanced, expect augmented and virtual reality to change the face of eLearning and educational technology.
Gamification
Gamification is an excellent way to get students involved and interested in learning. There have been many studies done about gamifying the learning experience. It can make education fun and encourage students to be active in class. Students can play games alone or with the group. Either way, gamification encourages a positive learning environment for everyone involved. Getting students excited, especially younger students is necessary and can help enhance their educational experience.
Social Media
While it may not seem so, social media can be part of eLearning. Since eLearning usually means students attend class from different locations and are not all in the same room, communication is essential to a successful learning experience. Social media makes it possible for students to share study materials, discuss what they learn in class, and comment on posts related to their work. Educators should be aware of the pros and cons of social media and school and determine how they can make social media platforms work for their class.
Artificial Intelligence
AI is prevalent in many spaces in today’s world. Education is no exception. Artificial intelligence can assist with online grading and automate many grading tasks that teachers had to do in the past. AI tutors are becoming more widespread and can help students when teachers are busy. Artificial intelligence systems can act as classroom assistants in the future, so it is essential to keep an eye on this technology.
Big Data
As more students learn online, big data can collect information to enhance the experience. Learning should be as personalized as possible, and collecting data can help with personalization. Data collected in the future may include course topics, learner enrollment, and learner feedback. Data collected will contain the student’s performance as well. It has information like time spent learning, if they completed the course, and how they did. Instructional designers can use this information to create better courses that meet learners’ needs.
These are some trends happening in the educational technology niche. As technology becomes more advanced, some of these trends will be more prevalent and useful, like AI and AR/VR. EdTech is something everyone should be excited about, whether you are an educator or a student.
Featured image: NeONBRAND, Unsplash.
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