Is Education Going Online Forever? 5 Main Trends For The Next Decade

The world has seen many significant disruptions in the last few months. It has reshaped how millions around the world receive an education. As indicated by UNESCO, 191 countries have reported nationwide closure of educational institutions.

The impact of COVID-19 has resulted in millions of students entering academic cyberspace. However, that has not reduced the amount of work assigned to students. Online classes do not rid students of homework; they still need to write academic papers and learn MLA citation format. On that note, it is fair to agree that the trend of online learning is here to stay.

91.3 % of the world's population is currently mitigating this immediate impact. The question is whether this would transform the education industry as we know it. Here is how the future of education is looking.

Schools Will Be Forced To Change

While higher ed is prepared for the online shift, that is not the case with schools. A mid-March survey of K-12 teachers found that approximately 57% of the teachers were not ready to facilitate remote learning.

The lack of a proper structure interferes with the teaching as well as the learning processes. Not every concept could be communicated through online lectures. Teachers might need visual aids, such as multimedia clips. They would have to be trained to create such online learning experiences.

This calls for an immediate intervention on how schools are training as well as supporting teachers. Schools should also be ready to address the concerns of students and parents in how they would handle such situations in the future.

The Emergence Of Innovative Technologies

Though there is no shortage of impressive technologies out there, only a fraction of academic institutions is benefiting from them. This would encourage the rise of new technologies that are accessible to schools and colleges at affordable prices.

Schools are implementing creative technologies worldwide. Students are taking online classes through video conferencing and other interactive apps. School students in Hong Kong receive learning material via live television broadcasts. In Lagos, Nigeria, Pinefield Schools are leveraging Google's virtual classrooms.

It won't be soon before schools implement these as permanent solutions, providing access to learning regardless of the location.

Life Skills As An Important Part Of Education

The world is yet to see the aftermath of the crisis. The younger generation will require adaptability and resilience, among other skills, to cope with the changes. Unfortunately, these life skills are not a part of the current academic system.

Looking into the future, employers will also be seeking out creative, collaborative, and practical communication skills. There would also be more stress on emotional intelligence, patience, and willingness to work with others.

How the educational institutions are handling the crisis would have an evident impact on their future. 63% of college students say that they are more reliant on student reviews and experiences to make their decisions than before. For universities, it a crucial time to demonstrate how they value their learners and staff.

A Need To Address The Digital Divide

Most schools have taken to the internet to offer solutions. That said, only 60% of the world's population is online. The remaining might not have access to live-streaming of classes or to downloading innovative programs.

The less affluent students fall behind without even finding out what is happening beyond their physical reach. With the online transitions, there is also a need to consider children who would lose out due to the lack of proper internet connection and digital devices.

The crisis has lighted the gap in education due to socioeconomic factors. If technologies dictate access, this divide could become only more extreme unless this gap is eliminated.

Better Educational Partnerships

The importance of educational partnerships was often overlooked. In the time of need, we saw professionals, tech experts, network operators, and the government come together to work on offering quick and working solutions.

In both developed and developing countries, there was a switch in the intention. There is a greater interest in the future of education amongst all stakeholders. Every conglomerate, from Google to Microsoft and Samsung, has worked in creating better education models. If this continues, the educational industry is looking at taking big leaps in the next decade.

Cross-industry partnerships on a global scale could be formed with a common educational goal in mind.

The Takeaway

There is an unprecedented demand for remote learning access. It has hit the educational industry hard and fast, with a majority not prepared to handle the situation. While students might have been prepared, the teachers are admittedly in no way ready to undertake the challenges. Not only that, but companies in education were also blindsided.

In the upcoming decade, there would be a focus on actionable steps. The policies might work on evenly distributing the access to technology and training for teaching staff.