Technology is advancing at a breakneck pace, with innovations in nearly every industry disrupting the “status quo” way of doing things. You need only look at your phone to realize the extent to which software has penetrated your daily life as a consumer. You have apps for transportation, apps for food delivery, news, entertainment, health and wellness.
Unsurprisingly, technology is also changing the way people think about education. As an institution and practice, the classroom didn’t change much in the previous Century. From the start of the 20th Century through to the millennium, classrooms remained consistent: a room with a teacher and chalkboard upfront, rows of students in desks to the back.
However, as the internet grew in popularity and common usage, education experienced a paradigm shift. Now, with emerging technologies like AI and VR, education continues to change. In this article, let’s look at how technology has shaped – and may continue to shape – education.
The Rise of E-Learning
Online schoolsthat allows students to earn an Ontario high school diploma online have enjoyed years of growing popularity, as parents sought alternatives to the traditional classroom. In the time of COVID-19, that popularity has only accelerated. For many students, e-learning has undeniable benefits, including the following:
- Self-Paced Education: Online schools give a timeframe within which to complete a course (typically 12 months), and students may allot their time as they see fit. This means they can spend more time on topics that they find challenging and less time on topics that come easy to them, rather than matching the pace of a classroom of peers.
- Centralized learning: With e-learning, students have everything they need in one place – their course outline, textbook, reading materials, projects, papers, etc. This can help students who otherwise may be prone to disorganization stay focused.
- Preparation for a modern workplace: Modern workplaces look a lot different than they did in the 20th Century, as more tasks and processes move online. E-learning reflects the professional shift toward digital spaces and prepares students for the workplace.
As more students and parents discover the benefits of e-learning, expect online learning to continue shaping how people think about education.
Leveraging Emerging Technologies in the Classroom
Whether in traditional classrooms or online schools, students can expect to see an increasing embrace of emerging technologies. Some schools have already started employing interactive VR and AR technologies to teach students difficult-to-grasp concepts.
With VR technology, students can get up-close and personal with a DNA strand or travel back in time to historical cultures. And AI is currently being tested that promises to individualize learning based on students’ needs.
Tech titans like Google and Microsoft have started working exclusively on solutions and products aimed at educators, as scholars line up to publish research on the positive effect these technologies have on learning outcomes.
As technology continues to advance, students, parents and teachers can expect to see significant changes. Online schools have already surged in popularity (a trend that will likely continue,) and classrooms are taking the first, tentative steps toward integrating emerging technologies.
As the adage goes, “children are our future.” It turns out that the future is here.
