Expected Immediate Changes in the Education Sector in 2020

The educational landscape is evolving rapidly with technology gripping it in an unprecedented fashion. Technology is personalising the learning experience to match the needs of every student. In the 21st century, we cannot imagine a scenario where education and technology are considered different from each other.

Only a few years ago, the basic learning was confined within the boundaries of schools and tuitions. Traditional learning or the one-way teaching system left no room for feedback. Technological innovations in the education sector have completely changed the way a student learns and evolves and, the way a teacher teaches. Technology has made learning more personalised than ever before thus saying goodbye to the traditional learning style of “one size fits all”.

Digital learning has become an important part of the education system and schools and colleges are trying their best to implement the latest in education technology. With the advent of digital and virtual classrooms, it has become possible to deliver education even in remote areas. Let’s explore what the education sector is expected to be like in 2020.

1. AR and VR in Education System

The traditional classroom learning experience has undergone a tremendous change with the incorporation of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in the education system. Unlike hands on experiments in the lab, students can now view enhanced versions of the objects on their tablets thus making learning an immersive experience. AR and VR are being increasingly used to explain complex subjects and taking digital learning to new dimensions.

In the era of rich technological disruptions, education sector is among the top. When students read about something, they often want to experience it to better understand the concept. With VR, students can learn a topic by living it. AR and VR are making unexpected changes in the education system and it will be interesting to see the innovations it brings in 2020.

2. Cloud Based Education

Cloud based learning is expected to rule the education industry in 2020. In cloud based learning, resources stored in a virtual environment are accessed from various forms of web enabled devices. Mobile based devices have already taken learning outside of the classroom thus challenging the traditional classroom learning. With internet connection no longer an issue, the trend of e-learning is expected to dominate the education sector.

3. Active Role of Social Media in Learning

Nobody would have ever thought that social media would be used for learning. Educational institutes are actively using social media as a medium of communication and students can interact with their faculty member and peers. By providing an opportunity to share study materials, opinions and projects, social media is helping students build peer networks and enhance their learning experience. This trend is here to stay and build a culture of sharing and collaboration thus leading to an improved learning experience.

4. Open Source Learning/ Virtual Learning Platforms

Traditional learning system has always failed to understand that everyone learns different things in different ways and one size does not fit all. Open source learning embraces this idea and enables students to connect beyond the classroom by participating in virtual networks and online communities. It also empowers them to work in partnership with teachers and develop their own learning experiences. Open source learning models are all set to make innovations in the learning system.

5. Digital Assessments

The current limitations on digital assessments are obstructing the evolving areas of education and the only feasible method to assess the performance of students is peer to peer or automated. Looking at the speed of technological advancements, digital assessments will be possible very soon. Facial recognition, retina recognition, mouth movements can be assessed to avoid cheating while a student is taking a test on a computer at home.

Digital learning won’t crush the traditional classrooms, but it will surely change the way we know them today. The future of the education system is bright with technology enabling students to learn and engage at their own pace in a collaborative environment.

Though these changes will only be effective if Government & Corporate entities ensure the availability of basic ground level facilities of proper supply of electricity, strong internet connectivity & a comfortable infrastructure not only in the metro cities but in Tier2 & Tier 3 cities/Rural areas as well. Such ground level work can lay the foundation of effective implementation & optimum utilization of technological advancements & an uninterrupted access to quality education.

 Ms. Kiran Dham , CEO & HR Head, Globus Infocom