In recent years, the learning and teaching model has changed dramatically. Covid-19 and the rapid improvement of technology have significantly impacted education, brought about various changes in the delivery and retention of education and created some top trends in the field. In this article, you will learn more about some of the latest top trends in education, from gamification to extended reality and from soft skills training to personalised learning.
- Gamification: Gamification in education refers to the integration of elements and principles of game design into educational environments to enhance learning experiences. It utilises the motivating and engaging aspects of games to make learning more enjoyable and effective. This is the only trend that guarantees an increase in participation, engagement and competition among learners. Gamification increases the chances of practical application of educational concepts as it encourages students to use their imagination to solve problems or complete tasks. Overall, gamification in education can be a valuable tool to enhance learning experiences and engage students, but it should be thoughtfully designed and integrated into the curriculum to achieve the desired educational outcomes.
- Soft skills training: Soft skills training is a growing trend in education as it is increasingly recognised that these skills are crucial for success in academic and professional environments. Soft skills, also known as interpersonal or non-technical skills, encompass a wide range of traits and abilities that focus on personal and social competences. Therefore, it is important for teachers, educators, tutors and trainers to prepare students for their future careers and help them improve these skills, such as entrepreneurship, public speaking, problem solving, leadership, etc.
- Online learning: Online training, often referred to as e-learning, is an important and evolving trend in education. It has gained significant traction in recent years, especially during the lockdowns caused by Covid-19, and offers diverse opportunities for learners of all ages. The three main advantages of online learning compared to offline learning are: Cost, convenience and scope. Online learning is a dynamic and evolving trend in education, offering diverse opportunities to learners in different fields and stages of life. As technology continues to advance, it is likely that online education will play an increasingly important role in the educational landscape.
- Personalised learning: Personalised learning is not so new, but it is still a countable trend in education. It is a student-centred approach to education in which teaching, learning, instruction and content are tailored to the needs and preferences of individual students. This trend has gained momentum due to advances in technology and the growing recognition of the benefits of customised educational experiences. Personalised learning is seen as a promising approach to cater to the diverse needs of students, promote a deeper understanding of subject matter and increase student motivation and engagement. As technology (artificial intelligence, data analytics, etc.) and pedagogical practises continue to evolve, personalised learning is likely to remain an important trend in education.
- Extended reality (XR): XR is an umbrella term that encompasses various immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR). These technologies are increasingly being integrated into the education sector to improve the learning experience. Schools and universities can use XR for immersive learning environments, virtual field trips, enhanced visualisation, integrative learning, research and effectiveness, etc. Extended reality has the potential to transform the way students learn and engage with educational content. As technology continues to advance and become more accessible, XR is likely to remain a major trend in education, providing new opportunities for formal and informal learning experiences.
It will be interesting to see how these trends are received by schools, universities and private tutors and what new trends will emerge over the next few years with the expansion of new technologies. At the same time, new, science-based teaching approaches are improving the learning experience for students of all ages.
References:
Dani, Vishal. “8 Trends in Education Technology That Will Have a Major Impact.” Kitaboo, 1 Nov. 2023, kitaboo.com/trends-in-education-technology/.
Debétaz, Eric. “The Top 5 Trends in Education to Watch in 2023.” Hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu, 2023, hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu/education-trends.
Howarth, Josh. “7 Emerging Education Trends (2021-2025).” Exploding Topics, 9 June 2023, explodingtopics.com/blog/education-trends.
Thuy, Phuong. “10 Popular Trends in Education (2022 – 2025).” Atomi Systems, Inc., 22 Apr. 2022, atomisystems.com/elearning/10-popular-trends-in-education/.