The major educational technology developments in 2019 were Big Data, Algorithms, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Distance learning, on the other hand, has emerged as the dominant trend. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on how we teach and learn.
What Is Educational Technology, and Why Is It Important?
Many people understand that EdTech refers to the use of technology to boost education. It’s true, but it’s not enough. The Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) defines EdTech as “creating, employing, and managing appropriate technology procedures and resources to facilitate learning and improve performance.”
In a word, EdTech is the practice of integrating technology into education in order to improve teaching/learning experiences and thereby improve learning outcomes.
Why Should Educational Technology Innovations Make a Difference?
There are a variety of reasons why educators are turning to EdTech to replace the traditional paper-and-pencil teaching technique. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most common EdTech benefits for you to peruse:
Innovative Learning Strategies
Because technology is a human invention, it is also innovative when a teacher uses it in the classroom. Teachers can use EdTech to deliver multimedia to cater to a variety of learning methods, such as animation, live video, and so on. Furthermore, EdTech allows teachers to build online courses that allow students to learn in their own time and space.
Technology has made it feasible for everyone to stay connected, which has improved collaborative teaching. Students and teachers collaborate to interact, talk, express their thoughts, and respond to situations.
For example, eLearning is a collaborative instructional tool that allows students to exchange and discuss information. eLearning students can join an online group/platform and learn together by interacting with their peers instead of being in a classroom and listening to teachers talk for 30 minutes. Teachers are more available in this situation and act as mentors to assist students to grow. This method of collaborative learning has helped to bridge the gap between professors and students.
In 2020/2021, the following are the top ten current educational technology trends:
If you’re a creative teacher, keeping up with educational trends is probably not anything new for you, but rather something you need to do. Even with this list, selecting the most appropriate “trendy” assistance for your teaching and training is still up to you. We’ve compiled a list of the five most recent educational technology trends to keep an eye on if you’re new to the field.
- Distance education
Because of the rapid growth of COVID-19 and school closures, distance learning became the #1 educational technology trend in 2020 almost immediately. As a result, the need for online educational platforms has increased. Digitally provided education or training is referred to as eLearning.
Students received educational content via PCs, laptops, tablets, or smartphones using eLearning. Not only will you save time, but you’ll also have more opportunities for participatory learning. They can also learn by engaging directly with on-screen information, such as dragging stuff from one location to another.
Online learning systems are characterized by their richness. You can either educate your students in real-time (synchronous) via live stream or group meetings utilizing Zoom or Microsoft Teams, or you can use recorded (asynchronous) techniques with a variety of media and digital functionalities to improve courses. A strong online learning platform can also be used in conjunction with a Learning Management System (LMS) to track your students’ progress.
- Video-Assisted Education
Video-assisted education has grown in popularity as a classroom display in recent years. A television on a rack being brought into a classroom is no longer considered a “video day.” Every day may be a “video day” with the internet and digital devices.
This concept is also picking up steam in distant learning, where students learn via computer displays. Videos, particularly animated videos, are an excellent way to enhance lectures and make content more understandable. It raises student achievement while reducing teacher workload.
- The Use of Blockchain Technology
The benefits of blockchain’s Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) to education are numerous, particularly in data storage. Because new data adds another “block” to the system every time it is entered, the storage capacity is theoretically infinite. Data will be encrypted and disseminated across numerous machines in the system all at the same time. It decentralises and transparentizes the data exchange process.
To authenticate skills and knowledge, blockchain technology is applied in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and ePortfolios. It can also assist student applicants in exposing their successes during the job-search process.
4. Immersive Learning Using Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Since the introduction of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) to education, the classroom learning experience has changed greatly. The growing desire for experiential learning is propelling the development of VR and AR learning.
Traditional methods of learning have become much more interactive. While VR creates a virtual experience, AR enhances the appearance of a real image.
5. The Use of Social Media in Education
Have you ever considered using social media in your education? Why don’t we use social media as a strong tool to boost learning, given that every student, young and old, spends so much time on it?
It was from this that the concept of using social media for education arose. Many educational institutions have begun to use social media as a communication tool for students to readily engage with one another. Students may share study resources, have group discussions, and quickly remark on other people’s posts. Even an animated educational film has the potential to go viral on social media.
Finally,
Finally, while discussing educational technology developments, we recognize that there is a lot to take in. Keep in mind, however, that technology has infiltrated the educational system and has completely transformed the teaching and learning process. education, in particular, is an instructive technology that not only improves education’s accessibility and convenience but also alters students’ learning strategies and goals.
But there’s good news: you won’t be alone on this EdTech journey since you’ll have us, Gegok12, onboard to help you bring the full worth of learning to light through School ERP Software, Education tools, engaging learners, and making education more relevant and powerful.