The rapid development of the internet and communication technologies has made access to information effortless. Additionally, the availability of internet-enabled devices such as smartphones has also made it easy for humans to access information on different issues. The trend has dramatically transformed many sectors, and the education sector is no exception.
In the past, teachers would provide their students with information sources they deemed reliable. However, things have changed, especially in the post-pandemic era. For example, more students rely on a wide range of resources available on the internet. Education experts argue that exposing students to a large array of information could adversely affect their learning process.
Nonetheless, technological innovations have transformed pedagogical approaches, classroom activities, and student learning activities. The transformation has enabled educators to deal with contemporary challenges. Moreover, the transformation has also affected how teachers work. As a result, online teaching jobs on platforms such as Preply have become trendy in recent years. With a flexible working schedule, great access to students from all around the world, getting a tutor online job to share your knowledge and offer your services with others, is easier than ever.
In this piece, you will discover the technological innovations that are quickly transforming the eLearning landscape. You will also discover the challenges different educators face while integrating technology into their education systems.
Technological Innovations Transforming ELearning
The education sector has been adopting different technological innovations, albeit slowly. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has considerably accelerated technology adoption in education systems globally. Some of the key trends include:
- Development of cloud-based technologies (CRM applications) to improve student relationship management.
- Implementation of Learning Management Systems (LMS).
- Assessment Management Applications.
All these applications have become more effective thanks to particular technological innovations. According to studies, here are some of the notable innovations:
1. Video-based learning
Video-based learning is arguably the most prominent approach used in eLearning. Studies have confirmed that students prefer watching videos for better understanding because it has better knowledge retention.
Improved internet speeds have accelerated this mode of learning. Moreover, as the 5G network spreads globally, video-based learning will become more effective. In this sense, you are likely to see more learning institutions investing in the creation of educational videos.
One of the notable benefits of video-based learning is that it promotes anytime learning. This means that students can watch a recorded video at their own convenient time. Additionally, the flexibility to watch videos on different devices enhances the learning process making it more convenient for the teacher and student.
2. Blockchain
Blockchain technology creates a decentralized system in which no organization controls data and transactions. All the transactions on the blockchain are recorded on a public ledger that is permanent and verifiable.
The technology industry has created several case studies for blockchain in the education sector, especially in higher learning. The technology is applied in cases such as sharing student data between institutions in case of a semester exchange and student transfers. The technology is also applied when sharing student academic data with recruiting agencies.
3. Online Assessment
Evaluation is a key component of the learning process. in the past, teachers were responsible for assessing students by allocating grade-based tests and marking criteria. However, with the increased implementation of eLearning, there is an increased need for innovative systems for assessing students.
The most effective solutions for this need are AI-based technologies and Natural Learning Processing. On the other hand, teachers can also use Machine Learning techniques that use trained algorithms to administer complex assessments.
4. Virtual Learning
Virtual Reality helps students to be more involved in active learning instead of being passive in the learning process. VR has opened the door for other advanced technologies such as Extended Reality and Augmented Reality.
Educators use these technologies to create simulated environments in 3D – visual form. For example, biology teachers use these technologies to teach their students how the heart functions. This, in turn, improves the retention rate making the learning process more effective.
Challenges of Integrating Technologies in the Learning Process
Although the technological innovations help improve the eLearning process, it has also faced several challenges from different quarters. Here are some of the notable challenges:
- Many teachers prefer traditional classroom-based learning making it challenging for schools to implement eLearning effectively.
- Some learning institutions don’t have the required facilities and policies that would enable them to implement new technologies.
- The student needs are ever-changing, making it challenging for educators to meet them effectively with the available technology.
- There are also risks of privacy and security, which are ever-increasing. This means that there needs to be a policy underlining the amount of student information schools are allowed to hold.
Bottom Line
The latest technological innovations have made eLearning systems more effective. Nevertheless, there are still numerous changes that industry experts need to address. Fortunately, most of the drawbacks of eLearning are being addressed with emerging technologies. It might be impossible to have a full-proof system, but the future is eLearning is undeniably bright!
Add Comment