In the aftermath of COVID 19, education will never be the same. Schools are closing down due to a lack of students and teachers. Parents are choosing to home-school their children instead of sending them off to dangerous public schools. It’s difficult for some people to wrap their heads around how education has changed post epidemic. Students always ask themselves how education transformation post COVID-19 would look like. Therefore, we have compiled 7 ways how learning will change in this new era.
This year, mandatory shutdowns forced schools into remote learning. Educators turned to video conferencing, online learning management software, and other digital solutions to keep the schooling going. In the wake of these new developments, here are some ways how change was adopted by students & teachers alike.
Education Transformation Post COVID-19: Online Courses
Massive open online courses (MOOCs) provided education to anyone with an internet connection. MOOCs are also one of the few forms of education that can cross international borders and reach students in areas affected by natural disasters or political instability. But during COVID 19, education became decentralized with MOOCs. Schools closed down and teachers were scarce, but education still persisted through these online platforms.
According to Udemy’s report of 2020, there has been a 400% increase in enrolment from February to March 2020. Some of the courses which gained quite the popularity among students include courses involving art, technical drawing, Adobe Illustration and coding. With the pandemic taking its toll, several organizations are now looking beyond just educating college learners. They are now investing in custom tailoring courses so they can also help adults.
Homeschooling Becoming the New Trend
In the wake of COVID 19, homeschooling has become more popular. As a result of this pandemic, parents are choosing to home-school their children instead of sending them off to dangerous public schools. Home-schooled students have also shown better outcomes than other groups when it comes to standardized testing. With education changing so rapidly, it is no surprise that homeschooling has become a more popular choice. But with the antiviral treatments being released, this new education system will be flipped upside down and we’ll see an equal number of students going to public schools as well.
The Dread of Students Never Returning Back to School
Many people have been talking about how education post-COVID-19 has changed and how it will change in the future. The dread of students never returning back to school is a reality for many, which makes education more valuable than ever before.
In the last two decades, more than 278 million students have already dropped out from good schools. The fear lurks that because of financial setbacks and economical degradation globally, millions more would never choose to return.
Education impacts everything from our economy to our social life because it provides us with knowledge, but education post COVID-19 is different. It’s decentralized and will be more about the individual than ever before.
Teachers Union
The education system is changing, and that includes teachers as well. A national survey showed more than half of all public school districts had closed at least one building because of lack of students. It’s also estimated that education will see a decrease in unionized teachers because of lack of student unions.
However, some educators are still worried about education, and quality will diminish over time as well. Some schools have been using EdTech tools so they can be more autonomous with their learning needs. And with the changing norms of the government, a very small portion of public investments will go to school, which will eventually hurt the teacher’s union.
Virtual & Augmented Reality Will Take Over Education
Virtual reality can create a 3D world where students can better interact with the educational content. At the same time, Augmented reality will also integrate education into our daily lives. Therefore, by adding education to objects in physical space such as buildings, books and more.
Google Expedition is a platform for education which offers both virtual and augmented reality. Similarly, UK based MEL Science uses a VR headset and a physical education kit that includes immersive games, simulations and more to help students learn in new ways.
However, to operate with AR and VR technology, students will require the latest smartphones, computers, education apps and more. With the education system post COVID 19 being decentralized, most students won’t have access to these technologies as a result of their financial status.
Biometrics & Facial Recognition Can Increase Student Safety
Biometric technologies can help all aspect of schools. These devices scan body parts like eyes, fingers, and face. The technology helps to validate student identity and attendance. Also, most importantly it can increase safety as well by enabling minimal contact.
At the same time, such technologies can also help increase the security and safety of children on campus. For instance, thumbprints & facial recognition will keep schools & parents informed students are inside the campus.
The Paris School of Business utilizes LCA Learning’s Nestor software which, among other things, takes notice of and alerts students when they may have lost focus during a remote class. Similarly, a professor in China is utilizing facial recognition technology to better gauge his students’ interest during lectures.
Concluding Thoughts
Education Transformation Post COVID-19 is going to look drastically different from education before it. There will be more decentralized education because of the lack of students and teachers alike. Many educators are worried about the quality diminishing over time as well with less public investment in education.
Virtual reality & augmented reality technology may take on a larger role in education, giving students the ability to interact with education in a new way and at their own pace. And though this technology may not be available for everyone, it will still provide education that is unavailable before COVID 19 as well as increase safety through biometric recognition & facial scanning technologies.