Amidst ‘wearing a mask,’ and ‘maintaining social distance’ the world has survived one year of this global unprecedented crisis. Who knew the world’s major destruction would come from a tiny virus spreading rapidly over nations. What’s worse? Nobody can predict the future, it’s equal to roaming around in a dense fog, the vision is extremely hazy and blurry. COVID-19 has certainly shifted the world upside down, from working at home to online classes, each sector has faced major impacts with education topping the charts. This gives rise to the most burdening question, how learning will change in post COVID-19?
Answering that question demands some acceptance of the harsh reality. All around the globe people have been living with closed educational institutions and some version of lockdown for several months now. Without any hope of the situation getting any better. At this point, the extent to which COVID-19 will cause changes in colleges and universities is unknown and merely predictions are being made. However, one thing is for certain: the educational sector has suffered the most at the hands of this pandemic, and prominent changes may occur in the future. According to UNICEF, chances are more than 1 billion children may fall behind due to school closures.
These changes are likely to transform the shape of the future of education. Let’s have a detailed look at them.
Expected Changes In Learning Post Covid-19:
People will learn and adopt to live with changes post COVID-19 era. Following are the highlighted changes that have high probability to occur in education sector:
Rise Of Blended Learning
Blended learning, or simply, a hybrid method of distance learning and in-person classes is a fusion of the two platforms. A number of institutions had already experienced various forms of digital teaching and learning tools before the pandemic. Still, a higher percentage shall incorporate digital methods for educating post COVID-19. Institutions shall return with a mutual understanding that digital methods of teaching can be equally useful to learn and educate as to the conventional, physical classes. The combination of online and physical platforms is bound to yield some great benefits such as increasing students’ retain ability and higher accessibility. This system is a flexible model which will also help the faculty members in monitoring and improving students’ interaction rate and communication skills. Due to its leading benefits, it won’t come as a surprise if blended learning becomes one of the prime models for post-pandemic education.
Prioritizing technical fluency
According to the World Economic Forum, the OECD countries lack digital literacy. Almost 25% of individuals do not know how to use a computer while at least 45% have poor knowledge and only 30% have strong computer skills. This means that institutions will be focusing greatly on making students technically fluent after the pandemic. One of the biggest challenges in the sudden transition to totally distant learning during the COVID-19 pandemic was the lack of digital literacy. Many students and teachers were not well-versed and comfortable with using online tools to study or teach. Therefore, post COVID-19 tech education may get declared as fundamental to every school’s plan for the survival of institutions and academic continuity.
The primary objective of the educational industry is to nurture students. As well as, help them learn regardless of the type of platform used. Incorporating technology in any aspect is never enough. It has to fulfill certain aims. For this, lecturers need training and proper professional development opportunities continuously.
So, once the COVID-19 subsides, institutions may have to invest in teacher training and in establishing centralized units to contribute to the development efforts of the faculty. Through excelling in the digital field, there is a probability individuals would start preferring to major in digital marketing.
Boosting Student Interaction With Data-Driven Insight
It’s safe to claim that digital tools for studying and learning have significantly polished students’ interaction in this global shutdown. Hence, these tools will lead on to the after COVID-19 era to propel learner interest and active participation. Data-driven insights are one of the prime examples, and chances are they gain popularity post COVID-19. Data-driven insights unlock advanced ways to engage students, increase admissions and enhance student retention and completion rates. More impressively, it can improve assessments while indicating at-risk students, and promote self-generated reflection and learning. Moreover, it’s a great way for establishing a chain of feedback along with encouraging faculty development. Upon return, there is a high probability the educational sector will get their hands on data and learner analytics to make wise decisions. As well as, to enhance overall student interaction rate, retention ability, and student enrollment.
Designing Of Courses Based On Online Teaching
With the platform changing, the topics would demand updating as well. After the COVID-19, courses would undergo some major transformations. They will experience some major redesigning and revamping to cater to digital learning needs. This means subjects will be needing constant changes to stay updated with the latest academic research, and state-of-the-art innovations in education technology. Modifications in the evaluation and assessment methods would also occur. For instance, a digitally programmed assessment will consider several pieces of work with its feedback to grade the peer. Unlike, the typical way of assessing a child over the performance of a single exam. This is a very practical and productive approach. Thus, when restructuring the course outlines, assessment, or grading plans institutions will be making sure they cater to the learning needs of the students.
Education Post Covid-19: Final Words
How learning will change in post COVID-19, is a question that can only be answered through predictions. But, one thing is clear: virtuality is going to become the new normal for education. Learners will be expected to switch smoothly between face-to-face and online learning formats specifically in times of crisis. However, people will continue to demand the quality education. The one that prepares them for every stage of their life.