Last two years were full of obstacles and challenges for the education sector globally. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a plethora of problems but also opened doors for new innovations. The pandemic has accelerated the use of educational technologies, like online classrooms and distance learning. There are many educational technologies such as AI, Gamification, and immersive learning with AR/VR that can provide an opportunity to widen the imagination of students and help them learn more efficiently. The year 2022 is expected to be the year of rapid innovation in education technologies. In this blog, we are going to walk through some of the innovative technologies that will improve the education system.

Online education

Remote collaboration, along with the closure of schools, universities, and educational institutions, are some of the major barriers created by COVID-19. Remote learning was a key component for allowing students to stay at home and support the efforts to slow down the spread of the disease. There are enormous benefits associated with remote learning.
For example, a study shows that, on average, students learning from online platforms are more likely to have an increase in performance compared to the students who are learning in-person. The culture of online learning has become popular among students all over the world.

In addition to that, online learning platforms allow students to access high-quality learning material and can support a larger class. MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) are free, and in 2020 alone, MOOC participation grew by 60 million learners. In 2022, it is expected that online learning will be preferred over traditional classroom settings because of its enormous benefits. By Andrew Hutcheson, Learning Team Specialist at Classcraft

Also read: Why and How Engage in Extracurricular Activities Attending Online Classes?

Blockchain Technology

Blockchain technology is one of the most impactful innovations of the last decade. It is helpful in industries such as supply chain, software development, finance, and education. In the education industry, online learning platforms are utilized extensively. Blockchain technology helps educational institutes to store learning material and student information in a tamper-resistant way. Blockchain technology is used in MOOCs and e-Portfolios to verify skills and knowledge. Many colleges still rely on offline mode to send transcripts that can charge anywhere from $10 to $50 for one request.

Blockchain is not only used to store sensitive information, but it can also be used to send transcripts, which saves time and money. Blockchain keeps data safe in case of server failure or natural disaster. It also maintains the integrity of educational institutions by ensuring the authenticity of degrees and certificates issued. Blockchain can also be used to issue unique digital assets that verify the credentials of academic degrees and certificates. By Jane Brewer, Technology consultant

Big Data

Big Data is helping to deliver education in a smarter way. The learning experience needs to be personalized in order to cater to the needs of students. With extensive usage in online learning platforms, there is more data than ever before. Instructional designers use this data to retrieve the relevant information about the learner’s experience to modify and present the course in a more suitable format. The key factors to be looked at are learner’s enrollment, course topics, learner’s performance, and learner’s feedback. Many educational institutions are embracing the potential of Big Data to provide a better learning experience for their students. By Vikram Seth, Co-founder of Simpalm, Software development service provider.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI can be very helpful in the education sector. For example, it can be useful to automate basic processes, like grading testing formats using multiple-choice questions and fill in the blanks. Another example of the usefulness of AI in education is the AI tutor. Students could be able to get help from AI tutors when teachers are unavailable. AI-driven programs can help students and teachers get valuable feedback. Many schools and colleges use AI-based systems to monitor students’ progress and to alert teachers when there are any issues with student performance. Many reports predict that AI will continue to grow in the education sector in 2022 and beyond. By Elijah Manor, software engineers at Lean Kit.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

The learning experience has undergone a tremendous change since Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality were introduced into education. The rise in demand for AR/VR technology in education is due to the growing demand for experiential learning. These technologies help students in understanding complex concepts that can’t be easily understood with plain images. VR provides a constructed reality while AR enhances the view of the real image. Together, these technologies can provide a tridimensional computer environment with an advanced form of interaction that can provide learning motivation.

For example, VR provides a chance to experience real surgeries in a safer environment for students attending medical training courses. In 2022, AR and VR technology is expected to expand more towards the education sector. By Rachel King, ZDNet

Conclusion

Technological innovation has sped up in the education industry and has changed teaching and learning trends. With many technological interventions, the delivery of education has been streamlined, despite hurdles created by the pandemic. Technology brings more value to learning and is making education more inspiring for both students and teachers. For educational institutions, it is important to incorporate new and trending technologies into their practices to remain relevant in these changing environments.