By Lonnie King
Immersive Virtual Learning Environments
By 2035, the distinction between the physical and digital worlds will be increasingly blurred, and this is as true in education as anywhere. VR and AR technology will be far more accessible than it is today, with lightweight and affordable devices making it easy for anyone to interact with tutors and fellow learners as if they were in the same room. Highly immersive virtual classrooms and campuses will mean we can participate in sophisticated simulations, engage in complex scientific experiments or explore ancient civilizations first-hand.
Neurotechnology And Accelerated Learning
Cases in education are likely to involve assisting students with disabilities, enabling them to control devices with thoughts. This will enhance their ability to communicate and take part in learning activities. Within ten years, they could also be used to understand the brain’s learning processes better, potentially speeding up our ability to ingest, retain and recall information.
A Lifetime Of Learning
The concept of a “job for life” might have seemed normal to our parents’ generation, but it’s obsolete today. Students graduating ten years from now will be under no illusion that they are equipped with the skills and knowledge they will need for a lifelong career. Education systems will adapt to support this, offering more courses that will involve on-the-job training and opportunities for upskilling. Companies like Amazon to offer degree-level apprenticeship programs, and this will become more common as employers seek to develop workforces equipped with the skills they need. Micro-learning and nano-learning will deliver education in bite-sized chunks, capable of being rolled out on a “just-in-time” basis to meet the changing needs of industries and professions.
Embracing Artificial Intelligence for Learning
The role of technology in higher learning is not only in equipping students with information but also in bridging access to quality education. AI has stirred a buzz, thanks to the way higher education industry trends is transforming the methods of doing things in this industry. A number of universities and colleges are leveraging AI to offload time-sensitive academic and admin tasks, enhance enrollment, improve IT processes, and boost learning experience for students. AI holds an unfathomable promise for institutions of higher learning, its adoption in the education industry is still low. University leaders are aware of the significant role AI could play over the next 10-15 years, many are skeptical about its implementation. Studies show that only 41% of universities and colleges have a clear AI strategy in place.
Online Learning is More Prevalent
Online learning is a broad term that encompasses other modes of learning, such as blended learning and eLearning. It is a subcategory of digital learning that simply means the use of online tools for learning. Latest statistics show that 55% of today’s college and university students are Gen Zers. The new generation of students are accustomed to using technology from a younger age and thus are comfortable at home using tech tools to acquire knowledge and skills. Pew Research reports that 95% of Gen Zers have access to smartphones, whereas 97% use at least one of the major online platforms.
Virtual Reality for Education
As this immersive technology evolves, educators are increasingly looking into ways to incorporate VR into pedagogical approaches because of the benefits it delivers to students. Using VR in deep learning, primarily in science and medical fields, triggers empathic responses that give students a perspective that has an enormous lasting impact. As of 2018, 18% of universities and colleges had fully deployed VR, 28% had used it to some extent, and 32% were testing the technology.
The Rise of Massive Open Online Course
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are open online courses created for a large number of participants, provide free access, and can be accessed anytime, anywhere by anyone as long as they have an internet connection. MOOCs come with the benefit of unlimited enrollment, fewer requirements, and are accessible on a global scale. Second, MOOCs are being offered at a minimal cost so they are the safest bet to turn the tide of overwhelming cost of education. In 2019 alone, 51% of institutions of higher learning in the U.S. recorded a decrease in the new enrollment of international students. On the other hand, 7% indicated no change, whereas 42% reported an increase.
References
Marr, B. (2024b, August 27). The biggest education trends of the next 10 years. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2024/07/09/the-biggest-education-trends-of-the-next-10-years/
Bouchrika, I. (2020, August 24). 11 Top Trends in Higher Education: 2020/2021 Data, Insights & Predictions. Research.com. https://research.com/education/trends-in-higher-education