In 2020, technology is on every proverbial corner. For educators and parents, it may feel like technology is also permanently glued to the palm of their students' hands, causing them to be distracted and disengaged in the classroom. This doesn't have to be the case! E-Learning and other digital education tools can actually help educators supplement and enhance their students' understanding of concepts across subjects.
Apps for Learning on the Go
Subject-specific e-Learning apps like Duolingo, Science360, and Quick Maths are picking up steam as supplements to classroom learning. The global education system has taken notice, as evidenced by the proliferation of e-Learning trends including video and game-based learning. These alternatives to traditional learning and teaching provide students with differentiated opportunities to connect with educational content and grow!
Certain e-Learning applications can personalize learning for students. The apps learn from previous interactions with the student in order to present future lessons or exercises in a format more suited to individual learning styles. This extra personalization can help students understand the material better and retain concepts for long-term applications.
Additionally, educational technology empowers students to access the assistance and lessons they need on-demand. Students can learn at a whole new level in and out of the classroom!
Taking Learning to the Next Level
Education systems are taking advantage of cutting-edge technology to give students an advanced learning experience. Artificial intelligence (AI) is more popular in the classroom in 2020. In a nutshell, AI enables technology to perform aspects of human tasks like providing personalized assistance that addresses student strengths, weaknesses, and preferred methods of learning.
Experts expect that augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR) technologies to also be among the e-Learning trends growing in popularity in 2020. Augmented reality is an application that generates and integrates graphics, videos, and sounds into a real environment, while virtual reality is a completely fabricated presentation through technical goggles. When wearing VR goggles, students can feel immersed in that environment, as if they are actually experiencing it! These technologies can make learning more accessible to students with different learning styles such as visual or aural.
These technologies can enhance student engagement in their education, making it much more relatable and exciting than a page in a textbook. When education is presented to students in a hands-on way (i.e. actually allowing students to "step" inside a rainforest), it can help them connect certain concepts with real experiences. This motivates them to pay attention, positively impacting their ability to remember the information.
Gamification is also implemented in the education system in 2020. Game-based learning makes education fun for students by turning assignments into quests or stories. As they solve problems, they may earn points or gifts. This not only provides students with fun learning experiences but it also increases assignment completion rates and helps students become more engaged.
Integrating Experience-Based Learning
Experiential education can lead to more powerful learning and help students better achieve their goals. It gives students a deeper understanding of the subject, improves critical thinking, and engages lifelong learning. Teachers should integrate experience-based learning into their curriculum to help students practically apply what they learn!
Read more about how learning apps can help ready students for modern classroom rigor!
