One good thing that the pandemic did was to allow people to be more open about the idea of learning outside the classroom. In the past, education was limited to the classroom walls mainly because of the limitations of technology and time. For example, summer counselling courses are a big favorite because the summer months gave people time to learn at their own pace. Online learning has developed in the last year, and more developments are coming. Here are a few that some institutions are exploring.
Adaptive Lessons
One challenge that educators often have is how to ensure that a student faces the right amount of challenge. Make learning too easy, and students will find themselves bored. But some lessons might be too hard for some students. Using one lesson plan for all students wouldn’t be as effective. Fortunately, online learning has a way to deal with this issue, and it is through adaptive learning. Through algorithms and assessments, online learning plans are modified to fit the student’s skill level. Those who are doing well get advanced lessons, while those who have difficulties are given additional explanations and assistance. The tutors are given advice on which students will need their help. They also provide insight on which lessons need focus and what could help lessons run a lot smoother.
Microlearning
Microlearning is all about studying in bite-sized pieces. Instead of a class that takes up an entire hour, students can now learn in shorter sessions. It has been shown that learning and retention can be easier when the lessons are short. Students can now take their lessons in 10-minute sessions or even shorter. They can then string these together to study as long as they want. This can also allow for learning while on the go. Even a short trip can become a venue for a lesson with the right technology. Students can also take longer sessions when they have the time.
Artificial Intelligence
One of the major bottlenecks when it comes to education is the lack of teachers. There is still an overwhelming demand for online and offline instructors. But even with a continuous stream of applicants, the demand is still too high. This is where artificial intelligence comes in. Thanks to data analytics, AI tutors can then assign lessons and tasks to students depending on their skill level. The great thing about them is that they are available 24/7 and would be able to teach continually. Some help from human teachers might be necessary, but as the technology develops, this will be reduced.
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
The problem with online learning is that many of it seems to be too distant from the student. This is where Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality come in. While it sounds like something from a science-fiction novel, using these technologies to learn makes it easier to connect to others and the teacher. Additionally, they provide great visuals for easier understanding. They can also allow for better engagement with some students.
5G Integration
Another big limitation of past online learning operations is that they lacked bandwidth. The internet allows for a lot of data to pass through, but it started with only a few kilobytes of transfer at a time. Even now, without current high-speeds, there are still delays and problems with the transfer rates. This is where the move to 5G comes in. This technology allows for even faster internet speeds. Students might even have smooth real-time video lessons in even the most remote areas. Online learning academies won’t skip out on faster bandwidth so expect more of that to come.
Open Resources
People can also expect to see the rise of open resources. In the past, students had to depend on expensive textbooks. But online learning has changed that. Many online learners now have access to more than books. They can have videos, guides, and more. The main advantage is that all of them are low in cost or are even free. Digital learning materials, as long as students can access them, have several advantages. For one, they are very easy to share with even needing extra expenses. Additionally, some resources can be edited. Other students can contribute their resources that should help other students.
The development of online learning can be very interesting. Future online learners will find it a lot easier to improve themselves. It will especially benefit younger people who will experience the full effect when they are fully implemented. This can be great for future learners, too, since they can lead to even more future improvements.
