How the pandemic has changed the education system
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on all areas of human life. It did not bypass the educational field. Education is the inalienable right of every person. Providing high quality education to people all around the world, regardless of their life conditions and level of development, is one of the strategic goals of the United Nations. Unfortunately, this goal has now been put in jeopardy.
The past two years have brought major changes in the education system, including the digitalization trends. We’ll talk today about one of the most important ones, as it will impact many aspects of education in the future.
The pandemic wreaked havoc on schools and disrupted many of the processes. Luckily, new technology came to the rescue and allowed around a billion students to learn from home. Distance learning became popular first in educational institutions, then hybrid methods were introduced. Meanwhile, by 2021 if more than 10% of students and a significant number of schoolchildren took electronic digital courses, then the situation will change.
On one side of the argument, many people think that both mixed and legacy are quite similar. However, there may be an underlying distinction that is worth exploring more. One of the most distinguishing features is that you can teach in a mixed way, with technology being a secondary factor. In a joint form, the priority is for students to be able to make decisions about what they should learn in the classroom.
By 2022, the hybrid model of education has become a habit. So, 75% of the teaching staff are convinced that the mixed process is becoming normal practice now, even before the coronavirus epidemic. This study shows that more students are eager to switch to online learning. Meanwhile, 36% of teachers think that it’s a worthwhile process while 51% had a negative opinion of distance education in the past.
Some schools, such as Minerva and Universidad de Ibagué in Columbia, have made the switch to distance instruction or a hybrid model. For example, Minerva students outperform Ivy League candidates in competitive scores. Lectures are not strictly necessary as the materials-based classes for this course take a “flipped” approach, so students will be expected to independently research and solve tasks.
What does blended learning look like today? There are two basic formats: students can either study remotely (online) or in the physical classroom. Digital platforms at universities are constantly expanding, which is true of the digital side of things.
As higher education institutions are becoming more and more aware of the importance of data in the learning process, many have started to implement a big data tool like ours. Some schools prefer our pre-set templates while others do so by themselves. For example, a service has been developed that analyzes and tailors the best intellectual direction based on their needs or skills.
Online courses are a rapidly growing field, but they can be difficult to navigate. With a card index system in place and electronic cataloging, you can find the courses you need quickly and easily.
One of the big features of modern education is the focus on making it work for students. Nearly all universities offer students a personalized path for learning, so that when they transition from an object to a participant in exploring concepts, they’re able to make immediate progress using what interests and excites them most.
Building a successful individual model can be done by developing the blocks that work for you. For example, there are often cross-cutting courses, which focus on creating skills that would work for everyone’s needs. First of output text is talking about digital and hardware skills courses.
Similar examples of this can be found in leading institutions in the US, Great Britain and have been introduced in the European Union. Students can build courses using different methods, such as attending lectures at a time that suits them. They can also choose whether to watch video lectures online or in person.
University also offers short course modules that can teach you new skills and help you with specific problems. They are available on courses lasting anywhere from a couple of minutes up to a few days, so there is something to suit all interests. This format doesn`t replace universities but expands what they offer, which is great for students who want to study with them but don’t have the necessary skills.
Some of the best universities in the world use this format to teach their courses. It’s common for large multinationals such as Microsoft, Ford or Apple to be involved, which gives students access to a lot of knowledge and skills. The format is also sequential, which means students learn from and build on what they’ve learned before.
The Micromaster’s degree program at MIT was introduced almost a decade ago and there are now many similar systems in use. This system consists of small modules and courses that count towards competencies to be considered for a future degree.
There are a number of new cutting edge technologies that are beneficial to the development of practical skills and competencies. These include augmented realities, which have many advantages, like improved performance and motivational effects. For example, at the Faculty of Medicine, a simulator can be used where students can get hands on experience and see how to care for patients. In addition to solving the variety of problems that occur with a patient – from headaches to heart failure.
Hasson University has developed the AR StageCraft program, which allows you to design art objects, and the University of Westminster is using the REVRLaw project to study forensics: in a simulation chamber, a person sees the alleged crime scene and pins point evidence items.
With all the rapid changes in our world, a lot of big decisions made two years ago seem less risky and more realistic now. Digit lets teachers use new, innovative practices that would have seemed crazy a few years ago.
When you look at the impact of the pandemic on education, it’s not only because we had to look for new approaches to teaching. It also revealed how important teachers are in the process and how they can make learning easier and more exciting.
Unfortunately, many teachers were not able to switch over their teaching styles to that of a digital focus. They lacked the know-how to properly use learning platforms and organize lessons in a new way for themselves.
All of this has led to the need for extra training for the teaching staff, and to support for experienced teachers so that they can quickly learn to use technology in the classroom.
One of the challenges that the general and higher education system faced during covid-19 was how to measure and evaluate students. This meant reviewing assessment methods, including how to respond to remote exam questions or assessments. Universities focussed on delivering control exams, while also defending dissertations.
For the qualitative control of the current knowledge, most educational institutions during the pandemic chose continuous assessment as a method. new technologies allow to verify that students and pupils have obtained a certain level of knowledge as soon as they actually learn something. This means that the responsibility is on teachers and those who prepare students for exams has been simplified, with less subjective control.
You now know how the pandemic is affecting education in the world and what are ways to overcome the crisis. Don’t forget that every person has a right to education and go for it!