Significant Developments in Education and Training Technology

Over the past two years, the speed of digital transformation in the education sector has increased significantly.

FREMONT, CA: In the past two years, the rate of digital transformation in the education sector has accelerated enormously. Every level of education, including elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education and professional and workplace training, has shifted toward online and cloud-based delivery platforms. Moreover, the shifting needs of businesses and workforces have caused a drastic shift in the interaction between adult learners and providers of additional education, such as colleges and universities.

The educational technology (EdTech) market is projected to reach $680 million by 2027. Mobile technologies, cloud services, and virtual reality will create new opportunities for accessible and immersive learning. From an optimistic standpoint, the education sector can welcome the fact that the quality of education offered in 2022 is less constrained by a person's geographical location and ability to attend classes. On the other hand, the sector must be cognizant that discrepancies in access to technology present an additional set of obstacles when pursuing educational equality. In light of this, here is a look at the most significant tech trends affecting education over the coming year.

Lifelong education (subscription services)

The current education system was designed for a world where children were supposed to train for "jobs for life." Today's work landscape is drastically different from that of grandparents or parents. As a result of the rapid pace of technology innovation, abilities can soon become obsolete; therefore, acquiring new skills on an ongoing basis is essential for career and business success.

With this tidal surge of change, education providers and students are moving toward a continuous education model. They may be taking lessons from the widespread trend toward subscription services in other sectors of life. A second factor is the advent of online learning aggregators such as Coursera and Udemy, which offer hundreds of "micro-courses" in addition to traditional degrees and multi-year programs. These try to break down learning into manageable portions that can be completed within weeks or months. This innovative learning approach is meant to accommodate the changing needs of businesses and employers in the 21st century. It will become an increasingly popular alternative for students seeking flexible ways to integrate education into their busy schedules.

AR and VR immersive learning technologies

Extended reality (XR), which encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), promises to make learning more immersive and engaging. This is crucial in a time when attention spans are reported to be decreasing, and the education sector is becoming accustomed to ingesting information in ultra-quick, attention-grabbing bites. Imagine how much more information students could have retained if they had been allowed to explore a digital reproduction of ancient Rome while learning about the Roman Empire.

XR technologies offer other benefits, such as practicing in surroundings that closely mirror reality without the risk of injury or damage to expensive equipment. VR teaches teams to surgeons, firefighters, and underground search and rescue. Less harmful but potentially stressful or difficult abilities can also be catered for; for instance, the VirtualSpeech app allows users to practice public speaking before a virtual audience. This will enable students to gain experience presenting a speech in front of an audience and receiving immediate feedback on their tone and delivery. Similarly, Labster provides a simulated science laboratory and equipment, allowing students to engage in hands-on learning without the risk of incurring expensive errors. In addition, the VR Expeditions software permits teachers to take students on virtual field trips to 360 distinct places.