The way people learn and acquire new information remained the same for a very long time. The learning process is still reliant on traditional means. While books are still great tools for learning, there are new methods we can use that can be just as, if not more effective, than they are. With that said, education, training, and the learning process as a whole desperately need a revamp.
In this day and age, new technologies emerge from left and right every day. A lot of them can integrate themselves into the learning process to make it more effective and impactful. There are so many benefits in introducing new technologies into the learning process that it would be criminal not to take advantage of them.
Virtual Reality
It’s no secret that most people are visual learners. Studies show that they can retain visual information better than text. It’s because the brain can accurately retain up to 90% information of an image.
Virtual reality, or VR for short, is a technology that can transport anyone into a virtual 3D environment. It means people can have a more visual experience when learning about new ideas or skills. If they want to learn about the pyramids, they can do so in VR. It allows them to see and experience how a pyramid is in a virtual world. Additionally, businesses can take advantage of VR when training employees. It gives them a safe space to learn, especially if they’re dealing with heavy machinery. Learning how to operate them in VR means they are free from the pressures of failure and safe from machinery-related injuries. It better prepares them for those machines in the real world.
VR for education and training can make learning more fun, effective, and safe.
Artificial Intelligence and Automation
Every person learns differently. They have different preferences and learn new information and skills at different speeds. Because of this, standardized lectures and materials might not be effective learning solutions for every person. But, there are still repetitive and standard lesson elements that everyone in a class or training needs to know.
Artificial intelligence (a.k.a. AI) can automate processes in both teaching and learning that are repetitive. If implemented correctly, it can benefit both students and educators greatly. AI tools like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant can help students access general information anywhere and anytime.
Additionally, they afford educators more time to focus on more important things. They can spend more time creating personalized learning experiences for students and explore creative ways to teach. It helps each student learn in the best way possible. It ultimately makes for better training and education.
Cloud Technologies
The pandemic created a need for safer ways to acquire education or training. Schools and training facilities needed a way to shift into online classrooms that remote students can access. Cloud technologies helped make that transition possible.
Cloud storage provided educators and students a way to download, upload, and transfer files online. Schools can upload learning materials to the cloud and download them remotely. Students, on the other hand, can upload projects and homework to the cloud. Educators can then download submitted works remotely and check the progress of each student.
Because cloud computing made online learning possible, it gave schools and training facilities the ability to accept students from all over the world. Students can learn different cultures from each other and become more globally competitive individuals.
Online Video Conferencing
One of the most powerful technologies that transformed learning is online video conferencing. It allows educators and students to interact with each other similar to a traditional classroom environment.
Even when finding ways to transform the future of learning, some elements must remain. Being able to see and hear the people involved in the class is one of them. That is why online video conferencing played an important role in remote learning during the pandemic. It helped give students a sense of normalcy by mimicking the usual classroom experience and bringing it online. Video conferencing also helped retain the personal element of learning through collaboration and communication.
Embracing Change for Progress
Educators might fear that these technologies could soon replace them, but that is not the case. Instead, technology is there to supplement the learning experience and help educators streamline their daily tasks into simpler systems. Handing repetitive tasks over to technologies will afford educators more time to explore and improve their abilities rather than spending it on mundane tasks. Furthermore, it will help them provide personalized plans for each student, making their learning more effective and suitable for their needs.
To quote Walt Disney, “Progress is impossible without change.”
