Top 5 Digital Trends The World Of Academia Will Witness In 2019

The spectrum of education is witnessing a disruptive wave of change thanks to the gifts of technology. Digitalisation is taking over all things manual, and the world of academia is not far behind either. Although the education department isn’t the sector that is known to have caught on to the technological trends of the world, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the education sector isn’t moving forward. Through the last few years, we have already seen major digital shifts taking over conventional teaching methods. Hence, 2019 is going to be no different either. And if the reports are right, then the coming year can mark the application of robust digital trends that are going to change how we see education.

With the entire world moving in matched steps and pace, why should learning fall back in the race, right? If the predictions are correct, then here are some of the gizmo trends to look out for that are soon going to take over the classrooms and education as a whole.

Here are the most prominent tech-trends that are likely to rule the year 2019! 

1. Online Education to thwart location barriers

With everything going online (from shopping to banking to entertainment) why should education miss out on the perks of an online presence? Almost every kid these days have a mobile phone with an internet connection. Instead of letting them use it for socialising on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, it would be better if they could use the internet for something more constructive. This has been the foundation stone for several online educational sites. Online learning apps like Byju’s and assignment help sites like Essayassignmenthelp.com.au are becoming increasingly popular among students.

With online education removing the barrier of classroom-based learning, students will not only be able to learn new things online but will also be able to gain an education without having to physically present in schools. Online education has also made distance learning possible. With top universities offering distance diplomas, students no longer have to travel across seas and spend their hard-earned money on lodging in a different country. Even several working professionals are opting for the online courses and gaining degrees while sitting in their workstation.

2. Digital and Online Assessments to overcome problems of manual guards

Exams are an essential area of the academic curriculum and work as the parameter to measure the success of education that a student achieves. Moreover, evaluation has a significant role to play in a student’s life as it takes a test of the theoretical knowledge of the student. But at present with the entire process of evaluation being dependent on human, it still remains biased and prone to error. In this era of the internet, more focus will be given on the assessment of practical knowledge, and online exams and certificates will be adopted.

Outdated syllabuses will also be paving the way for a more dynamic curriculum with a blend of technology. Hence, it will make education more practical and industry oriented. A lot of education collaboration tools will be adopted in the coming years, and with AI-driven assessments, issues of bias and manual handling errors will be eliminated. Moreover, camera bots will also be used for classroom supervision.

3. Block-chain Technology for Collaborations

Blockchain has already dominated innovation across many industrial sectors like banking and insurance, and in the coming decade, the technology will be ushered into education as well. When it comes to collaboration, maintaining a vast database, block-chain can prove to be very useful for such areas. From examination management to student credentials verification, from managing staff information to certificates verification – block-chain can help protect valuable data. With block-chain into the framework, even third party authorities will be able to validate marks and degrees obtained by a student through information collaboration. 

Blockchain technology will also help in storing digital copies of degree certificates in a collaborated educational environment where universities can validate students’ documents. Such a collaborative approach can help solve many issues like a loss of the original certificate or an original marksheet, authentication of student education records etc.

4. Personalised Learning for better understanding

Like every industry, the education sector too is trying to incorporate customised academic experience. In 2019, the chances are high that traditional learning will become obsolete giving way to personalised and on-demand experience. Every student is dynamic and should be treated differently. But in a classroom with numerous students, it isn't possible for teachers to give special attention to each of the students. Moreover, with limited class timings and school hours, it becomes all the more critical to provide personalised training to the students. 

But with online tutoring and academic sites available in flux, the problems related to location, needs and preferences will be eradicated in the coming year. Every student may have different problems. Not everyone’s pace of understanding is similar, and therefore one may struggle with mathematics while another may find it difficult to cope with English. With personalised learning replacing traditional teaching methods, students will be able to absorb matter and understand it better as per their preferable speed.

5. Virtual Reality (VR) in education

Augmented reality and Virtual Reality have changed our lives for the better. With AR/VR based technologies into the framework, education is bound to have a more enhanced approach. Quite popular in the gaming world, the concept of VR is becoming a favourite in sectors like education due to its cost-effectiveness. A survey has shown that the rate of knowledge retention in classroom-based lectures is the lowest as opposed to audio and visuals mediums. Students learn and understand better when they see something in practicality.

This is where VR comes in. Virtual reality is being used to give students more real-life experiences so that they take back better lessons from the classroom. Subjects like quantum physics and chemistry often do not make sense when just taught from textbooks. But with AR into the picture, you can use compatible tools so that your class can understand the complicated subject matter better. 3D printed modules can be used to explain topics that drawing on the chalkboards cannot convey and revamp the education system as a whole.

To wrap it up,

It is the 21st century, and technology has gone a long way and is almost omnipresent in our lives. Technology has not only made our lives more comfortable, but it has also improved the quality of lives. Although there is no shortcut to education, with technology within the framework of teaching and learning, the landscape of education is sure to see a better dawn in 2019. And just like technological advancements have made things smoother in our workplace or our homes; similarly, technology will give a new definition to imparting education.

Article is written with the help of Prof. Emily Sanderson, Professor, technology expert and assignment helper working with Myassignmenthelp.