The pandemic has led to many changes in how we live and interact with each other. The education sector has had to adjust to being able to deliver quality education under current circumstances. Some of the educational trends in 2021 are set to continue in 2022, so it might be good to have a certain level of understanding. This article discusses 5 of the most popular educational technology trends of the last year.
5 Top Educational Technology Trends In 2021
1. Blended Learning
Government regulations and fear for safety have made many schools and parents consider blended learning. In simple terms, blended learning, also known as hybrid learning, refers to the combination of online learning materials with more traditional physical classroom techniques.
Examples of blended learning would be “flipped classrooms,” which refers to a situation when students are given online materials to read ahead so that they could develop a certain level of understanding before the class begins. This way, students are able to ask better questions and familiarize themselves with the topic more fully.
2. E-Books
As more and more establishments move to greener solutions for their business needs, the education sector has not been left out. E-Books have existed for a long time, but they saw an increase in demand during 2021. The benefit of e-books is that no paper is wasted. You can have a single e-book shared with many students without having to make a photocopy. Also, they can last forever, meaning you won’t have to worry about students tearing out a page by accident.
With your mobile device on hand, you can read up on your essay topic by studying as many books as you want without carrying them physically. When faced with an essay assignment that is tough, you might want to consider reading an essay writer review on the best online writing services that are affordable for students. This option is a huge time-saver for when schoolwork gets the better of you.
3. Virtual And Augmented Reality
Virtual and augmented reality technologies are still evolving, but they are quite impressive even now. With a VR headset, students can learn in a truly immersive environment. For example, instead of just looking at pictures of a power station, students now have the opportunity to interact with virtual objects.
The only drawback of this is that implementation can be quite expensive when you consider the costs of headsets. However, as mentioned earlier, with advancements in technology, we should expect reduced prices with time.
4. Online learning platforms
With students learning online, educational platforms such as Coursera and Udemy have become quite popular. They offer many educational courses and professional certifications that can leave you feeling job-ready. There are also online learning platforms such as Khan Academy that offer free explanations of technical concepts, which can be beneficial for students in STEM-related programs.
When combined with traditional means of education, students tend to understand the studied topic faster. Students might also be able to pick up skills that’ll make them more relevant in the job market after graduation.
5. Gamification
While the term isn’t new, Gamification was one of the more exciting educational trends we saw in 2021. It involves the use of game mechanics in teaching concepts and tackling projects. The benefit of this is that the students are likely to feel more engaged and responsive.
This strategy might involve the awarding of points for correct answers, with a reward in place for reaching certain milestones. For instance, a student might be awarded points for writing a very good technology essay. Students might feel more motivated when facing their academic work with options like this available.
In Conclusion
In this article, we went over 5 of last year’s more popular educational technology trends, and there’s a good chance they might continue in 2022. Suppose you’re a teacher looking to introduce a new learning technique, a developer looking to make a new learning app, or a student who wants to make their learning more inclusive of modern solutions – in either case, it might be beneficial for you to understand current trends in education.
Author’s Bio
Carl Hill is a blogger and tech enthusiast. His articles and blog posts mainly center around providing helpful information to students and teachers alike. Carl is also a competitive gamer and enjoys playing video games with friends.