Online learning gives students more freedom and flexibility when it comes to their education. Unlike traditional classroom courses, these online ones tend to be smaller so that tutors can provide quick feedback to their pupils more quickly.
Some instructors noted that online learning could prompt them to reevaluate their institutions’ courses and programs – this fits with data indicating higher education is increasingly offering multiple learning modalities.
1. Artificial Intelligence
AI has proven itself a boon for online learning. Udacity, edX and Coursera – three leading educational platforms founded and led by AI experts – have all seen tremendous successes as educational resources.
Students and instructors both expect artificial intelligence systems to positively affect online learning interactions; however, this could have unintended repercussions.
Students often fear that AI teaching assistants could decrease the likelihood of them asking questions during classes, thinking they might waste the instructor’s time by asking unnecessary queries. Meanwhile, others believe AI provides anonymity which would enable more comfortable communication when asking queries in class.
2. Cloud Computing
Cloud computing has quickly become the go-to technology solution for educational institutions. It helps educators save both time and money, by enabling students to access course material regardless of location or time of day or night.
Cloud solutions also reduce costs over the long-term by eliminating the need to build and maintain on-premise data centers, freeing up valuable resources for other uses. Their scalability enables schools and universities to better handle traffic spikes without using up resources that would otherwise go unused. With their pay-as-you-go model, cloud solutions provide flexibility and agility that helps save schools time and money over time.
3. Big Data
Innovative online education continues to emerge as a popular alternative to classroom-based instruction. It offers convenience both to students as well as office workers requiring required training courses or related learning tasks.
Innovative online teaching can benefit greatly from big data technologies, which enable teachers to more precisely assess student needs and implement teaching evaluation methods. Furthermore, big data can also be utilized for optimizing online learning content and time through probabilistic prediction (Bienkowski M & Feng M, 2012).
However, this remote learning style poses some unique challenges: it requires less interactive participation, manages screen time differently than face-to-face learning does and may lead to loss of focus.
4. Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality (VR) is an immersive technology that uses separate images to form a three-dimensional scene with depth. As opposed to Augmented Reality, which uses smart devices to overlay educational text and lesson-specific content onto real surroundings, VR creates an entirely virtual world that feels real.
At present, online learning largely revolves around developing new skills (Udemy or CreativeLive), attending lectures or expanding existing knowledge bases. VR could change this by giving students the ability to experience their learning experiences first-hand.
Students now have access to virtual field trips such as visiting Roman ruins or mixing volatile chemicals without risking their health – providing students with hands-on experience in engineering, aviation and medicine among other areas.
5. Internet of Things
Students and professors must become adept with technology for successful online learning experiences. This involves becoming adept with various applications, learning management systems and search engines.
Covid-19’s widespread outbreak forced schools and universities to embrace online education solutions, yet this type of learning had long since gained momentum before it. E-learning provides flexible yet cost-effective access to higher education while simultaneously offering opportunities for working professionals seeking to sharpen their skills without negatively affecting their career prospects.
Emergence of celebrity and expert courses. Examples include children’s writing by Julia Donaldson, filmmaking from Martin Scorsese, and business from Bob Iger on platforms such as Masterclass.
6. Blockchain
Online education holds great promise for the future, enabling students to access educational resources from any location worldwide. This affords learners the chance to gain new skills and knowledge without being limited by distance or financial concerns preventing them from attending traditional educational institutions.
However, online education poses security threats; hackers have infiltrated many educational institutions’ computer systems and altered records and credentials without permission. Blockchain technology could help solve this problem by offering a safe network that prevents hacking or data manipulation.
7. Constant Network Enhancements
Dusty blackboards and overly-flashy overhead projectors may once have been the hallmark of some learning experiences; but many online students no longer rely on such technologies as virtual classrooms and videoconferencing as their learning platforms of choice. Instead, dynamic learning technologies such as these enable educators to provide more engaging and interactive online education experiences for both their students and instructors alike.
Colleges and universities use gamification strategies like badges and leaderboards to encourage student participation in school activities while simultaneously building long-term learning habits that support lifelong education – this has proven successful at increasing retention.
Other online institutions are emphasizing career-specific skills that quickly respond to employer pain points, providing educational providers with an edge in the marketplace.
