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Current educational trends
The use of technique and science is essential to guarantee the prestige of institutions. Discover what the trends are in technological resources to take advantage of the benefits offered by the digital era.
Educational technology is a priority to drive the teaching-learning process. Today more than ever, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have the great opportunity to put current educational trends into practice.
Over time, the premise that affirms the following is accentuated: technology in education cannot be considered as a complementary alternative. On the contrary, it can be assured that the academic success of universities depends above all on their technological development.
In this note, we will address the elements that define today's academic orientations and the resources that are a priority to meet the needs of the training process in higher education.
What place does technology occupy in current educational trends?
Technology is commonly linked to computers, mobile phones and smart screens. However, the concept refers to scientific progress, not a group of artifacts that facilitate daily life.
But then, what does technology really mean? It comes from the Greek "téchnē-lógos", and is translated as the art of technique. In that sense, the Royal Spanish Academy defines it as a set of theories and techniques that allow the practical use of scientific knowledge.
With this, technology is not an instrument or a physical tool, but an innovative procedure of scientific technique. In fact, both electronic devices and virtual platforms, LMS systems or digital libraries are the end result of technological advancement that undoubtedly allows for better learning strategies, focusing on educational needs.
What are the new inclinations according to experts?
In recent years there has been talk of the exponential growth of technology and the benefits it offers to education. However, little analysis has been done on the impact it will have on young people who are studying at university.
With this in mind, it is feasible to ask where current educational trends are heading. Well, the consulting firm Educause – in its 2021 report – noted that educational institutions should generate alternatives for remote learning, further enhancing the use of digital technologies for the benefit of the education system in general.
Following this, academic indicators worldwide point to two trends that will accelerate the use of new technologies in the coming years:
1. General adoption of hybrid learning models
Hybrid learning brought great flexibility to face-to-face and remote systems, allowing institutions to ensure the continuity of the educational process.
The so-called "new reality" made it clear that most schools and universities did not have a strategic plan to deal with the pandemic. In the case of Latin America and the Caribbean, the health crisis exposed the shortcomings of school infrastructure, which forced a reconfiguration of academic strategies with very little time to spare.
Fortunately, some Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the region already had distance education offerings and hybrid model platforms, making the impact less intense.
2. Exponential increase in educational resources and technology
The speed at which educational technology develops means that schools and the entire academic community must remain in a process of constant updating.
At this point, both the use of digital resources and the application of innovative learning strategies are the ideal combination to guarantee the success of current educational trends.
For this reason, according to the Ibero-American Journal of Distance Education, it is crucial to mention four advances that define the landscape:
- Computing: integration of logical thinking and use of artificial intelligence.
- Big data: analysis of statistical components and data behavior.
- Connectivity: synchronous integration of platforms, devices and software designed for learning.
- Tools: updating of LMS, applications, and pedagogical dynamics aimed at the education of the future (gamification, virtuality, distance collaboration).
In conclusion, continuing to use the same pedagogical tools could generate serious academic performance conflicts. Today more than ever it is important to recognize that the use of technology in education is no longer an alternative, but a necessity to increase opportunities for academic growth.
After all, today's young people – and also those of the future – will need to have the best tools to compete in the job market. Are you interested in learning more? Discover everything about online, virtual and distance education.
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